Get ready for sorghum pops and eland bone bread

FOOD security, the study of fossils and HIV prevention were just a few of the subjects high school pupils learnt about from leading academics at a recent Centres of Excellence Annual Director’s Forum.

The event, held at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, hosted by the Department of Science and Technology, the National Research Foundation and UKZN, also included the Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa (Caprisa) and Wits University’s Palaeosciences centre.

“Science is fundamental to how we see the world. It helps shape how we interact with it. It is a huge responsibility to use it to understand the world,” said department deputy director-general Thomas Auf der Heyde.

“Annually, we gather to take stock of the work and showcase the impact the research is having on pressing issues such as HIV prevention and food security,” he said.

Several of the centres displayed their work, while explaining their research to pupils.

Subjects ranged from integrated mineral and energy resource analysis to human development, mathematical and statistical sciences, and invasion biology.

Dr Nokuthula Vilakati, a research fellow at the Institute for Food, Nutrition and Well-Being based at the University of Pretoria, said their research had shown that indigenous crops could be key to staving off food shortages.

“These are hardy crops that can withstand things like drought.”

She and her team shared samples of sorghum pops – air-popped grains, similar to popcorn – and wood-fired mopane and air-roasted meal worms tossed in a variety of spices.

They also showed how innovative thinking, like using powdered eland bone, African garlic flowers and dried stinging nettle, to make “bone bread”, could help in the fight against hunger.

“These snacks are healthy, which could also be beneficial in curbing obesity.”

Dr Sinaye Ngcapu of Caprisa – who recently won the Aids 2016 Women, Girls and HIV Investigator’s Prize at the International Aids Conference – also talked at length about the virus and how it was transmitted.

PICTURE: GEOFF BRINK Pupils from Velabahleke High School, Danisa Nomvelo, Nzuza Mandisa and Nwmande Phumelele, try the Natal plum, that could help spell the end of food insecurity, under the guidance of Grace Nkomo of the University of the Western Cape.