Dr Olivia Kunguma is a Lecturer in Strategic Disaster Management (DIMS 5820), Legal and Institutional Arrangements (DIML 5810) and Management of Media Relations and Strategic Communication (DIMM 7910). She has supervised and graduated more than 20 Masters research dissertations, of which most of them were published. She is also a promoter of PhD candidates. Dr Kunguma has published in peer reviewed journals and has presented at a number of national and international conferences. She holds qualifications in Masters of Disaster Management, BA Integrated Marketing Communication, BA Honours Integrated Marketing Communication and PhD in Disaster Management. She is a professional member of the Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa (DMISA) and the South African Communications Association (SACOMM). She is also an accredited trainer in the Sphere Project: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response. Her areas of research interest are disaster information management, risk communication, strategic communication, disaster risk reduction planning and development, and disaster management legislation. Dr Kunguma has been involved in numerous research projects such as the development of crisis communication plan, development of a national drought plan, the review of the South African National Disaster Management Framework and the COVID-19 disaster management institutional arrangements review.  

1. Kunguma, O. & Mapingure, T., 2023. Review of disaster management training: a case study of a South African University, Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies

2. Moisès, D.J.& Kunguma, O., 2022. `Strengthening Namibia`s flood early warning system through a critical gap analysis`, Sustainability 2023, 15 (524). https://doi.org/10.3390/ su15010524

3. Kunguma, O., 2022, ‘A South African disaster legislative perspective of information management and communication systems’, South African Journal of Information Management 24(1), a1540. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajim.v24i1.1540

4. Kunguma, O. 2022. COVID-19 disaster, an opportunity for the South African disaster management legislation betterment? Academia Letters, Article 4645. https://doi.org/10.20935/AL4645. 

5. Kunguma, O., 2021, ‘COVID-19 home remedies and myths becoming a hazardous health infodemic?’, Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies 13(1), a1115. https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v13i1.1115

6. Kunguma, O., Ncube, A. & Mokhele, M.O., 2021, ‘COVID-19 disaster response: South African disaster managers’ faith in mandating legislation tested?’, Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies 13(1), a1099. https:// doi.org/10.4102/jamba. v13i1.1099

7. Kunguma, O., Mokhele, M.O. & Coetzee, M., 2021, ‘Investigating the prevention and mitigatory role of risk communication in the COVID-19 pandemic: A case study of Bloemfontein, South Africa’, Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies 13(1), a1130. https://doi.  org/10.4102/jamba. v13i1.1130

8. Kunguma, O., Pelser, A., Tanyi, P. & Muhame, C., 2018, `Social and structural vulnerability as a barrier in HIV and/or AIDS communication campaigns: Perceptions of undergraduate students at a South African tertiary institution`, Jamba Journal of Disaster Risk Studies  10(1), a407. https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v10i1.407

9. Ncube, A., Kunguma, O., Nyahwo, M. & Manombe, S. 2017. Nutritional vulnerability: An assessment of the 2010 feeding  food programme in Mbire district, Zimbabwe, and its impact on pregnant women. Jamba Journal of Disaster Risk Studies 9(1)

10. Kunguma, O. & Skinner, J. 2017. Mainstreaming media into Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, South Africa. Disaster Advances 10 (7)

11. Kunguma, O. & Ncube, A., 2016, ‘Combating HIV and/ or AIDS: A challenge to Millennium Development Goals for disaster managers in the Southern African Development Community’, Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies 8(2), Art. #173, 10 pages. http://dx.doi.  org/10.4102/jamba.v8i2.173

12. Kunguma, O & Terblanche, L. 2013. Crisis communication plan for municipalities: the case for Frances Baard district  municipality. Communitas: Journal for community communication and information impact (18) SA DHET 1023-0556

13. Bhebhe, D. Kunguma, O. Jordaan, A. & Majonga, H. 2013. A case study of the perceived socio-environmental problems caused by illegal gold mining in Gwanda District, Zimbabwe. Disaster Advances 6 (10): 70 - 76. ISSN 2278-4543

1. Risk/Crisis/Disaster Communication

2. Strategic Communication

3. Strategic Disaster Management

4. Disaster management legislation

1. Management of Media Relations and communication systems (DIMM 7910) - Presented in Masters of Disaster Management

2. Strategic Disaster Management (DIMS 5825) - Presented in Postgraduate Diploma in Disaster Management

3. Legal and Institutional Arrangements (DIML 5810) - Presented in Postgraduate Diploma in Disaster Management

1. Conduct a review of the disaster management institutional arrangements and coordination modalities for the Covid-19 response at national, provincial and local levels: March to December 2020 (level 5 to level 1) - 1 year project 2021

2. Development of a National Drought Plan (project leader for drought information management and communication system) -  2019 to 2021 

3. Development of training materials (playing cards) for The Sphere Project 2011. Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response -1-year project completed in 2017

4. Development of a Masters and PhD in Disaster Management  Book of Abstracts 2005-2015: ISBN 9780620665742 -1 year project completed in 2016

5. Development of a Crisis Communication Plan for Fraances Baard District Municipality, South Africa - I year project completed in 2009

6. 1st Art on Disaster art exhibition, Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa Conference, held in Durban -16 – 18 September 2014