South Africa System Dynamics (SASD) Chapter and Eskom SOC held its 4^th Annual System Dynamics Conference on 17 - 18th November 2016, hosted by Stellenbosch University. There were 48 participants who attended the conference from across South Africa. Prof. Alan Brent of Industrial Engineering, who is also the President of the SASD Chapter, offered a brief welcome and introduced the new SASD Chapter policy council for 2017 (listed below).

Prof Eugene Cloete, Vice-Rector: Research and Innovation, welcomed the participants and he pointed out the importance of innovation for sustainable existence as the planet is fast approaching its carrying capacity. He offered the acronym; "WEALTH" to illustrate key focal points for a sustainable planet in which W - stand for World, E - for Economy, Energy, Environment; A - for Agriculture, Access (to energy, water, etc.): L - for Leadership; T - for Technology; and H - for Health, Happiness. 'If one of these aspects are lacking, we are not wealthy', said Prof Cloete. He emphasized that we are called upon to arise and address global problems pertaining to the economy, energy, environment, agriculture, leadership, technology, and health to ensure a happy and prosperous tomorrow. 'We are gathered here with varied research findings that not only enhance our understanding of the problems we face but also propose solutions to alleviate, if not eradicate them entirely' said Prof Cloete.

The Conference keynote address was delivered by Dr. Morne Mostert, Director of Institute for Future Research, Stellenbosch University. His keynote address, captioned "vuja de," challenged us to change our approach to assessing familiar problems with a new mindset. This would offer unique perspectives and solutions for contemporary issues.

He decried the tendency for some organizations to resort to the maxim of getting back to the basics. His stance reiterates Prof. Eugene Cloete's earlier observation that innovation is key for a sustainable global community, and attests to the quote by the famous Nigerian novelist, Chinua Achebe, that: 'Orthodoxy, whether of the right or of the left is the graveyard of creativity.'  With his scintillating presentation techniques and subtle humour, he reminded us to be future oriented, deriving our solutions from the future and not the present or the past. With such an approach, we can employ strategic approaches to problem solving.

Twenty-six papers were presented on the 17^th November, with various topics relating to issues on energy, sustainable cities, health and nutrition, sustainable resource management and water. On 18^th November, a world climate change simulation took place, where, the participants role-played global climate agreements using system dynamics. This demonstrated the complexities and dynamics involved in these negotiations, and that it requires concerted efforts of all the nations to work towards the 2 degrees Celsius target.

To register and learn more about the South Africa System Dynamics Chapter, please go to: www.systemdynamics.org.za or e-mail: [email protected]

South Africa System Dynamics Policy Council, 2017

Prof. Alan Brent - President

Nalini Sooknanan Pillay -Vice President

Prof. Josephine K Musango – Organising Secretary

Mapule Ntsoane - Shadow Organising Secretary

Nic Cloete-Hopkins - Treasurer

Elected Members

1. Paul Currie - Publicity Secretary
2. Daniel Booyens
3. Andries Botha
4. Prof. Leon Pretorius
5. Benjamin Batinge - Student Representative Member  

Photo from left to right: Dr Morne Mostert, Ms Nalini Sooknanan Pillay, Prof Eugene Cloete, Dr Josephine Kaviti Musango and Prof Alan C Brent.

Photographer: Anton Jordaan