NRF Youth Month 2026: Mbali Hlongwane

The NRF is committed to growing South Africa’s next generation of researchers and science communicators. June is Youth Month, and this year the NRF celebrates the youth whose work contributes to meaningful change in South Africa and beyond. We thank all participants for sharing their stories with us.

Ms Mbali Hlongwane is a Master’s student in Geography and Environmental Science at Stellenbosch University. She received funding from the NRF for her Master’s studies.

Tell us about your academic journey

I always knew I wanted to pursue work that would positively impact communities and contribute to solving real-world challenges.

I obtained my undergraduate degree in Conservation Ecology at Stellenbosch University, where I conducted my fourth year of research in the Eastern Cape. My research focused on how local communities preserve and rely on mangrove forests near them. Working with the integration of people and conservation evoked my passion for social and environmental justice.

As I progressed through university, I became increasingly aware of how environmental disasters disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, especially people living in informal settlements. This inspired me to continue my studies and pursue a Master’s degree in Geography and Environmental Science at Stellenbosch University.

As a girl from Soweto, I understand how socio-economic factors can impact the effects of climate change on people differently. Therefore, pursuing my studies in this field was a no-brainer for me.

My current Master’s research focuses on wildfire and fire preparedness in informal settlements, specifically exploring the relationship between firefighters and residents in Khayelitsha. This research combines my interests in community development, disaster management, and environmental science, while also allowing me to address issues that affect thousands of South Africans every year.

In addition to my academic work, I am passionate about youth development and community engagement. I have worked with organisations that educate children from underprivileged schools about ocean conservation and environmental awareness. These experiences have strengthened my belief that education, collaboration, and community involvement are essential for the creation of sustainable change.

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

The NRF has played an important role in supporting my postgraduate journey and helping me grow as a young researcher. Through a DSTI-NRF Postgraduate Scholarship, I have been able to focus on research that addresses real societal challenges affecting vulnerable communities in South Africa.

The support I received has allowed me to continue my Master’s studies, strengthen my academic skills, and further develop my research in GIS and disaster management. It has also given me opportunities to engage with academic networks, contribute to important conversations around environmental risk and resilience, and grow confidence in my abilities as a researcher.

Beyond academics, NRF support has positively affected my personal development. Pursuing postgraduate studies can be financially and emotionally demanding. Having institutional support has motivated me to continue to strive toward my goals. It has allowed me to focus on producing meaningful research that can contribute to the improvement of the lives of people living in high-risk communities.

What is your research focus or area of expertise?

My current research focuses on exploring the relationship between firefighters and informal settlement residents in Khayelitsha in the Western Cape. Informal settlement fires are a recurring and devastating issue in many communities, and often result in the loss of homes, belongings, livelihoods, and sometimes even lives.

My research seeks to understand how relationships, communication, trust, and collaboration between residents and fire services influence fire preparedness, prevention, and response. While much research focuses on the technical causes of fires, I am particularly interested in the human and social dimensions of fire management. I want to understand how communities perceive firefighters; what challenges firefighters experience when responding to fires in informal settlements; and how stronger relationships can improve fire management outcomes.

My work also incorporates GIS and spatial analysis to better understand patterns of vulnerability and fire risk within communities. By combining community experiences with spatial and environmental data, I hope to contribute toward more inclusive and effective fire management strategies.

This research is especially important because fires occur frequently in informal settlements across the Western Cape, yet many residents continue to face the same challenges year after year. Through this work, I hope to contribute to conversations around disaster risk reduction, community resilience, and more people-centred approaches to emergency management.

What purpose drives your research/work, and how do you hope it will contribute to meaningful change?

What drives my research is witnessing how devastating fires are for informal settlement communities. Every year, families lose their homes, belongings, important documents, and sources of income within minutes. Despite the frequency of these fires, many communities continue to face the same vulnerabilities with limited long-term change.

I believe that building healthier relationships between firefighters and informal settlement residents can play an important role in improving fire prevention and fire management. Communities and emergency services should not only interact during times of disaster, but should also work together proactively to improve preparedness, trust, communication, and education around fire safety.

I hope my research contributes toward the creation of more community-centred fire management approaches that recognise the lived experiences of residents, while also supporting firefighters in their work. By highlighting the importance of collaboration and trust, I hope this research can influence policies, community engagement strategies, and disaster management practices in ways that reduce fire risks and strengthen resilience in vulnerable communities.

Ultimately, my goal is for my research to contribute toward protecting lives, reducing repeated losses, and helping communities feel safer and more supported.

Being a young researcher can be demanding. What keeps you motivated and grounded throughout your journey?

What keeps me motivated is knowing that my research focuses on real people and real challenges that affect communities in South Africa. Hearing stories from residents who have experienced fires and seeing the impact these disasters have on families reminds me why this work matters. It motivates me to continue to research issues that are often overlooked and to contribute towards solutions that can improve people’s lives.

I am also motivated by my passion for community development, environmental management, and social justice. I believe research should not only exist in academic spaces but also contribute to meaningful change within communities. Knowing that my work has the potential to inform better disaster management practices keeps me focused and determined.

My support systems, including my family, mentors, colleagues, and academic supervisors, also keep me grounded throughout this journey. In addition, my leadership experiences and involvement in community initiatives have taught me the importance of resilience, empathy, and collaboration.

As a young researcher, I understand that challenges are part of growth, but I remain motivated by the possibility of contributing toward a safer and more resilient future for vulnerable communities.

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