The Department of Development Planning and Management at the School of Economics and Management, University of Limpopo, is excited to announce the 2nd Annual Colloquium. This event aims to foster an inclusive platform uniting a diverse group of participants such as academics, researchers, students, government officials, development practitioners, and other stakeholders. The primary focus will be on engaging in discussions centered around the interconnectedness of spatial planning, socio-economic growth, and climate disaster risk management in the Sub-Saharan region.
One of the key highlights of the colloquium will be a presentation by the Guest Speaker, Ms. Lebogang Mosotho, Disaster Management Officer at Capricorn District Municipality. Her session, titled “The Nexus Between Spatial Planning, Socio-Economic Development, and Climate Disaster Risk Response in the Sub-Saharan Region,” will explore the intricate relationships between spatial planning, economic development, and strategies for effectively managing climate-related disasters in the Sub-Saharan context.
The colloquium aims to promote scholarly dialogue, the exchange of innovative research findings, and practical experiences while encouraging collaboration between academic institutions and practitioners.
About the Guest Speaker
Ms. Lebogang Mosotho is an accomplished Disaster Management Professional with over 23 years of experience in local government, primarily focused on Disaster Risk Management. She has held various positions, starting as a Control Room Operator and advancing to her current role as Disaster Management Officer at Capricorn District Municipality. Ms. Mosotho is dedicated to advancing Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in South Africa through comprehensive policy development, education, training, and advocacy programs.
Academically, she holds a Master’s Degree in Disaster Risk Management and a Master’s Degree in Management. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Disaster Risk Science at North-West University, concentrating on developing a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for Drought Relief Grants in Limpopo Province. Additionally, Ms. Mosotho has a Higher Certificate in Paralegal Studies from STADIO Higher Education.
Ms. Mosotho serves as the President of the Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa (DMISA) and is a member of the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team and the National Disaster Management Centre Research Agenda Technical Task Team. She has represented South Africa in international discussions, including the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group, and has presented on the professionalization of Disaster Management at the BRICS Joint Task Force on Disaster Management Conference.
Mark your calendars for this important event, scheduled for July 16th and 17th, 2026, at the scenic Bolivia Lodge in Polokwane, beginning at 09:00 AM each day. The colloquium promises to be an enriching experience filled with valuable discussions aimed at producing actionable outcomes in the fields of disaster risk management and sustainable development.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore a range of innovative strategies and solutions tailored to contemporary challenges in development planning and disaster risk management.
For further information, please contact:
Mamonare Kgotso Mabula
Email: info.ddpm@ul.ac.za
Tel: 015 268 3597/ 3198