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AboutISANMagazine
ISANMagazinewasbornin2021outoftheKnowledge HubforOrganicAgricultureandAgroecologyin SouthernAfrica(KHSA),aprojectfundedbyBMZand operationalisedbyGIZandAfricanNGOsthroughfive knowledgehubsmakinguptheKnowledgeCentrefor OrganicAgricultureandAgroecologyinAfrica Theaim istosupporttheemergenceofastrongregional network,tocapacitatemultipliersoffarming knowledgeandtofillknowledgegapsthathinderthe uptakeoforganicagroecology.
Editor-in-chief:FortunateNyakanda
ManagingEditor:StefanieSwanepoel
KHSAin-countrysupportteamfortheregional mediaprogramme:SunnypoImalwa&Sarlotte KalengafromtheNamibianOrganicAssociation, RabeccaMwila&ChimikaLungufromPELUM Zambia,TiwongeNkosi&DorothyLimbangafrom KusamalaInstituteofAgricultureandEcologyin MalawiandNthatiseMaphasafromtheSouth AfricanOrganicSectorOrganisation.
WelcomeNote
Celebratingthetruth-tellers,real-timestorytellersandguardiansofour freedoms.Areflectionontheroleofjournalistsinatimeofclimatechange
Ithasbeenanhonourtocollaboratewiththe journaliststhroughtheKnowledgeHubfor OrganicAgricultureandAgroecologyin SouthernAfrica(KHSA)regionalmedia programmeandtoreceivetheirsubmissions forthisspecialeditionofISANMagazine.
Throughouttheprogramme,weengaged deeplyindiscussionsaboutthecrucialrole journalistsplayincombatingtheclimatecrisis. Weexploredhowtheirworkintersectswith media’scommitmenttoobjectivityandtheir essentialresponsibilityinensuringthepublic hasaccesstoinformationthatdirectly impactstheirlivesandlivelihoods.
Thestoriesfeaturedinthiseditionpowerfully illustratethepivotalrolejournalistshavein bringingattentiontothetangibleimpactsof climatechange—especiallyonmarginalised communities.Journalistsarenotjust documentingthesechanges;theyare amplifyingthevoicesofthoseoften overlooked.Theyalsoshinealighton successfuladaptationandresilience-building efforts.Equallyimportantistheirroleinholding policymakers,corporationsandvested interestsaccountablefortheiractions.Climate changeisamultifacetedissue,intricately
wovenintoeveryaspectofourlives energy, water,health,theeconomyandbiodiversity.It demandsthatjournalistspossessabroad, integratedunderstandingofvarioussectors. Beyondthat,theymusthavetheskillto decodecomplexjargonandtransformdense scientificdataintolanguagethatisnotonly clearbutalsorelevanttotheiraudiences.
Weaskanimmenseamountfromjournalists, andtomeetthesedemands,theyneedour support accesstocomprehensivetrainingon theseinterconnectedtopics,aswellasreliable sourcesandstoryopportunities.TheKHSA regionalmediaprogrammerepresentsthe pilotofadynamic,short-seriestrainingformat toensurethatjournalistsinourregionare equippedtocontinuetheirvitalwork.
Formoreinformationabouttheprogramme, emailKHSAProgrammeDirectorat angela@sustainabilityinstitute.net.
Ingratitude
StefanieSwanepoel
Managingeditor:ISANMagazine
KHSACommunicationsManager
About KHSA’s regional media programme
Snapshot
38journalistapplicationsfrom Malawi,Namibia,SouthAfrica& Zambia;20activeparticipants 18women&20men 1between·15-24yearsofage,20 between25-35yearsand17 between36-65years. Journalistsworkedacrossa rangeofmediumsfrom television,radioandprintto bloggingandsocialmedia stories.
Timeframe:July-Nov2024 Programme:3onlineregional expertsessions,5in-person /onlinecountrysessions,3Food Jams 13articlesubmissionsforthis edition
InJuly2024,theKnowledgeHubforOrganicAgricultureand AgroecologyinSouthernAfrica(KHSA)launcheditsregional shortseriesmediaprogrammetobuildonthework undertakenbyin-countrypartnerswithjournalistsand editorsbetween2021and2023,andtostrengthenmedia networksfocusedonsustainablefoodandfarmingsystems.
PreviousKHSAmediatraining
PELUMZambiahasworkedwithabout33journalistsover thepastfiveyearsprovidingtrainingonagroecological farmingprinciplesandmethods,andstorydevelopment.
KusamalaInstituteofAgricultureandEcologyinMalawi engagedwith10journalistsand10editorsin2023ina seriesofworkshopsfocusedonreportingonsustainable farmingandmakingthelinkagesbetweenclimate changeandagriculture.
NamibianOrganicAssociationhosted2farmtoursand FoodJamsfor10journalistsin2023and2024exposing themtoapracticalsenseofthebenefitsoforganic farmingandgivingthemaccesstostorysitesand sources.
Journalistswhohadbeenthroughthesetrainingserieswere invitedtoapplyfortheregionalmediaprogramme.
Focusofthetraining
Climatechangewaschosenasthefocusof thetrainingasitisacross-cuttingissue drivenbyanddrivingmanyofthemost significantchallengesinsouthernAfrica.
Inparticular,climatechange:
Isacriticalthreattofoodproductionand thusfoodsecurityintheregion. Requireseducatedandholisticreporting inaccessibleformatsandlanguagesfor adiverserangeoftargetaudiences.
Journalistshaveauniqueopportunityto disseminateclimatechangeknowledge andinformationtocallformitigation, supportadaptationandhelpbuild resilience.
Trainingprogramme
Theprogrammewasdesignedaroundthree onlineexpertsessions,interspersedwithincountrymeetingsandthreeFoodJams.
Expertpresenters
LeonieJoubert,anacclaimedSouth Africansciencewritertacklingpressing environmentalandsocialjusticeissues.
DavidLePage,co-founder,directorand coordinatorofFossilFreeSouthAfrica campaignandenvironmentaland humanrightsjournalist
Jo-AnneSmetherham,anaward-winning journalistwithapassionfortellingstories ofthoseworkingtocreateamore humaneandsustainableworld.
StefanieSwanepoel,astrategic communicationsspecialistfocusedon foodandfarmingsystems.
In-countrysessions
Followingeachexpertpresentationsession, in-countrymeetingswereheldbyKHSA’s teamtoenablejournaliststosharetheir reflectionsonwhattheyhadlearnedand howtheycoulduseitintheirwork.
FoodJams
KHSApioneeredFoodJamsin2023, combiningacuratedfarmtourfollowedby journalistshelpingtoharvestandcooktheir ownlunch.Thismethodologysupports knowledgesharingwhileprovidingjournalists withaccesstostorymaterialandsources.
Aboutthispublication
Thisspecialeditionisanoutcomeofthe regionalmediaprogrammeanditfeatures thereflections,insightsandstoriesof selectedjournalistsintheprogramme.
TheKHSAispartoftheKnowledgeCentrefor OrganicAgricultureandAgroecologyinAfrica project,acollaborativecountry-ledpartnership fundedbytheGermanFederalMinistryof EconomicCooperationandDevelopment(BMZ) andimplementedbytheDeutscheGesellschaft fürInternationaleZusammenarbeit(GIZ)GmbH.It isoneoffiveKnowledgeHubspursuingthegoal ofdisseminatingknowledgeandshapinga networkonnational,regionalandcontinental levels.TheotherhubsareimplementedbyGIZ andcountryimplementingpartnersinNorth, West,EastandCentralAfrica. kcoa-africa.org
Amplifying urgency: Citizen journalism & the climate crisis
ByKabeloMoratwe,SouthAfrica
Theclimatecrisisishere,anditseffectsare devastatingcommunitiesaroundtheworld. Whilemainstreammediatendstofocuson high-leveldiscussionsandglobaltargets,the storiesofthosemostaffected particularlyin rural,marginalisedareas oftengounheard. Citizenjournalismbecomesavitaltool, amplifyingthevoicesofthoseonthefront linesofenvironmentaldisastersandpushing forurgentclimateaction.
Africa,despitebeingoneofthelowest contributorstoglobalcarbonemissions,is disproportionatelyimpactedbytheclimate crisis.Prolongeddroughts,floodsandrising sealevelsaredestroyinglivelihoodsand displacingentirecommunities.Yet,these experiencesareoftenreducedtonumbers andstatistics,failingtocapturethehuman costofenvironmentaldestruction.
Citizenjournalists,armedwithsmartphones andsocialmedia,havetheabilitytoshiftthis narrativebyprovidingreal-time,rawaccounts ofhowclimatechangeisaffectingtheir communities.
Citizenjournalismgivesaplatformtothose whosevoicesareoftenignoredinmainstream climatediscussions.WhenafarmerinKenya loseshercropsduetoadrought,oravillagein Nigeriaissubmergedbyrisingwaters,these storiesaredocumentedinreal-timebythe peoplelivingthroughthem.Thesefirsthand accountsbringtheclimatecrisistolife,makingit harderforpolicymakersandthepublictoignore theimmediateandhumanconsequencesof inaction.
Butcitizenjournalistsdomorethandocument destruction—theyalsohighlightresilience.Across Africa,manycommunitiesareadaptingto climatechangebyusingIndigenousKnowledge Systems(IKS)thathavelongpromoted sustainableenvironmentalpractices.
Astheclimatecrisisintensifies,citizenjournalism offersapowerfulwaytodocumentitsimpacts andadvocateforaction.Byamplifyingthevoices ofthoselivingthroughthecrisis,thesejournalists notonlybringattentiontotheproblembutalso pushforimmediate,justandglobalsolutions.
Inaworldwherethemostvulnerableareoften ignored,citizenjournalismgivesthemavoice— andthatvoiceisdemandingurgentaction.
InKenya,agroforestrytechniquesarebeing revivedtocombatdrought,andinSouthAfrica, Indigenousgroupshavesustainablymanaged ecosystemsforcenturies.Byshowcasingthese localsolutions,citizenjournalistsdemonstrate thattheanswerstotheclimatecrisisarenotonly foundinglobalpolicybutalsoingrassroots innovationsandtraditionalpractices.Citizen journalismdemocratizesclimatereporting, offeringanalternativetomainstreammediathat oftenoverlookstheexperiencesofmarginalised communities.Socialmediaplatformsallow citizenjournaliststosharestoriesdirectlywitha globalaudience,bypassingtraditionalmedia gatekeepers.Indoingso,theybringattentionto theurgentneedforclimatejusticeandchallenge thenotionthatthecrisisissomethingthatcan beaddressedwithslow,incrementalpolicyshifts. Withthispower,however,comesresponsibility. Citizenjournalistsmustensurethattheir reportingisaccurateandethical,especiallyin thedigitalagewheremisinformationcaneasily spread.Thecredibilityofthesestoriesdepends ontheirtruthfulness,particularlywhenthestakes aresohigh.
Combatting climate change misinformation: the role of journalists
ByVickyMphande,Malawi
Climatechangeisoneofthemostpressing issuesofourtime,withfar-reaching consequencesforourplanetandits inhabitants.Despiteoverwhelmingscientific evidence,however,climatechange misinformationcontinuestospread,fueledby socialmedia,politicsandspecialinterests.
InMalawi,twojournalists,ReubenBanda,a reporterforNkhomaSynodRadio,andKhumbo Chiudzu,areporterforDowaCommunity Radio,aretakingonthechallengeof combatingclimatechangemisinformation.
"Asjournalists,wehaveacriticalrole toplayincombatingclimatechange misinformation,wemustensure thattheinformationwedisseminate isaccurate,unbiased,and basedonscientificevidence.”
-ReubenBanda
Chiudzuagrees,"Climatechangeisacomplex issue,anditrequiresanuancedandinformed approach.Asjournalists,wemustbecareful nottospreadmisinformation,andinstead, focusonamplifyingthevoicesofexpertsand affectedcommunities."
Bothjournalistsemphasisedtheimportanceof fact-checkingandverifyinginformationbefore sharingitwiththepublic.AndChiudzu highlightedtheneedforjournaliststoengage withexpertsandaffectedcommunitiestogain adeeperunderstandingoftheissues,saying that"Bylisteningtothestoriesofthose affectedbyclimatechange,wecanhumanise theissueandmakeitmorerelatabletoour audiences.”
Theyalsostressedtheimportanceofusing clearandsimplelanguage."Climatechangeis acomplexissue,butthatdoesn'tmeanwe havetousecomplexlanguagetoexplainit," saidBanda.
TheDepartmentofDisasterManagementAffairsin Malawi,whichisresponsibleforcoordinatingMalawi's responsetoclimatechange,hasalsonotedthe importanceofaccurateandtrustworthyinformation.
"Asagovernment,werecognisethecriticalrolethat journalistsplayinshapingpublicdiscourseonclimate change.Wearecommittedtoprovidingjournalistswith accurateandtimelyinformationonclimatechange,and tosupportingtheireffortstocombatmisinformationand promotepublicawarenessandunderstandingofthis criticalissue,”explainedChipiliroKhamula,spokesperson fortheDepartmentofDisasterManagementAffairs.
AsReubenBandaandKhumboChiudzudemonstrate, journalistsinMalawiaretakingonthechallengeof combatingclimatechangemisinformation.Theirworkis crucialinpromotingamoreinformedandnuanced publicdiscourseaboutthiscriticalchallenge.
Combatingclimatechange misinformationrequiresa concertedeffortfrom journalists,experts,and affectedcommunities.By fact-checking,engaging withexpertsandaffected communities,andusing clearandsimplelanguage, journalistscanplayacritical roleinpromotingaccurate andtrustworthyinformation aboutclimatechange.
Climate change misinformation/disinformation in Africa
Climatechangemisinformation whether intentionalornot—underminescrucial adaptationandmitigationefforts. Itdistortsfacts,hinderingessentialchangesin industry,businessandconsumerbehavior. Africansneedreliable,timelyinformationon howtocopewithachangingclimate.
Disinformation,ontheotherhand,isthe deliberatespreadoffalseclaims,typicallyby thosewithvestedinterests,aimingtodiscredit climatescienceandblockpoliciesthatthreaten theirprofits.
Clickheretoviewarticlesrelatedtocommon climatechangemisinformation/disinformation.
Community Mphala: Catalysing sustainable food systems in Zambia
ByMisheckNyirongo,Zambia
AsZambiagrappleswiththechallengesof climatechange,environmentaldegradation andsocialinequality,ithasbecome increasinglyclearthatourfoodsystems mustundergoaradicaltransformation.And weneedinnovativemethodstosupportthis.
AustinNyirendafromLundaziDistrict Agriculture(DACO)’sOfficebemoaned,“The currenthighcostoffooditemsthroughout, accesspointsareatthedeclining productivityandproductioninourfarms, especiallythesmall-scalefarmers.Thehigh costoffoodisattributedtohighcostof farminginputs,seed,fertilisers,pesticides, herbicides,amongthem.”
Afarmer,SamNyirendaadvocated transformingsomeagriculturepoliciesor programmessuchasFarmersInputSupport Program(FISP)thatpromoteunsustainable farmingpracticessuchas,highluseof chemicalfertilisers.
CommunityMphalashaveemergedasa powerfultoolforempoweringschool communitiestotakeactionandpromote sustainablefoodsystems.
‘Mphala’referstoa‘villageforum’or communitygatheringinTumbukaculture.It isaspacewherelocalpeoplecometogether todiscussimportantissues,shareknowledge andmakecollectivedecisions,suchasthose relatedtoclimatechange.
TheseCommunityMphalasserveasa vibrantgatheringthatfacilitatesdialogue, partnershipsandcollaborationamong stakeholders,includingfarmers, policymakers,researchersandcivilsociety organisations.
IntheLundaziDistrict,theMinistryof Agriculture,asastrategicpartnerin transformingfoodsystems,isinvolvedin thesetosupportthebuildingofcapacityin schoolcommunities.
InZambia,theKHUMBILOAgroecologyMedia Services,supportedbytheZambianAlliancefor AgroeocologyandBiodiversity(ZAAB),organised twoMphalasattwoschoolsinZambia’sEastern Provincein2024.Schoolsareselectedasvenues astheyareidealcommunitygatheringspaces andhavelandavailableonwhichtosetupdemo sites.TheseCommunityMphalaswereheldunder thethemesof‘MyFoodIsAfrican’,‘Farmers’ Rights’,‘NotoGMO’and‘Agroecology’.Theyhave fosteredadeepsenseofownershipandpride amonglocalfarmers,andhighlightthe importanceofsustainablesoilfertility management,encouraginguseofavailable naturalresourcestomakebio-fertiliserslike bokashi. Theyhavealsosparkedsomeinnovative initiatives.KaithindePrimarySchoolwasinspired tocreateademonstrationplotusingbokashito showcasetosurroundingschoolcommunities.
KaithindePrimarySchool’sHeadTeacher,Francis Mumba,testified,withagleamofasmile,“Asyou cansee,themaizeweplantedon27thOctober 2024isgrowinghealthy;initiallypupilswere watering,beforetheonsetofrains.”
“Theinvolvementofyouthandeducational institutionshavebeenparticularlyimpactful,as itensuresthesustainabilityoftheseinitiatives byeducatingthenextgenerationaboutthe importanceoffoodsovereigntyandsustainable farmingpractices.”
-ZAABProgrammeOfficer,OmaliPhiri
Theestablishedevidencevalidatesthatthe conceptofCommunityMphalascanplayavital roleinamplifyingandsupportingthe developmentofagroecologicalpracticesand strengtheningclimate-resilientfoodsystems, whilereducingtheuseofchemicalpesticidesand fertilisers.
FarmerspractisingbokashimakingaftertheMphasa
Climate-resilient futures: Importance of local success stories
ByKhumboChiudzu,Malawi
Itisimportantthatwetelllocalsuccess storiestoinspireothers,showpracticalways inwhichwecanadapttoclimatechange andbuildresilience.Journalistshaveakey roleinthisregard.Onesuchstoryisthatof theMasinjaIrrigationSchemeinDowa district,Malawi.
TheMasinjaIrrigationSchemeisa remarkablestoryofcommunityresilience anddetermination.Establishedin2006,the schemehas97memberswhohavecome togethertobuildathrivingagricultural projectthathastransformedtheirlivesand livelihoods.
Despitethechallengesposedbyclimate change,thescheme'smembershave investedincanalirrigation,enablingthemto irrigateeighthectaresoflandandplanta diverserangeofcrops,includingmaize,Irish potatoes,tomatoes,peasandvegetables.
AnthonyKaferanjila,thescheme'sSecretary, saidthatin2023theschemegeneratedan impressive9.7millionMalawiKwacha(about US$5520)inprofitsfromproducesales.This hasenabledindividualmemberstoinvestin assetslikemotorcycles,oxcartsanddonkeys tofurthersupportagriculturalactivitiesand meettransportationneeds.
LabanJune,aschememember,saidthat thissuccesshadalsoenabledmembersto improvetheirfoodsecurityandreducetheir relianceonrain-fedagriculture.
“Lookingahead,weareaimingtoexpandour irrigationcoverageto20hectares,whichwill likelyleadtoevengreateryieldsandprofits,” saidJune.Headdsthatwiththeirfocuson sustainableagriculturalpracticesand communitycollaboration,theMasinja IrrigationSchemeservesasamodelfor othercommunitiesfacingsimilarchallenges.
ChikondiKamanga,theAssistantAgriculture ExtensionDevelopmentCoordinatorforDowadistrict, saidthatinaregionvulnerabletoclimatechange, theMasinjaIrrigationSchemeoffersabeaconof hopeandatestamenttothepowerofcommunityledinitiatives.
Kamangaaddedthatastheschemecontinuesto growandthrive,itwilllikelyinspireothercommunities toadoptsimilarapproaches,creatingarippleeffect ofresilienceandprosperityacrosstheregion.
Throughtheirhardworkanddetermination,the membersoftheMasinjaIrrigationSchemeare provingthateveninthefaceofclimatechange,there isalwayshopeforamoreresilientandprosperous tomorrow.
Rain-fedfarminginsubSaharanAfricaisparticularly vulnerabletoclimatechangerisingtemperatures,shifting rainfallpatternsanddroughts alldramaticallyimpactsmallscalefarmersabilityto producefoodfortheir livelihoodsandsurvival.There isincreasingfocusonimproving waterharvestingandextending irrigationtothisfarmergroupto ensureongoingproduction.
ByJavisLupheoh,Zambia
Videosandradiobroadcastsarean appropriateandeffectivewayofsharing informationaboutclimatechangeand appropriateresponses.
Watchthisshortvideopiecehereandlisten toaradiostorytitleHungerinShireWard, Zambiahere.(AvailableinPDFversiononly)
The role of journalists: Bridging climate science & lived realities
ByOnthatileTalafala,SouthAfrica
Inadequateinfrastructure(housingstormwatermanagementandsewagecompoundtheeffectsof
Climatechangedisproportionatelyimpacts vulnerablecommunities,especiallythose residinginslumareas.Thesestoriesneedto betoldtoinformclimatechangeresponses.
InEastLondon,SouthAfrica,aregion grapplingwithprofoundsocioeconomic
difficulties,theeffectsofenvironmental degradationareobvious.Combinedwith issuessuchaspollution,limitedaccessto cleanwater,andunemployment,residents livinginthecity’sslumareasexperiencea precariouslivingenvironment.
Thesecommunitiesfaceescalating climate-relatedrisksandjournalismplays acrucialroleinincreasingawarenessand drivingmeaningfulchangethroughlocal reporting.
TheslumsofEastLondonoftengounnoticed, withthestrugglesoftheirinhabitants marginalisedinmainstreamdiscussions aroundclimatechange.Buttheybearthe bruntofclimatechangeconsequences.
Soaringtemperatures,unpredictable weatherpatternsandescalatingpollution levelsresultinseverehealthhazards, particularlyrespiratoryillnesses.Themost commonistuberculosis,whichhasbecome increasinglyprevalentinthisarea.
Inthiscontext,journalismbecomesapotent advocacytool,highlightingthepressing needsofthesemarginalisedcommunities.
NarrativessharedbyEastLondon'sresidents highlightthetangibleimpactsofpollution andresourcescarcity,makingthecrisismore relatable. Localisedstorytellingcanhelptofoster empathyandsupportfromwideraudiences, underscoringthecollectiveobligationto addressclimatechange.
Nevertheless,journalistsinfinancially disadvantagedareasencountersignificant obstacles.Theseincludelimitedresources, inadequatetraininginclimatereporting,and difficultiesinaccessingreliablescientificdata impedeeffectivecommunication.Additionally, journalistsstrugglewithanenvironmentin whichtheirworkmaybeunappreciatedor overlooked,despiteitspotentialinfluence.
Overcomingthesebarriersrequiresa commitmenttoestablishingaconducive atmosphereforlocaljournalism,highlighting theimportanceoftrainingandresources specificallydedicatedtoclimatechange reporting.
Astheimpactsofclimatechange increasinglyendangerthelivelihoodsof EastLondon'sslumresidents,journalism emergesasacrucialbridgebetweenclimate scienceandhumanrealities. Byspotlightingthelivedexperiencesofthose mostaffectedandadvocatingforessential changes,journalistscanraiseawarenessand inspirepracticalsolutions.
ForEastLondon,raisingthesenarratives leavesbehindbasicreporting.Itsignifiesa dedicationtonurturingafairerandmore sustainablefutureforall.
Speaking to burning topics: Human-wildlife conflict in Zambia
ByJulietMakwama,Zambia
Asclimatechangecontinuestoalter ecosystemsduetoincreasedoccurrenceof climate-relatedshocks,human-wildlife conflictisalsobecomingacomplexissue thatrequiresimmediateattention.
Thisisbecauseclimatechangeimpacts amongotherfactorsarepushinganimalsout oftheirnormalhabitatsinsearchofwater andfood,resultinginincreasedchancesof interactionswithpeople,whoareequally beingforcedtomovelongerdistancesin fetchoffoodandwater,notesZambianbasedenvironmentalistFelixChisha.
Infact,theentiresouthernAfricaregionhas notbeensparedfromexperiencingthe effectsofclimatechangethroughrising temperaturesandchangingrainfallpatterns, resultinginecosystemalterationscausing disruptionofnaturalhabitatsforwildlife.
Cropsareraidedandpeoplekilledaswildlife moveintoterritoriesdominatedbyhumans insearchoffood,waterandshelter.
InSouthAfrica,human-wildlifeconflictin nationalparkssuchastheKrugerNational Parkisaverybigconcernwhiletheincreasing frequencyofdroughtsinneighbouring Botswanaisexacerbatingconflictinplaces suchastheOkavangoDeltawherepeople andwildlifecompeteforwater.
Thisconflictishavingadevastatingimpacton wildlifepopulations.ConservationistMaxwell Zulubelievesthatsomeanimalsmayactually goextinctashabitatlosscanleadtothem beingconfinedtosmallerareas,affecting populationsize.Zulunotesthatthereisaneed toaddresstherootcausesofclimatechange byreducinggreenhousegasemissionsand,if possible,transitioningtorenewableenergy sourcestohelpecosystemsregenerate themselves.
Zambia'sTourismMinisterRodneySikumba saidthattherehadbeen4206human-wildlife conflictinstancesrecordedinQ2,2023, resultinginthelossoflifeof10peopleand killingof53‘problematic’animalsasthey becameathreattohumanlife.
Sikumbaexpressedconcernaboutthe growingnumberofreportedincidencesasit affectsthelivesofpeopleandtheirfood security.Henotedthat,"Munchinga,Eastern, LowerZambezi,Southern,WesternandKafue regionsaretheareasinZambiawheremost ofthereportedhumanwildlifeincidences happen.Mosthuman-wildlifeconflictoccurs betweenpeopleandelephant,buffalo, hippopotamus,crocodileandbushpig.”
AccordingtotheAfricanWildlifeFoundation (AWF),human-wildlifeconflictisbornfrom competitionforlimitedresources,including watertodrink,foodtoeatandspacetolive.
AWF'sGraceWairimanotesthatwithrural communitiesrelyingonfarmingand livestock,theseactivitiesconvertcritical wildlifehabitat,oftendrivingoutofthe landscapemanyspeciesthatresident carnivoresrelyonforprey.
Withouttheirusualfoodsource,lionsand leopardsoftenturntothenextavailable option,communitylivestock,"Wairimasaid, "Ashumansettlementincreasinglyexpands, areasthathavebeenhistoricallyinhabited bywildlifeareconvertedintoagricultural plotsorgrazingareasforlivestock."Elephants alsooftenraidcommunitycrops.
GrassrootsZambia,anenvironmental conservationorganisation,hasnotedthat mitigatingthisconflictrequiressolutionsthat strikeabalancebetweenprotectingwild animalsandensuringthatthelivelihoodsof peoplearenotdisturbed.Co-founderRolf Shentonsaysthisisanissuethatwasalready predictedtoworsenmorethan25yearsago, andthatsomecountrieshavenotbeenvery activeonregionalconservationeffortssuch asTheKavangoZambeziTransfrontier ConservationArea(KAZA).
KAZAistheworld'slargestland-based transboundaryconservationareaspanning throughpartsoffivesouthernAfrican countries:Angola,Botswana,Namibia,Zambia andZimbabwe.ShentonsingledoutZambia asnotbeingactiveinKAZAsayingthereis needisforallcountriestoparticipatetowards ecosystemrestorationtoavoidthefactors makingtheclimatechangecrisisworseand hopefullyreducehuman-wildlifeconflictinthe region.Henotesthatgovernmentneedsto initiatepropermanagementofgrasslands andmakesurethatwildlifecanaccessfoodto deterthemfromstrayingintohuman settlements.Inaddition,henotesthatthereis aneedforcontinoussensitisationof communitiestonotburnbushesordisturb wildlifecorridors.
Will climate justice ever be a reality in Africa?
ByPatrickNjawala,Malawi
Climatechangeismorethanaclimate issue,it'spolitical,economicandmany thingsin-between.Africamustwakeupfrom itsslumberontheissueofclimatejustice. Justiceisnevergiven;itmustbefoughtfor.
ZwideDexterJereCo-founderandManaging DirectorofTotalLandCareinMalawishared hisexperiencesoftheCongressoftheParties (COP)29onhisreturnfromBakuin AzerbaijaninNovember2024.Heexpressed excitementoverhowdevelopedBakuisand howwellAzerbaijanhadpreparedforCOP29. Therewasaspecificrouteforguests, everythingwasinplace,henotedthat"Iwish wewerethatpreparedandthatproactivein everythingwedo".Bysaying‘we’,ZwideJere isreferringtoAfricansandMalawiansin particular.Thereisatingeoffrustrationinhis voice.
Zwideisaquietman,hisfatherisachiefwith eightwivesandgrowingupinthat environment,challengingasitwas,taught himhowtoco-existandhowtotamehis temper.Thefactthattherewasevenahint offrustrationspeaksvolumesaboutwhat Zwidefeelsaboutclimatejustice.
Zwidehas30years’experienceinlanduse andnaturalresourcesmanagement; environmentmonitoringanddeveloping; testingandpromotingsoilconservationand agroforestryinterventions;community empowerment;andproductionofuserfriendlyhigh-qualityextensionandtraining materialsintheformofmanuals,training kits,posters,leafletsandradiomessages targetingdifferentaudiences.
Workingwithruralcommunities,government, NGOsandprivatesectororganisations,Zwide iswellplacedtohandlecross-cuttingissues. Heexcelsatassessingandanalysing problemsandresolvingconflictsarising aroundresourceuse.
Hehasmademanyachievementsinhiswork overthepastthreedecades;recounting thembringsjoytohisface.Butclimate changehasreversedmanyofthegains made,and,asasonofachiefwhocares abouthissubjects,heisworriedaboutthe future.“Therearedeepchallengesaround Africancountries’positionsatCOPandthese meetingsappeartobemeretalkshops,”he notes.
Inthat,Zwideisright.AnassessmentofCOP29 pointstothreekeyweaknesses:
Theabsenceofkeygloballeaders. Thedecliningprominenceoftheclimate crisisontheglobalagenda. Theroleplayedbythisyear'sCOPpresidency.
Thismeantthatkeyissueswerenotadequately orappropriatelydealtwith.Theseincludehowto phaseoutuseoffossilfuels,meetclimate financingneeds(thereisasubstantialgapin meetingtheUS$6trillioninclimatefinancing neededby2050)andcooperationand knowledgetransfer.
Thereisalsoasignificantgapinmember countries’climatetargetsandmitigation capabilitiesandafailuretosecureagreement fromthe197partieswhoparticipate.
Itislikebeggingthepersonhurtingyoutotake youtothehospital,whatwouldstopthatperson fromhurtingyouagain?Africancountrieslike Malawishouldbeangry.AslongasAfricagoesto thesemeetingwithareconciliatorytone,nothing willchange.
Justiceisnevergiven;itmustbefoughtfor. Africamustwakeupfromitsslumber.
Climate change Conference of the Parties
CongressoftheParties(COP)29wasthe UnitedNationsClimateChangeConference thattookplace11-22NovemberinAzerbaijan. Thesemeetingsbringtogetherworldleaders andnegotiatorsfromthememberstates (parties)oftheUnitedNationsFramework ConventiononClimateChange(UNFCCC).
KeyprioritiesforCOP29weretosecureanew goalonclimatefinance,ensurethatcountries couldtakestrongeraction,radicallyreduce greenhousegasemissionsandbuildresilient communities.
Representativesalsospokeaboutthenext roundofnationalclimateplansandreporting onprogressmadeagainstthese.
TheannualCOPmeetingsareanoutcomeof theUNFCCCtreatyfrom1992andthe2015Paris Agreement. Itistheworld’sonlymultilateral decision-makingforumonclimatechange, bringingtogethermostcountries.
ReadtheBBC’scoverageoftheoutcomesof COP29relatedtothefundinggivento developingcountries,andmore.
Sharing knowledge to combat climate change: Soil acidity
ByFrancisMaingaila,Zambia
Journalistshaveakeyroleinsharingstories thatprovidesolutionstocriticalissues,such asthoseaffectingstaplecropproductionthat willbeexacerbatedbyachangingclimate affectingfoodsecurityandlivelihoods.The articleisanexampleofthiskindofreporting.
Soilacidityposesanurgentandgrowing threattoZambia’sagriculturalproductivity, endangeringstaplecropslikemaize,cassava andgroundnuts,whilethreateningthe livelihoodsofmillionsofsmallholderfarmers whodependonagriculturetofeedtheir familiesandsustainruraleconomies.
Mitigatingsoilacidityiscriticaltosecuring foodsecurityandfosteringsustainability. PatsonNcube,afarmerandsoilmicrobiology enthusiast,isamongthosewitnessingthe devastatingimpactfirsthand.
“Acidicsoilsareslashingouryields. It’snotjustaproductivityissue— it’sasurvivalissue.” -PatsonNcube
Ncubeemphasisesthatembracingorganic farmingtechniquescanreversethistrend, sayingthat,“Simple,sustainablepracticeslike composting,croprotation,andapplyinglime canhelpusrestoresoilhealthandfeedour communities.”
ForfarmerslikeAgnesMwansainCentral Province,thestakesarehigh.“Ourmaize harvestshaveshrunkdramatically,andthe costofchemicalfertilisersisunbearable,”she laments.Yet,sheseeshopeinorganicfarming. “Byusingnaturalinputs,wecanlowerour costswhileimprovingsoilfertilityovertime.”
SoilacidityinZambiaiscausedbyboth naturalandhumanfactors.Highrainfall, commonincertainregions,leachesessential nutrientslikecalciumandmagnesiumfrom thesoil.Practiceslikemonocroppingandoverrelianceonchemicalfertilisersexacerbatethe issue,furtherdegradingsoilquality.
Expertswarnthatwithoutintervention,soilacidity willcontinuetoreduceyields,degradelandand threatenthecountry’sagriculturalfuture.Wilfred Miga,ProgramsManageratParticipatory EcologicalLandUseManagement(PELUM), emphasisestheneedforchange.“Overusing acidicfertiliserswithoutcounteringtheireffects withlimeislikeaddingfueltothefire,”hesays. Migaadvocatesforscalinguporganicfarming practicestorebuildsoilhealth.
EvidencefromotherAfricancountries underscoresthepotentialoforganicsolutions.In Kenya,theintroductionoflimeandorganic treatmentsreversedsoilacidity,boostingyields ofstaplecropslikemaizebyupto50%.In Zambia,similarsuccessstoriesareemerging.
TheFarmLimeproject,whichproduces affordablelimefromlocaldolomite,hasshown promisingresults,withdemonstrationplots nearlytriplingmaizeyieldsandincreasing groundnutyieldssevenfold.Ncubehighlightsthe benefitsoforganicmethods,saying,“Practices likeusingcompostandleguminouscovercrops notonlyreducesoilaciditybutalsoenhance fertility,ensuringhealthiercrops.”IntegratedSoil FertilityManagement,whichcombinesorganic inputswithsustainablepractices,isgaining tractionasaneffectivestrategy.
TheZambiangovernmentisbeginningtotake note.MinisterofAgricultureReubenMtoloPhiri
acknowledgesthechallenge,saying,“Our NationalAgriculturalPolicyisevolvingtopromote sustainablefarmingpractices,butweneedmore comprehensivesupportsystemsforfarmers.” Phiripointstoinitiativesaimedatraising awarenessandprovidingresources,though muchremainstobedonetomakelimeand otheramendmentsaccessibletosmallholder farmers.Expertsagreethataddressingsoil acidityrequiresacollectiveeffort.Farmers, governmentagencies,NGOs,agro-scientists, andprivatecompaniesallhavecriticalrolesto play.Educationcampaignsandfinancialsupport mustprioritiseequippingfarmerswithaffordable organicinputsandpracticalknowledge. ProgrammesliketheAfricaFertiliserandSoil HealthActionPlanarealreadymakingstrides.By guidingfarmersonsustainablepractices,these initiativesarehelpingmitigatesoilacidityand improveproductivity.
Acidicsoilsimpactmorethanyields theyalso reduceseedqualityandhinderearlycrop development,andwhilesyntheticfertilisersoffer short-termfixes,organicsolutionsensurelongtermsustainability.Zambiamustembrace organicfarmingasacornerstoneofagricultural policy.Practicalsolutionslikecroprotation, compostingandlimeapplicationcansafeguard soilhealth.Stakeholdercollaborationwillensure thatfarmershavethetoolsandknowledgeto transitiontosustainablepractices,securingfood securityforfuturegenerations.
Stories of hope: Intercropping as drought mitigation
BySamuelMbewe,Zambia
Zambiansmall-scalefarmershavebeen severelyimpactedbytheElNiño-induced drought,leadingtowidespreadcropfailures andgrowingfoodinsecurity.Somefarmers havemanaged,however,tofindsuccess throughinnovativefarmingpractices, particularlyintercropping.
JuliusMufana,afarmerfromKayuni AgriculturalCampintheChirunduDistrict,is onesuchexample.Despitethearea'slimited rainfall,whichhasleftmanyfarmerswithout maizeintheirfields,Mufana'scropshave withstoodtheclimate-induceddifficulties. Heattributeshissuccesstointercropping, wheredifferenttypesofcropsaregrown togetherinthesamefield.Heexplains, "Intercroppingisveryimportantbecauseit helpsinmoisturisingthesoil,andthecropsare lesslikelytowitherduetopoorrainfall...I plantedcowpeasandmaizetogether.The rootsofthecowpeasprovidenutrientstothe soil,whiletheleavesserveasarelish,andthe peas,onceharvested,providegoodnutrition andareacashcrop.”
ThisapproachhasallowedMufanatonotonly survivethedroughtbutthriveinit,ashecan stillharvestoneofhiscropseveniftheotheris affectedbythedryconditions.
PatsonNcube,farmingjustsouthofLusaka, alsoadvocatesforintercropping,emphasising itsroleinpromotingbiodiversity.Onhisfarm, Ncubepracticesintercroppingtomanage pestsnaturally.
Exampleofintercroppedfield,Zambia
Ncubeexplainsthat,"Pestsfoundontomato plantscanbecontrolledbythepeststhatattack cabbages,"heexplains.Thisnaturalpest managementapproachhasenabledNcubeto avoidtheuseofchemicals,reducingthe environmentalimpactofhisfarmingpractices.
Similarly,AnnyKatongo,afarmerfromShibunji DistrictinCentralProvinceandaboardmember oftheRuralWomen’sAssembly,sharesher experiencewithintercropping.Shehighlights howitcanenhancesoilfertilityandcontrolpests inthefield."Ifyouplantgroundnutsorpumpkins alongwithmaize,thepestsfromthegroundnuts helpcontrolthepestsinmaize,"Katongosays. "Groundnutsalsoimprovesoilfertility,reducing theneedforchemicalfertilisers."Mrs.Katongo encouragesfarmerswhostillrelyonherbicides andchemicalfertiliserstoconsiderswitchingto intercropping."Itisbettertoembrace intercroppingasitnotonlyhelpscontrolpests butalsoenhancessoilfertilitywithouttheneed forharmfulchemicals,"sheadvises.
EdwinAbwino,AssistantProgramsManagerat theCommunityTechnologyDevelopmentTrust, alsoemphasisestheimportanceofcrop diversificationinthefaceofchangingweather patterns.Herecommendsintercroppingand growingcashcropsalongsidefoodcropsto increasefarmproductivityandnutritional security.
Mr.Abwinoaddsthatcovercropslikecowpeas helpretainmoistureinthesoilandprovide additionalfoodsources,suchasleavesand pods,whichcancontributetohousehold nutrition.
Intercropping,thepracticeofgrowing alternativecropsornon-cropplants alongsidecashcrops,offersnumerous benefitsforsmallholderfarmers.
Ithelpscontrolweeds,managepests andpathogens,reducesoilerosion, andminimisetheneedforchemical inputssuchasfertilisersandherbicides.
Commonintercroppingsystemsincludemixed intercropping,rowintercropping,andstrip cropping.InZambia,wheremanyfarmersare facingtheharshrealitiesofclimatechange, intercroppingprovidesasustainablesolutionto ensurefoodsecurityandreducedependencyon chemicalinputs.Throughcontinuededucation andsupport,morefarmersarelikelytoembrace thispractice,improvingboththeirlivelihoodsand theenvironment.
Success stories: Resilience building strategies
ByMaureenKawerama,Malawi
MatsukambiyaVillageinChikwawaDistrict, SouthernMalawi,hasemergedasabeaconof hopeforclimateresiliencefollowingits relocationtosaferground.Onceadisaster hotspot,thevillage’sdecisiontomovehas dramaticallyreducedfatalitiesandlosses causedbyfloodsandcyclones.
TheturningpointcameafterTropicalStorm Anain2022,whichdevastatedthevillage. Homesweresweptaway,livestockperished, andcropsweredestroyed.Inresponse,the government,throughChikwawaDistrict Council,facilitateddiscussionswith communitymembersandpurchasednew landinasaferlocation.Bytheendof2022,the entirevillagerelocated.Today,thecommunity isthriving.
CycloneFreddyin2023,whichclaimed hundredsoflivesacrossMalawi,didnotrecord asingledeathinMatsukambiya.“Since moving,wefeelmuchsafer,”saidFainess Fulaye,a45-year-oldmotheroffiveanda survivorofTropicalStormAna.“DuringAna,I losteverything fiveheadsofcattle,31goats,
andallmycrops.ButCycloneFreddydidnot harmusbecausewewerenolongerinharm’s way,”shenoted.
Fulayeurgedothercommunitiesindisasterproneareastoembracerelocation.“It’snot easy,butsafetycomesfirst,”shesaid.She noted,however,thathungerremainsa challengeinthenewlocation,astheylosttheir farmlandduringthe2022floods.“Weare survivingonmangos,”sheadded,callingon thegovernmentandwell-wisherstoprovide foodsupport.
MatsukambiyaVillage’srelocationeffortsand thesubsequentresultshaslefttheCivil ProtectionCommitteeintheareabeaming withjoy.“DuringTropicalStormAna,Chikwawa wasthehardest-hitdistrictwiththehighest deathtoll.ButduringCycloneFreddy,the deathtollwassignificantlylower only32 deathscomparedtoover200indistrictslike BlantyreandMulanje,”saidHaroldSuwali, Chairpersonforthearea’sCivilProtection Committee.
Suwaliemphasizedtheimportanceoflearning fromMatsukambiyaVillage’ssuccess.
“Relocationworks.Itisastrategythatmustbe prioritisedforothervulnerablecommunities.”
ChikwawaDistrictDisasterRiskManagement Officer,CharityMachika,saidtherelocation alignswithbroaderclimateadaptation strategies,“Apartfromrelocatingcommunities, wearesupportingthemwithdrought-tolerant crops,livestock,andsocialcashtransfers.”
Thegovernmenthasincludedtherelocated populationintheElNiñoresponseprogram, whichprovidesfoodaidfromNovember2024to March2025.Renownedenvironmentalactivistin Malawi,MatthewsMalata,applaudedthe
relocationinitiativebutstressedtheneedfor comprehensiveplanning.“Relocationisacritical step,butit’scomplexandcostly.Authoritiesmust ensureaccesstobasicservicesanddecent housingtoavoiddisruptinglivelihoods,”hesaid. Malataurgedthegovernmenttofullyimplement theDisasterRiskManagementActof2023.
“Relocationmustbebackedbysystematic planningandbudgetingtoensureitssuccess,” headded.
MatsukambiyaVillage’sjourneyisa testamenttothepowerofcollectiveaction andforward-thinkingpoliciesin reducingdisasterimpacts. ItoffersamodelonhowMalawicanadaptto thegrowingthreatofclimatechange.
Tackling the infrastructure deficit
ByAsiatu Ngulinga,Malawi
Climatechangeextremeevents,suchas CycloneFreddyin2023,devastated infrastructure,causingincreasedchallengesfor localpopulationsalreadybattlingpovertyand hunger. Themostaffectedbythelossofbridgesin particulararepregnantwomenandchildren.
Duringthe2024rainyseason,theyhadtouse watertransporttoreachpublicamenities,such asthedistricthospital.Thisputstheirlivesin danger,andformanyitisrestrictingtheiraccess topublichealth.Effortsmustbemadetoreplace infrastructurelosttoclimate-relatedextreme events,elsethemostmarginalisedcommunities willcontinuetosufferdisproportionately.
Bridging the Funding Gap: Climate Disaster Financing
ByThaboMolelekwa,SouthAfrica
SouthAfricastandsatacriticaljunctureinits fightagainstclimatechange.Whilethe nationhasmadecommendablestridesin mitigatingfutureclimaterisksthrough initiativesliketheRenewableEnergy IndependentPowerProducerProcurement Programme,aglaringgapremainsin addressingtheimmediateimpactsof climate-relateddisasters.
Theincreasingfrequencyandseverityof extremeweathereventsdemandurgent actiontobridgethefundingshortfallfor disasterresponseandresilience-building. Withoutthis,SouthAfricarisksundermining itslong-termclimategoalsandleaving vulnerablecommunitiesexposedto escalatingdevastation.
Climatechangeisnolongeradistantthreat; itisapresentrealityforSouthAfrica.The SouthAfricanWeatherService(SAWS)has documentedasignificantincreaseinthe frequencyandintensityofextremeweather eventsoverthepasttwodecades.TheApril
2022floodsinKwaZulu-Natalserveasa harrowingexample.Thedisasterclaimed morethan448lives,displacedthousands,and causedanestimatedR17billionindamages. Newsreportsfromthetime,suchasthoseby theBBCandothermajoroutlets,documented thedevastation.Despitethescaleofthe catastrophe,thegovernment’sresponsewas oftencriticisedasinsufficienttoaddressthe long-termrecoveryneedsofaffected communities.Similarly,theEasternCapeand WesternCapeprovinceshavefacedsevere droughts,cripplingagriculturalproductivity andwatersupplysystems.
Despitetheserecurringdisasters,South Africa’sfiscalallocationsfordisasterresponse remainwoefullyinadequate.SouthAfrica’s climatefinancingeffortshavepredominantly focusedonmitigationstrategies,suchas transitioningtorenewableenergy,while adaptationanddisasterresponsehavebeen sidelined.Findingprecisebudgetbreakdowns canbechallenging,buttheNational Treasury'sbudgetdocumentsarethestarting
pointforthiskindofanalysis.In2023,the NationalTreasuryallocatedR131billion($7 billion)inclimate-relatedfunding,butamuch smallerpercentagewasearmarkedfordisaster responseandresilience-building.Astudybythe ClimatePolicyInitiativeestimatedtheneedfor significantlymorefundingforadaptation. Currentallocationsfallfarshortofthistarget, leavingcommunitiesvulnerabletothe immediateandlong-termimpactsofextreme weather.Thisfundinggapnotonlyexacerbates humansufferingbutalsoplacesasignificant strainontheeconomy.
Theeconomicconsequencesofinadequate disasterfundingareprofound.Infrastructure damagefromfloodsandwildfiresleadsto soaringrepaircosts,whileprolongeddroughts exacerbatefoodinsecurityandwater shortages.Marginalisedcommunities,oftenthe hardesthit,bearthebruntofthesedisasters, deepeningsocialinequalities.Investingin disasterresilienceandresponseisnotjusta humanitarianimperativebutaneconomic necessity.
Addressingtheclimatedisasterfunding shortfallrequiresamulti-prongedapproach:
Increasedbudgetallocations:Prioritise disasterpreparednessandresponsein budgets,ensuringfundsareavailablefor immediatereliefandlong-termrecovery.
Internationalclimatefinance:Leverage globalclimatefinancingmechanismsto supplementdomesticresources.
Public-privatepartnerships:Collaborating withtheprivatesectortodevelopinnovative financingsolutionscanreducetheburden onpublicfinances.
Decentraliseddisasterfunds:Municipalities shouldhaveaccesstoemergencyfundsto enablerapidresponsetoclimate-related disasterswithoutbureaucraticdelays. Strongergovernanceandtransparency: Ensuringthatclimatedisasterfundsare managedefficientlyandreachaffected communitiesiscrucialforbuildingpublic trustandresilience.
SouthAfrica’senergytransitionisavitalstepin combatingclimatechange,butitmustnot comeatthecostofneglectingimmediate disasterresponseneeds.Therisingfrequencyof floods,droughts,andwildfiresdemandsamore proactiveandwell-fundedapproach.
Byclosingtheclimatedisasterfundinggap, SouthAfricacansafeguardvulnerable communities,protectitseconomy,andbuilda moreresilientfuture.
