Dr Thabo Makhubedu is a transdisciplinary agricultural and natural-resource management specialist with a PhD in Agriculture and extensive experience in research, project coordination, field-based research, agroecology, agroforestry, climate adaptation, biodiversity management, ecosystem restoration and community-based natural-resource management. He brings a strong combination of scientific research, evidence generation, stakeholder engagement and practical project implementation across agricultural and environmental systems. His research background includes the application of stable isotope techniques to investigate biological nitrogen fixation in grain and woody legumes, with his doctoral research focusing on the integration of agroforestry trees into degraded agricultural landscapes to improve soil fertility. His subsequent professional experience has expanded into multidisciplinary projects addressing agroecology, food security, climate resilience, ecosystem-based adaptation, Nature-based Solutions, catchment management, wetland restoration, solid-waste pollution and sustainable natural-resource management. He has experience leading, coordinating and facilitating multidisciplinary field activities, supporting evidence-based planning and policy processes, developing technical guidelines, conducting field research and engaging communities, government institutions, development organisations and other stakeholders. His project portfolio includes work with international and national organisations across South Africa and broader African and international contexts.