Grassroots September 2016, Vol. 16, No. 3 | Page 45
Congress
Presidential Address 2016
Leslie Brown
L
University of South Africa
[email protected]
ast year the Grassland Society of Southern
Africa (GSSA) celebrated its 50th congress
that was held in Pietermaritzburg – where it
all started back in 1965 with a few dedicated
scientists realising the importance of establishing a
society where researchers in this field can share and
discuss their ideas and research. Starting with a
membership of only 97 people the Society has
grown over the years to more than 400 members
nationally and internationally.
Starting with a membership mainly focussing on
rangelands and pastures, the diversity in
membership has increased during the past few
years resulting in the Society updating its mission
to “Advancing ecology and management of African
rangelands and pastures in a changing world”.
Although not a radical change, with its core focus
still on rangeland ecology, it accommodates a more
diverse membership. This increased diversity is one
of the strengths of the Society which has led to the
growth in its members. Our membership consists
largely of professionals involved in various fields
of natural resource management.
The GSSA is a proud society with a remarkable
history and is right up there when compared to
other societies from other disciplines. Looking
back at this year I can report that the Society is a
financially viable organisation with excellent
administrative support. We are also recognised by
the South African Council for Natural Scientific
Professions (SACNASP) as a voluntary
organisation and is therefore consulted on and
informed of various decisions taken. We have a
highly respected journal, African Journal of Range
and Forage Science with an excellent editorial
team. Due to the hard work of this team and solid
scientific contributions by our members the
journal’s ISA rating has once again improved! The
Journal has become a highly respected journal
drawing manuscripts not only from southern
Africa, but also from various parts of the world.
Our newsletter and the mouthpiece of the Society,
Grassroots, has grown over years in stature and
published articles of a semi-scientific nature that is
widely read and appreciated by readers. The latest
issue alone had seven new articles and three feature
articles. All of this is due to our member’s
contributions and the dedicated and passionate
Grassroots editorial team.
Grassroots
The GSSA has placed emphasis on the
development of young scientists in the field of
range and forage management. As such we are
involved in different public relations activities.
These include the Eskom Expo’s, the holding of
farmer’s days and the student awards. Through
these and other activities and awards the GSSA
creates a conducive environment for the
development of young scientists. We have become
a society where professionals, technical advisors
and land owners are encouraged to openly debate
issues relating to their respective fields.
As with any other discipline and society we
must never become complacent. It is important that
we as a society and all its members actively engage
with new policies relating to our respective fields
of expertise. By supporting each other and by
actively marketing our fields of specialisation at all
levels of society we will ensure the continued
realisation of the importance of rangeland and
pasture science and conservation. We must actively
market the Society and register new members. At
tertiary-level it is important that we actively engage
with departments and faculties and imprint the
importance of our science. I am a firm believer that
our strength lies in our members and our diversity
of interests. It is also my belief that we must
become a society that, although based on scientific
research and principles, actively engages with the
semi-scientist, agronomist, rancher and general
public. Our research and findings must be put in
such a way that everyone can understand and
implement it. If our research/science does not
culminate in advice/suggestions/guidelines to the
general person involved in rangeland and pasture
management and ecology, our research and we as a
Society would eventually become obsolete. We
have much to learn from these people and so can
they from us. It is therefore important that we
become a society where everyone feels comfortable
to belong to and are able to express their
experiences and thoughts.
One of the main reasons for the Society being
able to deliver excellent service to its members has
always been the splendid administrative support
delivered by Freyni du Toit who has over the years
become
synonymous
with
the
GSSA.
Unfortunately Freyni will be leaving the Society at
September 2016
Vol 16 No.3