The University of Fort Hare proudly celebrates the appointment of distinguished alumnus Dr Luthando Dziba as the new Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
Dr Dziba, a globally respected conservationist, brings a wealth of experience in biodiversity, ecosystem services, and science-policy leadership to this critical role.
A product of Fort Hare’s academic excellence, Dr Dziba completed his BSc, Honours, and MSc in Agric at the institution in the late 1990s before earning a PhD in Rangeland Science from Utah State University, USA.
Over the years, he has held influential leadership positions, including Managing Executive for Conservation Services at South African National Parks (SANParks) and Group Manager of Ecosystem Services at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). He has also served as Head of the IPBES Technical Support Unit for Africa and co-chaired the Africa Regional Assessment, demonstrating his commitment to both African and global biodiversity priorities.
Dr Dziba has consistently combined science with policy impact, with several scientific papers published. He has supported South Africa’s delegations to major multilateral environmental negotiations, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and IPBES processes.
His contribution to science and conservation has not gone unnoticed. In 2015, he received the CSIR Science Leadership Award, which supported his participation in the Executive Development Programme at Wits Business School. Earlier, in 2012, he was a Fellow at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies (STIAS), facilitating collaboration with colleagues from the Stockholm Resilience Center, funded by the Wallenberg Foundation.
In 2011, he undertook a fellowship at the Stockholm Resilience Center in Sweden to research Ecosystem Services and Poverty Alleviation, also participating in the Nobel Symposium on Global Sustainability, supported by the NRF and CSIR.
He held an NRF Y-Rating from 2009 to 2014, recognising his potential as a leading scientist in biodiversity. His international experience includes serving as a visiting scientist at Langston University, Oklahoma State University, and Utah State University in 2006, and completing a post-doctoral fellowship at Utah State University under the USDA Initiative for Future Agricultural and Food Systems in 2005.
Welcoming his appointment, Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, stated:
“At a time when the work of IPBES has never been more important to help achieve our global environment goals, I greatly look forward to working with Luthando to deliver faster, even more ambitious progress – for people and for planet.”
The University of Fort Hare community extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr Dziba. His appointment is a proud reminder of Fort Hare’s enduring legacy of producing leaders who shape global change.
Congratulations, Dr Dziba.
