National Best Presenter Award for Geography Master’s Student

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Mr Peter Moumakwe, who is pursuing his master’s degree in Geography at UKZN, received the best presenter award in his category at the Society for South African Geographers (SSAG) Student Conference held at the University of the Free State.

Attending the conference was a positive experience for Moumakwe and reaffirmed the significance and impact of his research as it attracted interest within his academic community.

Emerging from his master’s research, his conference presentation was titled: Assessing the Spatial and Temporal Variations of Rainfall Characteristics during the Summer Rainy Season in the Limpopo Province of South Africa from 1990 to 2020.

This involved the complex dynamics of rainfall variability and the atmospheric processes and systems driving its spatial and temporal variations, as well as its trends. Moumakwe’s research supports efforts to address adaptation to climate change and variability, and sustainable water resource management.

‘My study delves deep into the complex dynamics of rainfall variability, shedding light on critical patterns and factors influencing precipitation trends,’ he said.

Supervised by Dr Thembokwakhe Dube of UKZN and Dr Mokhele Moeletsi of the Agricultural Research Council (where Moumakwe is based during his master’s studies), Moumakwe hopes to produce research on rainfall variability that will contribute to addressing critical challenges.

Receiving this recognition from the SSAG was a personal milestone for Moumakwe but also testament to the dedication and collaborative effort of his supervisors, whom he acknowledged for providing unwavering support and expertise that shaped the quality and impact of his study.

‘This recognition serves as a strong foundation for future endeavours as we aim to expand our research scope, engage in more interdisciplinary collaborations, and contribute to innovative solutions in climate science,’ said Moumakwe.

He said the award has fuelled his passion for investigating the mysteries of climate patterns and their implications and motivated him to expand the boundaries of understanding in this vital area of research. Moumakwe is eager to embrace new challenges and continue making a positive difference in understanding and addressing rainfall variability.

Words: Christine Cuénod

Photograph: Supplied