SA IORAG

South African Chapter of the Indian Ocean Rim Association Academic Group

National Roadshow 2026

Building on an initial information sharing engagement at North West University-Mafikeng Campus in June 2025 the SA IORAG Secretariat hosted a series of outreach events in 2026 targeting academics and decision making managers at institutions of higher learning and other research institutions across South Africa. In doing so, the roadshow aimed to connect the SA IORAG with universities, researchers and research managers across the country; encourage participation; and promote early-career professionals’ involvement within the SA IORAG. The objective of the Roadshow was to enhance South African participation in IORA. 

The Roadshow followed a nodal approach with events held in key cities and, where possible, in collaboration with university partners.

The SA IORAG Secretariat (SAEON team and Chair) were supported by the DSTI, while other members of the steering committee attended when available. 

Read the full report

Secretariat Presentations

  1. IORA & the IORAG – Mr KGame Molope, NWU
  2.  Ocean20 Feedback – Ms Melissa Philander, SAEON
  3. SA IORAG: “10 Years Supporting South Africa’s Science Diplomacy”, Western Cape version – Ms Nicole du Plessis, SAEON
  4. SA IORAG: “10 Years Supporting South Africa’s Science Diplomacy”, Free State/Northern Cape version – Ms Nicole du Plessis, SAEON

Partner and Academic Presentations

  1. From Ocean Health to Oxidative Stress – Dr Shanika Reddy, Centre for Sustainable Oceans, CPUT
  2. Undertaking Catalytic Research and Moving Beyond Publication Numbers in Coastal, Marine and Maritime Domains, Prof Godwell Nhamo, UNISA
  3. Women and the Indian Ocean, Prof Narnia Bohler-Muller, HSRC
  4.  Gender and Transformation Working Group: IORAG-SA, Prof Joleen Steyn Kotze, HSRC

Partner and Academic Presentations

5. IORA Gqeberha Roadshow – Dr Jessica Fraser, Business School, NMU

6. SAEON Arid Lands Node Overview – Dr Zanele Ntshidi, NRF-SAEON

7. Blue Schools in South Africa – Ms Phumudzo Ragimana, NRF-SAEON

8. Overview of the National Research Foundation (Bloemfontein) – Mr Themba Ngomane, NRF

Partner and Academic Presentations

6. 9 Months of five years of resilience and sustainability – Mr Phumlani Zwane, Ms Nosihe Sibiya, Ms Sithabile Mbonambi, Centre for Global Change, SPU

10. NRF-SAEON: South African Environmental Observation Network – Prof Dave Thompson, NRF-SAEON

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