Graduation 2020
Desert research leads to master’s degree
08 December 2020 | Story Farah Khalfe. Photo Liezl Maritz. Video editors Nico Badenhuizen, Evan Zerf. Read time 6 min.
“During my solo fishing expeditions, there would always be black-backed jackals nearby, indifferent to my presence, observing and patiently waiting for me to finish my dissections so they [could] collect fish scraps. Regular sightings of the peculiar brown hyena were a constant reminder of the wild nature of the coast. This experience has taught me to make time to reflect and appreciate the small moments in life.”
This is how University of Cape Town (UCT) graduate Liezl Maritz describes the experience of completing her Master’s in Biological Sciences while working in isolation on the coast of the southern Namib desert.
After completing a degree in environmental management in 2012, and then obtaining a BSc Honours in Geography – both from UNISA – Liezl was well equipped to identify and understand spatio-temporal patterning and the relationship between natural and anthropogenically induced phenomena.
The study
In 2017 she put these skills to use when she began her master’s. Her research took place within the Southern Coastal Mines licence area — one of the largest licencing areas held by Namdeb Diamond Corporation, where Liezl has been employed since 2012. The region is a high-security area enclosed by a double fence where public access is strictly controlled.
She undertook the first (and only) investigation of the ecological viability of wetland marine ponds created by diamond-mining activities.
“The mining activity that takes place progressively pushes the coastline out into sea. This enables mining to take place in what was previously a surf zone, in the lee of ‘sea walls’ that hold the sea at bay. In the process, multiple large marine ponds – some as much as 1 km long – are created along the coast, which are clearly visible on Google Earth,” she said.
“Liezl aimed to assess whether these ponds could supplement the sparse estuarine and lagoonal systems that exist on the parched coast.”
Prior to the mining, the coast was covered in a naturally occurring dune hammock system, which has now disappeared and been replaced by the man-made marine ponds. Liezl aimed to assess whether these ponds could supplement the sparse estuarine and lagoonal systems that exist on the parched coast.
When conducting her study, which took place on an area approximately 75 km in length and with 150 pools in total, she assessed the age, physical properties, amount of salt-marsh vegetation, bird species and fish benefitting from each pond. This allowed her to determine whether the ponds serve an important ecological role worth preserving.
In the end, the final verdict was positive. Her research revealed that the pools do in fact support and attract biodiversity.
“In short, they allow the development of salt marshes that would otherwise be absent, support populations of a limited number of marine fish species and have a remarkably rich waterbird fauna.”
Findings from her research show that the rich waterbird fauna found in the area is on par with other regions classified as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas. Thirty-six different bird species were recorded during her study, and the ponds provide an attractive alternative habitat for waterbirds to nest, forage and roost.
Silver lining
With these findings, as well as her ongoing research, Liezl is confident that she will make a valuable contribution to the biodiversity conservation efforts in the Southern Coastal Mines area and Namibia as a whole, as well as create opportunity for the fields of restoration, ecology and mining environmental management to expand and grow.
“There are a limited number of studies conducted in the area because of access restrictions, making the data I collect very valuable,” she added.
Access control wasn’t the only challenge she faced when completing her degree, however. She also had a full-time job and had to constantly balance her time, energy and attention. She overcame this obstacle by strictly managing her daily schedule and weekly deliverables. Allowing time for herself to rest and recuperate was also an important factor in her success.
“My conservation project is a continuation of my MSc project — with a focus on multiple bird species.”
With only a two-way radio to communicate with security in the study area, and having remote contact with her supervisors, Liezl admitted that despite all the challenging times there were also many rewarding moments, which is “typical when spending time in nature”.
She also recently completed a training programme for conservation leadership, administered by Fauna and Flora International and funded by De Beers. Moving forward, she plans to continue working on her conservation project for this programme.
“My conservation project is a continuation of my MSc project — with a focus on multiple bird species and explores the extent to which birds benefit from the existence of the mining ponds,” she explained.
Up and away
For Liezl, it was always a pleasure sharing her experiences with her supervisors, Professor George Branch and Dr Deena Pillay, who have visited and share the same passion for the unique area.
When it comes to motivational forces during her study, she credits Professor Branch for playing a critical role in her success.
“He is regarded as a world leader in the field of marine science and sets an admirable example of what one can achieve through hard work and dedication. His guidance, support and kindheartedness are what kept me motivated.”
It is evident that for Liezl this degree is more than just an accolade. Instead, it is a symbol of the lasting positive impact and legacy she is leaving in her field and beyond.
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Graduation 2020
We understand the disappointment that our students and their families feel about the impact that the global pandemic has had on the normal operations for graduation ceremonies. Please know that the decision to host virtual graduation celebratory events was not taken lightly. We congratulate the March and December 2020 graduates on their academic success during an exceptionally challenging year.
The March 2020 Senate List of Qualifiers was approved at the beginning of March and everyone on that list had technically already graduated in absentia with a confer date of 19 March 2020. The celebratory event video was made available online at 18:00 on Monday, 14 December to honour the March 2020 graduates.
The December 2020 graduands have graduated during the virtual graduation celebratory event at 18:00 on Tuesday, 15 December 2020.
Find full information, including Frequently Asked Questions, on the Graduation page on the Students website. You can also follow the celebrations on UCT’s Twitter page and the #UCTGrad2020 hashtag.
The December graduation season has seen the University of Cape Town (UCT) exploring uncharted territory, with thousands of graduates being honoured in virtual graduation celebratory events – the first of their kind for the university since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
08 Feb 2021
Siphokazi Jonas is one of the most prolific spoken word poets in South Africa, and her work has travelled nationally and internationally. An alumnus of UCT, Siphokazi writes and performs this poem that speaks to the challenge of graduating under the shadow of a changing global experience.
14 Dec 2020Videos – 15 December virtual graduation celebratory event
The University of Cape Town (UCT) deans congratulate the March and December 2020 graduates on their academic success during an exceptionally challenging year and wish them well in their future endeavours.
15 Dec 2020
Videos – 14 December celebratory event for March graduates
Your names
The names of all of the 2020 graduates and graduands can be found in the ceremony programme PDFs. The names of all of the March 2020 graduates are accessible in the March programme PDFs that you can find through the index: just click through the March index to find your graduation ceremony group PDF. The names of all of the December 2020 graduands are accessible in the one December ceremony programme PDF.
Your photos
Graduates and graduands were invited to submit photos for publication as part of the 2020 celebrations. If you submitted a photo, you will find it in the gallery collections, divided into the March and December cohorts.
Our stories: inspirational graduates
The UCT News team has profiled a cross-section of inspirational graduands and graduates whose stories inspired us. To all those we haven’t been able to feature, we’d like to say: each one of you is an inspiration – to your university, your families and your communities. We wish you every success in the future.
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#UCTGrad2020 – social media elements
Customised Facebook frames and Instagram stickers are now available on those social media platforms. Watch the tutorial videos here to see how easily you can get your online presence ready to celebrate during the virtual events.
