Community engagement 

I have had a long and happy relationship with SAAFoST (South African Association of Food Science and Technology), the learned society of our profession. I have been an active member since 2008 as a student, 2017 I joined the Cape Branch committee. I have served as one of the key role players in ensuring that the MySAAFoST initiative is spread in universities and in particular at CPUT. MySAAFoST is an initiative aimed at creating a vibrant student chapter (read more here about the MySAAFoST Launch at CPUT). In 2021 I was elected unopposed as the Chairman of the CB and nominated to be the Vice President of SAAFoST. I will start serving my term in November 2021 - 2023. One of my chief aims is to create sustainable relationships between SAAFoST, the Food Industry and CPUT. I have also been asked to chair sessions at SAAFoST Conferences (Invitation to chair Conference sessions, 2019 and 2021 + evidence of chaired sessions ) and to Judge presentations (invitation to judge 2021).

The greatest gift a community worker can give to a community is time. At this stage, my participation in community service is to avail myself of career-orientated programmes in the form of mentoring, tutoring and giving career guidance to youth from a marginalized and disadvantaged background who are interested in science careers. The involvement with schools and/pupils are close to my heart. In 2016 We (Myself, Athenkosi Kupiso, Inathi Magida, Sinawo Mzinga and Zizipho Dube) we founded a Non-Profit organization with called Food Science and Technology Professional Network (FSTPN), which brings together Food Science alumni and students (CPUT mostly but open to other universities). In 2019 we had our second annual event at CPUT in partnership with DFST and AgriFoods (FSTPN poster invitation). In our event, we were graced with the presence of our DVC Teaching and Learning, Prof Rishidaw Balkaran and HoD Food Science and Technology Prof Jessy Van Wyk (CPUT-DFST-FSTPN programme 2019).

In August 2021 I also participated in a radio interview with CapeTalk (listen to the podcast below) with Lester Kiewit on the subject of edible insect protein as alternative protein sources and a solution to the problem of food security. This interview was initiated by the office of the Vice Chancellor Prof Chris Nhlapo.  I received positive comments, from my colleagues, Members of the Faculty EXCO and the VC on this interview. To put the icing on the cake, the VC took some time to write a commendation letter and shared it via email (Email from the VC Prof Chirs Nhlapo and Commendation letter). This very encouraging and motivating for me (teary...), a young man from the dusty streets of Standerton being acknowledged and encouraged by the Highest office in the University is a gesture I do not take lightly and I am grateful for such. If at this stage you still have time, please listen to the interview below: