African Centre for Disaster Studies (ACDS), NWU

18/09/2026

🎓 Congratulations, Mr. Hlayisani Makhubule! 🎉👏

The African Centre for Disaster Studies (ACDS) proudly congratulates Mr. Hlayisani Makhubule, who graduates with a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Disaster Risk Science on 18 September 2026.

His research, titled “Assessing the Current State of Urban Resilience in Orlando West, Soweto: An Application of the City-RAP Methodology,” explored how urban resilience is experienced within a historically marginalised South African community.

Using the UN-Habitat City Resilience Action Planning (CityRAP) methodology, Hlayisani examined resilience across governance, urban planning and the environment, infrastructure and basic services, disaster risk management, and the urban economy and society.

The study highlighted important community strengths, including strong social networks and informal coping strategies. It also identified ongoing challenges such as fragile infrastructure, food insecurity, and limited disaster risk reduction, prevention and mitigation.

His findings emphasise the importance of bringing together institutional perspectives and communities’ lived experiences when assessing and strengthening urban resilience. The research offers valuable insights for more inclusive planning, informed decision-making, and long-term resilience-building in Orlando West and similar urban communities.

The study was supervised by Prof. Christo Coetzee, who had the privilege of accompanying Hlayisani throughout his Master’s research journey.

Hlayisani, thank you for allowing us to share in your academic journey. We congratulate you on this well-deserved achievement and wish you every success in your future academic and professional endeavours!

📖 Read the study here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EM9_4BXV64Pqd-YI2p7gJLl7Q0cTOkt5?usp=sharing


NWU FNAS Student Chapter NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Environmental Sciences & Management NWU

14/09/2026

🌍 Voices on the Map: Using AI for Better Disaster Recovery

Join us online tomorrow for an insightful panel discussion exploring how lived experience, international collaboration and artificial intelligence can help communities recover from disasters and strengthen resilience.

We are proud that Kristel Fourie from the NWU African Centre for Disaster Studies (ACDS) will represent South Africa as one of the international panelists.

📅 Tuesday, 15 September 2026
⏰ 09:00–10:30 SAST
💻 Online event

Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/voices-on-the-map-using-ai-for-better-disaster-recovery-tickets-1995610289095

The discussion forms part of Social Sciences Week 2026 and will consider both the opportunities and challenges of using AI to amplify community voices and improve disaster recovery.


Environmental Sciences & Management NWU NWU FNAS Student Chapter NWU Climatology Research Group_CRG NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG NWU Water Research Group NWU - North-West University

02/09/2026

🌍 ACDS in the Media

Prof. Christo Coetzee from the African Centre for Disaster Studies recently joined John Maytham on CapeTalk to discuss the deadly flooding in Nepal and Tibet.

The conversation explored the causes of these events, the role of climate change, and how inadequate monitoring and early-warning systems can increase the risks faced by vulnerable communities. Prof. Coetzee also highlighted the need for more proactive measures to help prevent and reduce the impact of similar disasters in the future.

🎧 Listen to the full interview here:
https://omny.fm/shows/the-john-maytham-show/melting-glaciers-rising-risks-what-nepal-can-teach-us-about-a-warming-world


NWU - North-West University Environmental Sciences & Management NWU NWU Climatology Research Group_CRG NWU Water Research Group NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG NWU FNAS Student Chapter

14/08/2026

🎓 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

04/08/2026

🕊️ 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.🕊️

31/07/2026

🎓 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

20/07/2026

📢 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



NWU - North-West University Environmental Sciences & Management NWU NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences NWU FNAS Student Chapter Leandri Kruger Kristel Fourie NWU Climatology Research Group_CRG NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG NWU Water Research Group

17/07/2026

🎉 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. 👏🌍



NWU FNAS Student Chapter NWU Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences NWU - North-West University African Centre for Disaster Studies (ACDS), NWU African Amphibian Conservation Research Group NWU Forb Ecology Research Group - FERG NWU Climatology Research Group_CRG NWU Microbiology NWU Green Team

24/06/2026

🌿🍽️ 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!


NWU - North-West University Environmental Sciences & Management NWU

22/06/2026

🌏 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