Department of Geography

Prof H Smit

College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
School of Ecological and Human Sustainability
Department: Geography
Professor
Tel: 011 6709826
E-mail: esmitha@unisa.ac.za

Qualifications

  • PhD in Geography and Environmental Studies (Stellenbosch University, 2017)  
    Title: Military environmental literacy in the South African Army.
  • Masters in Geography and Environmental Studies (Stellenbosch University, 1999).
    Title:   The ecological impact of different types of passes on a mountain environment: The Attaquaskloof, Cloetes and Robinson Passes. 
  • BA honours degree (cum laude) in Geography  (Stellenbosch University, 1983).
  • BA , majoring in Geography and History (Stellenbosch University, 1995).

NRF Rating

C3

Currently teaching

CCH3708: Environmental Awareness and Responsibility

Fields of academic interests

  • Military Geography
  • Environmental studies
  • Physical Geography
  • Historical Geography

Field of Specialisation

  • Military Geography
  • Environmental studies
  • Physical Geography
  • Historical Geography

Books

  • Smit, HAP 2022. Italian prisoners of war in South Africa during the Second World War: Circumstances and Contributions. In: Bondesan A., Ehlen J. (eds) Military Geoscience: A Multifaceted Approach to the Study of Warfare. Advances in Military Geosciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79260-2_10. 
  • Smit, HAP & Henrico, I. 2022. ‘Green’ Militaries: In: Sandham, L., Hansen, C. & Meiklejohn (eds) Proceedings of the 2021 Joint Biennial Conference of the Society of South African Geographers and the Southern African Association of Geomorphologists. SSAG, pp 46 – 61. 
  • Henrico, I & Smit, HAP. 2022. Preparing military geography postgraduate students at the South African Military Academy to successfully publish their research results. In: Sandham, L., Hansen, C. & Meiklejohn (eds) Proceedings of the 2021 Joint Biennial Conference of the Society of South African Geographers and the Southern African Association of Geomorphologists. SSAG, pp 127-139.  
    Smit, HAP & Bezuidenhout, J. 2020. The influence of physical geography on the outcome of the battle of Spioenkop during the Anglo-Boer War, 1899–1902. In P.L. Guth (ed.). Military Geosciences: Bridging history to current operations. Advances in Military Geosciences. Cham. Springer. DOI:10.1007/978-3-030-32173-4_4.
  • Bezuidenhout J, Smit, HAP & Geyser AP. 2019. The influence of Geographic Factors on the Distribution of Natural Radionuclides. In Smit, HAP & Bezuidenhout, J (eds). Contemporary Military Geosciences in South Africa, Stellenbosch. African Sun Media (Sun Press).
  • Potgieter TD & Smit, HAP. 2018. Wasted geography: The British annexation of the Cape in 1795. In Bezuidenhout, J & Smit, HAP (eds). African Military Geosciences: Military History and the Physical Environment, Stellenbosch. African Sun Media (Sun Press).
  • Smit HAP. 2018. A military environmental literacy model for the South African Army. Proceedings of the Biennial Conference of the Society of South African Geographers, Bloemfontein, 01–05 October 2018. Taylor & Francis.
  • Smit HAP & Shaamhula, VL. 2018. A military environmental literacy questionnaire for use in South Africa and Namibia. Proceedings of the Biennial Conference of the Society of South African Geographers, Bloemfontein, 01–05 October 2018. Taylor & Francis.
  • Smit, HAP & Donaldson, R. 2016. Military Geography at Stellenbosch University’s Military Geography Department in Saldanha. In Visser G, Donaldson, R & Seethal, C (eds). 2016. The origin and growth of Geography as a discipline at South African Universities. Stellenbosch, Sun Press.
  • Smit, HAP & Mokiri, TJ 2016. Environmental reporting in the South African Department of Defence and Military Veterans Military. In McDonald, E & Bullard, T (eds). 2016. Geosciences and desert warfare: Past lessons and modern challenges. Advances in Military Geosciences. New York, Springer.
  • Janse van Rensburg, HS & Smit, HAP. 2012. Geography and the conduct of war. In Potgieter, T & Liebenberg I (eds). 2012. Reflections on war: Preparedness and consequences. Stellenbosch, Sun Press.
  • Smit, HAP. 2011. Methuen’s Northern Cape campaign, Anglo Boer War, 1899–1902: A military-geographical perspective. In Palka, EJ and Galgano, FA (eds). 2011. Modern military geography. London, Routledge. 
  • Smit, HAP. 2011. The state of military environmental management in the South African Department of Defence. In Mang, R & Hausler, H (eds). 2011.  Handbook Military Geography: Volume 2. Vienna, Truppendienst.

Journal articles

  • Shaamhula, LV, Smit, HAP & Van der Merwe, JDS. 2024. Efundja as a risk driver and change agent for the Cuvelai-Etosha basin rural communities. Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 16 (1), a1677. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v16i1.1677.
  • Kruger, W, Henrico, I & Smit, HAP. 2024. The Social Contract at Risk: COVID-19 Misinformation in South Africa. Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 16 (1), a1630. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v16i1.1630.
  • Smit, HAP & Bezuidenhout, J. 2024. Geology and climate: a novel method to estimate indoor radon exposure risk in South Africa, South African Geographical Journal, 106 (2), 198-211. https://doi.org/10.1080/03736245.2023.2253197.
  • Fouche, DE, Smit HAP & Henrico, I. 2023. The ecological footprint of individual members at the Army Support Base Eastern Cape. Scientia Militaria – South African Journal of Military Studies, 51(2), 99-124. DOI: 10.5787/51-2-1397. 
  • Moss, NP, Henrico, I & Smit HAP 2021. Food wastage management at the South African Military Academy mess. Scientia Militaria, South African Journal of Military Studies, 49 (2), 83-111. DOI: 10.5787/49-2-1312.
  • Henrico, I, Smit, HAP & Henrico, SJ 2021. Curriculum alignment at undergraduate level: Military Geography at the South African Military Academy. South African Geographical Journal, 103 (4), 464-483. DOI: 10.1080/03736245.2020.1842238.
  • Smit, HAP & J Bezuidenhout. 2021. Influence of climate and weather on the mitigation of radon exposure in Saldanha, South Africa. Journal of Radiation Research and Applied Sciences, 14 (1), 236-245. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/16878507.2021.1940750.
  • Shaamhula L, Smit HAP & Van der Merwe JDS 2021. Community responses to the annual flooding (efundja) in the Cuvelai-Etosha basin, northern Namibia, International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction (61), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102372.
  • Le Roux R, Bezuidenhout J, Smit HAP & Newman R 2021. The Anthropogenic Impact on Indoor Radon Concentrations for Secunda, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Health Physics, 121 (2) 111-116., DOI: 10.1097/HP.0000000000001421. 
  • Henrico, I, Vukea, MM & Smit, HAP 2021. Examining the impact of military training exercises on vegetation: Case of the South African Army Combat Training Centre Lohatla. Spatial Information Research, 29 (4) 557-568., DOI 10.1007/s41324-020-00370-6.
  • Le Roux, R, Bezuidenhout, J, & Smit HAP 2020. Indoor radon measurements for the South African West Coast Peninsula. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 191 (2), pp. 144-149. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncaa139.
  • Smit HAP 2020. Wat is in ‘n naam? Engelseberg, distrik Mosselbaai: mondelinge versus geskrewe bronne. South African Journal of Cultural History 34(2), pp. 23-41.
  • Smit HAP 2020. Developing military environmental literacy in the South African Army through a dedicated military environmental management course. Scientia Militaria – South African Journal of Military Studies, 48 (1), pp. 75-96. DOI: 10.5787/48-1-1247.
  • Le Roux R R, J Bezuidenhout & H A P Smit. 2019. The influence of different types of granite on indoor radon concentrations of dwellings in the South African West Coast Peninsula.  Journal of Radiation Research and Applied Sciences, 12 (1), pp. 375-382. DOI: 
    10.1080/16878507.2019.1680043.
  • Smit HAP & JH van der Merwe. 2018. Military environmental literacy in the South African Army. Scientia Militaria – South African Journal of Military Studies, 46(1), pp. 59–77.
  • Smit HAP. 2018. How green is your army? The military environmental narrative of the South African Army. South African Geographical Journal, 100(3), pp. 308–325.
  • Smit HAP, HB Magagula & TJ Flügel. 2016. South African military geography: Advancing from the trenches. South African Geographical Journal, 98(3), pp. 417–427.
  • Smit HAP & HS Janse van Rensburg. 2014. Success and failure along the Modder River during the Anglo Boer War: The influence of terrain. Scientia Militaria – South African Journal of Military Studies, 42(2), pp. 117–142.
  • Lodi KP, HAP Smit & GK Ayirebi. 2014. Terrain analysis considerations in the course curricula of the South African Army Engineer Corps. Scientia Militaria – South African Journal of Military Studies, 42(1), pp. 102–121.
  • Smit HAP. 2009. Shaping the environmental attitude of Military Geography students at the South African Military Academy. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 33(2), pp. 225–240.
    Visser D, JA Jacobs & HAP Smit. 2008. Water for Saldanha: War as an agent of change. Historia 53(1), pp. 130–161.
  • Smit HAP. 2007. Die bergpasse wat Mosselbaai met die Klein-Karoo verbind –’n historiese oorsig. South African Journal of Cultural History 21(2), pp. 139–158.
  • Smit HAP & JA Jacobs. 2004. A furrow runs through it: An example of sustainable traditional irrigation in Western Cape Province, South Africa. GeoJournal 61, pp. 191–196. 
  • Jacobs JA & HAP Smit. 2004. Topographic mapping support in the South African military during the 20th century. Scientia Militaria – South African Journal of Military Studies 32(1), pp. 32–50.
  • Jacobs JA, HS Janse van Rensburg & HAP Smit. 2002. Military geography in South Africa at the dawn of the 21st century. The South African Geographical Journal 84(2), pp.195–198.
  • Smit HAP & GL de Kock. 1984. The areal diffusion of the alien plant Pinus pinaster on the slopes of Stellenbosch Mountain. South African Forestry Journal 129, pp.10–16.

Paper presentations

Since 2015

  • Fifteenth International Conference on Military Geosciences, Somerset West, South Africa, 09-14 June 2024
    Keynote address: Thirty years of the ICMG conference series: History, impact, future challenges and prospects
    Presenter: HAP Smit
  • Fourteenth International Conference on Military Geosciences, Charleston, USA, 19-24 June 2022
    HAP Smit & J Bezuidenhout. The geographic influences that led to the British defeat at Spioenkop during the Anglo Boer War
    Presenter: HAP Smit
  • HAP Smit & I Henrico. Characterising military impacts on the environment: Towards a military-environmental matrix.
    Presenter: HAP Smit
  • MR Read, I Henrico, HAP Smit, B. Mtshawu & LP Welman. Climate change and Military Academies: The United States Military Academy at West Point and the South African Military Academy.
    Presenter: MR Read
  • Society of South African Geographers & Southern African Association of Geomorphologists, Joint Biennial Conference: Collaboration within a new paradigm, 06–08 September 2021, Online
  • HAP Smit & I Henrico. ‘Green’ militaries: the military-environment conundrum
    Presenter: HAP Smit
  • I Henrico & HAP Smit. Preparing military geography postgraduate students at the South African Military Academy to successfully publish their research results 
    Presenter: I Henrico
  • Thirteenth International Conference on Military Geosciences, Padova, Italy, 24–28 June 2019
    Keynote address:
    HAP Smit. Green militaries: The military-environment conundrum
    Presenter: HAP Smit
  • HAP Smit. The Italian prisoners of war in South Africa: Circumstances and contributions
    Presenter: HAP Smit
  • Biennial conference of the Society of South African Geographers: Geography and community – research, learning, impact, 01–05 October 2018, Bloemfontein
  • Public Lecture
    HAP Smit. Flowers and bombs: the environment-military conundrum 
    Presenter: HAP Smit
  • Presentation
    HAP Smit. A military environmental literacy model for the South African Army
    Presenter: HAP Smit
  • HAP Smit & VL Shaamhula. Military environmental literacy in South Africa and Namibia
    Presenter: HAP Smit
  • T Flügel & HAP Smit. The influence of Angola’s physiography on selected South African military operations during the Border War years
    Presenter: T Flügel
  • Twelfth International Conference on Military Geosciences, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 18–23 June 2017
  • HAP Smit & JH van der Merwe. 2017. A model of military environmental literacy in the South African Army
    Presenter: HAP Smit
  • HAP Smit. 2017. Wasted geography: The British annexation of the Cape in 1795
    Presenter: HAP Smit
  • Tenth biennial conference of the Society of South African Geographers, Stellenbosch, 25–28 September 2016
  • HAP Smit. 2016. Military environmental literacy in the South African Department of Defence
    Presenter: HAP Smit
  • Seventh War & Society in Africa conference: The War for Southern Africa: A     quinquagenarial reflection. Stellenbosch, 26 August 2016
  • TJ Flügel & HAP Smit. 2016. The influence of Angola’s physiography on South African military operations during the war
    Presenter: T Flügel
  • Eleventh International Conference on Military Geosciences, Annapolis, Maryland, United States of America, 15–19  June, 2015
  • HAP Smit & JH van der Merwe. 2015. Military environmental literacy in the South African Army
    Presenter: HAP Smit
  • L Ncubukezi, HAP Smit & J Bezuidenhout. 2015. Attributes of effective military environmental management in the SANDF
    Presenter: HAP Smit
  • J Bezuidenhout & HAP Smit. 2015. The difference between the radiation exposure levels of military personnel in the Saldanha Military Area and the adjoining civilian population in the town of Saldanha, South Africa
    Presenter: J Bezuidenhout
  • Africa’s Changing Security Challenges conference, Kadir Has University, Istanbul, Turkey, 28 April, 2015
  • HAP Smit. 2015. Military environmental literacy, cultural heritage destruction, and environmental security in Africa
    Presenter: HAP Smit

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

  • President of the International Association for Military Geosciences, 2017–2022.
  • Council Member of the International Association for Military Geosciences, 2015–2017.
  • Chair of the School for Geospatial Studies and Information Systems, Faculty of Military Sciences, Stellenbosch University, 2012–2014.
  • Chair of the Department of Military Geography, Faculty of Military Sciences, Stellenbosch University,  2000, 2004, 2008–2011, 2018.
  • Edna van Harte Floating Trophy for Rated Scientists. Awarded to a member of the Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University, for world class scholarship and contribution to the generation and distribution of new scientific knowledge, 2021.
  • Gold Medal Award from the Society of South African Geographers in recognition of meritorious contribution to Geography in South Africa, 2020. 
  • Stellenbosch University Rector’s Award for excellence in teaching, 2010, 2007 & 2002.