School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies
Climate change is the biggest challenge confronting the world today – get your career going
Welcome to the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. We are one of the oldest departments in this university.
We are recognised as one of the leading Geography Departments in the country, offering a wide range of exciting modules that are intellectually stimulating and practically relevant.
The department prides itself in producing well-grounded students that are well equipped to engage with and face the multiple challenges that are encountered in the job environment. On the research front, we are involved in cutting edge research that is aimed at influencing policy across a range of sectors in the province and the country.
The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies
- Responsibility and Accountability – We own up to our shortcomings/mistakes and we take responsibility for our actions. We deliver on our promises.
- Integrity – We endeavour to do the right things regardless of consequences. We practice fairness, honesty and openness.
- Respect – We treat people with respect and dignity and we accept everybody for who they are.
- Excellence and innovation – We value excellence and innovation in all that we do. We therefore strive to offer quality academic programs that foster intellectual inquiry and encourage creativity.
- Teamwork – We are committed to achieve common goals through collaboration, listening to each other and sharing information.
- Student success – We always strive to do what is best for our students, thereby ensuring success to every student that is committed to learning
With over 10 years of experience in environmental consulting, Izelque Botha possesses a diverse professional background.
She has also worked in early childhood development and primary school education from 2012 to 2016. Since 2017, she has been actively involved in tertiary education, assuming the position of lecturer at the University of Limpopo. In 2022, she received the Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa’s award for Best Environmental Lecturer from 2020 to 2022.
Registration forms
Teaching and Learning Methodology
The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies offers modules delivered by qualified academic staff members; teaching theory and support staff; offering practicals in teaching laboratories. The department employs a variety of teaching methods to enhance effective student learning such as class lectures, laboratory practicals and group tutorials as well as technology for instruction (i.e. blackboard and encourage students to access world technology).
In addition, problem based learning (PBL) techniques and case studies are also employed to allow students to analyse and research a given problem either as individuals or a small group. By assigning task students are actively engaged and taught responsibility, accountability and bold thinking. The Five cognitive levels of knowledge, comprehension, application, analyses, synthesis and evaluation are used depending on the level of study.
We measure effectiveness of teaching and learning through reflective practice, authentic assessment which includes formative and summative, seek the advice and feedback of colleagues (peer group support) and students
Research Focus Areas
Environmental Impact Analysis; Food Security and Migration; Vulnerability Analysis; Waste Management; Numerical Weather Prediction; Tourism Development Analysis.
Possible Career Opportunities
Graduates have a great deal to contribute towards the society’s ever-present and ever-pressing desire for better living, with particular reference to environmental management and human resources. Given the fact that the world is suffering from the effects of environmental mismanagement, Environmentalists are a major asset in the job market because they are trained to be broad-minded, critical, articulate and versatile, which makes them not only good environmental managers but also render them trainable for most careers. Graduates can have career opportunities in a wide array of institutions and organizations which include the following: Business, Manufacturing and Processing Industry, Agriculture, Mining, Tourism, Ecology, Environmental Management Consultancy, Disaster Management, Non-Governmental Organizations, and Government departments
Departmental Committees
Graduates have a great deal to contribute towards the society’s ever-present and ever-pressing desire for better living, with particular reference to environmental management and human resources. Given the fact that the world is suffering from the effects of environmental mismanagement, Environmentalists are a major asset in the job market because they are trained to be broad-minded, critical, articulate and versatile, which makes them not only good environmental managers but also render them trainable for most careers. Graduates can have career opportunities in a wide array of institutions and organizations which include the following: Business, Manufacturing and Processing Industry, Agriculture, Mining, Tourism, Ecology, Environmental Management Consultancy, Disaster Management, Non-Governmental Organizations, and Government departments
DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEES
Departmental Management Committee
Mrs I. Botha (HOD)
Miss F. Lindeque (1st-year students’ coordinator)
Miss T. Mugwena (2nd-year students’ coordinator)
Mr M. Marais (3rd-year students’ coordinator)
Miss M.C. Mothapo (4th-year students’ coordinator)
Prof. H. Chikoore (Full Professor)
Prof. M.R. Ramudzuli (Associate Professor)
Prof. I Dhau (Associate Professor)
Departmental Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee
Dr A. de Lange (Convener)
Prof. D. Klopper (Secretary)
Mr M.M. Sebaiwa(Secretary)
Miss M.C. Mothapo
Prof I. Dhau
Mr M. Marais
Miss .F Lindeque
Miss T. Mugwena
Prof H. Chikoore
Dr N. Mathebula
Miss M. Sithole
Mr F.M. Mashao
Field Excursion and Practicals Committee
Prof. D. Klopper
Miss D.P. Nkuna
Community Engagement Committee
Mr M.M. Sebaiwa
Miss T. Mugwena
Miss MC Mothapo
Miss D.P. Nkuna
Miss M. Sithole
Mrs I. Botha
Departmental Research Committee
Prof I. Dhau (Convener)
Mr F.M. Mashao (Secretary – Academic)
Miss D.P. Nkuna (Secretary – Admin)
Dr A. de Lange
Prof M.R. Ramudzuli
Prof H. Chikoore
Prof. D. Klopper
Dr N. Mathebula
Mrs I. Botha
Miss F. Lindeque
Academic Staff
| Staff details | Research interest/ Specialisation |
| Mrs Izelque Botha MA (UP); BA Hons (UP); BA (UP) Izelque.Botha@ul.ac.za Office 2004, M Block 015Â 268 2527 |
Science Communication; Perceptions around environmental issues; Environmental Impact Assessments & Management; Public Participation |
| Prof. Hector Chikoore PhD (UKZN); MSc (UKZN); PGDip Meteorology (Australia); BSc (Zimbabwe) Hector.Chikoore@ul.ac.za Office 2008, M Block 015Â 268 4303 |
Meteorology & Climate |
| Prof. Inos Dhau PhD (UL); MSc (Netherlands); BSc Hons and BSc (Zimbabwe) Inos.Dhau@ul.ac.za Office 2026, M Block 015Â 268 2993 |
Natural Resources Management; Environmental Modelling; Crop Disease Monitoring; GIS & Remote Sensing |
| Prof. Marubini R. Ramudzuli PhD (Univ. of Pretoria); M.A. (SUNY-Binghamton- New York); B.A. Hons; BA, UED (UNIVEN) Marubini.Ramudzuli@ul.ac.za Office 2019, M Block 015Â 268 2330 |
Resource Perception & Management; Sustainable Development; Tourism; GIS & Remote Sensing |
| Dr Anzel de Lange PhD (UP); MSc (UP); BSc Hons (UP); BSc (UP) Anzel.deLange@ul.ac.za Office 2014, M Block 015Â 268 4654 |
Atmospheric Science; Meteorology; Climatology; Air Quality; Air Pollution Dispersion |
| Prof Danitza Klopper PhD (NWU); MSc (NWU); BSc Hons (NWU); BSc (NWU) Danitza.Klopper@ul.ac.za Office 2010, M Block 015Â 268 2309 |
Atmospheric Science (Atmospheric Aerosols, Meteorological Processes & Dynamics); Human-Environment Interactions (Environmental Management, Waste Management) |
| Dr Norman Mathebula PhD (WITS); MSc (UCT); BSc Hons (Univen); BSc (Univen) Norman.Mathebula@ul.ac.za Office 2009, M Block |
Community based natural resources management, Waste management, EIA, Environmental education, Renewable energy, Climate change, and Perceptions and attitudes around environmental issues |
| Miss L. Farina Lindeque MSc (NWU); BSc Hons (NWU); BA(NWU) Farina.Lindeque@ul.ac.za Office 2012, M Block 015Â 268 4825 |
Air Quality Management; Sustainable Energy Use; Environmental Impacts on Human Health |
| Mr Marius Marais MEnvMan (NWU); Hons BSc (NWU); B Spatial Planning Hons (UFS); BA, Hons B. Com (UNISA) Marius.Marais@ul.ac.za Office 2017, M Block 015Â 268 3197 |
Economic & Real Estate Geography; Environmental Science & Impact Management; Urban Design & Settlement Resilience; Trans-disciplinary Per-Urban Studies |
| Mr Frederick M. Mashao MSc. (UL); BSc (UL) Frederick.Mashao@ul.ac.za Office 2015, M Block 015Â 268 4719 |
GIS & Remote Sensing; Environmental & Crop Modelling; Precision Agriculture; Climate Change; Rangelands Management |
| Miss M. Clodean Mothapo MSc. (UL); BSc (UL) Clodean.Mothapo@ul.ac.za Office 2011, M Block 015Â 268 2991 |
Risk & Vulnerability Assessments; Aerial Photography; Cartography; GIS & Remote Sensing |
| Mr Marks M. Sebaiwa MSc (UNISA); BA Hons (UNISA); MSc (UNISA) Marks.Sebaiwa@ul.ac.za Office 2028, M Block 015Â 268 3764 |
Natural Resources Management; Ecotoxicology; Ecological Risk Assessments; Emerging Pollutants Detection & Quantification |
| Miss Thendo Mugwena MSc (Stellenbosch); BSc Hons (Stellenbosch); BSc (WITS) Thendo.Mugwena@ul.ac.za Office 2013, M Block 015Â 268 3765 |
GIS & Remote Sensing and application in Conservation; Vegetation Monitoring; Social Sciences |
| Miss Makhosazane Sithole MA (UniZulu); BA Hons (UniZulu); BA (UniZulu) Makhosazane.Sithole@ul.ac.za |
Human Geography, Feminist Geography, Urban Geography, Economic Geography, Border Studies and Migration |
Support Staff
| Lab Technician and Assistant | |
|
Miss Dimakatso P. Nkuna Office 2021A, M Block 015Â 268 4714 |
GIS & Remote Sensing; Water Monitoring; Waste Management & Stakeholder Engagement |
Ms I Botha
Head of Department, Department of Geography and Environmental studies
DEPARTMENT CONTACTS
Head of Department
Ms Izelque Botha (HOD)
Office No: 2004 M-Block, 2nd Floor
+27 (0) 15 268 2527
Email: izelque.botha@ul.ac.za
Secretary
Ms Portia Mokase
Office No: 2006 M-Block, 2nd Floor
+27 (0) 15 268 3756
Email: portia.mokase@ul.ac.za
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