ABSTRACT The Southern African Development Community (SADC) region remains highly susceptible to the escalating impacts of climate-induced hazards, as intensifying droughts, floods, cyclones, epidemics, and ecosystem degradation continue to threaten lives and livelihoods. This growing vulnerability highlights the urgent imperative to integrate disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) as complementary strategies for building resilience and securing sustainable development across the region. This study explores how political will and institutional reform serve as key enablers for overcoming the entrenched fragmentation that hampers DRR – CCA coherence. Employing a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design, it combines 14 qualitative interviews with senior officials in three SADC countries and a survey of 26 participants from nine member states. The findings reveal that political will is the decisive catalyst for integration, its absence perpetuates siloed governance, while its presence drives institutional realignment, financial coherence, and coordinated resilience outcomes. The study recommends elevating DRR – CCA integration to a cabinet-level governance priority, reframing it as a development and policy coherence agenda rather than a technical issue. Overall, the study underscores that political leadership and institutional reform are foundational to achieving systemic DRR – CCA coherence in the SADC region.

ABSTRACT The establishment and endurance of a learned society depend largely on its members. James Hutcheon’s idea of a learned geographical society in South Africa led to the establishment of the South African Geographical Society (SAGS) in July 1917. This research traces the history of the SAGS from when a geographical society was first mooted in 1914 through to its formation and up until 1923. It gives identity to the rank-and-file members who served on the inaugural Council and traces the rise and demise of membership numbers over the first seven years of the Society’s existence. Historical material at the National Archives and at various universities in South Africa and online archival material was a rich source of information. This was supplemented by factual and contextual information from published literature. The early years were marked by widespread interest in the Society on the Witwatersrand and growing appeal farther afield as membership numbers swelled. Schoolteachers and university students played important roles as councillors and biographical sketches serve to give recognition to these early foot soldiers of the discipline. Unfortunately, the aftermath of World War I, economic hardships, the demise of Society’s founder and the Rand Rebellion led to a decline in membership.

ABSTRACT Due to urbanization rates, construction and demolition waste has become an issue in waste management as significant volumes are generated each year. This article assesses the construction and demolition waste disposal methods and analyses relevant policies to determine their implementation and identify gaps. Based on qualitative research conducted through interviews with private sector stakeholders, the findings reveal that landfill is the most common method in South Africa and southern African countries, as it is the most affordable option. The results of this study show that various factors influence the choice of disposal method, while revealing that the decision rests with the client and their budget. The main recommendations of the study prioritize waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, with landfill being considered only as a last resort. Implementing policies that incentivize these practices, combined with improved logistics and management, can significantly improve construction and demolition waste management. Implementing these recommendations would help create a more sustainable and efficient system for managing construction and demolition waste, minimising its environmental impact, and maximising resource recovery in Gauteng, South Africa.

ABSTRACT Water and access to fresh water are essential to improve livelihood and well-being, particularly in rural communities of the developing world. However, rising population, increasing urbanization, intensification and extension of agriculture continue to exert pressure on water catchments, which are one of the major sources of freshwater. This study explores water management practices and environmental protection in the Owabi community and river catchment in Ghana. A mixed method of data collection revealed a lack of waste disposal compliance, leading to 40.2% of pollution of the Owabi River. Furthermore, inadequate community engagement (36.6%) in the management of the Owabi River Catchment has influenced the sustainability. The study argues that pollution directly influences almost every aspect of rural livelihoods, ranging from agriculture, fishing, and domestic uses, amplifying vulnerabilities within the communities. Thus, enhancing community involvement, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and investing in advanced water treatment technologies are essential for sustainability.

ABSTRACT It is now globally accepted that climate change has emerged as one of the key environmental threats impacting the sustainability of livelihoods for both rural and urban populations, particularly in developing countries of the South. However, both the rural and urban residents in Zimbabwe are not passive actors but are actively involved in identifying different ways to build their adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change. This study examines differences in climate change awareness between rural and urban households in Zimbabwe and explores how these perceptions influence adaptation strategies. Thus, understanding the awareness and perceptions of both rural and urban dwellers is a crucial step in developing more transformative and transgressive responses to the impacts of climate change. The study established a significant correlation between climate change awareness of communities and the nature of adaptation they embarked on. This paper argues that communities with information and knowledge about climate change exhibit better adaptation strategies compared to those with less awareness of climate change. It is thus recommended that institutional frameworks and climate change policies, as well as approaches, be developed to improve awareness through education, awareness campaigns, and media outreach, promoting their adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change-induced hazards.

ABSTRACT This article explores the evolving dynamics of human – water interactions within the displaced southern Zimbabwe’s Tugwi-Mukosi community. The study is situated within the broader context of escalating global water challenges. Key concerns include declining rainfall, river desiccation, and water-induced displacement of communities. Guided by cultural ecological theory and John Rawls’ ‘Difference Principle’, a core component of justice as fairness theory, this article investigates the socio-hydrological dynamics shaping human – water relations. It explores how these dynamics arise from the interplay of ecological change, technological adaptation, climate variability, and evolving governance systems. A qualitative methodology was employed, with data collected through observations, in-depth and key informant interviews, and focus groups. The data were analysed thematically. Findings reveal that the decline in natural human – water interactions in Tugwi-Mukosi was driven by a combination of factors, including recurrent droughts, river siltation, and changing rainfall patterns, which were further intensified by dam construction and policy-induced displacement. In the Chingwizi resettlement context, the deterioration deepened due to the absence of natural water bodies and the salinity of the underground water. The study advocates for the prioritization of socio-hydrological interventions and policies that are context-sensitive and designed to reinforce, rather than disrupt, sustainable human – water relationships.

ABSTRACT Most smallholder farmers in South Africa rely on rainfall for crop production. However, the low and erratic nature of rainfall makes farming unreliable. The in-field rainwater harvesting technique (IRWH) was introduced to improve crop yields with considerable success. Therefore, identifying the appropriate sites for the implementation of IRWH has a significant contribution of increasing agricultural productivity for smallholder farmers in semi-arid environments. The aim of this study was to identify suitable sites for the implementation of IRWH in the Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Five layers were used to generate the IRWH suitability map: rainfall, slope, land use/cover, soil texture, and soil depth. The different maps for identifying suitable sites for IRWH were generated using the Geographic Information System with Analytical Hierarchy Process. Results revealed that areas of 17.43%, 29.17%, 25.59%, 20.66% and 7.15% were identified as being very highly suitable, highly suitable, medium suitable, low suitable and very low suitable for the implementation of IRWH, respectively. Most of the district’s western and central parts were identified as being suitable for IRWH implementation. The findings of this study could be a baseline for decision-makers, planners, and extension officers towards widespread adoption of IRWH in the district.

ABSTRACT Driven by escalating environmental degradation and extreme climate events, the 21st-century global economy now places sustainability at its core. Researchers, policymakers, global institutions and environmentalists worldwide are urging a shift to environmentally friendly waste management practices to ease environmental pressure. Although sustainable practices have emerged in key sectors like construction to reduce their harmful impacts, many remain ineffective, particularly in developing countries. This study analyses global construction and demolition waste management methods and proposes a suitable model for developing countries, using South Africa as a case study. This was carried out using a systematic literature review, semi-structured interviews, and questionnaires, with epistemic communities in the construction and environment sector. The study found that while most construction and demolition waste management approaches are highly effective in developed countries, they are less effective and less applicable in developing countries. It is argued that methods from developed countries cannot be directly applied in developing countries like South Africa and must be adapted to local economic and technological contexts. To enhance construction and demolition waste management in South Africa, a hybrid approach combining circular economy and industrial ecology is proposed as an effective solution.

ABSTRACT The Okavango River Basin (ORB), one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most ecologically significant and well-preserved endorheic system, is critical for sustaining biodiversity and providing ecosystem services. However, increasing anthropogenic pressure and environmental change demand continuous and precise monitoring to safeguard its natural assets. This study utilized Google Earth Engine (GEE) to present a robust 34-year (1989–2023) analysis using Landsat 5 and 8 at 30 m resolution. The study examined the relationship between the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI), and normalized difference phenology index (NDPI), coupled with Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation (CHIRPS), ERA5 Land, and TerraClimate products. Utilizing a Random Forest (RF) classifier, we achieved accuracies of 95-98% across nine intervals. Wetlands maintained 3% coverage from 1989-2004, while forest occupied 20-26%. Water bodies declined from 1989-2016, then gained 6419 km2 (2017–2020). Wetlands gained 19144 km2 (1989–1992) and 8406 km2 (2017–2020), but lost -10986 (1993–1996) and -7734 km2 (2009–2012). Higher temperatures are correlated with NDPI (β = 0.05, p = 0.003, R2 = 0.32) and NDVI (β = 0.106, p = 0.0045, R2 = 0.29), while precipitation and evapotranspiration were not significant. SAVI presented no significant relationship (R2 = 0.27, p = 0.027). These findings underscore the urgent need for continuous LULC monitoring to inform adaptive management strategies for the ORB.