Edward Smit
Dr. Edward Smit is a soil scientist focusing on digital soil mapping, soil physics, and environmental modelling. He completed both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the University of the Free State, where he worked on the application of digital soil mapping in hydrological modelling, stressing the role of soil scientists in water resource management. Dr. Smit currently teaches the environmental soil science, soil physics, irrigation and introduction to soil science modules. Currently, his research focuses on controlled traffic agricultural systems, improving digital soil mapping in South Africa and assessing the role of soil information on process-based hydrological modelling.
Eugene Bergh
Seifu Kebede Gurmessa
Prof. Seifu Kebede (associate professor) is an NRF C-rated hydrogeologist/isotope hydrologist whose research focuses on groundwater systems across scales, from borehole and aquifer processes to regional groundwater flow. His work examines the representation of groundwater in global hydrological-cycle models including through research on mountain hydrogeology, mountain-block and mountain-front recharge, and subsurface multi-scale connectivity between mountains and valleys. He also studies groundwater–surface water and groundwater–ecosystem interactions. His main tools include isotope systematics, hydrogeochemistry, geomorphology, geosciences and, increasingly, hydrogeophysics and modelling. He is Vice President of the International Association of Hydrogeologists and serves as Visiting Professor of Groundwater Geochemistry at Ghent University, Belgium. He also provides advisory/consultancy services to Regional Economic Commissions (RECs), the United Nations, and major international development finance institutions.
Frank Neumann
Prof Frank H. Neumann is a geologist and palaeontologist with > 20 years of experience in Research and Teaching. He has a permanent position at North West University (South Africa) as Associate Professor and Subject Group Chair and is NRFC1-rated. His research focus is the palynological, and sedimentological analysis of Cenozoic profiles from Africa, Israel, and Europe to reconstruct palaeoenvironments. He also accompanies archaeological excavations as a geo- and bioarchaeologist, his current regional focus is to understand Pre-European agriculture and its impact on the landscape. He applies biostratigraphy, e.g., in Neogene strata of the Cape region. Realizing the necessity to apply palynology to applied fields of immediate benefit to local communities, he helped to introduce aerobiology to South Africa since 2019, analysed allergenic pollen and spores in Pretoria and Johannesburg and, since 2023, also in Potchefstroom as a member of SAPNET (South African Pollenmonitoring Network) where he collaborates extensively with colleagues in Public Health and Allergology.
Angelique Daniell
Ms. Daniell holds an M.Sc. degree in Environmental Sciences from NWU and currently lectures in the Geology-Soil Sciences subject group. Currently, she is also continuing her studies for a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science (Plant Science Stream) through the University of South Africa.
She has also been a part of the ongoing "Rock powders: Innovative Fertilizer for Farmers and Enhanced Weathering in South Africa” project in collaboration with Remineralize the Earth (USA), Future Forest Company (UK), University of Brasilia, and the University of Newcastle. This project aims to determine the efficacy of remineralization on farmer productivity, crop nutrient density, carbon sequestration, and overall soil health. An extensive analysis is undertaken to identify knowledge gaps of local farmers and formulate recommendations for future remineralization for consideration by local governments and national policy-making. Strategic protocol for demonstration farms and technology transfer will be developed for future large-scale projects.
Academically and professionally, Ms Daniell is interested in soil science, environmental geology, agriculture, environmental rehabilitation, and chemistry. She relishes the fieldwork and research elements within each of these domains, as well as imparting the knowledge she has accumulated to students as a lecturer. In addition, she has been very privileged to broaden the inside of her fields of interest by participating and presenting at local and international conferences and contributing to academic journals.
Amogelang Moila
Ms. Amogelang Moila holds an M.Sc degree in Geology from the University of Johannesburg and is currently enrolled for a Ph.D in Geology at the University of the Witwatersrand. Her interests lie in the fields of structural geology, geo-metallurgy, and rock engineering. Her core competencies include surface mapping, underground mapping, metallurgical test work, strata control skills, geochronology and 3D modelling (Micromine, Microstation and Leapfrog). She lectures petrology and structural geology to the 2nd and 3rd year students, conducts field trips and supervises honors projects.
Jaco Koch
Dr. Jaco Koch is a lecturer in Soil Science and Geology at the North West University, Potchefstroom Campus. He achieved his PhD at the North West University in 2021, with a thesis focused on accelerating pedogenetic processes in mine tailings to sustain direct vegetative covers establishment in five common South African tailings materials. He also completed a Masters degree at North West University based on uranium migration in gold mine tailings, after completing a BSc in environmental geology degree also from North West University. He is the author of several scientific publications and is currently a member of the Soil Classification Working Group, the custodian of the South African Soil Classification system in which he aided in the development of the anthrosols and technosol classification system.
SACNASP Registration number: 115509
Ricart Boneschans
Mr. Ricart Boneschans is a lecturer and researcher at the North-West University’s Geology and Soil Science Department. He teaches mineralogy, crystallography, petrology, and petrography for 1st year to postgraduate students, and has been lecturing since 2015. He obtained his M.Sc. degree in environmental geology from the North-West University and is currently enrolled for a Ph.D. in Geology at the University of the Witwatersrand. His doctoral research focuses on investigating the igneous and metamorphic history of mafic and ultramafic intrusions contained in the Archean crust and supra-crustal sequences exposed within the Vredefort Dome Impact crater. His academic interests include Igneous petrology, applied mineralogy, soil science, and geobotany, with a specific focus on the study of ultramafic and mafic igneous systems, their impact on soil and plant ecosystems, and the beneficiation and practical utilization of mineral and rock-based resources.
Moteng Moseri
Ms. Moteng Moseri is a Geology Lecturer in the Geology and Soil Sciences department and is a member of ESSSOR (Earth System Sciences, Soils and Resources). She holds a M.Sc in Geology (Palynology) and is currently completing a Ph.D in Environmental Sciences (Coal palynology). Her main research interests are coal palynology, palaeopalynology and palaeoecology. She is also a member of the South African Pollen Network (Potchefstroom team) where she analyses airborne pollen, spores, and fungi.
Sandiso Mnguni
School for Geo- and Spatial Sciences | Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management
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Dr. Sandiso Mnguni is a palaeoentomologist whose research interests include taphonomy, taxonomy, systematics, and ecology. He is a senior lecturer, author, mentor, supervisor, and reviewer. He obtained his BSc in Pest Management degree from Walter Sisulu University, BSc Honours in Entomology from the University of Pretoria, MSc in Entomology from Rhodes University, and PhD in Palaeoentomology from the University of the Witwatersrand. He is an Honorary Research Fellow in the Evolutionary Studies Institute (ESI) of the University of the Witwatersrand. He previously lectured undergraduates from Walter Sisulu University and postgraduates from the University of Fort Hare. He has previously visited the Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels (LIB) (Hamburg, Germany) as a DAAD German Exchange Scholar. He is also a nominee for the 2025 TW Kambule-NSTF Emerging Researcher Award. He lectures Crop Protection and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to undergraduates.
Thapelo Mongala
School for Geo- and Spatial Sciences | Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management
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Mr. Thapelo Mongala is a lecturer in Water Sciences and Management, focusing on Hydrology and Geohydrology. He joined North-West University in 2022. He lectures modules in Environmental Hydrology, Geohydrology, Groundwater Geology (Geophysics) and Groundwater Resource Directed Measures to Honours and Masters students. He holds an MSc in Environmental Sciences with Hydrology and Geohydrology and is pursuing a PhD in Hydrology and Geohydrology. His doctoral research focusses on Groundwater Resource Management in peri-urban tribal areas. It is an interdisciplinary investigation into groundwater and sanitation in new residential developments around Mahikeng. His interests are in Sustainable Groundwater Development, Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), Water Governance, Catchment and Flood Hydrology, Citizen Science and Community-Based Education and Awareness.