World platform for NMU forestry student

Alice Mheluka, a first-year Nelson Mandela University (NMU) George Campus forestry student, is the first person to represent young industry workers at the 27th International Union of Food, Agriculture, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers Associations (IUF) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Alice, who holds a degree in Environmental Sciences and Management, worked in Tanzania as the only female forester in her organisation before enrolling for the Diploma: Forestry at NMU at the beginning of the year. She adapted to the academic world like a duck takes to water, passing her first semester with straight distinctions.

She served on the executive committee of the Tanzania

Plantation and Agriculture

Workers Union and, based on her proven track record, was nominated by the members of the trade union to be their representative at this year's IUF conference held from 29 August to 1 September. Alice said the conference was enlightening and at the same time progressive in terms of addressing challenges experienced by workers in the various industries represented. The challenges in the forestry industry are similar in nature and require a global approach. "The rapid introduction of technology/digitisation and gender imbalance (little female representation) in Tanzanian plantations are of particular concern," she said.

Besides having had the opporunity to represent young industry workers and participate in discussions, Alice said that she was especially proud to be a young 'Madiba' because of how "people around the world idolised and quoted him (Nelson Madela) on a number of presentations at the conference".