SASSCAL Leads Regional Wetland Conservation with Innovative Technology
By Sharon Kavhu
Windhoek, Namibia AS communities across Southern Africa reflect on their role in protecting the environment, the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) is underscoring how regional collaboration and innovation can safeguard one of the continent’s most threatened natural assets: wetlands.
Building on the momentum of Earth Day, celebrated yesterday under the theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” SASSCAL is placing wetlands at the heart of its ongoing efforts to promote sustainable land and water management. These ecosystems are vital to the region—not only for biodiversity and water regulation, but also as natural buffers against the growing impacts of climate change.
“Wetlands support livelihoods across our region. From flood control to water purification and food security, their protection is directly tied to the wellbeing of our communities,” said Dr. Budzanani Tacheba, Interim Executive Director of SASSCAL, in a statement released Tuesday.
He warned that these ecosystems are under mounting pressure from land degradation, human encroachment, and the intensifying effects of climate change.
To address these challenges, SASSCAL is spearheading the Wetlands Monitoring and Assessment (WeMAST) project, a regionally focused initiative that leverages advanced geospatial and remote sensing technologies to monitor and manage wetland areas. Supported by the African Union and European Union through the GMES and Africa programme, WeMAST has become a cornerstone of environmental data-sharing and decision-making across southern Africa.
The project’s geoportal offers accessible, real-time data on wetlands across four key river basins—the Limpopo, Okavango, Orange, and Zambezi—enabling policymakers and local communities alike to make informed choices. “WeMAST exemplifies the power of science and technology in environmental stewardship,” Dr. Tacheba added. “With the right tools, we’re empowering the region to act early, plan wisely, and protect effectively.”
Operating across several Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, WeMAST is enhancing early warning systems, supporting sustainable development planning, and helping local institutions build long-term resilience to climate risks.
Earth Day 2025’s call for collective action resonates strongly across the region. Dr. Tacheba emphasized that true environmental progress requires unity: “Our strength lies in knowledge, partnerships, and innovation. We must come together to protect our wetlands—for the sake of future generations.”
As SASSCAL continues its mission to drive science-based solutions for climate and land management, it calls on regional governments, research institutions, and communities to deepen collaboration and shared responsibility.
“Earth Day may be behind us,” concluded Dr. Tacheba, “but the work continues. Let’s channel our power into purpose—for our wetlands, our people, and our planet.”
