NRF Women's Month 2026: Dr Siviwe Odwa Malongweni

Every research journey starts with a question. This Women’s Month, the NRF celebrates women driven by curiosity — researchers whose questions, ideas and determination are expanding our understanding of the world around us. From exploring the unknown to deepening our existing knowledge, curiosity remains at the heart of discovery. We thank all participants for sharing their stories with us.

Dr Siviwe Odwa Malongweni is a Global Climate & Sustainability Lead Researcher at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and also serve as a Lecturer in Soil Science and Climate Systems in the Faculty of Science and Agriculture at the University of Fort Hare. She received NRF funding for her Doctoral studies, and she is currently involved in an NRF-supported research project in partnership with the South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF-SAEON).

How has your affiliation with the NRF impacted your studies/career?

My relationship with the National Research Foundation (NRF) has been a significant and continuous component of my academic and professional development. Through various NRF-supported initiatives, I have been able to contribute to nationally and internationally relevant research in climate change, soil carbon dynamics, ecosystem resilience, sustainable land management, and environmental restoration.

My doctoral studies at the University of the Free State were supported through NRF-funded research. My PhD focused on investigating the interactive effects of fire, herbivory, and vegetation dynamics on soil quality within South African savanna and grassland biomes, particularly within protected areas and national parks. This work provided important insights into ecosystem functioning, nutrient cycling, and the role of disturbance regimes in shaping soil health and long-term ecosystem sustainability. The NRF’s support enabled me to undertake extensive fieldwork, laboratory analyses, scientific dissemination, and collaboration with leading researchers in the field of ecosystem ecology and soil science.

Currently, I am involved in an NRF-supported research project funded through the Earth System Science Research Programme (ESSRP) of the National Research Foundation. This work is undertaken in partnership with the South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF-SAEON), specifically through the NRF-SAEON Arid Lands Node. Within this project, I serve as one of the lead researchers due to my expertise in climate change science, soil carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas accounting, and carbon market methodologies.

The project focuses on understanding how disturbances, particularly fire, influence soil carbon dynamics across South Africa’s arid and semi-arid ecosystems, including the Nama-Karoo, Succulent Karoo, and Albany Thicket biomes. Our research investigates changes in soil organic carbon stocks, labile carbon fractions, black carbon formation, and ecosystem recovery following fire events. The study aims to generate robust scientific evidence that can improve carbon monitoring frameworks, strengthen climate adaptation strategies, and support sustainable land management across South Africa’s drylands.

As part of this work, I have conducted extensive field sampling across the Karoo and Kalahari regions and have collaborated with NRF-SAEON researchers working on long-term ecological monitoring platforms. The project also integrates data from flux tower systems that continuously measure ecosystem-scale carbon exchange. These measurements provide critical information for understanding carbon sinks and sources, validating remote sensing products, improving greenhouse gas inventories, and strengthening national carbon accounting systems.

The NRF-supported opportunities have also enabled me to contribute to scientific advancement beyond field-based research. Most recently, my academic mentor and I published a peer-reviewed review paper examining the applicability of IPCC Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 approaches for soil organic carbon estimation within the context of the Verra Verified Carbon Standard (VCS). The review critically evaluated carbon modelling approaches such as CENTURY, RothC, AMG, and SNAPGRAZE and assessed their suitability for South Africa’s highly diverse soils and environmental conditions. This work contributes to strengthening the scientific foundation of carbon credit projects and improving the accuracy, transparency, and credibility of soil carbon quantification methodologies.

Beyond research projects, I have also served as a Research Scientist affiliated with the Centre for Global Change – an NRF-supported research centre that advances interdisciplinary research on climate change, environmental sustainability, and socio-ecological systems. This role provided opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, engage with policymakers, contribute to climate-related research initiatives, and participate in national and international scientific networks.

In parallel with my academic work, I have gained industry experience through my role with Anthesis, one of the world’s leading sustainability and carbon consulting firms. This experience has enabled me to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical implementation by applying carbon accounting methodologies, climate mitigation strategies, and sustainable land management approaches in real-world settings. The combination of NRF-supported academic research and professional industry experience has strengthened my ability to contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s climate response and environmental sustainability agenda.

The impact of NRF support on my career has been profound. It has enabled me to develop specialised expertise in climate change science, soil carbon sequestration, ecosystem restoration, greenhouse gas accounting, and sustainable land management. It has facilitated collaborations with leading scientists, government agencies, research institutions, and industry stakeholders while providing opportunities to present research at national and international platforms, engage in science communication initiatives, and contribute to policy-relevant discussions.

Importantly, NRF support has positioned me to contribute to some of the most pressing environmental challenges facing South Africa and the world. Through advancing our understanding of carbon sequestration, ecosystem resilience, land degradation, and climate adaptation, this work contributes to improving national greenhouse gas inventories, strengthening carbon market integrity, supporting evidence-based policy development, promoting sustainable land management practices, and enhancing ecosystem restoration efforts. These outcomes are directly relevant to South Africa’s climate commitments, biodiversity conservation objectives, sustainable development priorities, and broader global efforts to address climate change.

Overall, the NRF has played a pivotal role in shaping my research career, enabling me to develop as an interdisciplinary scientist whose work bridges fundamental research, applied environmental management, and climate action. The opportunities provided through NRF-supported programmes continue to expand my ability to generate impactful science that benefits both South Africa and the global community.

What is your research focus or area of expertise?

My research focuses on climate change, soil carbon, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable land management. In simple terms, I study how landscapes store carbon, recover from disturbances such as fire, and contribute to climate change mitigation.

I am currently involved in an NRF-funded project led by Prof van Tol of the University of the Free State, in partnership with NRF-SAEON, where I serve as one of the lead researchers who investigate how climate change affects soil carbon and ecosystem recovery across South Africa’s arid and semi-arid regions, including the Karoo and Kalahari. We also look at how flux tower data can be used for carbon monitoring. Integrating flux tower data with satellite observations can help refine national greenhouse gas inventories, guide sustainable land-use policies, and improve our capacity to track long-term soil carbon sequestration at multiple scales. Understanding these processes helps us develop better ways to manage land, improve ecosystem resilience, and support climate adaptation.

My work primarily focuses on improving how soil carbon is measured and monitored for carbon credit projects and national greenhouse gas reporting. This helps ensure that climate solutions are scientifically credible, transparent, and effective.

Ultimately, my research aims to provide practical, science-based solutions that support environmental sustainability, strengthen climate resilience, and contribute to South Africa’s transition towards a more sustainable future.

Beyond my research, I am passionate about science communication and ensuring that scientific knowledge reaches the public, policymakers, and land managers in a way that can inform real-world decision-making. I believe that research should not only advance knowledge but also contribute practical solutions to challenges such as climate change, land degradation, and sustainable development.

As an early-career scientist, I am committed to building collaborations across academia, industry, government, and communities to help strengthen South Africa’s contribution to global sustainability and climate resilience efforts.

What sparked your curiosity about your field of research, and what continues to keep you curious?

What first sparked my curiosity was seeing how closely people, climate, and ecosystems are connected. I became fascinated by the idea that something as simple as soil beneath our feet could influence food security, biodiversity, and even climate change.

What keeps me curious is that there are still many unanswered questions about how ecosystems respond to disturbances such as fire, drought, and land-use change. Every landscape tells a different story, and uncovering those stories helps us develop better solutions for a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.

What is one thing you wish more people understood about your field of research?

I wish more people understood that healthy soils are not just dirt – they are one of our most important natural resources. They store carbon, support food production, regulate water, and help ecosystems withstand climate change.

Small changes in how we manage land can have a significant impact on both environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

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