SDG 14 Life Below Water

University of the Western Cape Impact 2025

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UWC’s contribution to Life Below Water connects campus wetlands, coastal and freshwater research, marine education and partnerships with communities whose lives depend on aquatic resources. This 2025 account brings together new research and engagement with the earlier work on which they build. Activity dates and publication dates are identified separately throughout.

Protecting wetlands and biodiversity on campus

Protecting seasonal wetlands on the UWC campus

UWC’s Cape Flats Nature Reserve protects seasonal wetlands that provide refuge for aquatic and semi-aquatic species. A February 2025 university account records the wetlands filling after the heavy winter rains of 2024, with frogs, dragonflies, weaver birds and visiting waterbirds observed. The reserve also recorded a marsh mongoose on its camera trap in November 2024. Created as a man-made feature in 1977, these wetlands support environmental education and public recreation alongside conservation. Reserve staff explain their value for groundwater recharge, filtering polluted water and moderating flooding, and identify education and continued protection as priorities. The account describes wildlife observations and the ecological functions of wetlands. [AQ01]

Seasonal wetland in the UWC campus reserve, accompanying the February 2025 article about earlier observations. The image’s capture date is unverified. Credit: Photographer not credited on source page; supplied by University of the Western Cape. Image source.

Recording biodiversity in the reserve

In February 2025, UWC reported that its 2024 Biodiversity Survey recorded 769 species in the Cape Flats Nature Reserve, compared with 558 recorded in 2023. The university associated its conservation work with habitat restoration, species monitoring and public awareness. These figures describe the reserve-wide species inventory across terrestrial and wetland habitats. Its continuing protection of seasonal wetlands connects this wider biodiversity programme with Life Below Water. [AQ02] [AQ01]

The reserve continued this monitoring in 2025. Its annual biodiversity survey ran from 13 to 18 October and brought together 108 participants from schools, clubs and local communities. The Nature Reserve Unit’s report records more than 115 species documented through iNaturalist submissions. These observations update the reserve’s species records and support protection of its threatened habitats. The results cover the reserve’s biodiversity as a whole, including the setting in which its seasonal wetlands are conserved. [AQ30]

Conservation awareness through art and access

The Nature Reserve Unit’s collaboration with the Zeitz MOCAA BMW Centre for Art Education began with a photography competition in 2024. MOCAA Art Club learners visited the reserve later that year, and the resulting photographs joined UWC students’ work at an exhibition opening on 10 May 2025. More than 90 competition entries yielded 24 selected photographs. The project introduced participants and visitors to the reserve’s biodiversity, including its protected wetland ecosystems, and linked conservation awareness with creative learning. [AQ03]

A continuing environmental-education resource

UWC describes its Nature Reserve Unit as an educational resource for surrounding communities as well as students and staff. The unit combines a 34-hectare reserve, indigenous nursery and environmental-education centre. Its programmes serve learners, educators, schools and organisations; bird walks, photo walks and faunal surveys also contribute observations and species records. The unit’s standing service description places ecological teaching, environmental education and research alongside public recreation. [AQ04]

Investigating microplastics in coastal ecosystems

A dedicated laboratory for coastal microplastics

The Laboratory for Microplastics and Coastal Research in UWC’s Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology was launched in April 2023. A stated R4.6-million investment over 2021–2025 supported specialised equipment, including a LUMOS II FT-IR imaging microscope used to identify polymers in plastics collected from estuaries and other coastal settings. Led by Anusha Rajkaran, the laboratory connects microplastics research with the health of mangroves and other coastal ecosystems. [AQ05]

Marine research infrastructure documented in 2024

A June 2024 NRF-SAIAB account identifies UWC as one of four university partners in the Joint Marine Laboratories programme, alongside Fort Hare, Zululand and Walter Sisulu universities. UWC’s laboratory specialises in understanding microplastics and their ecosystem effects. The partner institutions collaborate on marine research and student training, bringing university facilities into a national network that develops scientific and technical skills for ocean stewardship. Anusha Rajkaran is identified as UWC’s principal investigator for the Laboratory for Microplastics and Coastal Research. [AQ06b]

Translating microplastics science into policy advice

A September 2025 NRF-SAIAB briefing by Anusha Rajkaran, Rosemary Eager and Stephanie Nicolaides synthesises evidence on microplastics in aquatic ecosystems and the services they support. It calls for comparable monitoring of water, sediments and organisms, stronger attention to pollution at source, research across scientific disciplines, and public education. The briefing highlights gaps across South African estuaries and recommends a coordinated role for the South African Macro-, Meso- and Microplastics Network. The briefing offers research-informed recommendations for authorities and conservation organisations. [AQ07]

Public guidance on reducing plastic leakage

In August 2025, UWC published Anusha Rajkaran and Conrad Sparks’ explanation of how microbeads enter rivers, estuaries and seas, and why reducing pollution requires more than addressing one type of plastic. Their commentary on South Africa’s proposed microbead restrictions recommends standardised monitoring, clear implementation arrangements, prevention of illegal dumping and research into alternatives. It is a practical example of making marine-pollution research accessible to a wider public. Its recommendations address public policy, implementation and consumer practices. [AQ08]

Following pollution through rivers estuaries and coastal waters

Tracing sewage-related contaminants in Hout Bay

Research published in July 2025 by a team including UWC’s Environmental and Nano Science Group examined contamination in Hout Bay’s connected river and coastal environments. The study analysed pharmaceuticals and personal-care chemicals in mussels, alongside microbial indicators in river water and seawater. Its 2020 and 2021 samples showed persistent chemical contamination in marine organisms and substantial faecal pollution at some river sites. The authors called for improved wastewater management and longer-term monitoring. The pharmaceutical measurements came from mussel tissue, while water testing addressed microbial contamination. Published in 2025, the study reports field conditions sampled in 2020 and 2021. [AQ09]

Map dated 25 April 2024, reproduced in the Hout Bay study published in July 2025. This depicts study geography, not a photograph of 2025 activity. Credit: Cartographer: Denzil Bent (map dated 25 April 2024). Ojemaye et al. (2025), Environments 12, 257, Figure 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12080257. CC BY 4.0. Image source. CC BY 4.0.

An estuarine view of pharmaceutical accumulation

A UWC–UCT study published in August 2025 investigated pharmaceuticals at five sites in Cape Town’s Zandvlei Estuary and in its sandprawns, important sediment-dwelling ecosystem engineers. The research detected accumulation of several medicines in the animals and highlighted the vulnerability of temporarily closed estuaries to wastewater-derived contaminants. The findings strengthen the case for assessing pollution in organisms as well as water. Sampling took place on 4 August 2022; the authors explicitly note that the single sampling period limits wider generalisation. The findings provide a dated baseline for investigating ecological risk and the movement of contaminants through estuarine food webs. [AQ10]

Testing wastewater treatment and coastal PFAS contamination

In November 2024, UWC- and UCT-affiliated researchers published an assessment of five per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in wastewater and False Bay’s marine environment. They examined treatment stages at Zandvliet wastewater treatment works and analysed seawater, sediment and biota from eight coastal sites. The study found that the treatment processes examined did not completely remove these persistent chemicals, supporting the need for better effluent quality and continued ecological monitoring. Its field samples were collected in 2017/2018, placing the reported treatment performance and coastal observations in that historical period. [AQ11]

Comparing ways to control freshwater microplastics

A 2024 systematic review co-authored by UWC-affiliated Sershen compared interventions for preventing or removing microplastics from natural and constructed freshwater systems. It examined 124 studies across treatment, source-control, stormwater and in-situ approaches. The synthesis stresses that laboratory success does not automatically establish scalability or suitability for every setting, and that downstream clean-up depends on effective upstream prevention. This synthesis provides an evidence base for selecting pollution-control methods and identifies the need to test their suitability under local conditions. [AQ12]

Making water-quality evidence accessible to the public

In July 2025, UWC republished a multidisciplinary research team’s public commentary on sewage contamination and the communication of water-quality evidence in Cape Town. Drawing on their studies of rivers, lakes, aquifers and coastal waters, the authors advocated more timely release of monitoring results, clearer communication of changing contamination risks, and independent scrutiny of scientific claims. They also described sharing their research through media articles, a website and a documentary. This contribution connects aquatic-pollution research with public access to evidence and informed discussion about wastewater management. The article presents the authors’ proposals for stronger monitoring transparency and public communication. [AQ29]

Understanding estuarine biodiversity and blue carbon

Understanding biodiversity around Berg Estuary tidal creeks

Research by Nomcebo Mngomezulu, Anusha Rajkaran and Dimitri Veldkornet examined how tidal creeks shape saltmarsh biodiversity in the Berg River Estuary. Six transects sampled during 8–12 June 2022 and 10–15 March 2023 linked vegetation records with groundwater and sediment conditions. The study found greater plant-species richness along transects with creeks and identified plant communities distinct from adjacent saltmarsh areas. Its authors recommend including creek habitats in vegetation surveys and incorporating environmental variables into coastal-ecosystem monitoring. Published online in October 2024 and in a 2025 journal issue, the research helps conservation practitioners recognise fine-scale habitat differences and select plants suited to local conditions when planning restoration. [AQ13, pp. 4–5,9]

Monitoring ecological change at the mangrove saltmarsh boundary

A June 2024 paper co-authored by UWC’s Anusha Rajkaran examined crab communities where mangroves meet saltmarshes at the Nahoon and Tyolomnqa estuaries. Comparing 2023 surveys with 2016 records, the researchers documented changes in community composition and a new southern distributional limit for two mangrove-associated fiddler crabs. The work shows why conservation needs to consider animal communities as coastal vegetation changes. The study examined established stands of historically planted mangroves and their changing ecological relationships with neighbouring saltmarshes. [AQ14]

Nahoon and Tyolomnqa mangrove, ecotone and saltmarsh habitats in Figure 2, published in 2024. The study compares 2016 and 2023 field data; photograph capture dates are unspecified. Credit: Photographs: Anusha Rajkaran. Figure 2 in Katharoyan, Rajkaran and Peer (2024), Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2024.1389428. CC BY 4.0. Unchanged. Image source. CC BY 4.0.

Connecting biodiversity, blue carbon and restoration planning

A 2025 multi-institutional study involving UWC’s Anusha Rajkaran assessed knowledge and future priorities for South Africa’s estuarine blue-carbon ecosystems. It considers saltmarshes, seagrasses and mangroves within dynamic estuaries, including connections with reeds, sedges and forested wetlands. The authors recommend sustained monitoring, attention to under-studied carbon stores, inclusive restoration and protection arrangements, and alignment with international reporting approaches. They also caution that the small area of these ecosystems limits some carbon-credit opportunities. The paper sets out a research and conservation-planning agenda, including priorities for future restoration and long-term monitoring. [AQ15]

Estuarine and ecotonal habitats in Figure 2 of the 2025 blue-carbon publication. The photographs’ capture dates are unspecified. Credit: Janine B. Adams and co-authors. Estuarine and ecotonal habitats, Figure 2, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2025.109360. CC BY 4.0. Image source. CC BY 4.0.

Assessing threats to Agulhas mangrove ecosystems

A July 2024 ecosystem-assessment preprint co-authored by UWC’s Anusha Rajkaran applied the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems framework to the Agulhas mangroves. The authors’ published abstract describes mangroves in 31 estuaries along South Africa’s eastern coastline and assesses the ecosystem as Endangered. It identifies pressures including development, altered freshwater and tidal flows, harvesting and pollution. The assessment identifies conservation priorities for a threatened ecosystem and was released as a preprint that had not been peer reviewed. [AQ16]

Mapping freshwater ecosystems and pressures

Mapping long-term wetland change across the Limpopo basin

Institute for Water Studies researchers used cloud-based Earth observation and machine learning to examine wetland and land-cover change across the Limpopo transboundary river basin from 2000 to 2020. Their article, published online in November 2023 and in a 2024 journal issue, identified declining wetland extent and the role of land-use change. The analysis offers spatial evidence for prioritising protection and management. The study contributes spatial analysis for freshwater conservation and identifies pressures requiring further management attention. [AQ17]

A less intrusive way to map wetland plants

A January 2024 study co-authored by UWC’s Timothy Dube tested drone multispectral imagery and machine learning to map ten plant species in a seep wetland in Steenbras Nature Reserve. Using images captured in October 2018, the pilot established a baseline near groundwater-abstraction sites and reported overall classification accuracy of 87.4%. The method offers a way to monitor small wetland habitats with detailed species information. The pilot provides a methodological baseline for tracking wetland plant distributions and evaluating future change near groundwater-abstraction sites. [AQ18]

Connecting wetland change with waterbird records

Zaahira Yassin’s UWC master’s thesis, dated November 2025, combined satellite observations, citizen-science records and public landscape imagery to investigate De Hoop Vlei, a Ramsar-listed coastal wetland. Sentinel-2 observations spanning 2016–2025 were used to analyse seasonal changes in vegetation, water extent and turbidity. These measures were examined alongside Coordinated Waterbird Counts records and geotagged imagery describing how visitors experience the wetland. The study identified potential waterbird indicators and showed how ecological observations can be considered together with recreation, aesthetic appreciation and wildlife observation. This integrated approach offers a research framework for monitoring wetland condition and informing conservation awareness. [AQ35, physical pp. 1,3–4,60–67]

Connecting surface-water and groundwater quality

A June 2024 paper by Department of Water and Sanitation and UWC-affiliated researchers evaluated river and groundwater quality across five major catchments in the Mzimvubu-to-Tsitsikamma water-management area. The analysis combined historical records from January 2015 to December 2022 with field investigations conducted between February 2021 and November 2023. Seasonal comparisons and water-quality indices made the results more accessible for water-resource management. The authors assessed research measurements against South African water-quality guidelines, providing evidence about pressures across linked river and groundwater systems. [AQ19, section 2.2]

Community perspectives on floodplain-wetland governance

Palesa Jessica Mokgala’s UWC master’s thesis, completed in November 2025, examined how wetland-management policies connect with livelihoods and community participation in the Msunduzi River Basin. The research formed part of a Water Research Commission-funded project and included household surveys conducted in July 2024, alongside stakeholder interviews and a review of African wetland governance. It identified limited awareness of relevant policies and concerns about participation and effectiveness, recommending clearer communication and more inclusive management. The thesis contributes community perspectives to freshwater stewardship and identifies recommendations for improving participation and policy communication. [AQ20]

Historical foundation Heuningnes river and wetland change

Yamkela Mbambi’s 2023 UWC master’s thesis used remote sensing and geographic information systems to investigate land-use change and the morphology of rivers and wetlands in the Heuningnes catchment. Examining 1990–2020 imagery, the study linked changes in land cover with shrinking water-body areas and offered evidence to inform water-resource conservation and planning. Completed in 2023, the thesis forms part of the historical foundation for UWC’s freshwater and catchment research. [AQ21]

Studying microplastics in a managed aquifer-recharge basin

A UWC master’s thesis by Sebastian Georg Stenzl, dated August 2024, investigated microplastics in sediments from Basin 7 of the Atlantis Water Supply Scheme. Ten sediment cores were collected during sampling trips on 22 June 2022 and 1 March 2023 and analysed in depth sections to examine relationships between microplastic characteristics and sediment properties. This extends the university’s pollution research beyond coastal surface waters to a managed aquifer-recharge setting. The repository made the thesis available in December 2025, after the fieldwork and thesis completion. [AQ25, declaration; pp. 76–77]

Working with water managers and communities

An open forum for water-research exchange

UWC’s Institute for Water Studies announced an Open Day with the WISA Western Cape Branch, scheduled for 21 May 2025. Its advance programme invited researchers and water-management partners to exchange knowledge on remote sensing, mining-related water pressures, groundwater modelling and water-resource management. Announced contributors included CSIR researchers and Water Research Commission chief executive Jennifer Molwantwa. The programme placed surface water, groundwater, ecosystem linkages and the needs of water users within a shared research discussion. [AQ22]

Water hyacinth at Hartbeespoort Dam, accompanying the May 2025 IWS Open Day announcement. The photograph’s date is unverified; this is not the UWC campus. Credit: Photographer not credited on source page; supplied by University of the Western Cape. Image source.

Working with farmers on sustainable groundwater use

UWC’s De Aar groundwater partnership brings together the university, the Department of Water and Sanitation, CSIR, Emthanjeni Local Municipality and local farmers. A university account dated August 2024 traces the institutional collaboration to 2013 and describes aquifer research to estimate recharge and guide safe abstraction in the town’s water-allocation planning. The work includes 24-hour pumping tests and collaboration with farmers to understand recharge, yield and sustainable use. Three PhD students, six master’s students and a postdoctoral scholar participated in visits in November 2023 and April 2024. UWC’s Professor Thokozani Kanyerere leads the project alongside CSIR’s Harrison Pienaar and DWS’s Lucky Baloyi. Farmers’ participation helps connect research recommendations with practical groundwater-management needs. [AQ23]

Historical foundation sharing Nuwejaars catchment science

In October 2022, UWC’s Institute for Water Studies shared catchment research with communities and organisations around Elim, Napier and Bredasdorp. Presentations and discussion covered groundwater and surface-water links, water quality, alien vegetation, and aquatic plants and animals. Participants included conservation bodies, water authorities, research organisations and community groups. The engagement built on work begun in 2014 and hydrological monitoring infrastructure installed by the Institute. This October 2022 event illustrates an established approach to communicating freshwater science with people who use and manage the resource. [AQ24]

Developing new tools for aquatic research

Planning accessible coastal-wetland data

A 2025 recruitment document for the Coastal Wetland Health Action Map project describes a UWC–Griffith collaboration supervised by Anusha Rajkaran and Rod Connolly. Its planned activities include translating research for communities and policymakers, integrating wetland-monitoring information, and developing communication tools with conservation partners. The document places accessible evidence and education at the centre of the project’s intended conservation contribution. The 2025 notice describes intended project activities and a communication role running to December 2026. [AQ26]

Infrastructure for water-quality sensing

In April 2024, UWC announced the refurbished Electrochemical Sensors Node of the Nano Micro Manufacturing Facility, developed with the Department of Science and Innovation. The node supports design, synthesis and analysis of smart nanomaterials and development of chemical and biological sensing devices, with water quality among its intended applications. The facility is intended to support academic and industry researchers in developing sensor prototypes for water quality, food security and agriculture, strengthening research capacity for detecting environmental pressures. [AQ27]

Working with coastal communities on fisheries adaptation

Co-designing climate adaptation with small-scale fishing communities

UWC participated alongside the University of Cape Town and Nelson Mandela University in Eco-ACE, an NRF-supported collaboration running from 2022 to 2024. The project brought ecological modelling together with social research and community knowledge to explore climate adaptation in small-scale fisheries. Its coastal case studies included St Helena Bay, Melkhoutfontein and the Eastern Cape. This partnership connects scientific analysis with the people whose livelihoods depend on coastal ecosystems. [M01]

A 2024 conference presentation describes interviews with fishing crews, factory workers and rights holders, community engagement, and work integrating small-scale fisheries into ecosystem models. The team also adapted the Fish n’ Ships card game to the southern Benguela and translated it into Afrikaans as a science-engagement tool for understanding sustainable fishing. The presentation identifies continuing experimentation, knowledge-sharing challenges and stakeholder fatigue alongside these participatory methods. [M02, slides 9–13]

Connecting fisheries research with adaptation policy

A 2024 One Ocean Hub/Eco-ACE policy brief drew on an October 2023 workshop with South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment to propose ten climate-adaptation recommendations. These called for responses co-designed with fishers, recognition of local knowledge, stronger institutional coordination and resources for implementation. UWC’s connection to this policy-facing output was through the Eco-ACE partnership. The brief presents recommendations rather than adopted government requirements. [M03, physical pp. 2–4] [M01]

Connecting conservation and community livelihoods

Training conservation practitioners in biodiversity and social justice

PLAAS at UWC and Wageningen University co-hosted a five-day practitioner course in Durban from 26 February to 1 March 2024. Fully funded by the Oak Foundation, it brought together 27 selected professionals from 11 African countries, including South Africa. Participants worked in biodiversity conservation, natural-resource management and land, water and ocean governance across government, conservation organisations, civil society, community-based organisations and the private sector. Teaching and a field visit connected biodiversity with rights, gender, access and livelihoods. [M05, course description, participant list and funding statement]

Practitioner learning in 2025

In 2025, PLAAS offered its five-day Living Landscapes short course, New Thinking on Integrating Biodiversity and Social Justice, for 27–31 October in Kleinmond. Supported by the Oak Foundation, the course was fully funded for selected participants. It targeted professionals in conservation, natural-resource management and land, water and ocean governance, including community-based organisations, government and NGOs. Topics included conservation approaches, rights, gender, livelihoods and field-based learning. The participant booklet included a City of Cape Town reserve supervisor based at Edith Stephens Wetland Park. A later PLAAS account confirms the 2025 cohort’s continued learning through a December masterclass on other effective area-based conservation measures. [M27, funding, content and eligibility] [M28, physical pp. 1 and 10] [M29, retrospective account of 2025 activities]

The course formed part of Living Landscapes in Action, led by UWC’s PLAAS with Wageningen University and the University of Cape Town. Its research and engagement focused on iSimangaliso, Mapungubwe and Cape Town landscapes, bringing ecological protection together with social justice. The Cape Town project description identifies Rondevlei, Zeekoevlei and their corridor towards False Bay, where wetland conservation intersects with neighbouring settlements, livelihoods and urban services. [M04, landscape descriptions] [M35, project leadership and partners]

In July 2024, the Oak Foundation described how Living Landscapes researchers worked with communities around Cape Town’s wetlands and with fishing communities near iSimangaliso. It also reported that alumni continued sharing knowledge, opportunities and conservation challenges through monthly online meetings of the Mazingira Yethu practitioner network. This extended the course’s exchange of experience beyond the classroom. [M06]

Listening to Cape Town’s wetland neighbours

PLAAS’s February 2025 Policy Brief 63 brought further attention to communities around Cape Town conservation areas. It drew on two years of relationship-building by a locally based research associate, with UWC and UCT researchers joining interviews with communities and conservation officials. The sites included Edith Stephens and Rondevlei nature reserves. The authors called for community participation and local ecological knowledge to shape conservation decisions and sustainable resource use. These recommendations arose from community research rather than a reported programme of habitat maintenance. [M33, physical pp. 1–2 and 5]

Community knowledge and co-management around iSimangaliso

PLAAS Policy Brief 65, published in February 2025, drew on more than two years of embedded research with Dukuduku and KwaNibela communities around iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Two UWC-based associate researchers worked in these communities, collaborating with Masifundise Development Trust fisher representatives to examine conservation and livelihood tensions. The brief includes community accounts dated 2023, 2024 and 2025. It recommends meaningful co-management, clearer responsibilities, accessible communication and stronger inclusion of women, young people and local ecological knowledge. These are proposals for improving governance, rather than reported implementation outcomes. [M07, physical pp. 1, 7–11]

Sharing fisher knowledge and strengthening regional governance

Listening to fishers through the Fisher People Tribunal

UWC’s PLAAS participated in South Africa’s first Fisher People Tribunal in Kalk Bay on 12–14 August 2024. Ben Cousins, emeritus professor at PLAAS, served on the jury. Convened by Masifundise and Coastal Links, the hearings provided a public forum for coastal and inland fishers’ testimony on governance, conservation restrictions, extractive development and climate pressures. The tribunal was a civil-society process rather than a judicial court. [M08] [M10, cover and introduction]

At the subsequent national fisher conference on 23–25 October 2024, more than 85 fisher representatives from five provinces discussed common priorities. Cousins presented the preliminary jury statement. The organiser’s account records dialogue among researchers and fishing communities about participation, rights and governance, with recommendations intended to strengthen the fisher movement. [M09] [M10, cover and recommendations]

Regional collaboration on adaptive fisheries governance

Professor Mafa Hara of UWC’s PLAAS is a partner in Building Adaptive Fisheries Governance Capacity, alongside the University of Birmingham, Uganda’s National Fisheries Resources Research Institute and partners in Malawi. The project’s stated period is December 2023 to November 2026. Its focus is inland fisheries in Uganda and Malawi, linking community livelihoods with biodiversity protection, climate resilience and more inclusive governance. [M11, project details and partners]

At a workshop in Mukono, Uganda, on 17–18 February 2025, district fisheries officers and other fisheries-management staff discussed preliminary findings and approaches to adaptive governance. The participant record includes UWC’s Hara. The wider project’s community-level study covered eight fishing communities around Lakes Victoria and Kyoga, while this workshop included officers representing 46 districts. These are project-wide participation and research figures. [M12, physical pp. 1, 6–7, 14 and 32]

Hara also participated in the second national stakeholders’ workshop in Mukono on 19–20 February 2025. Fishers, local-government representatives, civil society, industry and researchers discussed enforcement, co-management, information exchange and biodiversity protection. The workshop combined dissemination of research findings with participant feedback on possible governance improvements; its report records the discussions and proposed next steps. [M13, physical pp. 5–10 and 26]

Marine microbiomes and practical science education

Marine microbial research through BlueRemediomics

UWC’s Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics is a BlueRemediomics partner. The project’s partner profile assigns UWC a role in contributing marine microbial cultures and genome datasets and investigating biosynthetic pathways for potential antimicrobial and cosmeceutical compounds. This connects the institute’s microbial BioBank with an international research effort to understand marine biological resources and explore their possible applications. [M14]

The Horizon Europe-funded consortium’s dissemination and exploitation plan, resubmitted on 18 November 2024, identifies UWC in collaborative work on cosmeceuticals, antimicrobial peptides and culture collections. It describes research in progress and potential applications, including aquaculture, at early stages of technological development. These prospective uses are distinct from commercial products or demonstrated environmental improvements. [M15, cover and physical pp. 30–32]

UWC’s Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics participates in BlueRemediomics, an international research programme running from December 2022 to November 2026. IMBM describes its contribution as developing cosmeceuticals and antimicrobial peptides from microbial collections with partners at Italy’s Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn and the University of Aberdeen. The wider consortium aims to develop marine-microbiome tools and products, reduce industrial waste, reuse natural products and by-products, and improve aquaculture processes. Its public data-management plan, revised in December 2024, identifies UWC’s genome-sequencing and bioactivity work and locates its microbial strains in the Biodiversity Biobank hosted at IMBM. The programme links marine biodiversity research with the development of potential sustainable industrial applications. [AQ31] [AQ32] [AQ33, p. 11]

Making marine genomics accessible to teachers and learners

On 12 April 2025, UWC’s Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics and DIPLOMICS co-hosted the BlueBiobankBiotech workshop for high-school Marine and Life Science teachers. The one-day programme combined marine microbial genomics with practical training: teachers sequenced bacteria collected from South Africa’s coast as part of research catalogued in the National Microbial Biodiversity BioBank. The project’s retrospective account describes teachers’ interest in taking this knowledge into their classrooms, making marine science more accessible to school learners. [M16]

On 21 July 2025, the same partnership held a full-day BlueBiobankBiotech workshop for Grade 10–12 learners. In the Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics’ public account, shared by DIPLOMICS, learners extracted genomic DNA from coastal marine bacteria and received hands-on sequencing training. Their samples contributed to Biodiversity Biobanks South Africa, hosted at the institute. The programme also introduced learners to marine-science research and careers. [M17, IMBM event account]

A broader platform for ocean governance research

UWC’s Global Environmental Law Centre includes biodiversity, ecosystems and oceans among its research themes. Its work addresses equitable and sustainable fisheries, ocean governance, marine plastic pollution, water law and the legal protection of aquatic ecosystems. These themes provide a wider legal and governance context for the university’s aquatic research and engagement. [M24]

PLAAS and the Land Deal Politics Initiative convened the Land, Life and Society conference at UWC on 7–9 October 2025. Oceans, water and fisheries formed part of its programme on resource rights, food systems and climate. The opening ministerial address acknowledged fisherfolk among the participants, while the conference’s Cape Town Declaration recorded that scholars had gathered from 53 countries. The declaration proposed priorities for sustainable and equitable relationships among land, water, food and climate as an input to international debate. [M25] [M30, physical p. 1] [M31, Oceans and Water theme and participation]

Learning about aquatic foods and marine ecosystems

Aquatic foods and participatory food-system learning

UWC researchers Moenieba Isaacs and Jenny Willis co-authored an open-access study of a Western Cape transformation lab on wild foods. Held at Food Jams in Salt River on 2–3 May 2019, the lab brought together 40 participants, including fishers, farmers, Indigenous knowledge holders, chefs, civil-society representatives, government and researchers. Participants explored how neglected and underused foods, including coastal and marine species, could contribute to healthier, fairer and more sustainable local food systems. Shared food preparation and dialogue helped them exchange different forms of knowledge and build relationships. The study, published in Sustainability Science in 2022, documents this earlier participatory research and aquatic-food learning. [M18, physical pp. 1, 3–5 and 17]

Snoek preparation at the 2019 Food Jam, reproduced in the 2022 publication as historical food-system learning. Credit: Laura Pereira. Snoek preparation at the 2019 Food Jam, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-022-01182-3. CC BY 4.0. Unchanged. Image source. CC BY 4.0.

Marine Week learning on the rocky shore

During Marine Week on 14 October 2023, UWC’s Professor Gavin Maneveldt, Dr Martin Hendricks and research students joined SANParks and the Overberg Eco Rangers at the Agulhas rocky shore. Participants came from surrounding towns, including Struisbaai, Bredasdorp, Arniston, Napier and Gansbaai. Outdoor teaching covered intertidal ecology, sustainable use and the importance of avoiding overharvesting and the collection of undersized organisms. UWC’s report places the encounter within a partnership dating to around 2010 and a series of Marine Week shore activities beginning in 2014. Maneveldt also advocated stronger marine protection for the area. [M19, 17 October 2023 report]

Public discussion of seaweed and ocean pressures in 2025

In February 2025, UWC shared Professor Gavin Maneveldt’s explanation of the pressures that overfishing, warming and pollution place on the ocean. The public article explored seaweed as a possible food and energy resource, discussing familiar edible species and the potential of cultivation. It extended marine-science communication to a general audience while presenting future possibilities, rather than claiming that UWC had established a commercial seaweed operation. [M34]

A history of ocean literacy and coastal exchange

Ocean literacy, a beach cleanup and international exchange

UWC’s January 2023 One Ocean activities connected local environmental learning with international exchange. On 14 January, university partners joined a cleanup near the Black River and Milnerton beach with Captain Fanplastic, whose teaching uses visual storytelling and games to explain waste reduction and recycling. Partners included UWC’s Confucius Institute, SANORD and Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. At One Ocean Expedition events on 17–18 January, PLAAS Professor Moenieba Isaacs contributed perspectives on small-scale fisheries, food security and food systems. Together, these activities linked care for a local coastal environment with discussion of aquatic food systems. [M20]

Coastal livelihood knowledge shared by women

Beyond the Blue brought the experiences of 17 women in coastal communities into a public-facing book produced through PLAAS and Mikateko Media. Co-authored by Moenieba Isaacs, Tracey Dennis and Ingrid Jones, the 2022 publication connects fisheries, livelihoods and women’s participation through individual accounts. It is evidence of communicating community knowledge beyond academic publications. [M21]

PLAAS continued to circulate Beyond the Blue in June 2025 through a public page describing the book and sharing women’s accounts of fishing livelihoods. This renewed access to a resource first published in 2022 and helped bring coastal community knowledge to a wider readership. [M21] [M22]

Learning with fishing communities at Chilika Lagoon

PLAAS researcher Siphesihle Mbhele participated in the 2024 Chilika–V2V field school in India, learning with fishing communities through visits, observation and discussion. His June 2025 reflection described a seven-day visit to three communities. A co-authored V2V working paper published in July 2025 confirms the field-school year as 2024 and explains how participants used field notes, discussions with local people and collective reflection to examine conservation, resource access, livelihoods and tourism. The experience connected international early-career researchers with community knowledge about the lagoon. [M23] [M32, physical pp. 1, 6–7 and 10]

Studying marine biology and aquatic ecosystems

UWC’s 2025 Postgraduate Diploma in Integrated Water Resource Management listed modules in water quality, aquatic-ecosystem management, environmental education and water security, alongside integrated management, spatial analysis and water regulation. Available through full-time and part-time study, its published module entries carry tuition charges. The programme provides a formal route for developing specialist water knowledge. The 2024 calendar also listed water-quality management, aquatic-ecosystem management and environmental education among its elective modules. [ED01] [ED14] [ED03, Curriculum B176]

Marine Biology was a 20-credit elective in UWC’s 2025 Honours programme in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology. The curriculum combined specialised options with compulsory research methods, biostatistics and a research project. Marine Biology was also listed in the 2024 programme. These fee-bearing academic opportunities sit alongside community-facing engagement and have their own admission requirements; the 2025 calendar also allows Senate to consider applicants with demonstrably equivalent experience in whole-organism biology. [ED02] [ED13, B.197–B.200] [ED04] [ED15]

Connecting water science with community learning

Diamonds on the Soles of our Feet brings water science into everyday community learning. UWC-affiliated researcher Jaqui Goldin and Carolina Suransky’s 2025 study describes an initiative that began in rural Limpopo in 2019 and developed through partnerships with citizen scientists, teachers and schools. Learners connect the water cycle with upstream and downstream relationships, including how pollution can affect other water users. Classroom activities are paired with practical sampling for nitrates, phosphates and turbidity. The paper dates the Boetse Secondary School fieldwork to 2023 and reports continued engagement in Limpopo in January 2025. [ED05, Physical pp. 1–3,6–7]

The initiative expanded to twenty schools in Narok County, Kenya, in March 2025. Its approach combines water-quality sampling with observation, stories and visual documentation, adapting learning to local experience. The study includes World Water Day activities on 22 March and emphasises collaboration and care in how knowledge is created. In an October 2025 interview hosted by UNESCO, Goldin described Ecolink as the project’s practical implementation partner. These accounts document water-literacy learning and international exchange, without measuring changes in ecosystem condition. [ED05, physical pp. 3 and 8–10] [ED16, project activity and implementation]

Bringing science law and coastal justice into dialogue

UWC’s 2024 research-engagement programme included the webinar Interdisciplinary Pathways to Water Security and Justice Sustainable Cities and Ecosystem Resilience. Hosted by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, the discussion connected research on marine and coastal justice, urban water governance and climate adaptation. The account published in the 2024 to 2025 RISE Annual Research Report shows how legal, environmental and social perspectives were brought together to examine water security. [ED06, Physical pp. 65–67; printed pp. 63–65]

UWC’s Research Week, held from 16 to 19 September 2024, also created space for aquatic issues in a wider sustainability programme. Its research themes included water contamination, ocean acidification and the blue or oceans economy. Academics, students and other stakeholders discussed these subjects alongside social, economic and technological questions. [ED08]

Learning the methods of marine ecosystem science

The PRIMA Learning partnership between UWC and the University of Bergen connected marine ecological research with practical training. Its final report records a closing and writing workshop at Sodwana Bay in January 2024 and a fisheries and marine-biology curriculum workshop in Norway in February 2024. Earlier training included acoustic fish surveys and an in-trawl camera system, jellyfish identification, and stable-isotope analysis of marine food webs. UWC staff helped organise the Cape Town courses in February 2023 with Norwegian partners and the EAF-Nansen programme. This was a multi-year contribution to research skills and collaboration; the earlier courses are dated separately from the 2024 workshops. [ED09, Physical pages 1 to 4]

UWC representatives attended the NRF-SAIAB Marine Remote Imagery Platform workshop in Makhanda from 9 to 11 January 2024. Researchers and managers examined baited underwater-video methods, data management and the use of fish observations in conservation and fisheries decisions. The host’s report identifies UWC among the participating institutions and describes the workshop’s purpose of improving shared monitoring practice and links between scientific data and management. [ED10]

Understanding plastics before they reach waterways

A master’s thesis by Lisakhanya Nqaba, dated November 2025, examined waste in UWC’s Chris Hani and Basil February residences. Its physical audit ran from late September to early November 2024 and classified sampled waste into 25 categories, including eight plastic categories. The samples contained 157.09 kilograms of plastics. The study recommended stronger prevention, separation at source and awareness, and discussed possible single-use-plastic restrictions. These were research recommendations. The audit sampled selected bins in two residences; it was not a university-wide annual inventory or a measurement of material reaching the sea. [ED11, title; physical pp. 67–71 and 84–89; printed pp. 53–57 and 70–75]

UWC, Eunomia and Aquila Environmental’s October 2024 study assessed the costs, benefits and risks of a proposed national deposit-return system for beverage packaging. Interviews, workshops and surveys brought the perspectives of waste reclaimers, buy-back centres and informal businesses into the design questions. By examining collection incentives and return arrangements, the work explored how packaging could be recovered before becoming litter. Its collection rates and environmental benefits were modelled possibilities for a proposed system, rather than measured campus recycling results or outcomes of an implemented national scheme. [ED12, physical pp. 2–6 and research methods]

Infrastructure water and environmental responsibilities

UWC’s Infrastructure Management Policy was approved on 22 September 2022 and implemented on 23 September 2022. It makes environmental compliance part of infrastructure and land management, requires water-efficient and sustainable infrastructure, and includes waste management among facilities services whose delivery and contractor performance must be measured and reported. Plumbing inspection, maintenance, incident records, risk control and continuing investment in water bulk services sit within the same governance framework. Spatial planning takes account of water, indigenous vegetation, local communities and the campus’s environmental character. The selected provisions below retain the policy’s practical, cost and planning conditions, together with its oversight responsibilities. They describe the university’s infrastructure-governance framework. [P01, Cover; sections 1–2, 4.2, 4.3, 4.5; Annexures A–C]

Source note: Annexure A(a) of the supplied policy names the National Energy Act No. 34 of 1998. That wording is preserved in the quotation. The official South African Government record identifies the legislation as the National Energy Act 34 of 2008. [P01, Annexure A(a), physical/printed p.9] [PX06, Official Act title]

Infrastructure Management Policy: original document control

	UWC
	Infrastructure Management Policy	Council Approval Reference Number   First Approval C2022/03 (22 September 2022) Amendments
		Implementation Date	23 September 2022
		Revision / Amendment	n/a
		Revision / Amendment Date	n/a
		Provisos	n/a
		Policy Owner	Infrastructure and Engineering
		Executive Management Portfolio	ED – Finance and Services
		Contributors	EMC, SPRC, SEC, IBDC, Council
		Circulated by:	Executive Director – Finance and Services
		Circulated to:	Institutional Planning and Infrastructure and Engineering staff members.

University of the Western Cape

Infrastructure Management Policy

[P01, original cover; physical PDF page 1]

1 Purpose and 2 Scope

Infrastructure Management Policy | Version C2022/03 | Approved 22 September 2022 | Effective 23 September 2022

1 Purpose

The purpose of this Infrastructure Management Policy is to establish a Council approved policy for key infrastructure-related principles and objectives that the University’s executive management needs to pursue over time. The Policy is supported by

a) a long-term spatial development framework (Campus Development Plan); and

b) an annually-updated 3-5-year infrastructure management plan;

which promote the efficient, economic, effective and sustainable use of resources.

2 Scope

This document establishes the University’s policy for the management of its infrastructure. It includes the management of:

a) the demand for infrastructure;

b) the creation and prioritisation of a pipeline of interventions; as well as

c) the management of land holdings. [P01, 1 Purpose and 2 Scope; physical pages 4; printed pages 4]

4.2 opening and 4.2.1 Life-cycle planning

Infrastructure Management Policy | Version C2022/03 | Approved 22 September 2022 | Effective 23 September 2022

4.2 Management of infrastructure

The University will manage its infrastructure based on the principles set out in Annexure A. The University’s Executive Management is responsible for all aspects of infrastructure management and these functions are largely executed on its behalf by the Executive Director: Finance and Services. In this regard the University will attend to:

4.2.1 Life-cycle infrastructure asset management planning for large individual assets or groups of infrastructure assets, which include operation, maintenance and refurbishment requirements. This planning will inform major refurbishment or upgrading requirements which are incorporated into the infrastructure management plan. [P01, 4.2 opening and 4.2.1 Life-cycle planning; physical pages 5; printed pages 5]

4.2.2 Facilities management

Infrastructure Management Policy | Version C2022/03 | Approved 22 September 2022 | Effective 23 September 2022

The facilities sub-list begins with 5) in the original policy.

4.2.2 Facilities management, ensuring that:

a) the necessary internal and external facilities management resources are in place;

b) engineering infrastructure management including the following, occurs:

5) budgeting and preparation for planned as well as unplanned maintenance;

6) regular checking of hard services (mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) services) to keep them serviceable with special attention being paid to critical infrastructure;

7) identification and establishment of condition monitoring and inspection plans as per the operating and maintenance manuals to check, test or replace infrastructure systems, subsystems, assemblies or components;

8) preventative (scheduled, routine) maintenance plans are drafted and implemented;

9) all breakdowns are addressed immediately and repairs planned and prioritised; and

10) a record is made of infrastructure breakdowns and incidents which can be analysed to identify trends to inform decisions;

c) the day to day soft services (e.g. cleaning, security, catering, fire protection, waste management, reception services) are done properly and that staff or contractors and their performance is measured and reported against performance specifications; and

d) demobilisation of facilities management (e.g. Service Level Agreements) for infrastructure that will be disposed of as well as for infrastructure earmarked for upgrades, refurbishments or rehabilitation. [P01, 4.2.2 Facilities management; physical pages 5; printed pages 5]

4.2.3 Infrastructure information system

Infrastructure Management Policy | Version C2022/03 | Approved 22 September 2022 | Effective 23 September 2022

4.2.3 Progressive development of an infrastructure management system to provide reliable, consistent and updated infrastructure information to enable optimised decisions to be made, which should:

a) be used to inform infrastructure management activities; and

b) provide improved risk control assurance that the objectives in the infrastructure management policy will be achieved on a consistent basis. [P01, 4.2.3 Infrastructure information system; physical pages 5; printed pages 5]

4.2.4 Entering into leases for infrastructure for use by the University or for the leasing of University infrastructure and the administration thereof.

[P01, section 4.2.4; physical PDF page 5]

4.2.5 Occupational health, safety and environmental compliance

Infrastructure Management Policy | Version C2022/03 | Approved 22 September 2022 | Effective 23 September 2022

4.2.5 The management of all occupational health and safety and environmental compliance matters in relation to infrastructure and the usage of land. [P01, 4.2.5 Occupational health, safety and environmental compliance; physical pages 5; printed pages 5]

4.2.6 Access management and security required to safeguard University infrastructure and land.

4.2.7 Management of all ICT infrastructure.

4.2.8 Reporting of infrastructure management-related matters to the oversight committees identified in Table 1, who will approve actions that are necessary for the progressive implementation of principles associated with the management of University infrastructure as set out in Annex A.

Table 1: Oversight committees

Item	Area of management	Responsible person	Oversight committee
4.2.8.1	Life-cycle infrastructure asset management planning	Executive Director: Finance and Services	• Senate Physical Resources Committee
4.2.8.2	Mobilisation for facilities management	Executive Director: Finance and Services	• Senate Physical Resources Committee
4.2.8.3	Development of an infrastructure management system	Executive Director: Finance and Services	• Senate Physical Resources Committee
4.2.8.4	Leases for infrastructure	Executive Director: Finance and Services	• Finance Committee
4.2.8.5	Occupational health and safety and environmental compliance	Executive Director: Finance and Services	• Safety, Health, Environment and Risk Committee
4.2.8.6	Access and security	Executive Director: Finance and Services	• Safety, Health, Environment and Risk Committee
4.2.8.7	ICT infrastructure	Executive Director: Finance and Services	• Information, Communication and Technology Governance Committee
4.2.8.8	Infrastructure development implementation oversight Project Boards	Executive Director: Finance and Services	• Senate Physical Resources Committee • Infrastructure Business Development Committee • Council
4.2.8.9	Infrastructure development project proposals	Executive Management	• Infrastructure and Business Development Committee • Senate Physical Resources Committee
4.2.8.10	Infrastructure acquisitions	Executive Management	• Infrastructure and Business Development Committee • Finance Committee • Council
4.2.8.11	Infrastructure development funding	Executive Director: Finance and Services	• Executive Management Committee • Finance Committee
4.2.8.12	Infrastructure procurement and contract awards	Executive Director: Finance and Services	• Tender Committee

[P01, sections 4.2.6–4.2.8 and complete oversight Table 1; physical PDF pages 6–7]

4.3 Spatial development frameworks

Infrastructure Management Policy | Version C2022/03 | Approved 22 September 2022 | Effective 23 September 2022

4.3 Spatial development frameworks

4.3.1 The University will have a Campus Development Plan (CDP) providing a long-term overall spatial vision for its campuses drawing upon the universal spatial development principles outlined in Annex B. The CDP is a Council approved document and the University Council will approve any significant changes to it.

4.3.2 The University will ensure that all planning for new infrastructure is aligned with the Campus Development Plan. [P01, 4.3 Spatial development frameworks; physical pages 7; printed pages 7]

4.5 Infrastructure management plans

Infrastructure Management Policy | Version C2022/03 | Approved 22 September 2022 | Effective 23 September 2022

4.5 Infrastructure management plans

4.5.1 The University will develop an annual Infrastructure Management Plan, that will include planning for new infrastructure, as well as plans for the operation, maintenance, refurbishment and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, and disposal of infrastructure which is no longer required to meet the University’s objectives, and it will be based on:

a) factors such as policies, norms and standards, condition assessments, functional performance, student enrolment trends, student housing demand trends, current and forecasted levels of optimisation, and academic requirements;

b) the infrastructure planning principles contained in Annexure C;

c) the grouping of projects into programmes to enable cash flow projections for projects during a financial year to be adjusted and funds to be moved between projects within a programme to avoid under-expenditure without changing the purpose for which funds were approved; and

d) the readiness of projects for implementation.

4.5.2 The University will ensure that the following is undertaken for all projects admitted to a pipeline of projects at Stage 0 (Project Initiation) in accordance with the provisions of the University’s Procurement Policy:

a) the identification of the impediments and constraints to project implementation and establishment of the timelines required to resolve them;

b) the identification of high risk critical infrastructure; and

c) the prioritisation of projects and the establishment of realistic budgets and timelines over a 3 to 5-year period. [P01, 4.5 Infrastructure management plans; physical pages 7, 8; printed pages 7, 8]

Annexure A(a): regulatory framework

Infrastructure Management Policy | Version C2022/03 | Approved 22 September 2022 | Effective 23 September 2022

The original legislative reference is retained exactly. The correction to the National Energy Act year is given in the source note above.

a) The requirements of the following regulatory framework need to be met:

• The Occupational Health and Safety Act including the

- Construction Regulations,

- Electrical Installation Regulations

- Pressure Vessel Regulations,

- Lift Escalator and Passenger Conveyer Regulations,

- Driven Machinery and General Machinery Regulations;

• The National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act including the National Building Regulations; and

• The National Heritage Resources Act.

• The National Environmental Management Act No. 107 of 1998

• The National Energy Act No. 34 of 1998 [P01, Annexure A(a): regulatory framework; physical pages 9; printed pages 9]

Annexure A(c): environmental, social and economic impacts

Infrastructure Management Policy | Version C2022/03 | Approved 22 September 2022 | Effective 23 September 2022

c) The value of infrastructure needs to be optimised i.e. the cost of the infrastructure provided to achieve the University’s objectives and service standards should be minimised, whilst also considering environmental, social and economic impacts. [P01, Annexure A(c): environmental, social and economic impacts; physical pages 9; printed pages 9]

Annexure A(g): infrastructure risks and bulk services

Infrastructure Management Policy | Version C2022/03 | Approved 22 September 2022 | Effective 23 September 2022

g) Risks relating to the ownership, use and operation of infrastructure need to be managed as follows:

• the possible consequences of failure of infrastructure needs to be identified and mitigated in a cost-effective manner;

• critical infrastructure should be identified using a risk-based approach by assessing both the probability of failure and the potential impact on the University’s operations;

• high risk infrastructure needs to be prioritised, especially if this is potentially life- threatening or poses a risk to the achievement of the University’s core objectives; and

• the University’s liability in the event of infrastructure-related claims needs to be minimised.

• Appropriate and continuing investment in bulk services infrastructure (water, electricity and fire) [P01, Annexure A(g): infrastructure risks and bulk services; physical pages 9, 10; printed pages 9, 10]

Annexure A(h): water-efficient infrastructure

Infrastructure Management Policy | Version C2022/03 | Approved 22 September 2022 | Effective 23 September 2022

h) The University’s infrastructure should be accessible, energy-efficient, water-efficient and sustainable. [P01, Annexure A(h): water-efficient infrastructure; physical pages 10; printed pages 10]

Annexure A(k) and (l): condition and service assessments

Infrastructure Management Policy | Version C2022/03 | Approved 22 September 2022 | Effective 23 September 2022

k) There needs to be periodic condition assessments of infrastructure, the results of which need to be captured on the infrastructure asset register and used to inform infrastructure plans and budgets.

l) There needs to be a periodic assessment of the levels of performance and service that infrastructure delivers, and these should be analysed against the requirements and expectations of users. [P01, Annexure A(k) and (l): condition and service assessments; physical pages 10; printed pages 10]

Annexure A(o): stakeholder consultation

Infrastructure Management Policy | Version C2022/03 | Approved 22 September 2022 | Effective 23 September 2022

o) There needs to be consultation with relevant stakeholders regarding infrastructure plans. [P01, Annexure A(o): stakeholder consultation; physical pages 10; printed pages 10]

Annexure B(2): Integration

Infrastructure Management Policy | Version C2022/03 | Approved 22 September 2022 | Effective 23 September 2022

2) Integration

Integration refers to the University as an institution committed to being place-bound. This is based on a recognition that an increased sense of belonging results in an increased sense of purpose. This has several spatial implications as it;

• places great importance on place-based research;

• emphasises the need to undertake outreach activities in local communities;

• underpins a need to engage with the host cities/ towns, surrounding communities and institutions; and

• implies that the University needs to become good neighbours and as such take an active interest in their surroundings on an academic, community and spatial level.

The promotion of integration in a society historically obsessed with separation is an important issue to address. Such integration should include:

• integration with the host-city / host-towns or surrounds;

• integration of modes of movement;

• social and cultural integration;

• integration in sport; and

• academic integration. [P01, Annexure B(2): Integration; physical pages 11, 12; printed pages 11, 12]

Annexure B 3) Quality of shared/common spaces

Infrastructure Management Policy | Version C2022/03 | Approved 22 September 2022 | Effective 23 September 2022

3) Quality of shared/common spaces

Any plan for the University needs to consider place making i.e. the creation of a sense of spatial uniqueness and identity. An important part of this is developing an appropriate response to the site. The spatial implications of this include working with the land, working with water, use of landmarks and the appropriate use of indigenous vegetation.

The aim of all universities should be to promote a holistic teaching and learning environment, as opposed to just a classroom-based one. Central to this is recognising the importance of informal mixing and social contact between students of diverse disciplinary backgrounds as part of the total educational experience. The implication of this from a spatial perspective is the creation of dignified, pleasant places of meeting in the public realm. A variety of shared spaces should be offered, which represent the primary informal gathering or meeting spaces for students, staff and residents alike. The dignity of these places will impact on the dignity of the university campuses.

Safety and security and heritage considerations need to be taken into account in the creation of these common spaces. [P01, Annexure B 3) Quality of shared/common spaces; physical pages 12; printed pages 12]

Annexure B 6) Sustainability and efficiency, plus concluding framework

Infrastructure Management Policy | Version C2022/03 | Approved 22 September 2022 | Effective 23 September 2022

6) Sustainability and efficiency

Decisions taken in relation to the location, design and management of the institutions need to be geared towards optimal sustainability. The university campuses should play a leadership role in demonstrating sustainable practices. The University should demonstrate best practice in terms of a broad spectrum of environmental and sustainability including efficiency of land utilisation.

The academic vision and the spatial directions of universities should be considered as complementary and synergistic. Direction should accordingly be derived from:

• interrogating the University’s mission statement, which provides the highest order of direction for the spatial development plan, to explore the spatial implications of the academic mission;

• identifying the desirable performance qualities which a university in South Africa in the 21^st century should be seeking to achieve which have spatial implications; and

• a comprehensive understanding of the contextual informants (the concrete things which have material substance, shape, topography, environmental character, climate, texture, as well as socio- economic features) which embody very different properties, in accordance with the unique cultural and environmental conditions of the place within which the University campus is located.

Academic vision for a particular campus can also have spatial implications for in the creation of:

• living and working environments of a quality that attracts and retains world renown academics;

• adequate library, student resource amenities, student accommodation with meals and self- catering and IT facilities.

The method employed in the development of spatial plans needs to elevate planning and design from opinion to argument in order to seek sufficient consensus around the desired norms and their spatial implications. [P01, Annexure B 6) Sustainability and efficiency, plus concluding framework; physical pages 13; printed pages 13]

Annexure C(l) and (m): sustainability and future proofing

Infrastructure Management Policy | Version C2022/03 | Approved 22 September 2022 | Effective 23 September 2022

Source lead-in: Infrastructure projects are identified, planned and costed, as relevant, by

l) Integrating sustainability principles and strategies into all projects

m) Future proofing all projects, as far as it is practical and cost-effective, against changes in the environmental (e.g. climate change), technological (e.g. 4IR) and regulatory spheres. [P01, Annexure C(l) and (m): sustainability and future proofing; physical pages 14; printed pages 14]

Open/download the complete Infrastructure Management Policy C2022/03 (PDF)

Safety controls and waste-management oversight

The Occupational Health and Safety Policy edition reproduced here records Council’s amendment of 28 March 2023 and the original implementation date of 21 June 2007. It applies across university teaching, research, commercial, residential and other activities. Its selected provisions set out risk assessment, controls, training, inspection, incident investigation, reporting and responsibilities for staff, students and contractors. The Manager of Safety, Health and Environmental Services has explicit waste-management oversight and responsibility for controls on radioactive substances. The reasonably-practicable qualification applies to the organisational duties. The Annual Report 2024 separately reports further OHS amendments among Council approvals; the corresponding amended text is not available in this record. The quotations below are from the March 2023 edition and describe general occupational-health, safety and waste-management responsibilities. [P02, Cover; preamble; policy statement; organisational responsibilities; glossary] [P03, 77-page spread Annual Report 2024: physical p.9 / printed p.16]

Occupational Health and Safety Policy: original document control

	UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE
	OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY	Council First Approval	C2007/02
		Implementation Date	21 June 2007
		Revision / Amendment 1	C2020.03 (17 September 2020)
		Revision / Amendment 2	C2023/01 (28 March 2023)
		Policy Owner	Risk and Compliance
		Executive Management Portfolio	Executive Director: Finance and Services
		Contributors	Executive, CSHER, SRC, HR, Legal, Council
		Circulated by:	Risk and Compliance
		Circulated to:	Campus Community

University of the Western Cape

Occupational Health and Safety Policy

[P02, original cover; physical PDF page 1]

Preamble Applicability and duty of care

Occupational Health and Safety Policy | Version C2023/01 | Approved 28 March 2023 | Effective Initial implementation 21 June 2007; separate commencement of March 2023 amendment unverified

Preamble

This policy applies to every aspect of the University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) activities, including all educational, research, commercial, residential, recreational and management activities. It describes the universities commitment to discharge its duty of care to anyone potentially impacted by its undertaking, the University’s roles and responsibilities of employees, and the arrangements in force to secure the health, safety and welfare of all people to whom it owes a duty of care. The policy also sets out the expectations on employees, students, and contractors to support the University’s effort to provide a safe and healthy workplace and to meet their own individual duty of care to others.

The policy is supported by a range of other policies, standards and guidance that may impose additional duties on employees in addition to those in this policy. [P02, Preamble Applicability and duty of care; physical pages 3; printed pages 4]

Policy statement and all eight principal aims

Occupational Health and Safety Policy | Version C2023/01 | Approved 28 March 2023 | Effective Initial implementation 21 June 2007; separate commencement of March 2023 amendment unverified

Policy Statement

The Council of the University of the Western Cape is fully committed to ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the occupational health and safety for all its staff and those affected by its work activities including students, visitors, members of the public, third parties and contractors.

This Policy Statement applies to every aspect of the University’s activities, including all educational, research and knowledge exchange, commercial, residential, recreational and management activities.

The Universities Occupational health, and safety strategy underpins the policy statement by detailing how the University intends to organise itself in a planned and coordinated manner to maintain legal compliance as a minimum and to promote a positive sustainable safety culture in which everyone plays their part.

The University’s intention is to provide and implement a process of continual improvement to ensure a safe, healthy and secure work environment, where this is within the University’s purview. Primarily, this will be achieved through the implementation of the relevant health and safety sector guidance and by refining the existing safety management framework to achieve recognized accredited international standard to further promote the systematic management of occupational health and safety. This policy statement will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary.

The principal aims of this policy statement are as follows:

1. All university leaders clearly understand their roles and responsibilities and accept ownership and full responsibility for health and safety matters;

2. All workplace hazards and associated risks are assessed, mitigated and controlled in a sensible, proportionate manner to prevent injury and ill-health;

3. Effective health and safety communication mechanisms are in place to inform and consult staff, students, their representatives and third parties on matters affecting their health and safety;

4. All staff, including members of the council leaders and managers are sufficiently trained to enable them to competently discharge their legal duties fully;

5. Everyone takes reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who might be affected, and as far as is necessary cooperate and assists the University to comply with its statutory health and safety obligations;

6. Embedding consideration of health and safety matters when planning and coordinating all business activities to enable the early identification of unacceptable risks and implementation of satisfactory control measures

7. Taking appropriate, timely and proportionate corrective and preventative actions to manage risks identified by monitoring, auditing and investigated activities

8. Occupational health and safety performance standards are monitored and measured against clear measurable indicators aimed at continuous improvement. [P02, Policy statement and all eight principal aims; physical pages 3, 4; printed pages 4, 5]

The University of the Western Cape commits itself to the highest standards of occupational health and safety by allocating suitable and sufficient resources to fully implement the policy statement whilst ensuring continued delivery as a leading national and international university.

[P02, Policy Statement; physical PDF page 4 / printed page 5]

Applicable Legislation and other Regulatory Framework

1. Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No. 108 of 1996)

2. Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, as amended and regulated issues in terms of section 43 of the Act

3. Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 130 of 1993, as amended

4. Basic Conditions for Employment Act 75 of 1997, as amended

5. Labor Relations Act 66 of 1995, as amended

6. Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, as amended

7. Skills Development Act (Act 97 of 1998)

8. Disaster Management Act 57 of 2000 as amended

9. Public Service Act 103 0f 1994 as amended

10. Fire brigade Act 99 of 1997 as amended

11. Hazardous Substance Act 15 of 1973 as amended

12. General Administration Regulations 2003

13. PSCBC Resolution 2 of 1999, as amended

14. National Water Act 36 of 1998

15. National Building Regulation act 103 of 1977

16. National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998

17. Environmental Conversation act 73 of 1989

18. Road Transportation Act 74 of 1979 as amended

19. Tobacco control act 83 of 1993 as amended

20. Liquor Act, 1989 (Act 27 of 1989 as amended

21. Medicine and Related Substance Control Act, 1965 (Act No. 101 of 1965)

22. Public Service Regulations, 2001, as amended

23. Access to Public Premises and Vehicles Act 53 of 1985

24. National Health Act 61 of 2003

25. General Safety Regulations in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act

26. Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act, 2010 (Act No. 2 of 20100

27. Higher Educational Act, 1997 (Act No. 101 of 1997)

28. University Rules and Integrated Statutory Code of Conduct agreements

29. Statutory Municipal By-Laws

30. Hazardous Biological Agents Regulations, 2021.

31. South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA): Regulations

32. Department of Health Guidelines for Ventilation to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus (version 1:15 August 2021)

33. Code of Practice: Managing Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in the workplace, 2022 (Government Notice No.R.2191 dated 24 June 2022)

34. University of the Western Cape Return to Campus Risk Plan, July 2022

[P02, Applicable Legislation and other Regulatory Framework; physical PDF pages 4–5 / printed pages 5–6]

Organisation roles Qualifier on all responsibilities

Occupational Health and Safety Policy | Version C2023/01 | Approved 28 March 2023 | Effective Initial implementation 21 June 2007; separate commencement of March 2023 amendment unverified

Organisation Roles and Responsibilities

The following section sets out individual roles, responsibilities and accountabilities for managing health and safety issues at the University. All defined organisation roles, responsibilities and accountabilities are subject to “so far as is reasonably practicable”. [P02, Organisation roles Qualifier on all responsibilities; physical pages 5; printed pages 6]

University Council

Ultimate responsibility for health and safety matters within the University vests with the University Council. Council is the University’s governing body and as such is responsible for:

1. Setting and monitoring University strategy and policy, including the overarching health and safety policy.

2. Monitoring health and safety performance and seeking appropriate reassurance that health and safety performance is satisfactory.

3. Recommending and monitoring improvements where health and safety performance is found to be unsatisfactory.

Council has delegated management responsibilities for health and safety matters to the Rector/ Vice- Chancellor.

Rector/ Vice-Chancellor (16.1)

The Rector/ Vice-Chancellor is accountable to the University Council for the implementation of the University’s health and safety policy and for monitoring health and safety performance.

The Rector/ Vice-Chancellor has executive authority to produce the health and safety policy and for agreeing the University performance standards for the management of health and safety matters. The Vice-Chancellor has delegated executive responsibility for the delivery of specific aspects of the day-to-day health and safety matters through the Executive Management Committee and its line management structures. The roles of the Executive Management Committee members are described below.

Executive Management Committee (EMC) (16.2)

The activities and operation of the University are directed and controlled by Executive Management Committee (EMC) and the associated line management structure. EMC, under the leadership of the Rector/ Vice-Chancellor, is a forum where delegated authority to make changes to policy, including health and safety policy, is exercised. EMC will consider an attempt to resolve health and safety implications arising from strategic and operational decisions made within that committee.

Executive Management Committee Members (16.2)

The roles and responsibilities of individual members of the Executive Management Committee are described below.

Deputy Vice-Chancellors

The Deputy Vice-Chancellors are accountable to the Rector/ Vice-Chancellor for the health and safety management in each of the University’s academic faculties, Research and Innovation and Student Development Support. This involves line management through whom the responsibility for health and safety management in academic areas, research and student support is cascaded down to heads of departments. The key responsibility placed on the Deputy Vice-Chancellor is to make routine enquiries of direct reports, including where necessary making request for supporting information to be provided, so as to be satisfied that health and safety responsibilities are being correctly implemented. Where issues of health and safety performance are identified, the Vice- Chancellor should agree to the necessary actions with line management to ensure that the areas of concern are resolved.

Executive Directors and Head of Departments

Executive Directors and head of departments are accountable to the Rector/ Vice-Chancellor for the line management of the Heads of Department / Directors within the different departments. In practice this means having a broad understanding of the risks associated with works carried out within their departments and making routine enquiries of the Heads of Department, and where necessary asking for suitable evidence to be provided, to ensure that significant health and safety risks are being appropriately managed. Feedback on health and safety performance, including any actions taken to improve performance should be provided to the Rector/ Vice-Chancellor.

Responsible person – “a person liable to be required to give account, as of one's actions or of the discharge of a duty or trust and make rational decisions.”

The Rector/Vice-Chancellor will appoint the “responsible person” who will normally chair the University’s health and safety committee (Safety, Health and Environmental Risk Committee of Council (CSHER)).

The committee has delegated authority to approve certain health and safety policies, standards and guidance. Where such instruments are likely to impact the University on a wider basis, then the “responsible person” must bring these to the Executive Management Committee for consideration.

[P02, Organisation Roles and Responsibilities: University Council through Responsible person; physical PDF pages 5–6 / printed pages 6–7]

Heads of departments and directors Complete duties

Occupational Health and Safety Policy | Version C2023/01 | Approved 28 March 2023 | Effective Initial implementation 21 June 2007; separate commencement of March 2023 amendment unverified

Line Management (Reg 8)

Heads of Department, Faculty Directors and Directors of Professional Services

Heads of Departments, Faculty Directors and Directors of Professional Services are accountable for the health and safety at work of, the staff that they line manage and for others whose health or safety may be affected, to any extent, by the work of the University, Directorate or Service.

To properly carry out this role, they will need to:

1. Have an appropriate awareness of University health and safety policy, standards and guidance and the minimum requirements of legislation as they relate to the work of their department, directorate or service.

2. Have a broad understanding of the significant risks associated with the work carried out by their department, directorate or service and ensure that significant risks have been assessed and that suitable and sufficient control measures are implemented. This task may be delegated to individual line managers or specific individuals but the responsibility for ensuring this is done remains with the relevant Head of Department or Director.

3. Appoint sufficient numbers of competent people, such as departmental health and safety officer, to assist with the management of health and safety matters.

4. Allocate sufficient resources to ensure that health, safety and workplace issues, including any matters arising, are appropriately managed and resolved.

5. Ensure that departmental/divisional staff and students receive the necessary training, information, supervision and instructions required in order to carry out their work safely.

6. Consult staff and significant matters that may affect health and safety at work. This requirement will either be satisfied by having a regular agenda item at management meetings, or where the health and safety risk profile makes it appropriate to establish a specific departmental, directorate or service health and safety committee.

7. Carry out the health and safety inspection of the premises occupied at suitable periods throughout the year and ensure that the significant outcomes of these inspections are recorded. The University health and safety committee meetings should consider the risks in the work place. Frequency of inspections should be increased based on the nature and extent of risks identified. Remedial action taken in response to the inspection should be reported through departmental management meetings or the departmental health and safety committee where one is appointed.

8. Satisfy themselves, by making suitable and sufficient enquiries that any other duty holders providing services to the Department for (example contractors or other University functions) are competent and are adequately meeting their duties.

9. Report on all risk matters to the line manager. [P02, Heads of departments and directors Complete duties; physical pages 7; printed pages 8]

Line managers and supervisors Hazardous activities

Occupational Health and Safety Policy | Version C2023/01 | Approved 28 March 2023 | Effective Initial implementation 21 June 2007; separate commencement of March 2023 amendment unverified

Line Managers and Supervisors

Staff in line management or supervisory position, including academic members of staff responsible for students, are accountable for the health and safety of people, activities and projects that they supervise. They must be aware of the health and safety risks, including any significant risks and control measures, relevant to their activities and projects. It is the responsibility of the person supervising hazardous activities that are to be carried out by students to ensure that the risk assessment has been carried out and suitable and sufficient control measures implemented before commencement of that activity. This assessment should take due account of the inexperience or other reasonably foreseeable vulnerabilities that the students may have.

The supervision of employed students should be appropriate to their experience or competence and will be at a higher level than that expected for more experienced members of staff. Line managers and supervisors are required to comply with the University’s health and safety policy and associated standards and guidance and any other relevant arrangements within the area or activity. They must cooperate with the head of Department or director and will be accountable for any task that may be delegated to them. [P02, Line managers and supervisors Hazardous activities; physical pages 8; printed pages 9]

Staff students and contractors

Occupational Health and Safety Policy | Version C2023/01 | Approved 28 March 2023 | Effective Initial implementation 21 June 2007; separate commencement of March 2023 amendment unverified

Staff

All staff are accountable to their line manager for the health and safety of all the staff they line manage, and of others who may be affected by their work, and for premises and equipment that they manage.

All staff are responsible for ensuring that they conduct their activities, and those activities with which they have control, in accordance with the University’s health and safety policies and relevant statutory provisions. They must cooperate with their line manager and head of services so that health and safety responsibilities can be discharged. This responsibility cannot be delegated to others.

Students employed to carry out work within or on behalf of the University are considered by health and safety legislation to be members of University staff whilst carrying out the activity.

Students

Students are required to observe relevant University health and safety rules, standards and guidelines.

Contractors

Contractors are required to observe relevant University health and safety rules, standards and guidelines. [P02, Staff students and contractors; physical pages 8; printed pages 9]

Executive Director and Manager Safety Health and Environmental Services

Occupational Health and Safety Policy | Version C2023/01 | Approved 28 March 2023 | Effective Initial implementation 21 June 2007; separate commencement of March 2023 amendment unverified

Executive Director: Finance and Services

The Executive Director: Finance and Services is responsible for the appointment of a “Competent Person” (Manager: Safety Health and Environmental Services) as required under the health and safety legislation and for the performance of the University’s health, safety and environmental services.

Manager: Safety, Health and Environmental Services

The Manager: Safety, Health and Environmental Services is the lead on occupational, health, safety and environmental matters.

The Manager of safety health and environmental is responsible for:

1. Providing advice and guidance on all matters of occupational, health and safety including fire safety.

2. Creating and maintaining a safety management system (Lexus Nexus).

3. Identifying competency requirements and advising on how these can be met.

4. Advising and communicating on the application of specific health and says safety legislation.

5. Providing and administering the system for the control and use of radioactive substances.

6. Investigating incidents, dangerous occurrences or reports of occupational ill-health in order to identify the potential for legal consequences and to identify actions required to prevent recurrence.

7. Management of the University’s occupational health service providers.

8. Supporting the University health, safety and scientific committee.

9. Monitoring Health and Safety Performance across the University and providing quarterly reports to the (Safety, Health and Environmental Risk Committee of Council_ CSHER) via the Director Risk and Compliance.

10. Supporting the professional development of staff with accountability for providing advice on health and safety within their faculty/directorate.

11. Oversight of University waste management.

12. Engagement with various regulatory authorities on matters of health and safety.

13. Managing an ongoing programme of audits of compliance with the University’s health and safety policy. [P02, Executive Director and Manager Safety Health and Environmental Services; physical pages 9; printed pages 10]

Glossary Reasonably practicable

Occupational Health and Safety Policy | Version C2023/01 | Approved 28 March 2023 | Effective Initial implementation 21 June 2007; separate commencement of March 2023 amendment unverified

Reasonably practicable

Means that which is, or was at a particular time, reasonably able to be done to ensure health and safety, taking into account and weighing up all. Relevant matters including: (a) the likelihood of the hazard or the risk concerned occurring. [P02, Glossary Reasonably practicable; physical pages 12; printed pages 13]

Source note: the supplied glossary ends this definition after item (a), before the next glossary entry. The incomplete wording is retained exactly; it is not a complete restatement of the statutory test.

Open/download the complete Occupational Health and Safety Policy C2023/01 (PDF)

Council commitments to campus biodiversity

The Council Statement on Transformation and Sustainability in the Annual Report 2024 commits UWC to sustainable approaches to natural resources and protection of campus biodiversity, specifically recognising the Cape Flats Nature Reserve. The statement was approved on 26 June 2025. Its complete natural-environment subsection is reproduced below from the supplied 77-page spread edition. This is a 2025 governance commitment; the report’s 2024 reporting title does not backdate the statement’s approval. [P03, 77-page spread edition: natural-environment subsection physical p.27 / printed p.53; approval physical p.28 / printed p.54]

Council commitment to the natural environment

Council Statement on Transformation and Sustainability | Version 2024 reporting year, 77 physical PDF pages / 152 printed pages | Approved 26 June 2025 | Effective Council statement approved 26 June 2025; separate implementation date not stated

The natural environment

• Enhancing sustainable approaches to natural resources through institutional practices and ongoing academic inquiry through teaching, learning and research activities; and

• Protecting the natural environment and biodiversity on campus, especially as represented in the UWC Cape Flats Nature Reserve. [P03, 77-page spread edition: physical p.27 / printed p.53; approval physical p.28 / printed p.54]

Open/download the complete UWC Annual Report 2024 (PDF)

Environmental responsibility in purchasing

The Procurement Policy amended in March 2025 includes environmental preservation, pollution minimisation and better natural-resource use. Its general environmental principle does not expressly ensure sustainable harvesting of campus aquatic food or establish a plastics action plan. Clause 3.2 expressly replaces the September 2020 policy; clause 3.1 leaves the commencement date to Council. The amendment’s separate commencement date is not stated in this edition. [PX01, Cover; section 2 SHE principle; section 3.1 commencement; physical pp.1,12–13]

PROCUREMENT POLICY: source provisions

This is the edition amended by Council on 27 March 2025. Its original implementation date of 19 March 2008 is distinct from commencement of the amendment, which section 3.1 leaves to Council.

UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE / PROCUREMENT POLICY

	UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE
	PROCUREMENT POLICY	Document Type	Policy
		Council First Approval Ref Number	C2008/01
		Implementation Date	19 March 2008
		Revision / Amendment 1	C2012/01 (27 March 2012)
		Revision / Amendment 2	C2016/01 (28 January 2016)
		Revision / Amendment 3	C2020/03 (17 September 2020)
		Revision / Amendment 4	C2025/01 (27 March 2025)
		Policy Owner	Executive Director: Finance and Services
		Executive Management Portfolio	Executive Director: Finance and Services
		Policy Author	Procurement Manager
		Contributors	Budget Owners, Legal, Senate Task Team, Internal and External Auditors, Policies from Other Universities, Procurement Committee, Council
		Circulated by:	A Regal, J Thampi
		Circulated to:	Procurement Committee Executive Management

UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN CAPE (UWC)

PROCUREMENT POLICY

Amended by Council, 27 March 2025 (C2025/01)

Amended by Council, 17 September 2020 (C2020/03)

Amended by Council, 28 January 2016 (C2016/01)

Amended by Council, 27 March 2012 (C2012/01)

Approved by Council, 19 March 2008 (C2008/01)

A place of quality, a place to grow, from hope to action through knowledge

2. POLICY STATEMENT

The purpose of this Policy is to develop, implement and maintain sound and sustainable management of the procurement processes of the University by establishing principles, norms, standards and other requirements. This Policy applies to all procurement irrespective of the origin of the funds used.

The main principles identified are;

Effectiveness	Govern and regulate the purchase of Goods and Services in a manner to best serve the University’s mission, and operational and strategic activities;
Transparency	Ensure transparency and accountability, and establish appropriate lines of responsibility in the procurement processes and the financial affairs of the University;
Best Value for Money	Accord with prescribed standards and specifications in a manner that will not compromise the quality of Goods procured and the efficiency of Services rendered to the University community, while realising the best value for money, minimizing risk and safeguarding the University’s interest;
Fairness	All service providers shall be dealt with fairly and without unfair discrimination.
Efficiency	The policy and processes shall not impede he operational and strategic activities of the University.
Responsibility and Accountability	Outline the role and responsibilities of all parties involved in the procurement process as identified in this Policy.
Co-Ordination and Optimization	Foster greater optimization of purchasing by the University community and thereby enhancing efficiency in using financial and other resources to the benefit of all;
Corporate Governance	Enhance and promote good corporate governance principles at all levels and within all structures of the University; and ensure compliance with all relevant legislation that govern the procurement of Goods and Services.
Collaborative Procurement	Promotion of collaborative contracts with external entities with whom the University has a common interest. Optimize collaboration with other Regional Universities, Cape Higher Educational Procurement Consortia, (CHEC), and other initiatives that might benefit the University.
Commitment to Safety, Health and Environment (SHE)	The University is committed to the health and safety of its students, staff and its service providers in the Procurement Process. The University is committed to preservation of the environment, minimizing pollution and the improved use of natural resources in the application of its procurement processes.
Transformation and Development	Support national, provincial and regional mandates relating to Transformation, Supplier Development and Community Development.
Student Entrepreneurship	Create designated and regulated environments that support the nurture and development of University student entrepreneurship initiatives, within the rules of the Higher Education Act and other applicable legislation.

[PX01, section 2; physical PDF pages 11, 12]

3. COMMENCEMENT AND APPLICATION

3.1 Commencement

This Policy shall come into effect on a date to be determined by Council, from which date all units of the University shall observe, implement and comply with the terms and conditions of this Policy.

3.2 Repeal of Policy dated September 2020

This Policy replaces the Procurement Policy Finance / C2020/2020 dated 17 September 2020, as amended.

3.3 Application

3.3.1 This Policy applies to the procurement of all Goods and Services for and on behalf of the University regardless of funding.

3.3.2 This Policy shall apply to all procurement by the University

3.3.3 This Policy prevails over all other policies related to the procurement of Goods and Services. Accordingly, all persons involved at various levels of the University in the procurement of Goods or Services shall –

3.3.3.1 interpret and apply this Policy congruently with any other policies of the University to the extent that such congruency is possible;

3.3.3.2 apply this Policy in preference to any other policies of the University in the event that ambiguity and/or conflict and/or vagueness exists between this Policy and other policies of the University.

3.3.3.3 apply the terms of this Policy as the minimum criteria required with respect to the procurement of Goods and Services, but may apply more stringent or specific criteria, provided that such criteria are reasonable and justified.

3.3.4 This Policy must be read in conjunction with all other University Policies, including, but not limited to:

• Budget Policy

• Fixed Asset Policy and Procedure

• Grants and Contracts Policy

• Travel Policy

• Fraud and Corruption Prevention Policy

• Policy on Legal Matters and signing of Contracts and Agreements

Where the Procurement policy is in conflict with any other policy, the Procurement policy shall prevail on matters relating to Procurement.

3.3.5 Reasonable attempts shall be made by the University to ensure that other policies are aligned with the terms of this Policy.

3.3.6 The conditions, provisions, requirements or terms of this Policy may be relaxed for the purchase and renewal of software licenses of information resources (e.g. books and access to databases for the University’s Library Services), annual subscriptions and software licenses.

3.3.7 The conditions, provisions, requirements or terms of this Policy may be relaxed for the procurement of facilitators, tutors and highly technical specialised research material and equipment, publishers, transcriber, editors and the appointment of academic and professional consultants, subject to the proviso’s in 8.4

[PX01, section 3; physical PDF pages 13, 14]

Open/download the complete Procurement Policy C2025/01 (PDF)

Historical chemical-waste and drain guidance

This historical chemical-waste document has cover reference C2008/3 but retains DRAFT in its body; current status is unverified. It covers laboratory containment, collection, manifests and spill response, excludes bio-hazardous and metal waste, and gives drain-disposal guidance for specified neutralised acids and alkalis, including pH 6–9. The document’s operative status in 2025 is not established; the historical drain-disposal provisions are not current operational guidance. [PX02, Supplied original scanned edition: cover/status pp.1–2; sections I–IV pp.2–8; spill addendum p.9; legislative sheet p.10]

POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL WASTE: source provisions

Historical text from the supplied original scan. The cover records C2008/3; the body is marked DRAFT. These provisions are reproduced as historical institutional evidence and are not current operational instructions. The source wording and statutory references are retained as printed.

UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN CAPE (UWC)

UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN CAPE (UWC)

POLICY AND PROCEDURES

FOR HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL WASTE

DATE OF LAST APPROVAL: C2008/3

A place of quality, a place to grow, from hope to action through knowledge

HAZARDOUS / CHEMICAL WASTE POLICY AND PROCEDURES

CRMC Annex 2008/3/1

(DRAFT.........1)

SECTION I GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Purpose.

The purpose of the following policy and procedure is to ensure that all hazardous Chemical Waste is properly and safely managed, from point of generation, storage, and transportation, also the compliance of any legislation with regards the above. e.g National Environment Management Act.etc.

• An appropriately appointed waste collector shall collect all unwanted chemical waste.

• Chemicals that have not expired shall be reused.

• As far as reasonably practical a use of all chemicals shall be made.

• The following procedure must be followed for the disposal of unwanted chemicals.

• This policy/procedure shall not apply to bio-hazardous waste and metal waste.

B. Definitions

HCS- Hazardous Chemical Substances

SABS 0228- Code of practice for the identification and classification of dangerous substances.

SABS 0229- Code of practice for the packaging of dangerous goods for road and rail transportation in South Africa

SABS 072- Code of practice for the safe handling of pesticides

Assignment- Means a programme to determine any risk from exposure to a hazardous chemical substances associated with any hazard thereof at the work place,

OHASA- Occupation Health and Safety Act (Act 83 of 1995) identifying steps needed to be taken to remove or control such a hazard.

SAA- Satellite Accumulation Area. This is a location or room where HCS is stored.near a place of daily use. (If this is a flammable liquid the requirements of General Safety Regulation 4 of the OHASA applies.

Hazardous Chemical Waste is waste that is dangerous or capable of having a harmful effect on human health or the Environment. A discarded material will be deemed a hazardous waste if it exhibits any of the four hazardous waste characteristics listed below.

• Ignitability: - Liquids with a flash point of 35° C or below, oxidizers or is spontaneously combustible.

• Corrosive

• Reactivity:- Materials that readily explode or undergo violent reactions

• Toxicity:- Waste that leach dangerous concentrations of toxic chemicals into ground water

Listed Hazardous Chemical Waste

• Listed Hazardous Chemical Waste from non-special sources

• Listed Hazardous Chemical Waste from special sources

• Listed Hazardous Chemical Waste from chemical products

• Listed Toxic Waste from discarded commercial chemical products

• Hazardous Chemical Waste generally includes all organic solvent waste and solid residues containing these solvents, waste acids, alkalis, and other corrosive materials, some materials containing heavy metals, explosives, highly reactive materials or laboratory agents.

• Aerosol cans which are full or partially full must be disposed of as hazardous waste.

• Ignitable material is disposed of as hazardous waste.

[PX02, section I; physical PDF pages 2, 3, 4]

SECTION II GENERAL LABORATORY PERSONNEL RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Waste Generation

• Waste chemicals must be collected in individual leak proof, sealed containers.

• The chemicals must be collected with the container material e.g Acids must not be placed in a metal container.

• Glass or Plastic containers may be safely used for virtually anything accept hydrofluoric acid and very strong alkalis.

• Waste chemicals must not be placed in an unwashed container, which contains any incompatible residual material from previous chemicals.

• Do not use any containers other than those provided by the waste chemical service provider or original containers.

• Broken or used hypodermic needles or syringes that contained chemicals must be disposed of with medical waste. Collect these in a separate puncture proof container that is appropriately labled.

Container Labeling

• All containers must be clearly identified and labeled with the proper chemical name (s) of the substance, trace names, acronyms, abbreviations; codes or formulars are not acceptable.

• All chemical waste which cannot be recycled, because it is either spent, past the manufacturer's expiration date or has been mixed or contaminated with other substance must be labeled with a label as supplied by the hazardous chemical service provider.

• Whenever practicable the concentration of each chemical must be identified on the label even if the container contains mixed chemicals

Unidentified Waste

Samples of unidentified waste must be taken by the Hazardous Chemical Waste Service Provider for identification, packaging, collection and disposal

Satellite Storage Areas

• Hazardous waste must be stored in the laboratories satellite storage area or at the point of generation under the control of the generator.

• Chemical waste must be segregated from general waste type e.g. flammable, poisonous, acids and alkalis and arranged so that incompatable substances will not mix. See below for the general principals for safe storage.

1. Store acids and bases separately

2. Keeps acids apart from cyanides or Sulfides

3. Acids must not be stored in steel containers.

4. Water-reactive, strong acids, organic acid anhydrides must be kept away from alkalis and water.

5. Oxidizing agents must be kept far apart from reducing agents and organic compounds.

6. Water re-active chemicals must be kept apart from water aqueous solutions.

7. Air-reactive materials must be packed in containers that are sealed off from the atmosphere.

8. Explosive materials must be handled as for instructions on material safety DATA sheets as supplied.

• Containers must be stored so that their identification is readily available.

• The National Building Regulations, Hazardous Chemical Regulations and Regulation 4 of the General Safety Regulation Use and Storage Flammable Liquids specify maximum quantities of chemicals/flammable substances that may be stored in the work-place.

Daily Laboratory Inspections

• Waste containers must be inspected daily for signs of leakage, corrosion or any other forms of deterioration.

• Visual Inspections must be conducted of all containers to ensure

1. capped/sealed

2. properly labeled

• Any container found leaking must have its contents transferred to a new container immediately.

• Any spillage must be cleaned up immediately.

Request for Chemical Waste Removal

• Hazardous Chemical Waste is collected by a Hazardous Chemical Waste Collection Service Provider.

Request for Collection and Disposal

1. The generator must supply the SHE department with a list of chemicals for disposal.

2. The list must contain the following

▪ Name of chemical, type, class

▪ How packed

▪ How stored

▪ Volume

▪ Amount

▪ Where stored, building name, department name

▪ Contact person for generator

3. The SHE department will forward the list to the service provider who will in-turn submit this to land fill (Vissershok) for.

▪ Packing instructions

▪ Type of container to be used for disposal

Disposal Method

• When approval for disposal is authorized, the service provider will quote costing for disposal charges to the U.W.C SHE department.

• The SHE department will generate an order, supply same to the service provider and arrange for collection and disposal the SHE Department in forms the generating department of date, time and collection.

• When chemical waste has been disposed the service provider must issue a waste manifest stating the chemical waste details and that it has been disposed in an environmentally acceptable manner.

NB. No unknown chemicals will be accepted for disposal.

Waste containers must not be mixed with empty containers that will be used for disposal.

All containers must be tightly sealed to avoid any spillage during transport.

[PX02, section II; physical PDF pages 4, 5, 6]

SECTION III ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

WASTE HANDLING & STORAGE PRIOR TO COLLECTION FOR DISPOSAL

Waste Handling and Storage

1. Before dispatching any hazardous chemical waste, the generator must ensure that ALL containers are properly sealed and labeled. Records must be kept of all hazardous chemical waste dispatched.

2. All flammable solvents must be stored in flammable store.

3. Hazardous chemical waste must be segregated according to their classification.

B. Waste Transport

1. The SHE Department will make ALL arrangements for off-site disposal

2. The service provider will comply with the requirement of SABS 0229- the Code of practice for packaging of dangerous goods for road and rail transportation in South Africa.

C. Waste Inspections [Storage areas]

1. All Satellite Accumulation Areas must be inspected at least once a week.

[PX02, section III; physical PDF pages 6]

SECTION IV MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION... TREATMENT/DRAIN DISPOSAL & WASTE Waste MINIMIZATION

Treatment & drain disposal.

a. General Information.

Research and Instruction in laboratories continuously produces small amounts aqueous water, in such cases laboratory workers must decide whether to pour particular solutions down the drain or keep them for collection by the service provider.

Unwanted chemicals must be kept for collection.

Before disposing of any chemicals down the laboratory sinks consideration must be given/taken into account if the chemical won't damage the plumbing system.

Drain disposal of dilute acids and alkalis that have been neutralized by the experimental process may be discarded by drain disposal.

When disposing of hazardous chemical waste protective equipment and clothing must be worn {Gloves, apron and safety glasses.

Before pouring the solution into the drain,, turn on the tap to get a good flow of water to wash it down.

DRAIN DISPOSABLE SUBSTANCES

These substances must be diluted to a pH of 6 to 9 before it can be disposed

i.e Hydrochloric Acid

Nitric Acid

Phosphoric Acid

Surphuric Acid

Acetic Acid

Formic Acid

Sodium Hydroxide

Potassium hydroxide

Ammonium Hydroxide

Sodium Carbonate

B. WASTE CHEMICAL RE -USE

1. Unused and unopened chemical being disposed of as waste due to changes in Research or dis-Continuation of special research protocol and may be re-distributed to other laboratories that can utilized the chemical ,sharing unused and un-opened chemicals can reduce the amount of chemical waste.

C. INVENTORY CONTROL

Each Laboratory must maintain an appropriate inventory of chemicals in their laboratory as a method to reduce unnecessary purchase and disposal. The following methods can reduce the amount of chemical in a laboratory and minimize waste generated from expired or unwanted excess chemicals.

• Check laboratory inventories before ordering to avoid over supply of chemicals

D MICROSCALLING

Micro scale chemistry is pollution prevention method that decreases the amount of chemical waste generated during laboratory experiments and it has the following benefits:

• Reducing chemical waste produced at the source

• Improve laboratory safety by decreasing potential exposure to chemical and reducing fire and explosion Hazards.

• Reduce laboratory costs for chemical purchase and disposal.

• Improve air quality due to greatly reduced volumes and other volatile substances used.

• Decrease the amount of storage space necessary for chemicals.

• Reduce the time required to perform experiments due to short chemical reaction times.

• Encourage students to think about waste minimization

• Decrease costs for U.W.C.

• Increase environmental awareness for U.W.C.

• Rotate stock chemicals in the laboratory to ensure older chemicals are used before the newer chemicals

• Do not accept free samples from chemical suppliers unless you are certain that you will be using the material.

SUBSTITUTION

In some instances, chemicals that are more environmentally friendly may be substituted for traditionally used chemicals.

D. LEGISLATION

The following South African legislation must be taken into consideration with regards hazardous chemical substances.

[1] National Environmental Management act. [Act 107 of 1998]

[2} Occupational Health and Safety Act [Act 83 of 1995] and regulations

[3] National Environment Management Air Quality Act 2004

[4] Hazardous Substances Act [Act 15 of 1973]

[5] SABS 0229 code of practice for identification and classification of dangerous substances/

G ADONIS

SHE OFFICE

UWC 2008

[PX02, section IV; physical PDF pages 6, 7, 8]

ADDENDUM 1

SHE DO’s & DON’T ABOUT SPILLAGES

1. Analyze the spill

• Always stand upwind

• Keep bystander away

• Consider evacuation

• Try to identity the quantity and the chemical by asking the relevant qualified people.

• Analyse the risks and inform the relevant people.

• Look at means to contain

• If the spillage cannot be contained call for emergency assistance.

2. Select the correct P.P.E

• Consult the M.S.D.S for the correct P.P.E. to ensure that nobody’s life is endangered.

•

3. Contain the spillage

• Contain the spillage in the smallest area possible.

4. Stopping the flow of the product

• If possible turn the container up-right to stop the leak.

• Place a drip tray underneath to catch liquid spill.

• Transfer to an undamaged container.

5. Recovering the spilt product

• Absorb the product with chemical absorbent found in the chemical spill kit.

• Discard absorbent into open top container.

6. Decontamination

• Wash everything that was in contact with the spill.

7. Disposal and personal Health & Safety

• Dispose of accumulated waste as per safe disposal method that applies to safe disposal of laboratory waste.

8. Do all relevant reports

• A full report must be completed to educate other employees what to do for future spills, and limit the possibility of future spills.

G ADONIS

SHE OFFICER

[PX02, section Addendum 1; physical PDF pages 9]

THE FOLLOWING LEGISLATION NEED TO BE COMPLIED WITH

• NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT. [ACT 107 OF 1998]

• ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION ACT [ACT 73 OF 1989]

• NATIONAL WATER ACT [ACT 36 OF 1998]

• HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ACT [ACT 83 OF 1993]

• OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT. [ACT 83 OF 1993]

• NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT WASTE BILL B.B. NO. 30142 OF AUGUST, 2007

G ADONIS

SFE OFFICER

[PX02, section Final legislative list; physical PDF pages 10]

Open/download the complete Policy and Procedures for Hazardous Chemical Waste, C2008/3 cover/DRAFT body (PDF)

Requirements for service providers

Public supplier terms require relevant UWC procedures and safety requirements to reach contractors and address hazard reporting. The document body is undated; its filename and metadata indicate 2023, and does not identify the individual contracts into which these terms were incorporated. These general obligations do not themselves provide aquatic-food sourcing controls, a plastics reduction plan or marine-pollution standards. [PX03, Clauses 14 and 23; physical pp.8–9,13–14]

ANNEXURE “B”: GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: source provisions

This undated Annexure B begins with its terms rather than a separate approval cover or document-control table. The 2023 file identifier does not establish its incorporation into individual contracts.

ANNEXURE “B”: GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

14. Compliance with Procedures

14.1. It is recorded that during the term of the agreement, UWC or its appointed UWC Representative may implement certain reasonable procedures and policies. The Service Provider shall comply fully with any such reasonable procedures and policies, including the work procedures and health and safety procedures, provided that such policies and procedures shall have been provided to it in writing or is made accessible to the Service Provider.

14.2. The Service Provider shall ensure that it and its personnel shall at all times comply fully with any safety, fire, emergency and security procedures and policies applicable at UWC.

14.3. The Service Provider shall not transgress any rules, codes, policy documents, procedures and safety standards of UWC, which are available on request and of which the Service Provider must take notice.

14.4. Should UWC at any time believe that any member of the Service Provider’s personnel is failing to comply with any such procedures or policies, UWC shall be entitled to deny such staff member access to the relevant premises and require Service Provider to replace such person without delay.

14.5. The Service Provider shall keep safe any furniture and/or equipment and maintain and clean office, storage- and/or any change room facilities allocated by UWC to the Service Provider, in order to perform its duties.

14.6. The Service Provider and its staff shall not remove any property of UWC, or that of its employees, or its students from the premises of UWC without the written consent of UWC first being obtained.

14.7. The Service Provider and its staff shall abide by the security arrangements of UWC which may include any one or a combination of the following:-

14.7.1. body search;

14.7.2. presentation of personal identification documents or ID cards of UWC;

14.7.3. searching of personal bags / handbags /pockets / lockers;

14.7.4. finger printing;

14.7.5. any other lawful measure that may be required by the site concerned;

14.7.6. to hand in any lost item found to Campus Protection Services of UWC.

[PX03, section 14; physical PDF pages 8, 9]

23. Compliance with Occupational Health and Safety

23.1. The Service Provider:-

23.1.1. warrants that it is fully aware of the terms and conditions of the OHS Act and relevant Health and Safety Regulations as amended;

23.1.2. acknowledges that it is an employer in its own right with duties and responsibilities as prescribed in the OHS Act and relevant Health and Safety Regulations as amended;

23.1.3. agrees to ensure that all Works/ Services shall be performed and all equipment shall be used in accordance with the provisions of the OHS Act and relevant Health and Safety Regulations as amended,

23.1.4. accepts accountability for its employees and sub-contractors to the extent that such employees and sub-contractors (including any other personnel) contravene the provisions of the OHS Act and relevant Health and Safety Regulations as amended;

23.1.5. agrees to comply with all rules and regulations implemented by or on behalf of UWC on all sites relating to health and safety and will inform UWC immediately should Service Provider for any reason be unable to comply with the provisions of the OHS Act and such rules and regulations;

23.1.6. shall appoint a duly authorised representative to ensure the discharge of its duties in terms of Section 16(1) and (2) of the OHS Act for the term of the SLA;

23.1.7. shall ensure that all workers are familiar with UWC’s emergency evacuation program and that the correct emergency procedures will be followed in the event of an emergency situation or when an exercise is held.

23.2. In terms of Section 37(2) of the OHS Act, the following is hereby agreed:

23.2.1. the Service Provider shall be responsible for the implementation of the terms and provisions of the OHS Act and Regulations as amended in the area where the work/service is to be undertaken for UWC.

23.3. The Service Provider shall be responsible for the wellbeing, in relation to health and safety of all persons coming into such area in accordance with the OHS Act, subject to any directives issued by management of UWC. The Service Provider undertake to report to the Risk and Compliance Director of UWC any hazard to health and safety which exists or arises during the contract works or services in the area concerned, and over which the Service Provider has no control. The Service Provider shall issue all appropriate safety/health equipment to all persons working or coming into the area. The Service Provider furthermore agrees to specifically abide by and implement the provisions contained in UWC Safety Policy and the OHS Act.

23.4. In the event that any Regulations or State of Disaster and/or UWC Policy regarding any Pandemic be implemented, the Service Provider accepts and undertakes to strictly comply with the protocols and procedures of UWC and indemnify and holds UWC harmless against any claim flowing from any infection and/or in the event that any person, client, employee, agent, manager, or subcontractor fails to comply with any aspect of the National and/or UWC Covid-19 protocols and procedures.

[PX03, section 23; physical PDF pages 13, 14]

Open/download the complete AnnexureB General Terms and Conditions and Operational Requirements (PDF)

References

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[AQ03] Harriet Box. 2025-05-21. UWC’s Cape Flats Nature Reserve Hosts its First Nature Photography Competition to Raise Biodiversity Awareness.

[AQ04] UWC Nature Reserve Unit. Undated. UWC Nature Reserve Unit: Overview.

[AQ05] Myolisi Gophe, Institutional Advancement. 2023-04-28. UWC Lab to Help Understand Microplastics for Better Ecosystem.

[AQ06] National Research Foundation. 2024-01-25. DSI, NRF-SAIAB Launch Cutting-edge Marine Science Laboratory at WSU.

[AQ07] Anusha Rajkaran; Rosemary Eager; Stephanie Nicolaides. 2025-09. Microplastics in aquatic ecosystems, implications for ecosystem services and long-term solutions.

[AQ08] Anusha Rajkaran and Conrad Sparks. 2025-08-25. Plastic Microbeads: Great In Your Face Wash, Bad In Your Food – How South Africa’s Ban Can Work Better.

[AQ09] Cecilia Y. Ojemaye; Amy Beukes; Justin Moser; Faith Gara; Jo Barnes; Lesley Petrik; Lesley Green. 2025-07-28. Assessing Pharmaceuticals in Bivalves and Microbial Sewage Contamination in Hout Bay, Cape Town: Identifying Impact Zones in Coastal and Riverine Environments.

[AQ10] Olivia Murgatroyd; Leslie Petrik; Cecilia Y. Ojemaye; Deena Pillay. 2025-08-01. Persistent Pharmaceuticals in a South African Urban Estuary and Bioaccumulation in Endobenthic Sandprawns (Kraussillichirus kraussi).

[AQ11] Cecilia Y. Ojemaye; Adeola Abegunde; Lesley Green; Leslie Petrik. 2024-11-18. The efficacy of wastewater treatment plant on removal of perfluoroalkyl substances and their impacts on the coastal environment of False Bay, South Africa.

[AQ12] Suveshnee Munien; Puspa L. Adhikari; Kimberly Reycraft; Traci J. Mays; Trishan Naidoo; MacKenzie Pruitt; Jacqueline Arena; Sershen. 2024-01-03. Application and Efficacy of Management Interventions for the Control of Microplastics in Freshwater Bodies: A Systematic Review.

[AQ13] Nomcebo T. Mngomezulu; Anusha Rajkaran; Dimitri A. Veldkornet. Online 2024-10-28; journal issue 2025. The influence of physicochemical variables on plant species richness and distribution in the coastal salt marshes of the Berg River Estuary, South Africa.

[AQ14] Chaitanya Katharoyan; Anusha Rajkaran; Nasreen Peer. 2024-06-10. Caught in transition: changes in brachyuran diversity following mangrove encroachment into saltmarshes at a southern distribution limit.

[AQ15] Janine B. Adams et al., including Anusha Rajkaran. 2025-05-19. Blue Carbon at the southern tip of Africa: current knowledge and future perspectives for dynamic estuarine environments.

[AQ16] Taryn Riddin; Janine Adams; Anusha Rajkaran; Anesu Machite; Nasreen Peer; Ena Suarez. 2024-07-26. IUCN Red List of Ecosystems, Mangroves of The Agulhas.

[AQ17] Siyamthanda Gxokwe; Timothy Dube; Dominic Mazvimavi. Online 2023-11-30; issue 2024. An assessment of long-term and large-scale wetlands change dynamics in the Limpopo transboundary river basin using cloud-based Earth observation data.

[AQ18] Kevin Musungu; Timothy Dube; Julian Smit; Moreblessings Shoko. 2024-01-06. Using UAV multispectral photography to discriminate plant species in a seep wetland of the Fynbos Biome.

[AQ19] Lawrence Humbulani Mulangaphuma; David Odusanya; Nebo Jovanovic. 2024-06-10. Evaluation of River and Groundwater Quality in the Mzimvubu to Tsitsikamma Water Management Area (WMA7).

[AQ20] Palesa Jessica Mokgala. Thesis November 2025; repository year 2025. Assessing the efficacy of floodplain wetland management policies in the Msunduzi river basin: a comprehensive analysis of policy implementation, adherence, and support for alternative livelihoods.

[AQ21] Yamkela Mbambi. 2023. An assessment of river and wetland morphology dynamics using geospatial techniques.

[AQ22] Nathan Adams. 2025-05-19. Research for Improving Water Security.

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[AQ24] Harriet Box, Institutional Advancement. 2022-11-07. UWC’s Institute for Water Studies shares its research with communities in the Nuwejaars Catchment.

[AQ25] Sebastian Georg Stenzl. 2024; repository available 2025-12-05. Assessing the vertical distribution of microplastics in the sediments of a MAR basin.

[AQ26] UWC/Griffith project; Anusha Rajkaran and Rod Connolly named as supervisors. 2025; applications closed 25 April 2025. Coastal Wetland Health ‘Action Map’: public access data for education and conservation — Science Communicator & Media Developer opportunity.

[AQ27] UWC. 2024-04-12. Soft launch of the Nano-Micro manufacturing facility (NMMF).

[AQ29] Lesley Green; Cecilia Yejide Ojemaye; Jo Barnes; Lesley Petrik (UWC byline spells Leslie); Nikiwe Solomon; Vanessa Farr. 2025-07-08. Cape Town’s sewage treatment isn’t coping: scientists are worried about what the city is telling the public.

[M01] University of Cape Town, Marine and Antarctic Research Centre for Innovation and Sustainability (MARIS). Undated; retrospective project listing. Projects: Eco-ACE.

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[M03] K. Hyder and co-authors; One Ocean Hub/Eco-ACE policy brief. 2024. Climate adaptation for fisheries in South Africa.

[M04] PLAAS, University of the Western Cape. 2022-03-18; page updated 2024-08-14. Living Landscapes: Disrupting, transforming and renewing conservation in Southern Africa.

[M05] PLAAS, University of the Western Cape. Undated retrospective course page. New Thinking on Integrating Biodiversity and Social Justice: Durban 2024.

[M06] Oak Foundation. 2024-07-24. Living Landscapes: rethinking biodiversity.

[M07] Siphesihle Mbhele, Ayanda Madlala and Moenieba Isaacs; PLAAS. 2025-02. Living Landscapes in Action: Co-management: a failed promise for the Dukuduku and KwaNibela communities surrounding the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Policy Brief 65.

[M08] PLAAS, University of the Western Cape. 2024-08-12. PLAAS attends South Africa’s first fisher tribunal in Cape Town.

[M09] Masifundise. 2024-11-05. Preliminary Jury Statement outlines key challenges and strategic recommendations for advancing the fisher movement in South Africa.

[M11] National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI), Uganda. Undated project website. Building Adaptive Fisheries Governance Capacity.

[M12] Frank Nansereko, Rebecca Dushimimana, Barnabas Uzabakiriho, Bwambale Mbilingi, Ashraf Kamya, Johnson Baluku and Laban Musinguzi. 2025-04. Who is in Charge of Fisheries? Who Should be in Charge? What is the Role of Resource users?.

[M13] Johnson Baluku, Ashraf Kamya, Bwambale Mbilingi, Laban Musinguzi and Fiona Nunan. 2025. Building Adaptive Fisheries Governance Capacity: Proceedings of the 2nd National Stakeholders’ Workshop.

[M14] BlueRemediomics consortium. Undated. University of the Western Cape: BlueRemediomics partner profile.

[M15] Rebecca Pflanz, Marieke Reuver, Annette Wilson, Robert Finn and Shriya Raj; BlueRemediomics. 2024-11-18, version 3 resubmission; initially submitted 2023-06-09. D6.1: Plan for Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication, initial.

[M16] BlueRemediomics consortium. 2025-06-27. A look back at the BlueBiobankBiotech workshop.

[M17] DIPLOMICS, reposting IMBM UWC. 2025; exact post day not independently resolved. BlueBiobankBiotech learner workshop: DIPLOMICS/IMBM account.

[M18] Laura M. Pereira, Sandra Boatemaa Kushitor, Carolyn Cramer, Scott Drimie, Moenieba Isaacs, Rhoda Malgas, Ethel Phiri, Chimwemwe Tembo and Jenny Willis. 2022; accepted 2022-05-17. Leveraging the potential of wild food for healthy, sustainable, and equitable local food systems: learning from a transformation lab in the Western Cape region.

[M19] Harriet Box, UWC Institutional Advancement. 2023-10-17. Cape Agulhas should be declared a Marine Protected Area – UWC scholar.

[M20] Tamara Goliath, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, UWC. 2023-01-24. An ongoing partnership between UWC and the North–South.

[M21] Nathan Adams, UWC Institutional Advancement. 2022-12-19. Women of the sea find their voice.

[M22] PLAAS, University of the Western Cape. 2025-06-11. Beyond the Blue book purchase.

[M23] Siphesihle Mbhele, PLAAS. 2025-06-13. Fishing commons, collective action and resistance: conservation practices along the Chilika Lagoon in India.

[M24] Global Environmental Law Centre, UWC Faculty of Law. Undated. Biodiversity, Ecosystems and Oceans.

[M25] Ruth Hall, PLAAS. 2025-10-02; updated 2025-10-07. Land, life and society: what’s at stake in an unequal world, and what could turn the tide?.

[ED01] University of the Western Cape. Academic year 2025. Postgraduate Diploma Integrated Water Resource Management 2025.

[ED02] University of the Western Cape. Academic year 2025. Bachelor of Science Honours Biodiversity and Conservation Biology 2025.

[ED03] University of the Western Cape. 2024. Postgraduate Diploma in Integrated Water Resource Management 2024 calendar extract.

[ED04] University of the Western Cape. Academic year 2024. BSc Honours Biodiversity and Conservation Biology 2024.

[ED05] Jaqui Goldin and Carolina Suransky. 6 September 2025. In the Minor Key The Minuscular Mycelium and its Implications for Citizen Science.

[ED06] Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation. 9 December 2025 publication. UWC RISE Annual Research Report 2024 to 2025.

[ED08] Tamara Goliath DVC Research and Innovation Office. 25 September 2024. Seeds of Change Cultivating Innovation for Sustainable Futures through Research Week.

[ED09] Anne Gro Vea Salvanes and Mark Gibbons. Cover March 2024; bibliography contains later in preparation references. PRIMA Learning Final Report.

[ED10] Mbali Ngulube, NRF SAIAB. 5 February 2024. NRF SAIAB MARIP Platform hosts successful South African BRUVs research network workshop.

[ED11] Lisakhanya Nqaba; University of the Western Cape. Thesis dated November 2025; repository public availability 7 July 2026. A comprehensive solid waste audit in UWC residences: awareness, views, and waste management amongst university students and waste workers.

[ED12] UWC, Eunomia Research & Consulting and Aquila Environmental; core team listed on report p ii. October 2024. Researching a Deposit Return System for South Africa: Costs and Benefits of Implementing a Mandatory Deposit Return System for Beverage Packaging.

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[P02] University of the Western Cape. Council amendment 28 March 2023; initial implementation 21 June 2007. Occupational Health and Safety Policy.

[P03] University of the Western Cape Council. Statement approved 26 June 2025; reporting year 2024. Council Statement on Transformation and Sustainability, UWC Annual Report 2024 (77-page spread edition).

[PX01] University of the Western Cape. Main amendment 27 March 2025; addendum approved 28 June 2018. Procurement Policy with Infrastructure Framework Addendum.

[PX02] University of the Western Cape. Cover reference C2008/3; body marked DRAFT; exact approval/effective day not stated. Policy and Procedures for Hazardous Chemical Waste historical document.

[PX03] University of the Western Cape. Undated body; filename 20 February 2023; PDF creation 24 February 2023. Annexure B General Terms and Conditions and Operational Requirements.

[PX06] South African Government. Act 34 of 2008. National Energy Act 34 of 2008.

[AQ06b] Lucky Dlamini, NRF-SAIAB. 2024-06-13. NRF-SAIAB JML Programme: Changing the Tides in Ocean Research, through Innovation, Research and Partnerships.

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[AQ31] European Commission, CORDIS. Project 2022-12-01 to 2026-11-30; accessed 2026-10-15. BlueRemediomics: Harnessing the marine microbiome for novel sustainable biogenics and ecosystem services — project fact sheet.

[AQ32] UWC Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics. Undated institutional project account; project launch context 2023. IMBM joins four-year EU-funded programme BlueRemediomics.

[AQ33] Robert Finn and Shriya Raj, BlueRemediomics. Final resubmission 2024-12-10. BlueRemediomics D7.2 Data Management Plan — initial, version 4.0.

[AQ35] Zaahira Yassin, University of the Western Cape. Thesis November 2025; repository copyright page 2026. From Pixel to Perception: Integrating spatial, ecological, and socio-cultural datasets into the monitoring of wetland ecosystems — A case study of De Hoop Vlei.

[M27] PLAAS, UWC. 12 June 2025; updated 4 November 2025. New thinking on integrating biodiversity and social justice: 2025 short course.

[M28] PLAAS, UWC. 27–31 October 2025 course; November 2025 upload. Living Landscapes Short Course: Lecturer and participant profiles 2025.

[M29] Moenieba Isaacs; PLAAS, UWC. 30 March 2026; updated 7 April 2026; retrospective 2025 activities. Conservation and social justice: what we are keeping our eyes on in 2026.

[M30] Land, Life and Society conference participants; hosted by UWC. 9 October 2025. Cape Town Declaration on Land, Life and Society.

[M31] South African Government, Department of Land Reform and Rural Development. 7 October 2025. Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso: Land, Life and Society Conference.

[M32] Siphesihle Mbhele and nine co-authors; V2V Global Partnership, University of Waterloo. July 2025; Working Paper 2025-03; 2024 field school. Reflections from the Chilika–V2V Field School: Blue Justice and Social-Ecological System Challenges in the Chilika Lagoon, India.

[M33] Zina Jacobs, Mafaniso Hara and Frank Matose; PLAAS, UWC. February 2025; Policy Brief 63. Living Landscapes in Action: The Importance of Social and Spatial Justice Realism in Urban Conservation.

[M34] Harriet Box, UWC Institutional Advancement. 27 February 2025. Seaweed is More Than a Snack.

[M35] PLAAS, UWC. Undated; states 2021–2024 project funding period. Living Landscapes in Action project.

[ED13] University of the Western Cape. 2025. BSc Honours Biodiversity and Conservation Biology: Programme Calendar 2025.

[ED14] University of the Western Cape. Academic year 2025. Postgraduate Diploma Integrated Water Resource Management: Programme Modules 2025.

[ED15] University of the Western Cape. Academic year 2024. BSc Honours Biodiversity and Conservation Biology: Programme Modules 2024.

[ED16] UNESCO IHP-WINS Citizens4Water. 21 October 2025. Diamonds on the Soles of Our Feet: interview with Jaqui Goldin.

[M10] Fisher People Tribunal jury, including Ben Cousins; hosted by Masifundise. 2024-10-23. The Fisher People Tribunal South Africa: Preliminary Jury Statement.