Papers by Kgosietsile M Velempini, Ph.D.
Southern African Journal of Environmental Education
Since 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed challenges to but also highlighted the urgent need fo... more Since 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed challenges to but also highlighted the urgent need for transforming education for sustainable futures. The purpose of this article is to share insights gained from a southern African study on intersecting influences of water, food, livelihoods and education, and what they mean for Education for Sustainable Development going forward. The interest is to learn from this study in ways that can inform transformation of education for sustainable futures in southern Africa going forward. The study involved a number of early career researchers in SADC countries, and was conducted via an online approach during the early days of the pandemic. It followed a qualitative research design, employed document analysis, interviews and questionnaires, and drew on a systems perspective to inform analysis. The findings are as relevant today as they were in the pandemic, and point to the importance of giving attention to intersecting issues that affect educatio...
Teaching and learning must be transformed in order to prepare learners to respond to escalating s... more Teaching and learning must be transformed in order to prepare learners to respond to escalating social, economic and environmental challenges. The primary purpose of this paper is to contribute to the process of wilding pedagogy. The lessons learned in this paper emerge mainly from a desktop study and educational excursions to a natural resources management centre in a rural village and an educational reserve. The excursions provide practical illustrations of learning in the wild by students. Responding to social, economic and environmental challenges can be facilitated through pedagogical policy interventions. In Botswana, educational policy seeks to promote learner-centred approaches to education. However, in practice, there are limited opportunities for a wilding of pedagogies. Most schools are constrained by a number of factors when trying to facilitate wildness in teaching and learning, yet the natural environment provides seemingly unlimited opportunities for active teaching a...
Socio-Ecological Practice Research, 2021
This paper assessed human–elephant conflict in the Okavango Delta Panhandle, Botswana, based on s... more This paper assessed human–elephant conflict in the Okavango Delta Panhandle, Botswana, based on semi-structured interviews of the local residents. It further explores a sustainable alternative in which humans and elephants can co-exist. In 2019, the government of Botswana lifted the country’s 5-year hunting ban. It was a controversial policy change on the hunting moratorium. Many global conservationists argued that the change would have devastating effects on elephant populations in Africa. Local people lauded the decision as a way to protect their livelihoods. Assessment of people’s experiences is significant in identifying the socio-ecological landscape related to wildlife conservation. The data from this study are augmented by global media articles on human–elephant conflict. This paper employs a systems thinking approach in rethinking how human and elephants can co-exist and imagines the potential for a sustainable alternative through ecopedagogy.
Energies, 2021
Decoupling energy, water, and food (EWF) consumption and production from GHG emissions could be a... more Decoupling energy, water, and food (EWF) consumption and production from GHG emissions could be an important strategy for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 7 (Clean and Affordable Energy) in Africa. This study applies Tapio’s decoupling method to analyze the relationship between GHG emissions and EWF resources use in 15 African countries over the period 1990–2017. The results show a remarkable relationship, which includes the contamination of EWF by GHG emissions, that mostly exhibits unsatisfactory decoupling state to satisfactory decoupling over a period of several years. The decoupling of water and energy resources from GHG emissions in most countries of Africa has not been able to reach an excellent decoupling state or a strong positive decoupling state. This requires countries in Africa to support environmentally friendly water and energy infrastructures and to promote an integrated...
Journal of Geography, 2016
ABSTRACT In this article, participatory GIS (PGIS) is explored and established as a powerful plat... more ABSTRACT In this article, participatory GIS (PGIS) is explored and established as a powerful platform for geographic education. PGIS pedagogy can help educators meet diverse learning objectives pertaining to: (1) local knowledge and place-based thinking; (2) community engagement; (3) field mapping with geospatial technologies; (4) mixed-methods research; and (5) fostering of critical reflexivity in students. The discussion is supported with insights from multiple student-facilitated PGIS projects organized in rural Tanzania. There also is a thorough discussion of the challenges and caveats associated with involving students in PGIS projects, and a call for new research for assessing and advancing PGIS pedagogy.
Research report on the JET Education Services/UNESCO southern African regional office for souther... more Research report on the JET Education Services/UNESCO southern African regional office for southern Africa/Transforming Education for Sustainable Futures South Africa OpenUpYourThinking Research Challenge. The #OpenupYourThinking: SADC Researchers Challenge took place in May and June 2020 and involved a wide range of universities located in SADC countries. This is a report from Theme 1: Education for sustainable development: COVID-19 education response intersections with the food, water and economic (livelihoods) crisis.
Energies
Decoupling energy, water, and food (EWF) consumption and production from GHG emissions could be a... more Decoupling energy, water, and food (EWF) consumption and production from GHG emissions could be an important strategy for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 7 (Clean and Affordable Energy) in Africa. This study applies Tapio’s decoupling method to analyze the relationship between GHG emissions and EWF resources use in 15 African countries over the period 1990–2017. The results show a remarkable relationship, which includes the contamination of EWF by GHG emissions, that mostly exhibits unsatisfactory decoupling state to satisfactory decoupling over a period of several years. The decoupling of water and energy resources from GHG emissions in most countries of Africa has not been able to reach an excellent decoupling state or a strong positive decoupling state. This requires countries in Africa to support environmentally friendly water and energy infrastructures and to promote an integrated...
Socio-Ecological Practice Research - Springer, 2021
This paper assessed human-elephant conflict in the Okavango Delta Panhandle, Botswana, based on s... more This paper assessed human-elephant conflict in the Okavango Delta Panhandle, Botswana, based on semi-structured interviews of the local residents. It further explores a sustainable alternative in which humans and elephants can co-exist. In 2019, the government of Botswana lifted the country's 5-year hunting ban. It was a controversial policy change on the hunting moratorium. Many global conservationists argued that the change would have devastating effects on elephant populations in Africa. Local people lauded the decision as a way to protect their livelihoods. Assessment of people's experiences is significant in identifying the socio-ecological landscape related to wildlife conservation. The data from this study are augmented by global media articles on human-elephant conflict. This paper employs a systems thinking approach in rethinking how human and elephants can co-exist and imagines the potential for a sustainable alternative through ecopedagogy.
Policy Futures in Education - SAGE, 2021
Teaching and learning must be transformed in order to prepare learners to respond to escalating s... more Teaching and learning must be transformed in order to prepare learners to respond to escalating social, economic and environmental challenges. The primary purpose of this paper is to contribute to the process of wilding pedagogy. The lessons learned in this paper emerge mainly from a desktop study and educational excursions to a natural resources management centre in a rural village and an educational reserve. The excursions provide practical illustrations of learning in the wild by students. Responding to social, economic and environmental challenges can be facilitated through pedagogical policy interventions. In Botswana, educational policy seeks to promote learner-centred approaches to education. However, in practice, there are limited opportunities for a wilding of pedagogies. Most schools are constrained by a number of factors when trying to facilitate wildness in teaching and learning, yet the natural environment provides seemingly unlimited opportunities for active teaching and authentic learning. Though not explicitly stated, it is taken for granted that learning institutions are limited in their abilities to practise wild pedagogies due to budgetary constraints and a congested curriculum. This paper suggests that educational policy interventions can be implemented to enable transformative change that also promotes students' engagement, discovery and autonomy while also learning in outdoor settings that support the aims of wild pedagogies.
Botswana Notes and Records, 2008
The goal of this study was to gather information on indigenous technical knowledge and its applic... more The goal of this study was to gather information on indigenous technical knowledge and its application in the utilization of veld products and wildlife by two communities in the southern Kalahari. The region in south western Botswana is semi-arid, and prone to droughts and range degradation, with rural livelihoods in general characterized by a distinct lack of opportunities due to the decline of Kalahari wildlife and lack of suitable water for livestock. The study tested the assumption that local people still employ indigenous ways of managing veld products and wildlife. It used quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques consisting of a survey and other participatory methods such as the administration of questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The study showed that environmental indicators play a significant role in the management and utilization of key veld products and wildlife species. It is concluded that a combination of indigenous and modern knowledge can be used to improve management of both veld products and wildlife in the region and that the best way to achieve this would be through the adoption of a management oriented monitoring system (MOMS).
Energies, 2021
Decoupling energy, water, and food (EWF) consumption and production from GHG emissions could be a... more Decoupling energy, water, and food (EWF) consumption and production from GHG emissions could be an important strategy for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 7 (Clean and Affordable Energy) in Africa. This study applies Tapio’s decoupling method to analyze the relationship between GHG emissions and EWF resources use in 15 African countries over the period 1990–2017. The results show a remarkable relationship, which includes the contamination of EWF by GHG emissions, that mostly exhibits unsatisfactory decoupling state to satisfactory decoupling over a period of several years. The decoupling of water and energy resources from GHG emissions in most countries of Africa has not been able to reach an excellent decoupling state or a strong positive decoupling state. This requires countries in Africa to support environmentally friendly water and energy infrastructures and to promote an integrated, mutually managed, whole resource interaction system. The study also highlights the importance of tracking sources of GHG emissions, whether within individual resource sector activities or across resources to each other.
Mosenodi journal, 2018
Climate change induced alterations to rainfall patterns have potential to alter predominantly liv... more Climate change induced alterations to rainfall patterns have potential to alter predominantly livelihoods of small scale farmers in developing countries such as Botswana. The purpose of this study was to explore climate change knowledge at the local level. Globally, small scale farmers are unable to cope with adverse shocks and stress initiated by climate change. Lived experiences by small scale farmers, from heavy rainfalls due to unexpected weather alterations, are examined through the approach of place-based education in northern Botswana, mainly the Okavango and Chobe wetland places. This paper is guided by two questions, which ask (1) How do local farmers describe their local knowledge of climate change? (2) What are the coping strategies put in place by local farmers during climate stress conditions? Place-based education emphasizes pedagogy that involves local communities' real world learning experiences and reintegration to study local resources. Findings suggested that farmers describe climate change knowledge according to how it impacts them within the context of their history, culture and local experiences. In response to impacts, farmers have developed place-based coping strategies to cushion and sustain their livelihoods.
Environmental Education Research, 2018
The goal of this study was to gather information on indigenous technical knowledge and its applic... more The goal of this study was to gather information on indigenous technical knowledge and its application in the utilization of veld products and wildlife by two communities in the southern Kalahari. The region in south western Botswana is semi-arid, and prone to droughts and range degradation, with rural livelihoods in general characterized by a distinct lack of opportunities due to the decline of Kalahari wildlife and lack of suitable water for livestock. The study tested the assumption that local people still employ indigenous ways of managing veld products and wildlife. It used quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques consisting of a survey and other participatory methods such as the administration of questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The study showed that environmental indicators play a significant role in the management and utilization of key veld products and wildlife species. It is concluded that a combination of indigenous and modern knowledge can be used to improve management of both veld products and wildlife in the region and that the best way to achieve this would be through the adoption of a management oriented monitoring system (MOMS).
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Papers by Kgosietsile M Velempini, Ph.D.
The main purpose of the Challenge was to contribute to the generation of evidence on how education and training systems in SADC were affected by and could respond to COVID-19.
The Challenge covered six themes and
• Provided researchers with an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to shaping solutions to pressures being placed on education systems using an evidence-based approach
• Allowed for real-time inputs to be made into other national education processes led by organisations in SADC and
• Ensured that a wider group of younger researchers (below 35 years) was collectively engaged during the lockdown period, while giving them an opportunity to grow as they worked under the guidance of experienced researchers
This is a report from Theme 1: Education for sustainable development: COVID-19 education response intersections with the food, water and economic (livelihoods) crisis.