Learning by doing: residents gain skills through 第一吃瓜网 research
- 第一吃瓜网 University
Locals gain technical skills through the Karoo Geophysical Research Project, a national research effort aimed at mapping the subsurface geology of the Karoo.
The success of the first phase of the seismic surveys in the Karoo Basin as part of the Karoo Geophysical Research Project relied on more than advanced seismic equipment and scientific expertise. Community engagement and skills development were central to this national research project, which saw local residents trained to participate in the field operations and learn technical skills that could support future economic activity in the region.
The Karoo Geophysical Research Project, led by 第一吃瓜网 University and conducted on behalf of the Petroleum Agency South Africa (PASA), is a national research initiative aimed at scanning the subsurface geology of the Karoo Basin using non-invasive seismic methods.
The project is divided into two phases and covers parts of the Western Cape, the Eastern Cape, as well as a small section of the Northern Cape. Seismic surveys for Phase 1 were launched in Beaufort West in November 2025 and concluded in February 2026. The research team then transitioned to the Eastern Cape in March 2026, with data acquisition scheduled through August 2026.
Before seismic sensors were placed along roads across the Karoo, the foundations for the project were laid months ahead through community town hall meetings, recruitment, and training. Professor Musa Manzi, Director of the 第一吃瓜网 Seismic Research Centre and project lead, explains that the community engagement aspect of the project was essential not only because it formed part of the environmental impact assessment, but also because it enabled the project to be rolled out smoothly as a result of community buy-in.
According to Manzi, the research team held stakeholder meetings, interacted directly with residents and local organisations, and introduced young people and primary school learners to geophysics and the scientific work taking place in the Karoo. These engagements helped build local understanding of the project while creating opportunities for training and participation in the field operations.
“We believe the skills that local participants have gained will continue to benefit the Karoo beyond the life of the project. They can use the same skills for self- and community development,” says Manzi.
“We foresee the possibility of spin-off initiatives or companies emerging, supported by the local universities. The Centre hosts a pool of specialised geophysical equipment and our plan is to donate some of it so the community can continue using geophysics for site investigations to search for groundwater and support infrastructure development in the region. The aim is for these skills to help create jobs in the Karoo and participants received certificates to recognise their training.”
Youth Empowerment - new skills, new hopes
Among the approximately 40 people who received hands-on technical training as part of the project is 29-year-old, Udisia Daniels. Daniels lives in Beaufort West with her parents, younger sister and nine-year-old son. She was recruited and trained to drive the vibroseis truck used during the seismic surveys.
The truck is central to the data acquisition process. It lowers a metal plate to the ground and sends controlled sound waves into the subsurface. Sensors placed along the survey line record how these waves travel through different rock layers and return to the surface, allowing scientists to map the depth, structure and physical properties of the geology beneath.
Daniels’ background in heavy machinery within the construction sector means she’s no stranger to operating large machines, but she admits that learning to drive and operate the vibroseis truck was a new experience for her.
“The truck is very technical… you can’t just get in and drive. I first needed to learn how everything works. The wires and controls all have a specific purpose, so I took it day by day. I also had to get familiar with driving it because it’s a left-hand drive, since it was made in France. That took me a few days to get used to,” she said.
Before starting the day’s work, Daniels had to carry out a series of checks to ensure that the machine was functioning properly. Much of the training focused on understanding the hydraulic systems that power the vibroseis truck and the routines that need to be followed before the equipment can be used.
“In the morning there are routines you have to go through before you even get into the machine. You need to check everything, the pressure systems, the oil and the hydraulics,” she explained.
Inside the truck, Daniels worked with a digital control system that manage the vibration process used in the surveys. “Inside there’s an LED screen and a tablet in front of you with the program we work on. Before the program runs, you have to make sure the pressure is properly set. If the pressure is not correct, the vibrations won’t generate good data. So as the driver, you need to make sure that before you move to the next point, the data from your current point is properly generated.”
Before working on this project, Daniels says her contract with her previous employer ended in August last year and she was unemployed. Now armed with a certificate and new skills, she hopes that the project will lead to not just new employment opportunities for her but also long-term economic development for the Beaufort West community.
“We’re in the Karoo, work is scarce here. For many young people, even those who have matric, most parents can’t afford to send them to study further, which means many of them are at home. I hope and pray that things don’t just stop with the research. I really hope the government will take this further and work on it as much as they can, not just for the youth but for the economy. We, as the community, are actually looking forward to what’s going to come out of this project.”
* The work from the Karoo Geophysical Research Project has been recognised by the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF). Prof. Manzi was recently named a in the TW Kambule-NSTF Researcher Award category at the 2025/2026 NSTF-South32 Awards, for his contribution to developing novel, cost-saving surface and in-mine seismic techniques to explore resources, mitigate geohazards, and improve infrastructure development.
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