Lethabo Chilwane, Dr Moses Khangale, Prof Thanyani Madzivhandila, and F. Mathebula engage in discussions during the Climate Change Colloquium, highlighting collective efforts against climate change. Photo: Linah Raphela
By Hunadi Mothlala – ulpublications@ul.ac,za
The University of Limpopo (UL) has taken a significant step in the fight against climate change
One of the steps was through the inaugural Climate Change Colloquium. This gathering brought together academics, policymakers, and community leaders committed to transforming dialogue into action.
Under the theme “Developing a Climate Resilient Economy through Governance and Management of Disaster Risk Planning and Preparedness”, the colloquium addressed the urgent need to equip communities with strategies to confront environmental threats, aligning with both national and global climate resilience initiatives.
Organised by the Department of Development Planning and Management (DDPM), the event aimed to provide municipalities with practical tools rather than merely engaging in discussions. “We are here to forge partnerships and provide municipalities with evidence-based tools, because Africa’s solutions must begin in our communities,” stated Professor Ngoako Mokoele, Head of DDPM.
The colloquium tackled critical issues such as disaster risk finance and insurance, risk-informed development, disaster governance, communication, and the use of digital tools for preparedness, as well as curriculum development in environmental management. Prof. Mokoele announced that a special edition of the African Journal of Development Studies will publish the colloquium outputs, ensuring that the discussions extend beyond the event to provide valuable research and policy guidance.
Delegates, speakers, and students at the University of Limpopo’s Climate Resilient Economy Colloquium united to develop strategies for enhanced disaster preparedness and sustainable development
A key moment was a high-level panel discussion on “Integrating Climate Resilience into Local Governance and Economic Planning”. This panel featured experts including Lethabo Chilwane (CSIR), Dr Moses Khangale (Santam Insurance), Dr Mmaphaka Tau (Resilience for Development Institute), F. Mathebula (Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa), and Prof Thanyani Madzivhandila (UL’s Turfloop Graduate School of Leadership).
Speakers emphasised the urgency of the situation. Dr Takalane Makananisa from the Department of Cooperative Governance warned, “At the current rate of greenhouse gas emissions, the world is on track to see temperatures rise by 1.53°C, leading to droughts, frequent heatwaves, floods, and food security erosion.” He urged traditional leaders and local councils to take a proactive role in disaster risk awareness, asserting, “Understanding the risks facing communities must involve chiefs and councillors. They must be empowered to alert the government when disasters occur.”
Importantly, student perspectives were also included. Ritshidze Nethengwe, a master’s student in Development Planning and Management, shared research on how small businesses adapt during electricity shortages. “Sometimes the alternatives they use contribute to climate change. I wanted to determine whether their strategies are environmentally sustainable.”
Prof Mokoele affirmed that the colloquium’s legacy would be significant. “One of the outcomes is the development of a short learning programme at UL for disaster management practitioners for municipalities. This is just the beginning of an ongoing effort to address developmental issues in our society, a collective initiative to build resilience for the future.”
The day concluded with a sense of determination rather than despair. For UL and its partners, this gathering was not merely an academic exercise; it was a commitment to ensuring that the fight against climate change is grounded in knowledge, collaboration, and the realities faced by communities most at risk.