Prof. Sylvester Mpandeli
Prof Sylvester Mpandeli (PhD) is a Research Manager responsible for the Key Strategic Area which deals with Water Utilisation in Agriculture at the Water Research Commission (WRC) since May 2013. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Venda. He has author/co-author more than 140 publications and these include scientific papers, book chapters, technical reports, conference proceedings and two books. He was the chairman: African Regional Working Group of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) and also the Deputy Chairman: South African National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (SANCID). He represents the South African Regional Irrigation Association (SARIA) at the International Executive Council of ICID. Currently, he is a board member at the Applied Centre for Climate & Earth Systems Science (ACCESS). Before joining the WRC, Prof Sylvester Mpandeli worked at the Department of Environmental Affairs as Director responsible for the Climate Change Adaptation Resource Sectors since October 2012. He was also a Specialist Advisor on Climate change Adaptation issues at the same department for a period of about three years from 01 November 2009 to 30 March 2012. He worked at the Agricultural Research Council – Institute for Soil, Climate and Water (ARC -ISCW) for 9 years (4 years as researcher focusing on Agrometeorology and then 5 years as a Programme Manager responsible for Climate Change). He was part of the research team from the University of Pretoria that won an International Award in 2003 on water saving technology using wetting front detector tool developed by the CSIR- Australia, University of Pretoria and the Water Research Commission. He completed a PhD degree in 2006 at the University of Witwatersrand specialising on climate change adaptation issues. He completed a master’s degree at the University of Pretoria in 2001 specialising on Irrigation and Agronomy. He completed two honours degrees at the University of Pretoria in 1998 specialising on floriculture and the second honours degree was completed in 2002 specialising on Land Use Planning. He completed Bachelor of Agriculture degree at the University of Venda in 1997.