Dennis Laidler's Blog: Richard Fuggle's retirement address ...

This evening, 29 November 2006, I attended Prof. Richard Fuggle's retirement address at the University of Cape Town.

I've compiled this post as a brief personal tribute to Richard

When I was running the infant Environmental Impact Assessment Unit in the then Western Cape Department of Environment, Cultural Affairs and Sport, Richard could always be relied upon for sound practical advice

That was in 1979 when the first South African Impact Assessment regulations came into effect - what a challange!

His deep insights, always humbly given, were extremely valuable

I also benefitted enormously from attending the UCT two week "Principles for Environmental Management" held in December 1999 as well as the "Coastal Management" short course a year or two before that.

Thank you Richard.

At the farewell function Richard Hill presented the introduction and generally acted as MC.

Richard Fuggle presented a most interesting review of the 'environmental scene' in South Africa over the intervening years since his inaugral lecture presented on 17 October 1974.

Charl de Villiers presented a short and heartfelt response to Richard's address.

Merle Sowman reflected on her association with Richard from student to colleague.

You can see the text of Richard's Retirement Address and Inaugural Lecture after the photographs below.
Charl and Merle have promised to e-mail me the addresses they gave. I'll add the text of their documents to this blog post as soon as I've received them. So visit in a week or so time if you are interested to read them.

The following text is taken from the Environmental Evaluation Unit's web site:

"Richard Fuggle, Shell Professor of Environmental Studies in the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science at the University of Cape Town, has directed the EEU since its inception in 1985. With 30 years of professional experience related to environmental programmes, he has considerable personal involvement in applied environmental research and problem solving through contractual environmental impact evaluations.

Of necessity Professor Fuggle's role in recent years has been that of mentor, advisor, research stimulator and co-ordinator. International funds to support research and training have been awarded to Professor Fuggle from Canadian, Australian and Danish International Development Agencies, whilst the South African Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, The Human Sciences Research Council, and the Medical Research Council have all awarded Prof. Fuggle numerous grants. Professor Fuggle is a founder member of the South African Council for Natural Scientists and a Professional Member of the South African Institute of Ecologists and Environmental Scientists. He is also a Board Member of NESDA (Network for Environmental and Sustainable Development in Africa). He serves on the Editorial Boards of the Journals of Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, Environmental Planning and Management, Research in Geography and Environmental Education, and the South African Journal of Environmental Law and Policy. He is editor of the books Environmental Concerns in South Africa and Environmental Management in South Africa. Professor Fuggle has acted as an environmental consultant and review consultant to major industrial and development organisations as well as to the South African national, provincial and local governments. He also serves as a technical adviser on environmental matters to the Inspection Panel of the World Bank."

Richard we wish you all the best in your retirement.

Below are some photographs that I took during the gathering after the address.

To see the images in full size:
MS-Explorer - 'Shift Click' on the image to open it in a new window
Mozilla Firefox - 'Ctrl Click' or 'Click the mouse wheel' on the image to open it in a new tab

Richard Fuggle (right) chatting to David Shandler

Mary-Jane Morris, Stephen Granger and Susie Brownlie

Richard Hill

Charl de Villers - left - with the red shirt

Merle Sowman

Merle presenting Richard with a gift from his department

Portrait of the first Professor of Environmental Studies for the UCT rogues gallery!

Cheers Richard

Richard gives thanks and reminices

Rapt attention from all present

The previous three pictures stitched into a single panorama

Derek Chittenden and Neal Carter

Dave McDonald and Geoff Davis

Richard Fuggles Retirement Address

Cover page

Page 1

To read the text:

MS-Explorer - 'Shift Click' on the image to open it in a new window

Mozilla Firefox - 'Ctrl Click' or 'Click the mouse wheel' on the image to open it in a new tab

Page 2

Page 3

The IDRC report, "Building a new South Africa - Environment, Reconstruction and Development that Richard mentions on this page is available here

Click on the "Download Book" icon