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Venue
Emperor's Palace, Jahannesburg
Keynote Speakers
Prof Godwell Nhamo (PhD Rhodes University)
Prof Godwell Nhamo (PhD Rhodes University) is a Full Professor at UNISA. His research focuses on climate change, coastal resilience, and Sustainable Development Goals. He has published 19 books, over 120 journal articles and chapters, graduated 14 PhDs and hosted 13 postdoctoral fellows. He serves as an expert in the UNFCCC Warsaw International Mechanisms and Gauteng Premier Climate Change Experts Group. His awards include the 2017 Distinguished Old Rhodian Award, 2021 NRF Science Award, and the UNISA Vice Chancellor Research Excellence Award.
Dr. Nomhle Ngwenya
Dr. Nomhle Ngwenya specialises in climate risk, disaster management, and ESG integration, and focuses on resilient systems and environmental strategies. She combines climate science and sustainable finance to develop solutions for mining, agriculture, and infrastructure. As a member of the National Advisory Council on Innovation, she advocates for gender equity in STEM and Africa’s climate resilience.
Prof Kevin F Mearns
Kevin Mearns is a Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of South Africa. Kevin holds a PhD degree in Environmental Design and Management from the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom and a Masters degree in Geography and Environmental Management from the University of Johannesburg. Kevin has supervised more than 40 Masters and Doctoral candidates to completion and published more than 45 peers reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, and book chapters. His current research interests include sustainable tourism, ecotourism, and the social aspects of protected areas in Southern and Eastern Africa
Dr Thulani Dube
Thulani Dube is a prominent Social Scientist and Development Management Consultant focusing on climate change, food security, gender studies, and livelihoods. He has held several academic positions at Lupane State University, including the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and has contributed significantly to research on climate adaptation, social issues, and education in Zimbabwe. His extensive educational background includes a Ph.D. in social science and multiple qualifications in monitoring and evaluation, underpinning his commitment to integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific approaches to address pressing social and environmental challenges.
Prof Nellie (Magdalena Petronella) Swart
Nellie (Magdalena Petronella) Swart is an Associate Professor of Tourism at the University of South Africa (Unisa) and a Certified Meeting Professional with a DCom in Leadership Performance and Change. As an author, conference organiser, and industry speaker, she chairs Tourism Educators South Africa (TESA) and leads the Executive Development Programme for Women in Tourism at Unisa. In 2022, she was recognised as one of the 100 Most Powerful People in African Hospitality by the International Hospitality Institute and serves as the G100 City Chair for Johannesburg. In 2023, she was honoured as one of the top five women in leadership in Africa, and the AAXO ROAR Award for her outstanding contribution to the events industry in 2025. Nellie has co-edited five books and more than 70 peer-reviewed publications.
Dr. Prachi Thakur
Dr. Prachi Thakur (Postgraduate Student Facilitator) is an academic at Sunway University Malaysia’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. A TEDx speaker and diversity strategist work with industry to design inclusive spaces for stakeholders. Dr. Thakur used LinkedIn for research discussions and engaging with universities and industries globally. She has been invited to speak at the Asia Pacific Tourism Association 2023 and Asia Pacific Travel and Tourism Research Association 2024. She believes that social media helps researchers connect with a wider scholarly community than is traditionally known.
Dr. Sandeep K. Walia
Dr. Sandeep K. Walia is a Professor and Dean at CVM University, India, specialising in tourism marketing and community-based tourism. He has published 42 research papers (34 in Scopus/ABDC journals), authored 12 books, and serves as an Associate Editor of Tourism Geographies. He is also involved with various universities globally as a visiting faculty member, editor, and examiner. Dr. Walia has developed multiple e-learning modules and MOOCs for tourism education.
Prof Elmarie Slabbert
Prof Elmarie Slabbert is currently the Director for the Research Unit TREES (Tourism Research in Economic Environs and Society) at North-West University (South Africa). She completed her PhD in 2005 and is currently focusing on the potential of game meat, travel behaviour, socio-cultural impact of tourism, and marketing issues. Prof Slabbert is the chairperson of the Southern African Institute for Management Scientists and the Tourism Educators of South Africa. She is a referee to the National Research Foundation (NRF) and various accredited journals. She serves on the editorial boards of several national and international journals. She is currently a rated researcher at the National Research Foundation (C3).
Mr Victor Mokoena
SANParks Garden Route Region GM
Prof Taofeek Babatunde Ogunbayo
Dr. Taofeek B. Ogunbayo is an Associate Professor in Physical Chemistry at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Photochemistry and photodegradation of environmental pollutants are among his research interests.
Prof Peter Osifo
Prof. Peter O. Osifo is a professor of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), South Africa. He holds a BEng in Chemical Engineering, MTech in Biotechnology, and a PhD in Chemical Engineering. He has worked in academia for over two decades, serving as a lecturer, senior lecturer, department head, and Dean of Engineering and Technology. His research focuses on the circular economy, renewable energy, waste management, pollution control, bioenergy production, wastewater treatment through biodegradation using membrane bioreactor systems, and heavy metal removal using biosorbents. He has received numerous awards and published scientific papers in high-impact journals in environmental sciences and engineering.
Dr Teboho Pitso
Teboho Pitso holds a PhD read at the University of the Witwatersrand and leads the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Vaal University of Technology. He publishes in areas such as creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship within learning and teaching spaces. He was invited to keynote the World Conference on Education and Training in Tokyo, Japan in August 2025. He serves as a reviewer for local and international journals and has supervised postgraduate students. His vision of learning involves developing a location and domination-free learning that ought to be accessed asynchronously turning both students and educators into
digital nomads.
