Dr Florence Mazwi Murungweni
Head of Department Areas of specialisation: Freshwater wetland dynamics and management; ecosystem restoration; climate-change impacts on natural ecosystems; natural-resource management; land-use and land-cover change; remote sensing and GIS for environmental monitoring
Florence.Murungweni@univen.ac.za
Geography and Environmental Sciences
About Us
The Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences was established in 2023 through the merger of the former Department of Ecology and Resource Management and the Department of Geography and Geo-information Sciences. Its qualifications equip graduates with skills in human and physical geography, environmental impact assessment, geographic information systems, remote sensing, climatology, biodiversity assessment, water-resource management and disaster-risk analysis.
Programmes by Qualification
Bachelors
Honours
Masters
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Curriculum and Modules
Programmes Offered
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate: Bachelor of Environmental Sciences (ESBBES); Bachelor of Environmental Sciences in Disaster Risk Reduction (ESBBDR). | ||
| Honours: Bachelor of Environmental Sciences Honours, Ecology and Resource Management stream (ESHESH); Bachelor of Environmental Sciences Honours, Geography stream (ESHESH). | ||
| Master’s: Master of Environmental Sciences in Ecology and Resource Management (ESMERM); Master of Environmental Sciences in Geography (ESMESG). | ||
| Doctoral: Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (ESPDPG); Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Sciences (ESPPES). |
Department Information
To become leaders in providing innovative and cutting-edge teaching and research for societal benefit.
To produce competent graduates with applicable knowledge and skills through research and engaged scholarship for societal impact.
Geography and Environmental Sciences explores the interconnected nature of environmental services, including agricultural production, water purification, timber, climate regulation, and spiritual and leisure activities. Gateway courses build a scientific foundation for understanding environmental systems and the complex policy, incentive and practical interventions needed to preserve nature’s essential services.
Our Staff
Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences
Dr Ntavheleni Virginia Mudau
Senior Lecturer Areas of specialisation: Waste management and rural development
Virginia.Mudau@univen.ac.za
Dr Jacobus Nicolaas Steyn
Senior Lecturer Areas of specialisation: Sustainable agriculture with an emphasis on ecological sustainability
jnsteyn@univen.ac.za
Dr Rabelani Mudzielwana
Senior Lecturer Areas of specialisation: Water-resource management, environmental chemistry, environmental management, environmental engineering and public health
rabelani.mudzielwana@univen.ac.za
Dr Khathutshelo Hildah Netshisaulu
Lecturer Areas of specialisation: Population and demography, GIS and remote sensing, and climate adaptation
Khathu.Mathivha-Netshisaulu@univen.ac.za
Dr Hloniphani Peter Mthinzi Moyo
Senior Lecturer Areas of specialisation: Socioecology and plant ecology
hloniphani.moyo@univen.ac.za
Mr Mavhungu Sydney Muthige
Lecturer Areas of specialisation: Regional climate modelling, climate extremes, and the water-energy-food nexus
mavhungu.muthige@univen.ac.za
Mr Tumelo Mohumi
Lecturer Areas of specialisation: Earth-system modelling, climate extremes, risk and resilience, hydroclimatology, and geospatial environmental analysis
Tumelo.Mohomi@univen.ac.za
Prof Eduard Maria Stam
Associate Professor Areas of specialisation: Ecosystem restoration, biodiversity and ecosystem-services assessment, population ecology, conservation, and invasive alien plant ecology and management
eduard.stam@univen.ac.za
Mr Ratshalingwa Mulaudzi
Lecturer Areas of specialisation: Waste management, rural development and ecotoxicology
ratshalingwa.mulaudzi@univen.ac.za
Dr Lutendo Mugwedi
Senior Lecturer Areas of specialisation: Ecosystem restoration, biodiversity and ecosystem-services assessment, medicinal-plant conservation, invasive alien plant ecology and management, and conservation agriculture
Lutendo.Mugwedi@univen.ac.za
Dr Farai Dondofema
Chief Technician Areas of specialisation: Spatial ecology modelling, water-resource management, GIS and remote sensing
Farai.Dondofema@univen.ac.za
Dr Edmore Kori
Lecturer Areas of specialisation: Mountain geomorphology, soil erosion, climatic geomorphology and geodiversity
Edmore.Kori@univen.ac.za
Prof Joshua Edokpayi
Associate Professor Areas of specialisation: Water-resource management, environmental chemistry, environmental management, environmental engineering and public health
Joshua.Edokpayi@univen.ac.za
Dr Rendani Bigboy Munyai
Lecturer Areas of specialisation: Climate change, weather systems and disaster-risk management
Biboy.Munyai@univen.ac.za
Dr Mmamokoma Grace Maponya
Lecturer Areas of specialisation: GIS and remote sensing, landscape ecology, land-use change, agricultural productivity and climate-related disaster-risk reduction
Grace.Maponya@univen.ac.za
Dr Tshililo Nelwamondo
Senior Lecturer Areas of specialisation: Spatial distribution of economic activities, informal activities, sustainable tourism and rural development
Tshililo.Nelwamondo@univen.ac.za
Ms Monica Tshikosi
GIS Technician Areas of specialisation: GIS, remote sensing, project management, data analysis, GIS software integration, natural-resource management and environmental impact assessment
Monica.Tshikosi@univen.ac.za