Professor Thanyani Madzivhandila says the newly awarded DSTI/NRF-SASOL Foundation Research Chair in Development Studies will focus on the impact of environmental change on rural livelihoods and develop responses to poverty, unemployment and other development challenges.
Professor Thanyani Madzivhandila is set to lead research focused on community livelihoods, student development and sustainable responses to challenges facing Limpopo and beyond
By Johannes Selepe – Mosela.selepe@ul.ac.za
Communities facing poverty, unemployment and environmental pressures can look forward to benefitting from a new research chair awarded to the University of Limpopo (UL), focusing on environmental and socio-economic sustainability
Professor Thanyani Madzivhandila, attached to the university’s Turfloop Graduate School of Leadership (TGSL), has been awarded the DSTI/NRF-SASOL Foundation Research Chair in Development Studies, with a focus on Environmental and Socio-economic Sustainability.
Prof Madzivhandila is a full professor in the Master of Development programme (MDEV) at TGSL and Chairperson of the Scientific Committee of the Limpopo Research Forum (LRF).
The chair will examine how environmental changes affect people’s livelihoods, particularly in rural areas, and explore ways of responding to poverty, unemployment and other development challenges.
Prof Madzivhandila said the chair would integrate research and community knowledge to find solutions to problems experienced by ordinary people.
“We will be looking at environmental issues and at how those issues affect the socio-economic conditions of communities. The intention is to conduct research that speaks directly to the challenges communities are facing,” he said.
The research chair will work with communities, government and other partners to ensure that research findings contribute to development planning and decision-making. Collaboration will also form an important part of its work, with partnerships expected to extend beyond South Africa.
According to Prof Madzivhandila, whilst the chair was primarily established by DSTI/NRF in collaboration with SASOL to evaluate SASOL foundations development interventions into its fens line communities, it will strengthen the university’s research profile and its work in development studies, while supporting research that responds to challenges facing communities in Limpopo and beyond.
It is also anticipated that students, particularly at postgraduate level, will benefit from research training and opportunities to participate in community-based projects. They will also receive guidance from researchers and partners working in environmental and sustainable socio-economic development.
“For students, this creates an opportunity to participate in research and gain experience in dealing with real development issues. We want to develop young researchers who understand the challenges facing communities and can contribute to finding solutions,” said Prof Madzivhandila.
When asked about the development, UL Director of Research Administration and Development Dr Thembinkosi Mabila, who spearheaded the Research Chair application, said:
“We are excited about this new research chair. It reflects UL’s growth from three research chairs in 2016 to 12 today and its development as a research-intensive institution. The Chair’s focus on community livelihoods and socio-economic challenges aligns with the NRF’s definition of societal impact — research that improves lives and addresses national development priorities through collaboration.”
The chair has received Tier 2 funding for a five-year period, with an allocation of R2 million per annum.
“We will be looking at environmental issues and at how those issues affect the socio-economic conditions of communities. The intention is to conduct research that speaks directly to the challenges communities are facing.”