Fenji Materechera-Mitochi

(She/Her)

2

Articles

1

Comment

Dr Fenji Materechera-Mitochi has a PhD degree in Science from the University of the Witwatersrand and an MSc degree in Geography from the then Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Her primary research training is in human geography and environmental sciences with broader research interests around sustainability science, agricultural farming systems, food systems, governance in agricultural systems and the application of systems analysis as a tool to solve complex problems. Her current research work is focused on the land-water and agricultural nexus and positioned at the farm scale. Her work uses transdisciplinary methodologies to address issues within the water-land-agriculture nexus and water governance in the South African agricultural landscape. She has experience in project co-ordination and administration, post-graduate student supervision, training facilitation, assessment and moderation, applied qualitative research methods and community engagement.

She recently completed her postdoc at the IWR and is currently the principal investigator of a WRC-funded research project under the title: Assessing the commercialization potential of the former Transkei’s land and water resources through an integrated water-land-agricultural nexus in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

Experience

  • 2026–present
    Research scientist, Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University
  • 2023–2025
    Postdoctoral research fellow, Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University
  • 2019–2022
    PhD candidate , University of the Witwatersrand

Education

  • 2023 
    University of the Witwatersrand, PhD Environmental Sciences
  • 2013 
    Nelson Mandela University , Msc Geography
  • 2009 
    Rhodes University , BSc (Hons) Geography
  • 2008 
    Rhodes University , BSc Geography and Environmental Sciences

Publications

  • 2026
    Water Research Commission , JOINT VENTURES AS MECHANISMS FOR ACCELERATING EQUITABLE WATER ALLOCATION AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT LESSONS LEARNT FROM THE LOWER SUNDAYS RIVER AND GREAT FISH RIVER CATCHMENTS
  • 2025
    Land, The Role of Capital Assets in the Success and Failure ofWater Allocation Reform Arrangements: A Case Study of Joint Ventures in South Africa
  • 2024
    Urban Ecosystems, Perceptions and knowledge of ecosystem services in urban river systems, Eastern Cape, South Africa
  • 2022
    Agriculture, Scenarios for Sustainable Farming Systems for Macadamia Nuts and Mangos Using a Systems Dynamics Lens in the Vhembe District, Limpopo South Africa
  • 2022
    Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Understanding the Drivers of Production in South African Farming Systems: A Case Study of the Vhembe District, Limpopo South Africa
  • 2021
    Agricultural Sciences , Characterization of Farming Systems Using Land as a Driver of Production and Sustainability in the Vhembe District, Limpopo, South Africa

Grants and Contracts

  • 2025
    Assessing the commercialization potential of the former Transkei’s land and water resources through an integrated water-land-agricultural nexus in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.
    Role:
    Principal investigator
    Funding Source:
    Water Research Commission

Contact Fenji for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision