The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has launched a multi-disciplinary initiative to uplift rural communities, starting with Gwakwani village and expanding to neighbouring villages in Limpopo. The Greater Gwakwani Project focuses on advancing the United Nations sustainable development goals through sustainable solutions to enhance residents’ quality of life. Serving as a model for collaborative societal impact, this project brings together UJ’s faculties of engineering, health sciences, humanities, education, law, science and the Johannesburg Business School. The overarching goal is to create a replicable framework that achieves real-world improvements in rural communities. Gwakwani village has already seen developments that align with the sustainable development goals and a set of unique Smart Rural Village indicators. Over 10 years, UJ has improved food security, water access and other essential services. Gwakwani produces crops like brinjals, tomatoes, sorghum, okra, millet, cowpea and pumpkins. UJ’s food and biotechnologists Daniso Beswa, Minenhle Khoza, Owenkosi Nyawo and Khuthadzo Tshishonga noticed there were post-harvest losses. The faculty of science installed a greenhouse solar dryer at the village and UJ will install more greenhouse solar dryers in nearby villages. Unlike traditional sun drying, solar drying technology shortens the drying time from days to 26 hours, extends the shelf life of crops, maintains nutritional quality, appearance and safety while reducing food waste. The dryer will dry meat and baobab fruit to be sold to provide an income for the villagers.
Project leaders
- Minenhle Khoza: Lecturer
- Daniso Beswa: Lecturer
- Owenkosi Nyawo: Postgraduate MSc candidate
- Khuthadzo Tshishonga: Senior lab technician
Greatest achievements
- Successful Installation of greenhouse solar dryers: Installed the first greenhouse solar dryer in Gwakwani to reduce post-harvest losses and extend shelf life, benefiting the locals and reducing food waste. Plans to expand this technology to neighbouring communities are underway.
- Improvement in food preservation and security: The greenhouse solar dryer preserves essential crops such as tomatoes, brinjals and green beans while maintaining their nutritional quality, appearance and safety, enhancing food resilience in the community.
- Capacity building through training: Researchers from UJ’s Faculty of Science have trained residents in food preservation through using a greenhouse solar dryer, empowering them with skills to process and sell value-added products, which promotes self-sustainability.
- Creation of a cross-disciplinary collaboration model: The project brings together multiple UJ faculties, establishing a strong, collaborative model that leverages diverse expertise to achieve real-world impact.
- Empowering economic development through agro-processing: Locals are now able to produce and sell dried products such as biltong and baobab fruit, creating new income streams and supporting economic resilience.
- Reduction of traditional sun-drying limitations: The solar dryer decreases drying time, eliminating the labour-intensive, quality-compromising limitations of traditional sun drying.
What advice would you give to future generations?
To future generations: you are inheriting a world that needs your care and commitment. This planet is your home, just as it was for those before you, and it’s your responsibility to protect it. Each of you has a role, no matter how big or small, in safeguarding its resources and beauty. Embrace sustainable practices, respect nature and strive for a balance between progress and preservation. Remember, you are part of a long line of guardians of Earth, and the actions you take today will define the quality of life for those who come after you. Unite, act responsibly and leave behind a legacy of stewardship. The Earth depends on you to protect its future.