Building Coexistence
in Southern Africa
The Human–Wildlife Interface (HWI) Research Division at Tshwane University of Technology advances socio-ecological research and partnerships to reduce human–wildlife conflict and support community-centred conservation across Southern Africa.
Protecting Biodiversity
and Livelihoods
Southern Africa faces a high burden of human–wildlife conflict, intensified by climate change, habitat fragmentation, and inequitable systems that marginalise subsistence communities. Conventional responses often miss local realities and the socio-economic drivers of conflict.
Led by Dr Nimmi Seoraj-Pillai, Prof Tshifhiwa Nangammbi, and Dr Goodwill Makwarela, the Human–Wildlife Interface (HWI) Research Division aligns predictive socio-ecological research with community-centred finance and Indigenous knowledge systems. Working with farmers, communities, and conservation partners, we generate evidence, inform decisions, and support practical responses in high-risk landscapes.
Our Approach
We envision a Southern Africa where wildlife, farmers, and communities coexist in health and harmony. Our mission is to lead socio-ecological research to understand the risks and opportunities of human–wildlife interactions, and co-develop strategies for resilient cohabitation in Africa's changing landscapes.
To achieve this, we focus on three interconnected pillars:
Interdisciplinary Research
Explain why conflict occurs and what reduces it by linking climate signals, animal movement, and community insight.
Decision Support & Policy Partnerships
Convert evidence into usable tools and fair frameworks: risk dashboards, early-warning protocols, practical guidance, and equitable compensation options.
Capacity Development & Collaboration
Build skills and partnerships through training and knowledge exchange with communities, Indigenous knowledge holders, and conservation partners.
Our Research
We advance interdisciplinary research on conflict drivers and evidence-based mitigation strategies.
Climate & Movement Dynamics
Study how weather shapes primate and carnivore movement into farms and settlements to identify when and where risk increases.
Deterrent Strategies & Conflict Escalation
Assess which deterrents are effective across small-scale and commercial farms, identify when they succeed or fail, and determine the factors that increase the risk of lethal control.
Equitable Compensation
Compare compensation models to outline fair, practical options for smallholders and ensure parity with commercial schemes.
Together, these focus areas improve understanding of conflict drivers in Southern Africa and strengthen insight into research-based mitigation strategies.
Impact Story
From Evidence to Coexistence
Across Southern Africa, climate pressures and land-use change are pushing people and wildlife into closer contact. The Human–Wildlife Interface Research Division (HWI) brings together climate data, animal-movement tracking, incident records, and community insights into a coherent picture—deepening understanding of the drivers of conflict and generating evidence to guide early
warning, humane and effective deterrents, and fair, workable compensation for smallholders. In parallel, HWI is building a cohort of African researchers and practitioners who can tackle complex human–wildlife challenges and translate findings into policies and tools that protect both biodiversity and livelihoods.
Dr Nimmi Seoraj-Pillai: Building Coexistence Capacity
LEADERSHIP IN ACTION
At the centre of this work is Dr Nimmi Seoraj-Pillai, Head of Nature Conservation at TUT and the department’s first woman in this role.
Her approach centres around indigenous knowledge, ethical wildlife management, and practical skills, from recommendations for safe animal relocation to context-appropriate non-lethal deterrents, and advances frameworks that communities and authorities can apply now.
Nimmi also champions inclusion and mentorship, building supportive spaces for women in conservation and opening pathways into zoology and nature management through environmental education. The goal is consistent: safer livelihoods, protected wildlife, and shared landscapes that endure.
