Aquatic Systems Research Group

Laboratory members

Current Students

BSc Hons 

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Glencia Matimu Chauke received a BSc Environmental Sciences and is currently enrolled for BSc Hons Environmental Sciences degree at the University of Venda. Glencia research topic is Understanding the ecology and distribution of the alien invasive snail Tarebia granifera in Nandoni reservoir. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu and Mr Farai Dondofema. 2020. 
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Thendo Liphadzi graduated with a BSc Environmental Sciences at University of Venda. He is currently working towards attaining an BSc Hons Environmental Sciences and for his project, Thendo will aim to understand the potential impacts of rotenone on selected aquatic invertebrate and fish communities within the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Supervisor: Dr Tatenda Dalu. 2020. ​​
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​Ronald Mashamba graduated with a BSc Environmental Sciences at University of Venda. He is currently working towards attaining an BSc Hons Environmental Sciences and for his project, Ronald will be working on the diet of catfish Clarias gariepinus from Nylsvlei, a Rasmar Wetland of international importance. Supervisor: Dr Tatenda Dalu. 2020. ​​

Masters 

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Fhatuwani Makherana received her BSc and BSc Hons Environmental Science degrees from University of Venda. She holds a Certificate in GIS. Her BSc Hons looked at investigating impacts of tourism development on local communities around Nandoni Dam. She is currently working towards attaining an MSc Environmental Sciences on "Relationship between water and sediment quality variables on the invasive snail Tarebia  granifera  abundances and its distribution in Nandoni Reservoir". Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Mr Farai Dondofema, Dr Ross N Cuthbert. 2020–present. 
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Cyncinatia Malapane graduated with a BSc Hons Environmental Sciences at University of Venda. She is currently working towards attaining an MSc Environmental Sciences on "Assessing the impact of land use change on wetlands using remote sensing techniques in Nylsvley Wetland". Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, ​Dr Eduard M Stam, Mr Farai Dondofema. 2019–present.  Awaiting UHDC approval for final thesis submission
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Lufuno Makhuvha is currently an MSc student within the Department of Ecology and Resource Management at University of Venda. She holds a BSc Hons in Environmental and Resource Sciences from the University of Limpopo. Her current research topic is Organic matter dynamics within a Ramsar wetland: A case study of Nylslvei. Her hobbies are reading, travelling, listening to music and spending time with family and friends. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Dr Ryan J Wasserman. 2019–present. Awaiting UHDC approval for final thesis submission
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Edward Mhlongo received his BSc Environmental Science and BSc Environmental Science Hons degrees from University of Venda. His BSc Hons funded by NRF looked at Lantana camara species invasion: road-river interchanges as invasion conduits. He is currently enrolled for an MSc with the Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University. His research topic is Socio-ecological effects of L. camara invasion on local communities in Vhembe biosphere reserve, South Africa. Outside the academic space he enjoys photography, traveling, music, gaming, computer troubleshooting. Supervisors: Dr Sheunesu Ruwanza, Dr Tatenda Dalu. 2019–present. Awaiting UHDC approval for final thesis submission
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Fulufhelo Faith Muthivhi graduated with BSc Hons Environmental Sciences at University of Venda. Her research interests lie in the fields of conservation and remote sensing. For her BSc Hons, she worked on the impacts of landscape characteristics on species habitat diversity of Thulamela Municipality. For her MSc studies, she will be working on Assessing spatio-temporal variation in primary productivity of Nandoni Reservoir in Vhembe District. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Mr Farai Dondofema, Dr Matjutla Mokgoebo. 2020–present.
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Takalani Vincent Netshituni obtained his BSc and BSc Hons Environmental Science degrees from University of Venda. He also holds a Certificate in GIS. His project for BSc Hons degree focused on characteristics of Abutilon theophrasti population in two state-owned nature reserves, Vhembe district, Limpopo province. He is currently working towards attaining his MSc Environmental Sciences on "Effects of wildfire on aquatic ecosystem primary productivity". Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Mr Farai Dondofema, Dr Ross N Cuthbert. 2020–present.
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Alugumi Yesaya Nemalili is an MSc student in Rural Development within the Institute for Rural Development, University of Venda. He is currently working for Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. His research focus is on Evaluating the contribution of rural development project to Zandspruit river water pollution, Gauteng Province, South Africa. Supervisors: Dr Jethro Zuwarimwe, Dr Tatenda Dalu. 2018–present.

Doctoral 

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Thendo Mutshekwa is a motivated and creative individual, with BSc and BSc Hons Environmental Sciences from University of Venda. He worked as a Research Assistant on invasive plant species project within the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve. For his MSc study, he focused on the leaf litter decomposition in small agricultural reservoirs and he will be extending the work for his PhD focusing on the impacts of macadamia leaves and pesticides on aquatic food webs. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Prof Ryan J Wasserman, Dr Lutendo Mugwedi.​ 2020–present. 
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Linton Fhatuwani Munyai joined the University of Venda as an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Environmental Sciences in 2012 and went on to complete his BSc, BSc Honours and MSc Degree research on water quality and supply. During his MSc, he used remote sensing to map Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and chlorophyll-a dynamics and also tried to come up remediation techniques of cyanobacterial blooms in aquaculture fish ponds within the Vhembe District, South Africa. For his PhD, he will be focusing on Biodiversity, trophic structure and connectivity of ephemeral aquatic ecosystems within the Makuleke Wetlands. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Prof Ryan J Wasserman, Dr Lutendo Mugwedi.​ 2020–present. 
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Tinyiko Sally Mthombeni completed her MSc Environmental Sciences from the University of the Witwatersrand focusing on acid mine drainage and phytoremediation in artificial wetlands. Globally, there are over 300 faunal species known to use wetlands for their survival. Thus, for her PhD, Tinyiko will be working on the Land use and ecological assessment of a subtropical non-protected wetland system: A case study of the Sambandou Wetlands, South Africa. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Dr Lutendo Mugwedi.​ 2020–present. 
Submitted for Examination

Graduated Students 

PhD
  1. Tinotenda Mangadze. 2020. Ecological assessment using complimentary biomonitoring techniques: the case of Bloukrans River system, South Africa. PhD Marine Biology. Rhodes University, Grahamstown. Supervisors: Prof P William Froneman, Dr Tatenda Dalu. 
MSc
  1. Terence Magqina. Age estimation, growth rate and reproductive biology of tiger fish, Hydrocynus vittatus (castelnau 1861) in Lake Kariba: assessing the impact of decades of fishery exploitation. MPhil Aquatic Ecology, University of Zimbabwe, Harare. Supervisors: Prof Tamuka Nhiwatiwa, Prof Lindah Mhlanga, Dr Tatenda Dalu. 
  2. Mukondi Olga Ligege. 2020. Assesing the effects of powerline servitudes as corridors for alien plant invasion: a case study of Fundudzi and Khakhu powerline corridors. MSc Environmental Science with Merit. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Dr Eduard M Stam. 
  3. Ndivhuwo Robert Netshiongolwe. 2020. Quantifying metal contamination variation and potential uptake by Phragmites australus Adans. (Poaceae) along a subtropical river system. MSc Environmental Science with Merit. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Dr Lenin D Chari, Dr Samuel N Motitsoe. 
  4. Onica Mukhuwana. 2020. Challenges affecting the management of Thulamela wetlands: managers’ engagement with local communities use of wetlands. MSc Environmental Science with Merit. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Mwazvita TB Dalu, Dr Tatenda Dalu​, ​Mrs Florence M Murungweni. 
  5. Pretty Dlamini. 2020. Assessing the influence of water level fluctuations on macroinvertebrate community assemblages in two small subtropical farm reservoirs. MSc Environmental Science with Merit. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Dr Matjutla Mokgoebo. 
  6. Rendani Mbedzi. 2020. The occurrence and distribution of microplastics in surficial sediments and fish in a South African reservoir. MSc Earth Sciences in Mining and Environmental Geology with Merit. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Mrs Florence M Murungweni. 
  7. Rolindela Tshivhase. 2020. An assessment of metals and nutrient dynamics within soil-sediments: a case study of the Nylsvlei Ramsar Wetland (South Africa). MSc Environmental Science with Merit. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Prof Ryan J Wasserman, Mrs Florence M Murungweni.
  8. Thendo Mutshekwa. 2020. Assessing the effects of invasive and native leaf litter decomposition dynamics in agricultural water impoundments. MSc Environmental Science with Merit. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Prof Ryan J Wasserman, Mrs Florence M Murungweni. 
  9. Molline Natanah Chido Gusha. 2018. A community–wide trophic structure analysis in intertidal ecosystems on the south coast of South Africa. MSc Marine Biology with Merit. Rhodes University, Grahamstown. Supervisors: Distinguished Prof Christopher McQuaid, Dr Tatenda Dalu.
  10. Simphiwe Gininda. 2017. Effect of pollution on community assemblages of a small river system: A case of Bloukrans River, South Africa. MSc Marine Biology with Distinction. Rhodes University, Grahamstown. Supervisors: Prof Nicole B Richoux, Dr Tatenda Dalu.
BSc Hons
  1. Katlego William Masasane​. 2020. Assessing key drivers and use of Thohoyandou’s urban green spaces.  BSc Hons Environmental Science. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Mwazvita TB Dalu, Dr Tatenda Dalu. 2019. 
  2. Thabiso Banda. 2020. Effects of a wastewater treatment plant on mircoplastics distribution along the Mvudi River (Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa). BSc Hons Environmental Science. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisor: Dr Tatenda Dalu. 
  3. Mokgale Merchatte Maenetje. 2020. Enrichment and geoaccumulation of heavy metals in the superficial sediments and macrophytes along a subtropical river system. BSc Hons Environmental Science. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisor: Dr Tatenda Dalu. 
  4. Khumbelo Mulondo. 2020. Assessing variation and dynamics in below–ground organic matter along the Nylsvlei wetland, South Africa. BSc Hons Environmental Science. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu.
  5. Mathapelo Jaqualine Methi. 2020. Assessing and monitoring the abundance and diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates in a Ramsar wetland: a case study of Nylsvley Wetland. BSc Hons Environmental Science. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu.
  6. Phumudzo Ragimana. 2020. Assessing the significance of the public’s negative perceptions towards large wood in river ecosystems following flooding experiences. BSc Hons Environmental Science. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisor: Dr Mwazvita TB Dalu, Dr Tatenda Dalu. 
  7. Rabelani Seshonge. 2020. Considering the links between street vending and poverty alleviation in the case of Thohoyandou. BSc Hons Environmental Science. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Mwazvita TB Dalu, Dr Tatenda Dalu. 
  8. Rotondwa Matshidze. 2020. Mapping the distribution of the common reed Phragmites australis (Cav.) Steud. using aerial imagery in Nylsvley Wetland, South Africa. BSc Hons Environmental Science. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Mr Farai Dondofema, Dr Tatenda Dalu.
  9. Rotondwa Sithagu. 2020. Assessing the effect of water depth on trophic interaction strength in ephemeral ponds. BSc Hons Zoology. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Ross N Cuthbert, Dr Tatenda Dalu.
  10. Tshedza Thriddah Murudi. 2020. Ballon milkweed Gomphocarpus physocarpus E. Mey invasion in a tropical wetland: abundances and distribution. BSc Hons Environmental Science. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Mr Farai Dondofema, Dr Tatenda Dalu. 
  11. Salphina Ntombikayise Sathekge. 2019. Differential vulnerability: Assessing the effects of invasive predator common carp Cyprinus carpio and nutrient enrichment on macroinvertebrate taxa. BSc Hons Environmental Science with Pass. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu. 
  12. Bernad Malesa. 2019. Assessing factors affecting the distribution and occurrence extent of macroplastics around Nandoni reservoir. BSc Hons Environmental Science with Pass. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu. 
  13. Rivoningo Chauke. 2019. Assessing macroinvertebrate communities in relation to environmental variables, a case of the Sambandou wetlands, Vhembe Biosphere Reserve (South Africa). BSc Hons Environmental Science with Pass. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu. 
  14. Mulweli Makatu. 2019. Assessing the relative contribution of indigenous forest products to rural livelihoods: A case of Mavunde and Sambandou villages, Vhembe Biosphere Reserve (South Africa). BSc Hons Environmental Science with Pass. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Mwazvita TB Dalu, Dr Tatenda Dalu. 
  15. Muhali Hulisani. 2019. Is awareness on plastic pollution being raised in primary and secondary schools? A case of Thulamela Municipality district. BSc Hons Environmental Science with Pass. University of Venda, Thohoyandou. Supervisors: Dr Mwazvita TB Dalu, Dr Tatenda Dalu. 
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