In order to address the research questions I am interested in, I work in a broad variety of environments. Throughout my university education I focused on environment sciences and GIS, in particular working at the interface of sustainable livelihoods, impact assessments and natural resource management, ecosystem services and environmental economics, environment and development nexus, gender and the environment, socio-economics of biodiversity conservation and adaptation to climate change and natural hazards where I developed my continued passion for sustainable development. My work focuses on how individuals and households respond to changes in the physical environment, and how their responses are shaped by external policies, markets and other constraints. Most of my research combines qualitative and quantitative household-level social analysis of environmental decision-making and resource use, with most of my fieldwork focusing on South Africa and Zimbabwe. For my PhD, I worked on linking livelihood and landscape assets, responses and adaptive capacity to livelihood outcomes of agricultural communities in the Eastern Cape communities of South Africa in the face of climate change. I am now focusing my work on social justice, gender equality and development in access to International Distance Education (IDE) in Africa through the IDEAS project, in my capacity as a Research Associate at Open University (UK) and UNISA, and Lecturer at University of Mpumalanga (ZA).

Postgraduate student supervision
CURRENT
  1. ​Khumbelo Mabadahanye, PhD student, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit. Supervisors: Dr Mwazvita TB Dalu, Dr Tatenda Dalu.​
  2. ​Fortunate Rundare, MSc student, University of South Africa, Johanneburg. Supervisors: Prof Ashley W Gunter, Dr Mwazvita TB Dalu.
  3. Thabelo Ricardo Munyai, MSc student, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit. Supervisors: Dr Mwazvita TB Dalu, Dr Tatenda Dalu

COMPLETED​

GRADUATED
MSc
  1. Tawurayi Mavimira. 2023. Understanding perceptions of school educators on teaching environmental issues. MSc with Pass, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit. Supervisors: Dr Mwazvita TB Dalu, Dr Tatenda Dalu. [passed]
  2. Onica Mukhuwana. 2020. Challenges affecting the management of Thulamela wetlands: participating policy makers’ goals vs local communities’ needs and interests. MSc Environmental Science with Merit. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Mwazvita TB Dalu, ​Dr Tatenda Dalu, Dr Florence Murungweni. 

BSc Hons
  1. Andile Mhlongo. 2023. BSc Hons Geography with Merit, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit. Supervisors: Dr Mwazvita TB Dalu [passed]
  2. Sqinisiwe Sithandiwe Nyawo. 2023. BSc Hons Ecology with Merit, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit. Supervisors: Dr Mwazvita TB Dalu [passed]
  3. Rabelani Seshonge. 2021. Considering the links between street vending and poverty alleviation: a case of Thohoyandou street vendors. BSc Hons Environmental Science with Pass. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Mwazvita TB Dalu, Dr Tatenda Dalu. 
  4. Katlego William Masasane. 2020. Who utilises urban green spaces around Thohoyandou and Louis Trichardt? What are the key drivers? BSc Hons Environmental Science with Pass. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Mwazvita TB Dalu, Dr Tatenda Dalu. 
  5. Phumudzo Ragimana. 2020. Assessing the significance of public's negative perceptions towards large wood in river ecosystems following flooding experiences. BSc Hons Environmental Science with Pass. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors:  Dr Tatenda Dalu, Dr Mwazvita TB Dalu. 
  6. Mulweli Makatu. 2019. Assessing the relative contribution of indigenous forest products to rural livelihoods: A case of Mavunde and Sambandou villages, Vhembe Biosphere Reserve (South Africa). BSc Hons Environmental Science with Pass. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Mwazvita TB Dalu, Dr Tatenda Dalu. 
  7. Muhali Hulisani. 2019. Is awareness on plastic pollution being raised in primary and secondary schools? A case of Thulamela Municipality district. BSc Hons Environmental Science with Pass. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Mwazvita TB Dalu, Dr Tatenda Dalu.  ​