African Centre for Disaster Studies (ACDS), NWU

🎓 Congratulations, Mr. Austin Andreas! 🎉👏

The Africa Centre for Disaster Studies proudly congratulates Mr. Austin Andreas on being awarded his Master of Science (MSc) degree in Disaster Risk Science during the graduation ceremony on 29 July 2026.

Austin’s research explored the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into disaster preparedness in South Africa, highlighting the important role of technologies such as geographic information systems (GIS), early warning platforms, and digital communication systems in strengthening preparedness and resilience.

His research also identified key challenges, including financial constraints, skills shortages, inadequate infrastructure, fragmented policies, and inconsistent training, and proposed practical measures such as national standards, dedicated investment in technology and training, and stronger partnerships between government, academia and the private sector.

The study was supervised by Mr. Gideon Wentink and Prof. Christo Coetzee, who had the privilege of accompanying Austin on this academic journey.

Austin, thank you for your valuable contribution to the growing body of knowledge on disaster preparedness and resilience in South Africa. Completing a Master’s degree is a significant achievement, and we are delighted to celebrate this milestone with you! 🌍🎓

📖 Access Mr. Andreas’s dissertation here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JMddUSewmbsPhrajiI3Kx6hOTySRTx_J?usp=share_link


Environmental Sciences & Management NWU NWU FNAS Student Chapter Christo Coetzee Austin Andreas NWU - North-West University NWU - North-West University NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG NWU Climatology Research Group_CRG

🕊️ In loving memory of Prof Carlos Bezuidenhout

It is with profound sadness that the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management announces the passing of Prof Carlos Bezuidenhout on 3 August 2026.

Prof. Bezuidenhout served as Research Director of the UESM from 2020 until the end of July 2026. During this time, he provided steadfast leadership and helped build a Unit founded on clear vision, strong values, and genuine care for its people and mission.

His tenure began during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his guidance, research remained a priority alongside teaching and learning, ensuring the Unit continued to advance during an exceptionally difficult period.

Prof. Bezuidenhout’s commitment to excellence, collegiality, and responsible institutional stewardship shaped both the direction and culture of the UESM. The well-run and supportive environment that characterises the Unit today reflects the lasting impact of his leadership.

He was a truly special person whose influence extended far beyond his position. His memory will live on in the students, colleagues, and collaborators whose lives he touched.

The UESM extends its deepest condolences to his wife, children, grandchildren, family, friends, and loved ones. May they find comfort in knowing that he leaves behind an enduring legacy and a profound impact on all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.

We will honour his memory by continuing the work he helped establish and upholding the values he embodied.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.🕊️

🎓 Congratulations, Dr. Tsitsi Trina Mupindishe!

The Africa Centre for Disaster Studies (ACDS) extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Tsitsi Trina Mupindishe, who was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Science with Disaster Risk Science during the graduation ceremony held on 30 July 2026.

Her doctoral research, titled A Risk Perception Framework for Disaster Risk Management in Zimbabwe, makes an important contribution to understanding how psychological, socio-economic, legal, cultural, religious, and indigenous knowledge factors influence how communities perceive and respond to disaster risk.

The research presents a practical framework to strengthen disaster risk management policy, improve community compliance with disaster risk reduction measures, and ultimately enhance resilience.

The study was supervised by Prof. Christo Coetzee and Prof. Leandri Krugeri, who had the privilege of supporting Dr. Mupindishe throughout her doctoral journey.

Dr. Mupindishe, thank you for allowing ACDS to share in this remarkable academic journey. Your dedication to advancing disaster risk science, together with your extensive professional experience in strengthening disaster risk management across Africa, has been truly inspiring.

We are immensely proud of your achievement and have no doubt that your research will make a meaningful contribution to building safer and more resilient communities.

Congratulations once again on this well-deserved milestone, Dr. Mupindishe. We wish you every success as you embark on this exciting new chapter of your career! 🎉👏

📘 Access Dr. Mupindishe’s thesis here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17tCBoScRIAiz4rvYP5Ybfch3oxExz11i/view?usp=share_link

📚 Published articles:

Magadza, T.T., Coetzee, C., and Kruger, L. (2024). The relativity of perspective: Exploring the disconnect between Indigenous and Western paradigms of disaster risk perception. Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, 33(6), 43–56.
https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-07-2024-0175

Magadza, T.T., Coetzee, C., and Kruger, L. (2025). Modulators of Risk Perception in the Cyclone-Prone Wards of Chimanimani District in Zimbabwe. IDRiM Journal, 15(2).
https://doi.org/10.5595/001c.154587

📢 New Publication | Advancing Disaster Risk Management through 4IR Technologies

The African Centre for Disaster Studies (ACDS) at North-West University is proud to announce a new research publication by Prof. Christo Coetzee and Prof. Dewald van Niekerk in the African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development.

The study explores how Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies are being integrated into disaster risk management across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Drawing on survey data from disaster risk management practitioners across the region, the research found that although basic digital technologies are increasingly being used, the adoption of more advanced technologies- such as artificial intelligence and drones- remains limited.

The study identifies several key barriers to implementation, including:

🔹 Inadequate digital infrastructure
🔹 Limited funding
🔹 Shortages of technical expertise
🔹 Insufficient policy support

These findings provide an important baseline for strengthening disaster resilience through targeted investment, capacity development, and supportive policy frameworks across southern Africa.

👏 Congratulations to Prof. Coetzee and Prof. Van Niekerk on this valuable contribution to disaster risk reduction research!

🔗 Read the full article here:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20421338.2026.2694654



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🎉 ACDS congratulates Prof. Mark Maboeta on his appointment as Director of UESM!

The African Centre for Disaster Studies warmly congratulates Prof Mark Maboeta on his appointment as the new Director of the NWU Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, effective 1 August 2026.

Prof. Maboeta brings extensive experience in research leadership, postgraduate supervision and research governance, together with an internationally recognised research profile.

We wish him every success in this important leadership role and look forward to the continued growth, collaboration and impact of UESM under his guidance. 👏🌍

🎉 Congratulations to Prof. Mark Maboeta on his appointment as Director of UESM!

It gives us great pleasure to announce that Prof. Mark Maboeta has been appointed as the new Director of the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management (UESM), effective 1 August 2026.

Prof. Maboeta is a Full Professor of Zoology and an NRF B3-rated scientist with more than 20 years of experience in research leadership, postgraduate supervision, and research governance within the South African higher education sector.

His internationally recognised research focuses on soil ecotoxicology, including the use of earthworms as bioindicator species, metal ecotoxicity, and agrochemical contamination in industrial and agricultural soil systems. His research profile includes an H-index of 28, more than 2,500 citations, and collaborations across Europe, Africa, and North America.

Prof. Maboeta most recently served as Acting Director of the Centre for Water Sciences and Management, where he provided leadership in financial governance, ISO 17025 accreditation, postgraduate supervision, and staffing oversight during an institutional realignment.

We warmly congratulate Prof. Maboeta on this well-deserved appointment and look forward to his leadership as UESM enters its next chapter. 👏🌍



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🌿🍽️ When the Greenstone River Valley Came to Life 🍽️🌿

On 10 June 2026, Honours students in the Socio-ecological Resilience module took part in the Development Dialogue Dinner, an innovative assessment hosted by the African Centre for Disaster Studies. Rather than writing a traditional exam, students stepped into the roles of climate scientists, local government officials, land rights lawyers, urban planners, journalists, investors, and community members.

Tasked with shaping the future of the fictional Greenstone River Valley, they debated development priorities, navigated competing interests, formed alliances, and defended their positions while balancing ecological, social, and economic considerations.

The evening showcased the power of systems thinking in practice, challenging students to apply theory in real-time and engage with the complexities of socio-ecological resilience. The lively discussions, creative problem-solving, and thoughtful negotiations demonstrated that resilience is not just something we study-it is something we practice.

👏 Congratulations to all 20 students who embraced the challenge and brought the Greenstone River Valley to life!


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🌏 From Potchefstroom to South Korea🌏
ACDS Contributes to Shaping the Future of Disaster Risk Management Education

Prof. Christo Coetzee, participated in an international workshop hosted by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in Incheon, South Korea, from 16–19 June 2026.

The workshop brought together academics and experts from across the globe to discuss the future of disaster risk management education at universities and to share innovative approaches and best-practice examples in teaching and learning.

As part of the programme, Prof. Coetzee served on a panel focusing on innovative assessment methodologies. During the discussion, he shared how ACDS is increasingly integrating systems theory principles into its assessment practices. This approach aims to strengthen students’ critical thinking skills, enhance their understanding of the complexity of disaster-related challenges and solutions, and encourage more meaningful engagement with assessment activities.

The innovative assessment methods also help reduce the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on student assessments by placing greater emphasis on applied thinking, systems-based analysis, and interactive learning processes.

ACDS is proud to contribute to international conversations shaping the future of disaster risk management education and to share its innovative practices on a global platform.



NWU - North-West University Environmental Sciences & Management NWU NWU FNAS Student Chapter Christo Coetzee

🌟Celebrating Excellence at ACDS🌟

🎓🌍 Congratulations to Dr. Clement Herbert Kalonga on graduating today with a PhD in Science with Disaster Risk Science from the African Centre for Disaster Studies (ACDS)!

Supervised by Prof. Dewald van Niekerk and Prof. Livhuwani Nemakonde, Dr. Kalonga's research focused on strengthening policy coherence for resilience and sustainable development in the SADC region. His study identified key challenges affecting disaster resilience and developed the region's first Disaster Resilience Policy Coherence Framework to support better coordination, decision-making, and implementation across sectors and governance levels.

This groundbreaking contribution will help advance resilience and sustainable development across Southern Africa.

👏 Well done, Dr. Kalonga, on this remarkable achievement. We wish you every success in your future endeavours!



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🌍 ACDS research featured internationally- now published in French 🇫🇷

We are proud to share that Prof. Dewald van Niekerk is featured as one of the co-authors of a powerful opinion piece published in the Belgian newspaper La Libre:

📰 “Le monde risque de perdre la mémoire des catastrophes”
(The world risks losing the memory of disasters)

The article highlights the global importance of EM-DAT, one of the world’s leading disaster databases, and warns about the risks posed by the loss of critical funding. It also emphasizes how disaster data shapes global policy, preparedness, humanitarian response, and climate resilience.

This international publication- appearing in French- is another significant recognition of the impactful work being done by researchers connected to the African Centre for Disaster Studies (ACDS) and NWU on the global stage.

👏 Congratulations to Prof. Dewald van Niekerk and his fellow co-authors on contributing to this important global conversation on disaster risk, collective memory, and resilience.

🔗 Read the full article here:
https://www.lalibre.be/debats/opinions/2026/05/22/le-monde-risque-de-perdre-la-memoire-des-catastrophes-XDYBUPJJIZD6BAPH6CTN6ICBQI/


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