current students
BSc Hons
Rivonongo Chauke is currently doing a BSc Hons Ecology and Resource Management at the University of Venda and her research is on assessing environmental factors structuring macroinvertebrate in the Sambandou wetland within the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve. Her hobbies include socializing and listening to music. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu
Mulweli Makatu is a BSc Hons student within the Department of Ecology and Resource Management, University of Venda. She is currently working on a research project looking at rural livelihoods and use of natural resources within Sambandou and Vhuri Vhuri villages. Her hobbies include reading, nature and singing. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Mrs Mwazvita TB Dalu
Bernard Malesa is currently doing a BSc Hons degree in Ecology and Resource Management at the University of Venda. His research project is on freshwater aquatic ecosystems, focusing on assessing the distribution of macro-plastic pollution in freshwater environments. The goal of this study is to determine the distribution of different types of macro-plastic within freshwater bodies in Thulamela District. He is a humble guy who enjoys going to the gym and watching football. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu
Salphina Ntombikayise Sethekge is BSc Hons student with the Department of Ecology and Resource Management, University of Venda working on a research project looking at Differential variability of prey: Assessing the effect of invasive predator common carp and nutrient pollution. She is team player, intelligent and easily connect with others. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu
MSc/Mphil
Pretty Dlamini is currently enrolled as an MSc student in the Department of Geography and Geo-Information Sciences at the University Of Venda. Her current research topic is Assessing the influence of aquatic macrophytes and water level fluctuations on macroinvertebrates assemblages in small agricultural dams. Her BSc Hons research was funded by NRF and focused on The use of macroinvertebrates population to assess the river health status of Madanzhe River, Thohoyandou, Limpopo South Africa. Her hobbies are reading, watching movies and dancing. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Mr Matjutla Mokgoebo
Khuthadzo Mavhungu is currently enrolled as an MSC student within the Department of Ecology and Resource Management, University of Venda Under. Khuthadzo is researching about invasive under the topic Paving the way for invasive species invasion: road-river interchanges as invasive conduits within Vhembe Biosphere Reserve. For his BSc Hons funded by the SARCHI Bursary, he studied Application of Remote sensing (SPOT Imagery) and GIS to monitor Black wattle (Acacia Mearnsii) at zvakanaka cottage and Farm in Makhado Local Municipality (part of Soutpensberg Mountain). He enjoys working on community projects. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Dr Sheunesu Ruwanza, Mrs Florence Murungweni
Rendani Mbedzi is an MSc student within the Department of Ecology and Resource Management, University of Venda. Her current research project is focused on defining the effects of micro-plastic pollution in reservoirs. The project addresses the sources, spread and effects of micro-plastics in water, sediment and aquatic species. Her previous project was focused on assessing the socio-environmental impacts of artisanal and small-scale gold mining in the Giyani Greenstone Belt. Rendani is a member of the Geological Society of South Africa and has a keen in exploring the world. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Dr Eduard M Stam
Onica Mukhuwana MSc project is focused on Factors affecting the efficient management of wetlands: stakeholders’ targets vs local communities perception and needs in the Vhembe District. After completing her BSc Biodiversity Conservation at the University of Venda, she joined Stellenbosch University in 2010 to pursue her BSc Hons Botany degree. Although she graduated BSc Hons Botany, she was exposed to different fields of science namely Botany, Freshwater Ecology, Invasion Biology, Zoology and Conservation. Her BSc Hons project was on The effect of Phosphorus concentration on the nutritional physiology of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Mrs Florence Murungweni, Mrs Mwazvita TB Dalu
Thendo Mutshekwa is a motivated and creative individual, with BSc Environmental Sciences and BSc Hons Environmental Sciences from University of Venda. He has worked as a Research Assistant on invasive plant species project. Currently, he is doing his MSc within the Department of Environmental Sciences focusing on the decomposition of organic matter of indigenous vs invasive plant leaves and their effects on terrestrial and aquatic insects diversity. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Mrs Florence Murungweni.
Terrence Magqina is an MPhil student at the University of Zimbabwe in the Biological Sciences Department, University of Zimbabwe. He earned a BSc Honours degree Biological Sciences and comes from a research background that integrates ecology (aquatic and terrestrial) and conservation. His previous research work involves comparing stress hormones between painted dogs (Lycaon pictus) across Zimbabwe so as to put management policies into conserving the endangered species. He is currently working on aging tigerfish in Lake Kariba looking at population dynamics and assessing impacts of recreational and artisanal fishing on the tigerfish population. Outside of work, his interests include hiking, swimming and travelling. Supervisors: Prof Tamuka Nhiwatiwa, Prof Lindah Mhlanga, Dr Tatenda Dalu
Rolindela Tshivhase is a graduate in BSc Hons Mining and Environmental Geology graduate from the University of Venda. For her MSc Environmental Science studies with the Department of Ecology Resource and Management, University of Venda, she will be working wetlands, assessing heavy metal and nutrient dynamics within soil sediments and macrophytes. Previous experience in research has taught her to work under pressure to meet deadlines, be a critical thinker and be determined. In addition she has developed strong communication and problem solving skills. She currently works for Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Limpopo. Supervisors: Dr Tatenda Dalu, Dr Sheunesu Ruwanza
phd
Tinotenda Mangadze is a PhD student in Aquatic Ecology working on diatoms and macroinvertebrates in Kowie River system and is based within the Department of Zoology and Entomology at Rhodes University. Her main areas of expertise include river health assessment, biological monitoring of freshwater systems, ecotoxicology and climate related issues. She also has experience in field-based research. Tinotenda studied for a bachelors’ and MPhil degree in Aquatic Ecology with Chinhoyi University of Technology, Zimbabwe where she also worked as a Teaching Assistant from 2012 to 2016 in the Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation Department. Her current research focuses on River Health Assessment using diatom communities in a small Austral temperate river system in South Africa. Supersivors: Prof P William Froneman, Dr Tatenda Dalu
Lightone Trevor Marufu [Mentor - Trophic Ecology]
Lubabalo Mofu [Mentor - Plankton Ecology]
Graduated students
- Molline NC 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.
- 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: A/Prof Nicole B Richoux, Dr Tatenda Dalu.