![[L to R] Dr Tembakazi Silwana, Director of Plant and Crop Production Research; Mr Zolani Mkile, Scientific Manager of Analytical Services; Dr Mfundo Maqubela, Director of Technology Transfer Services from Dohne Agricultural Development Institute of the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform; and Professor Sandile Khamanga, Dean of Pharmacy at Rhodes University.](/media/rhodesuniversity/content/rhodesnews/newsimage/DohneTraining.jpg)
Rhodes University Dean of Pharmacy, Professor Sandile Khamanga, recently received a delegation of scientific technicians from the Dohne Agricultural Development Institute in Stutterheim for training in sanitiser production.
The Institute is run by the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform under the Member of the Executive Council, Nomakhosazana Meth. It is the only one of its kind in the Eastern Cape province.
The Director of the Institute, Dr Mfundo Maqubela, said interest in the specialised training was motivated by a desire to introduce new services to the rural and poor communities across the province. “That is the constituency of people that we work with. This training is going to make a huge difference to these communities in limiting the spread of Covid-19. Our team is excited to be here and we know the responsibility we have to the people we serve,” he said.
“We are grateful to the MEC for championing our visit here. We are looking forward to this training and hope to make the most of the opportunity provided by the University. In this partnership with Rhodes University, we are working towards the establishment of an accredited sanitiser manufacturing facility in Dohne.” Dr Maqubela continued.
The group of eight technicians started the training in the World Health Organisation-accredited formula on 28 April 2020. Professor Rod Walker, a registered Pharmacist in the Faculty of Pharmacy, is project leader.