Evaluating the climate-related capacities and vulnerabilities of the Matsaudi Community in Botswana

ENGLISH SUMMARY: Background: Climate change poses biologic, social and economic threats to vulnerable populations, particularly in Sub Saharan Africa. The Matsaudi community in the Okavango region of Botswana is heavily reliant on tourism and rain fed agriculture. The community faces social and health related risks from climate hazards. Solutions are needed. Unfortunately, a paucity of studies exists in these marginalized communities. Aim: To explore the health and social effects of climate change on the Matsaudi community and enable them to build a climate resilience plan. Methods: A participatory action research approach was guided by the Climate and Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis Handbook. Two workshops with 16 participants (community members and stakeholders) mapped climate hazards, assessed vulnerabilities and capacities, identified the risks. A group consensus was reached on a climate resilience plan to address the risks. Results: Matsaudi climate hazards include droughts, floods and extreme heat. Vulnerabilities were geographical isolation, economies dependent on climate sensitive industries and inadequate infrastructure. There were both social and health risks including outbreaks of diseases and threatened livelihoods because of climate hazards. The capacities were a young population, strong local governmental and nongovernmental institutions. The solutions included climate education, malaria prevention and creation of water security infrastructure like boreholes, irrigation systems and storm water drainage improvements. Conclusion: The participatory methodology enabled co-creation of contextualised climate adaptation strategies against the effects of climate change. Strengthening community-based adaptation programs and improving water infrastructure are ways the community found to increase its climate resilience.

Grantor dc:publisher

Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Tenego, Mandisa Angela

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Mash, Bob
• Lueme, Christian Likotola

Language dc:language.iso

en

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134837

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134837