Briza Authors

At Briza, our authors are our pride! They are specialists in their fields and above all great writers, producing excellent books which educate us and lead us to a greater understanding of our world.

Nico Smit

Briza Publications author Nico Smit obtained the degrees B.Agric (1980) and B.Sc. Agric-Hons (Grassland Science) (1983) from the University of the Free State. His professional career started in 1986 with his appointment as agricultural scientist in service of the Department of Agriculture in the Limpopo Province.

His research involves bush encroachment, savanna dynamics, rangeland management and the game ranching industry. During this period he obtained the degrees M.Sc.Agric (Plant Production, Grassland Science) (1988) and Ph.D (Plant Production, Grassland Science) (1994) from the University of Pretoria. Having served as acting head of the Towoomba Agricultural Development Centre, he was appointed as associate professor in the Department of Grassland Science at the University of the Free State in 1996. As a continuance of his involvement in the game ranching industry a very successful post graduate study course in wildlife management was developed.

During January 2002 he was promoted to professor in the Deptartment of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences and is currently serving as the head of the Grassland Science section of the Department. Nico is a member of various scientific societies, among which the South African Wildlife Management Association and the Grassland Society of Southern Africa where he served as assistant scientific editor as well as president of the society. He also received several awards from the society.

He publishes regularly in scientific journals, is an NRF-evaluated researcher and presents numerous papers at national and international congresses. Nico is also an accomplished photographer and is one of only a few photographers in South Africa that was awarded the highest honours title of Master of the Photographic Society of southern Africa by the PSSA. His interest in nature and trees in particular motivated him to publish two books on the Acacias of southern Africa.

Books by Nico Smit

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Attie Snyman

Briza Publications author Attie Snyman is a former teacher, lecturer, and producer of television series, documentary films, and corporate video programs for the private sector. He currently writes full time. Attie grew up on the farm Koedoeskop in the Thabazimbi area,...

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The Bigger Picture

The Bigger Picture

By Dr Lynn Hurry The co-evolution of species in ecosystems has produced a level of dependence between them that has persisted over time. So much so that around us everywhere there exists examples of animal species that live close to each other “making life happen."...

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Rolf Becker

Briza Publications author Rolf Becker graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biochemistry, as well as a Master of Science and PhD in Biochemistry. He was Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Limpopo for 20 years, while also furthering his...

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Alma Möller

Briza Publications author Alma Möller graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Botany and Genetics, and a Master of Science in Entomology, after obtaining a postgraduate certificate in Electron Microscopy. She worked at the University of Limpopo as Electron...

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CJ Cilliers

Author CJ Cilliers is a retired researcher with a PhD in entomology. She is known for her research on the biological control of insects pests and aquatic weeds, implementing biological control and integrated pest and weed management in South Africa and elsewhere. This...

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