NRF 25 years: Lelonathemba Ndaleni

NRF 25 years: Lelonathemba Ndaleni

This year, the NRF is celebrating a major milestone in its history as it commemorates 25 years of Research, Innovation, Impact and Partnerships. It always gives us great joy to share the accomplishments and impact of the many students and researchers we have supported during various stages of their careers. We thank all participants for submitting their stories and hope you enjoy reading about their journey with the NRF.

Ms Lelonathemba Ndaleni is a Master’s student in Forestry and a postgraduate representative for the Forestry Department at Nelson Mandela University. She received funding from the NRF for her Master’s studies.

How did your journey start?

I come from a background deeply rooted in the forestry industry as both my parents worked at a timber manufacturing sawmill, and I grew up in a community adjacent to commercial plantations. This early exposure sparked my interest in forestry and fuelled my determination to enter the industry. Throughout high school, I remained committed to my career choice, driven by two main goals: changing the narrative that forestry is a male-dominated field and providing my parents with a management perspective on timber production – a frequent topic of discussion at home.

In 2017, during my matric year, I applied for a Diploma in Forestry at Nelson Mandela University, but my application was unsuccessful due to the program being full. Undeterred, I enrolled in a Higher Certificate in Information Technology User Support Services in 2018. Despite excelling in the IT course and being one of the top four students, my passion for forestry persisted. When applications reopened, I reapplied for the forestry program and was accepted. I received a bursary for my first year from the company my parents worked for. This further fuelled my commitment to my academics. At that time, all I wanted was to be a forester; however, this changed as I grew, gained more exposure, and met brilliant people.

In 2019, I began my journey as a first-year forestry student, actively participating in the Nelson Mandela University Forestry Association and volunteering as a departmental representative during open days. These experiences helped me build a strong relationship with my supervisor, who became my mentor and role model. Although the journey was difficult, the support I received from my mentors and the people I looked up to made it possible for me to persevere.

As the years progressed, I pursued an Advanced Diploma in Forestry.

In 2023, when Nelson Mandela University introduced a BSc in Natural Resource Management, I seized the opportunity to delve into research, which I found immensely fulfilling. Now, six years later, I am proud to be an MSc student, a testament to my unwavering dedication and passion for the forestry industry.

How has your affiliation with the NRF impacted your studies/career?

In 2023, I received a partial cost bursary award from the NRF. I am forever grateful for this opportunity as it validated my career goals and research interests, boosting my confidence in my research endeavours.

One of the biggest highlights of this award was the opportunity to attend the Focus on Forestry conference, themed The Value of Forestry in a Greening Economy. This experience allowed me to exchange ideas with like-minded individuals, create long-lasting connections, and identify research gaps that my study can address. It also helped me build networks with potential co-supervisors and research advisors for my various chapters.

The NRF bursary widened my goals regarding the impact I want to have within the research space and the broader world. On a personal level, it brought a sense of financial relief, enabling me to be more purposeful and driven without the negative influence of financial constraints that could potentially hinder growth. This support indirectly allowed me to master the basics of research, leading to me obtaining a distinction for my treatise.

Additionally, the bursary allowed me to serve my peers by becoming a supplemental instructor for undergraduate students, helping to improve their academic success. I was also privileged to be part of the Forestry 21 project, which focuses on 21st-century climate-smart forestry education for livelihood and sustainability in South Africa

What is your area of expertise?

My current study focuses on commercial plantations under the discipline of Silviculture and forest finances. As part of my Master’s research, I am extending my Honours thesis to explore the impact of establishment practices on rotation-end yield and financial performance.

My area of expertise lies in optimising forest management practices to enhance both tree growth and financial returns.

Why is your work/studies important?

My work has the potential to significantly impact the forestry industry, particularly for rural and small timber growers. By providing essential financial knowledge, my research aims to help these growers make informed decisions on treatment selections that maximise tree growth response and return on investment. This, in turn, supports sustainable forest practices and financial efficiency.

The potential impact of my research is multifaceted. It aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 and 8, which focus on promoting quality education and sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. By adopting the research results and financial principles, private, state, and small growers across Africa can enhance rural economies and social well-being. This will contribute to the country’s economic growth (GDP) and help reduce poverty. Additionally, the research supports the circular economy in natural resources, particularly forests, ensuring long-term economic resilience and rural development.

What I hope to achieve through my research is a transformation in the forestry industry. My goal is to empower growers with the knowledge and tools they need to implement sustainable and economically viable practices. I aim to make quality scientific information accessible to all, including those who lack funds for private research. By publishing open-access articles in journals such as the Southern African Journal of Forestry and disseminating information through industry-led conferences such as Focus on Forestry, symposiums, webinars, posters, and presentations, I hope to ensure that my findings reach a wide audience.

Ultimately, my research seeks to improve financial efficiency and sustainable practices in forestry, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable approach to forestry management. By addressing these needs, I aim to contribute to broader economic and social development goals, ensuring that the benefits of my work extend beyond individual growers to impact the entire industry and society at large.

What are some of your proudest academic achievements?

One of my proudest academic achievements was being awarded the Best Fire Management Student in the class of 2021.

Additionally, I was honoured to be the first recipient of the Forestry Industry Undergraduate Award in 2022.

My dedication to leadership was recognised with an Excellence in Leadership Award in 2023.

Furthermore, I am proud to have been part of the inaugural cohort of students to graduate with a BSc Honours in Natural Resources Management from Nelson Mandela University, George Campus.

The rights to this article (content and images) are reserved by the National Research Foundation of South Africa. This work is licenced under an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED) license: this implies that the article may be republished (shared) on other websites, but the article may not be altered or built upon in any way. Credit must be given to the National Research Foundation and a link provided back to the original article.

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