The National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) hosted a well-attended fire services indaba from the 26^th to the 27^th of February 2026 at the President Hotel in Bloemfontein. The theme of the indaba was “Building Resilient Communities”, a theme aimed at promoting resilient communities through stronger fire risk reduction and municipal capacity. The Centre had the opportunity to exhibit, engage and promote its qualifications and research capabilities. The department was represented by Dr Olivia Kunguma and Ms Keketso Mokoaledi, who engaged with delegates throughout the Indaba

ERASMUS + PROGRAM TEACHING MOBILITY, ROMANIA

From 21 to 29 March, 2026, Dr Olivia Kunguma, Prof Johanes Belle, Prof Abiodun Ogundeji and Prof Alice Ncube were accepted for a teaching mobility held at Universitatea Babes-Bolyai, Romania. This was in the Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering. The program included workshops, teachings and scientific engagements with various academics and learners. It also included cultural activities which are key to the Erasmus + program.

INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON NATURE-BASED URBAN RESILIENCE IN KENYA

Prof Johanes Belle and Dr Raphela-Masuku were invited by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to the Sub-Saharan Connective Cities Workshop on Nature at the Heart of Municipal Resilience, held in Naivasha, Kenya, from 20 to 23 April 2026. The workshop brought together municipal practitioners, technical experts, and policymakers from across Sub-Saharan Africa and Germany to explore how nature-based solutions (NbS) can strengthen climate resilience in cities. Dr Raphela-Masuku served as workshop facilitator and moderator, guiding discussions and peer-learning sessions among participating municipalities. Prof Belle contributed as an expert and facilitator on NbS, unpacking the concept through the lens of ecosystem services, including flood regulation, water purification, and climate moderation and highlighting co-benefits such as improved well-being and job creation. Their participation reflects the Centre's growing role in shaping international dialogue on sustainable, climate-resilient urban development.

UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE – NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES CONFERENCE

Mr Collins Okolie, a Research Assistant with DiMTEC, presented a paper titled, ‘Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction: Perception-Based Empirical Evidence from Smallholder Farmers in the Free State’, at the annual 2026 NAS Conference. The conference was held from 22 to 24 June 2026. “Climate change continues to increase the risk of disasters such as droughts, wildfires, floods, and heatwaves across the globe. It is becoming increasingly evident that Nature-based Solutions (NbS) can play a critical role in reducing climate-related risks, including flooding, soil erosion, and water scarcity, while simultaneously enhancing agricultural productivity and strengthening the resilience of farming communities,” said Collins. His research examines how smallholder farmers in the Free State perceive Nature-based Solutions and the factors influencing their adoption as an effective strategy for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. Understanding these perceptions is essential for designing evidence-based policies and interventions that promote sustainable agriculture and resilient livelihoods.

LIMPOPO FLOOD DISASTER, A CASE STUDY FOR THE 2026 MASTERS PRACTICAL EXAMINATION

In June 2026, over the course of a week, the master's candidates were presented with a real-life scenario based on the 2025 – 2026 Limpopo floods, which destroyed several homes, infrastructure, and lives. Based on that scenario, they had to develop an Impact Assessment and Recovery Plan for the 2025–2026 Flood Disaster in Limpopo Province. They had to develop a practical, technical report that was presented to various officials for implementation. The officials were from the Mangaung Disaster Management Centre, the Free State Provincial Disaster Management Centre, the Capricorn District Disaster Management Centre, the Vembe District Disaster Management Centre, the Red Cross International, and several others. Students were split into four groups, each drawing on markedly different professional backgrounds to build their recovery plans. The cohort's combined expertise spanned land surveying, safety, health, and environmental (SHE) management, research, office administration, and emergency response, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of disaster management. Ms Tengetile Khumalo, a SHE and Dangerous Goods Specialist, described feeling significant pressure under tight time constraints, but said she was pleased with the practical exposure and felt her postgraduate diploma had prepared her well for the task. “This was an eye-opening experience, we mastered a wide range of materials and applied them to the scenario under pressure”, said Mr Kudakwashe Nyakutya, a Land Surveyor. Despite the intensity of the exercise, every student who took part described it as a valuable learning experience. Confronting disaster management in its full real-world complexity and being required to respond to it under pressure is central to what DiMTEC's Masters programme aims to achieve. The Centre was honoured and expressed pride in its students' performance, officials who gave their time and expertise to help shape the next generation of disaster management professionals in South Africa.

DISASTER READINESS AT SAFER CITY INDABA

Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality hosted a Disaster Readiness Safer Cities Indaba in Bloemfontein on the 18 and 19^th of February 2026. Prof Alice Ncube, an Associate Professor at the Centre, was invited to present at the Indaba, where she spoke under the title, "The State of Disaster Readiness and Responsiveness." She highlighted the importance of preparedness, coordinated response systems, and strengthening institutional capacity to manage risks effectively. Her address Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality hosted a Disaster Readiness Safer Cities Indaba in Bloemfontein on the 18 and 19^th of February 2026. Prof Alice Ncube, an Associate Professor at the Centre, was invited to present at the Indaba, where she spoke under the title, "The State of Disaster Readiness and Responsiveness." She highlighted the importance of preparedness, coordinated response systems, and strengthening institutional capacity to manage risks effectively. Her address drew key stakeholders committed to building safer and more resilient cities. The Centre has the opportunity to exhibit, showcasing its offerings in training, education and research. Ms Keketso Mokoaledi, Ms Mantsoi Ramakoloi, and Ms Keitumetse Mohoje, interns at the Centre, engaged with stakeholders during the exhibition. The Indaba underscored a central message for the sector: that resilience in cities is built through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and proactive planning.