Short Biography 

Regis Musavengane holds a PhD in Geography and Environmental Studies from Witwatersrand University and serves as a Senior Lecturer in Human Geography at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein Campus, in the Geography Department. A research fellow with the Centre for Information, Learning and Knowledge (CILK)-Transfer at the Local Initiatives and Development (LID) Agency, Zimbabwe. He is a member of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and the Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist Group (TAPAS) and the Society of South African Geographers (SSAG). His research interests focus on community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) within the context of political ecology, particularly in tourism geographies and communal agriculture. He investigates the dynamics of smallholder farmers and communities that share resources in protected areas and conservation, emphasising collaborative governance, environmental justice, minority inclusion, and resilience building.  Before joining UFS he served as a Research Associate at the Centre of Excellence for Adaptation and Resilience at the University of South Africa (UNISA); the Witwatersrand, and the Vaal University of Technology. Served as a Faculty member at the Midlands State University. Has externally examined Masters and PhDs for Stellenbosch University, University of the Witwatersrand, Zululand University, University of South Africa, Lupane State University and Chinhoyi University of Technology in different areas of human geography. He has vast industry experience in the development sector and research institutes.

Qualifications

1. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD - Geography & Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand. Focused on the significance of environmental governance and social capital in land reformed communities in KwaZulu Natal. 

2. Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Environmental Management Degree, Stellenbosch University majoring in Sustainable Development in Conservancies. 

3. Master of Technology (M. Tech) Tourism & Hospitality Management Degree, Cape Peninsula University of Technology majoring in Responsible Tourism Practices in Cape Town.

4. Master of Science (MSc) in Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Bindura University of Education Science. Research focused on the role of social capital in women smallholder farming communities affected by climate change. 

5. Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) in Hospitality & Tourism Hons Degree (Majoring in Tourism Geography), Chinhoyi University of Technology. Research focused on Rural Tourism.  

6. Post-Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Education (PDTE), Midlands State University

7. EDTP Seta - Assessor Certificate and accredited Assessor with SETA boards such as CATHSSETA

EDITORIAL

Editorial Journal Board Membership

Tourism Critiques

Book Editorial 

I have co-edited two books. The first one, titled `Sustainable Urban Tourism in Sub-Saharan Africa: Urban Risk and Resilience,` was published by Routledge: Taylor & Francis in December 2020.

The second book, titled "Conservation, Land Conflicts and Sustainable Tourism in Southern Africa: Contemporary Issues and Approaches," was published by Routledge: Taylor & Francis in May 2022.

Special Issue Guest Editor:

1. `Coronavirus and Tourism Development in Southern Africa` for Development Southern Africa Journal, a highly recognised Francis & Taylor development journal in the region.

2. Climate Change and Conservation for the Geography and Sustainability Journal (ELSEVIER), a high impact and well-respected International Journal in the Geography field.

3. An upcoming (December 2025) collection on Climate Resilient, Smart and Sustainable Futures in The Journal of Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa (OASIS)

Books

1. Leonard, L., Musavengane, R., & Siakwah, P. (Eds.). (2020). Sustainable Urban Tourism in Sub-Saharan Africa: Risk and Resilience (1st ed.). London, Routledge. DOI:10.4324/9781003024293. ISBN: 978-0367904142. 

2. Musavengane, R., Leonard, L. (2022). Conservation, Land Conflicts and Sustainable Tourism in Southern Africa: contemporary Issues and Approaches. eBook ISBN9781003188902. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003188902 London, Routledge.

Journal Articles

1. Queiros DR, Musavengane R, Mearns K. (2024). Relationship matters in conservation: Mnqobokazi community and Phinda Private Game Reserve, South Africa. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development. 8(14): 9342. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd9342 (Q2 Scimago RANKING)

 
2. Manyakaidze, P., Simatele, M.D. & Musavengane, R. (2024) Groundwater development and management constraints in drought-prone Chiredzi and Zvishavane Districts of Zimbabwe. Climate Services (ELSEVIER) - (Q1 Scimago RANKING)

3. Musavengane, R. & Musakwa, W. (2023). Climate change impacts on wildlife protected areas in Southern Africa: a bibliometric analysis.  Studia Periegetica, 

4. Muposhi, A. & Musavengane, R. (2023). Influencing food waste reduction intentions through social marketing and corporate social responsibility stimuli: A hotel guests’ perspective.  African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure. (Q3 Scimago RANKING)

5. Tapfuma, M., Musavengane, R. & Magwaza, R. (2024).  Tapfuma, Regis Musavengane & Rowen Magwaza (2024) The role of creative tourism through arts and crafts in promoting inclusive tourism in Zimbabwe, Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 22:1, 1-20, DOI:10.1080/14766825.2023.2231401 (TAYLOR & FRANCIS) - (Q2 Scimago RANKING)

6. Woyo, E. & Musavengane, R. (2023). Has Community-Based Tourism Been a Useful Tool for Poverty Eradication in Southern African Rural Destinations? African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 12 (2), 521-534.  https://www.ajhtl.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_9_12_2_521-534.pdf (Q3 Scimago RANKING)

7. Shereni, N., Musavengane, R. & Woyo, E. (2023).   COVID-19, Domestic Tourism and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Zimbabwe.  Studia Periegetica, 1 (41), 135-151,  https://doi.org/10.58683/sp.501  ( https://studia-periegetica.com/).

8. Musavengane, R., Woyo, E. & Chawarura, W. (2023). Crisis Management and Resilience of Small to Medium Tourism Enterprises in a Distressed Destination. Tourism Review International, 27, 1-17.  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3727/154427223X16717265382741 (COGNIZANT COMMUNICATION). (Q3 Scimago RANKING,)

9. Musavengane, R. (2022). The politicization of COVID-19 Omicron: Southern Africa Tourism Sector. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 11(1):147-155. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46222/ajhtl.19770720.217 (Q3 Scimago RANKING)

10. Musavengane, R. & Leonard, L. (2022): COVID-19 impacts on tourism: Southern Africa’s experiences, Development Southern Africa, 39(1), 1-2. DOI:10.1080/0376835X.2021.2018995 (TAYLOR & FRANCIS) - (Q2 Scimago RANKING)

11. Musavengane R., Woyo, E. & Ndlovu, A.O. (2022). COVID-19 and game park employees’ livelihoods in a distressed destination. Anatolia: An International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Research,  33:4, 627-640, DOI: 10.1080/13032917.2021.1985543 (TAYLOR & FRANCIS). - (Q2 Scimago RANKING)

12. Tapfuma, M.M. & Musavengane, R. (2022). COVID-19 and employee-customer relationship: hotel frontline employee perceptions. Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality & Tourism, 21:1, 31-56, DOI: 10.1080/15332845.2022.2015231 (TAYLOR & FRANCIS). (Q2 Scimago RANKING)

13. Musavengane, R., Leonard, L. and Mureyani, S. 2022. Doing tourism in Southern Africa amid the coronavirus pandemic: Navigating political, socio-economic and environmental inequalities, Development Southern Africa, 39(1), 3-19. DOI:10.1080/0376835X.2020.1829459 (TAYLOR & FRANCIS). (Q2 Scimago RANKING)

14. Musavengane, R. & Zhou, Z. (2021) ‘Political crises and tourism in Sub-Saharan Africa: destination recovery post-coup d’état’, International Journal of Tourism Policy, 11(1), 52–72.  DOI:10.1504/IJTP.2021.114455 (INDERSCIENCE) -  (Q4 Scimago RANKING)

15. Musavengane, R. & Kloppers, R. 2020. Social Capital: an investment towards community resilience in Collaborative Natural Resources Management of community-based tourism schemes. Tourism Management Perspectives, 34, 100654, doi.10.1016/j.tmp.2020.100654 (ELSEVIER). (Q1 Scimago RANKING)

16. Musavengane, R., Siakwah, P. and Leonard, L. 2020.  The nexus between tourism and urban risk: Towards inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable outdoor tourism in African cities.  Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 29, 100254. DOI. 10.1016/j.jort.2019.100254 (ELSEVIER) - (Q2 Scimago RANKING)

17. Musavengane, R. 2019.  Understanding tourism consciousness through habitus: perspectives of ‘poor’ black South Africans.  Critical African Studies. 11:3, 322-347, DOI. 10.1080/21681392.2019.1670702. (TAYLOR & FRANCIS) - (Q1 Scimago RANKING)

18. Khonje, L.Z., Simatele, M.D & Musavengane, R. 2020. Environmental sustainability innovations in the accommodation sub-sector: Views from Lilongwe, Malawi. Development Southern Africa, 37:2, 312-327, DOI: 10.1080/0376835X.2019.1660861 (TAYLOR & FRANCIS ISSN: 0376-835X).  - (Q2 Scimago RANKING)

19. Musavengane, R. and Siakwah, P. 2020.  Challenging formal accountability processes in community natural resource management in Sub-Saharan Africa.  GeoJournal, 85:1573–1590, DOI.10.1007/s10708-019-10040-2 (SPRINGER) - (Q2 Scimago RANKING)

20. Musavengane, R., Siakwah, P. and Leonard, L. 2019. ‘Does the poor matter’ in pro-poor driven sub-Saharan African cities? towards progressive and inclusive pro-poor tourism.   International Journal of Tourism Cities, 5 (3), 392 – 411. DOI:10.1108/IJTC-05-2019-0057. (EMERALD) - (Q1 Scimago RANKING)

21. Siakwah, P., Musavengane, R. & Leonard, L. (2020). Tourism Governance and Attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa. Tourism Planning & Development, 17:4, 355-383, DOI: 10.1080/21568316.2019.1600160 (TAYLOR & FRANCIS) - (Q1 Scimago RANKING)

22. Musavengane, R. and Leonard, L.  2019. When race and social equity matters in nature conservation in post-apartheid South Africa. Conservation & Society, 17(2): 135-146. DOI   10.4103/cs.cs_18_23 (MEDKNOW -  ISSN: 09724923) - (Q2 Scimago RANKING)

23. Musavengane, R. 2019.  Using the systemic-resilience thinking approach to enhance participatory collaborative management of natural resources in tribal communities: Toward inclusive land reform-led outdoor tourism.  Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 25, 45–56,  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2018.12.002 (ELSEVIER - ISSN:  22130780) - (Q2 Scimago RANKING)

24. Musavengane, R., Tantoh, H.B. and Simatele, D. 2019. A Comparative Analysis of Collaborative Natural Resource Management in North-west Cameroon and KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Journal of Asian and African Studies,  54(4) 512–532 (SAGE - ISSN:  13351257) - (Q2 Scimago RANKING)

25. Musavengane, R. 2019. Small hotels and responsible tourism practice: Hoteliers’ perspectives, Journal of Cleaner Production, 220, 786-799. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.02.143. (ELSEVIER ISSN:  09596526).  Impact Factor of 7.246 - (Q1 Scimago RANKING)

26. Khonje L., Simatele, D.M. and Musavengane, R. 2019. A critical review of common methodological approaches in environmental sustainability practices within the hotel sector: in pursuit of a befitting methodological approach for Malawi through the lens of a Qualitative Meta-synthesis. e-Review of Tourism Research, 16 (5), 400-433  (TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY – ISSN:  19415842) - (Q3 Scimago RANKING)

27. Musavengane, R. 2018. Toward Pro-Poor Local Economic Development in Zimbabwe: the role of pro-poor tourism.  African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 7 (1): 1-14. ISSN: 223-814X (AFRICAN JOURNALS) - (Q3 Scimago RANKING)

28. Musavengane, R. and Simatele, D. 2017. Significance of Social Capital in Collaborative Management of Natural Resources in Sub-Saharan Rural Communities: A Qualitative Meta-analysis. South African Geographical Journal,  99 (3), 267-282, DOI:10.1080/03736245.2016.1231628  (TAYLOR & FRANCIS-ISSN: 0373-6245). - (Q2 Scimago RANKING)

29. Musavengane, R. and Simatele, D. 2016. Community-Based Natural Resource Management: the role of social capital in collaborative environmental management of tribal resources in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. Development Southern Africa, 33 (6): 806-821, DOI: 10.1080/0376835X.2016.1231054 (TAYLOR & FRANCIS–ISSN: 0376-835X).  (Q2 Scimago RANKING)

30. Musavengane, R. and Simatele, D. 2016. Social capital and the pursuit of ecotourism as a land-use option in land reformed communities: a study of Kwa-Zulu Natal’s tribal Areas, South Africa. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure, 5 (4): 1-21.  ISSN: 223-814X (AFRICAN JOURNALS). - (Q3 Scimago RANKING)

31. Musavengane, R. & Matikiti, R. (2015). Does social capital really enhance community-based ecotourism? A review of the literature.  African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 4(1): 1-18.  ISSN: 223-814X (AFRICAN JOURNALS) - (Q3 Scimago RANKING)

32. Musavengane, R & Steyn, J.N. (2013). Responsible Tourism practices in the Cape Town hotel sub-sector. International Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Systems (7), 2: 52-63. ISSN: 0947-6250 - (Q4 Scimago RANKING)

Book Chapters

1. Musavengane, R. & Leonard, L. (2022). Land Conflicts in Southern Africa: the sustainability of Tourism and Conservation. In Musavengane, R & L. Leonard, Conservation, Land Conflicts and Sustainable Tourism in Southern Africa: contemporary Issues and Approaches. London, Routledge.

2. Musavengane, R. (2022). Environmental Operational Research for Sustainable Tourism and Conflict Management in Community-based Natural Resources Management. In Musavengane, R & L. Leonard, Conservation, Land Conflicts and Sustainable Tourism in Southern Africa: contemporary Issues and Approaches. P119-136. London, Routledge.

3. Leonard, L. & Musavengane, R. (2022). The future of community-based tourism amid socio-economic and political conflicts in Southern Africa. In Musavengane, R & L. Leonard, Conservation, Land Conflicts and Sustainable Tourism in Southern Africa: contemporary Issues and Approaches. London, Routledge.

4. Musavengane, R. & Woyo, E. (2022). Adaptive Management. In Buhalis, D., (ed), Encyclopedia of Tourism Management and Marketing.  Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, pp1-3. DOI. 10.4337/9781800377486.adaptive.management.

5. Musavengane, R. 2022. Collaborative Management, In Buhalis, D., (ed), Encyclopedia of Tourism Management and Marketing. Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham. DOI. 10.4337/9781800377486.collaborative.management

6. Musavengane, R. 2022. Urban Risk, In Buhalis, D., (ed), Encyclopedia of Tourism Management and Marketing. Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham.

7. Musavengane, R. & Leonard, L. 2022. Tourism’s impacts in conservation areas in Sub-Saharan Africa: In search of equity in an unequal world. In Stoffelen, A. & Dimitri L. Handbook on tourism impacts and impact assessment. P208-223. Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham.

8. Musavengane, R. & Muzeza, D. 2021. Case Study Research for Sustainable Tourism: towards inclusive community-based tourism. In A. Spenceley. Handbook for Sustainable Tourism Practitioners. Cheltenham, Edward Elgar. ISBN: 978 1 83910 088 8. Pp475-496

9. Siakwah P., Musavengane R. (2021) Re-Imagining Community-Based Tourism in Rural Africa Through Networks and Management Innovation. In: Ngoasong M.Z., Adeola O., Kimbu A.N., Hinson R.E. (eds) New Frontiers in Hospitality and Tourism Management in Africa. Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management. Pp227-244, Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70171-0_14.

10. Musavengane, R. 2020. Election risk and urban tourism development in Zimbabwe. In Leonard, L., Musavengane, R. and Siakwah, P. Sustainable Urban Tourism in Sub-Saharan Africa: Risk and Resilience. London, Routledge. p92-106.

11. Musavengane, R., Leonard, L. & Siakwah, P. 2020. Navigating urban tourism amidst environmental, political and social risks: Conclusion. In Leonard, L., Musavengane, R. and Siakwah, P. Sustainable Urban Tourism in Sub-Saharan Africa: Risk and Resilience. London, Routledge. p247-255.

12. Leonard, L., Musavengane, R. & Siakwah, P. 2020. Urban risk and tourism in Africa: An overview. In Leonard, L., Musavengane, R. and Siakwah, P. Sustainable Urban Tourism in Sub-Saharan Africa: Risk and Resilience. London, Routledge. p1-13.

13. Muzirambi, J.M., Musavengane, R. & Mearns, K. 2020. Revisiting Devolution in Community-Based Natural Resources Management in Zimbabwe: towards an inclusive governance approaches. In Stone, M.T., Lenao, M. & Moswete, N. Natural Resources, Tourism and Community Livelihoods in Southern Africa Challenges of Sustainable Development (pp143-158). London, Routledge. E-Book ISBN: 9780429289422. DOI. 10.4324/9780429289422.

14. Musavengane, R. 2019. Land reform and the promotion of collaborative community-based ecotourism at Somkhanda Game Reserve, South Africa. In Mkono, M. Positive Tourism in Africa. P 23-35. London, Routledge. ISBN: 978-1138369405. DOI. 10.4324/9780429428685.

My research interests are premised around Community-based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) in the spectrum of environmental governance and sustainability (political ecology) in Sub-Saharan African contexts:

1. Collaborative management of natural resources.

2. Community development and participation

3. Community-based tourism and Human-Wildlife Interactions

4. Land use, land access and climate change for community development

5. Governance of natural resources (i.e. wetlands, wildlife etc.)