Nkosingizwile Ndlovu, studying toward her MSc Geoinformatics, and Dihan Calitz, studying towards his BSHons Geoinformatics degree, both attended the SSAG Student Conference at North West University. The theme of this year's conference was 30 Years of Change and Beyond: Geography, Democracy, Development, and Future Pathways.

Both students presented on the 2^nd day of the conference. Nkosingizwile presented during Session 5b: Wetland and Hydrological Studies, with Dihan presenting during Session 6b: GIS, Modelling, and Environmental Assessments.

Nkosingizwile and Dihan presenting at the SSAG 2024 Student Conference.

Nkosingizwile presented on her Masters research (supervised by Dr Heidi van Deventer of the CSIR and also an Extraordinary in the Department, and Dr Hansen and Prof Landman of the Department), which focuses on the hydrological assessment of lacustrine wetlands of the Maputaland Coastal Plain, in a talk titled Assessing changes in the hydrological regime of lacustrine wetlands in the Maputaland Coastal Plain, South Africa. Her work was very well received, and she was able to provide constructive feedback to the predominantly Honours-level students presenting during her session.

Nkosingizwile speaking about her Master work.

Dihan presented on his Honours work (supervised by Dr Hansen of the Department), that focuses on the geospatial assessment of opportunistic dumping sites in the Mabopane area of the City of Tshwane. Dihan received valuable feedback on his talk titled Evaluating the geospatial distribution of waste disposal sites within Mabopane, in the City of Tshwane (CoT), South Africa, with his work also well received by those attending. 

Dihan speaking to the attendees of his session on his Honours work.

Nkosingizwile and Dihan received partial funding from the Department to help in attending the conference. The Department also wishes to thank the organisers of the conference for the opportunity given to students to present to their peers.

Both students are also scheduled to complete their studies in November, and we would like to wish them all the best for the last stretch.