MA Geography, Environmental Studies and Tourism

Incoming 2015

From University of the Western Cape

Research Project:
Lost in translation – Member communities’ understandings of ‘biodiversity’ in the context of KwaZulu-Natal’s Biodiversity Stewardship Programme

My name is Lindokuhle Khumalo and I am pursuing a MA degree in Geography at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa.

My thesis deals with member communities’ understandings of ‘biodiversity’ in the context of KwaZulu-Natal’s Biodiversity Stewardship Programme.

The study draws on poststructuralist political ecology to explore the contestations around the key term ‘biodiversity’ in this context.

I spent two weeks in Cologne and was able to talk to and work with Professors and students of the University of Cologne and elsewhere working within my thematic area. This scientific exchange was very fruitful for my work and future endeavors.

I also took part in the "Academic Training Workshop", which covered topics like academic writing, PhD proposal writing, grant proposal writing and how to write and publish a scientific paper. As a young researcher I found the experience to be very enriching not only academically but also personally.

Thanks to the project "Remapping the Global South" and the GSSC I was able to network and create relationships with other young scholars from different parts of the world.