The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) will host globally renowned agriculture and climate expert Lindiwe Majele Sibanda as a Distinguished Visiting Scholar (DVS) for 2025/26, in a high-level lecture tour set for March 2026.
Prof Sibanda, a leading authority at the intersection of agriculture, climate change and sustainable food systems, will headline a national public lecture series titled “Reflecting on the Agriculture, Climate and Sustainable Food Systems Policy Nexus.” The programme will be delivered in partnership with several South African universities and research institutes.
Her visit forms part of ASSAf’s annual Distinguished Visiting Scholar Programme, which brings internationally eminent scholars to South Africa to promote interdisciplinary dialogue, scholarly exchange and policy-relevant research.
Global leadership in food systems and climate governance
Prof Sibanda’s career reflects extensive global leadership in agriculture and sustainability. Until mid-2025, she served as Chair of the Integrated Partnership Board of CGIAR, the world’s largest agricultural research network. She is also Co-Chair of the Food Planet Prize, a Nestlé board member, and serves on the board of the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA).
In southern Africa, she chairs the Council of the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe and is an Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria.
Her international recognition includes fellowships at the Robert Bosch Academy (2025) and the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy (2024). Prof Sibanda has published in leading scientific journals, including Nature and Nature Plants, and played a pivotal role in shaping the UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture adopted at COP28.
Widely respected for bridging farmers, scientists and policymakers, she has also pioneered innovative advocacy approaches such as Theatre for Policy Advocacy to strengthen evidence uptake in decision-making.
Beyond public lectures, the visit will include high-level engagements with academics, senior researchers, early-career scientists and postgraduate students. The aim is to deepen interdisciplinary dialogue and strengthen evidence-informed policymaking in agriculture, climate resilience and food systems transformation.
A critical moment for food and climate debates
ASSAf said Prof Sibanda’s visit comes at a pivotal time for global and African discussions on food security, climate adaptation and sustainable development. As countries confront escalating climate risks and growing food system pressures, her expertise is expected to contribute meaningfully to strengthening the science–policy interface.
Through the Distinguished Visiting Scholar Programme, ASSAf continues to advance its mandate of placing science in the service of society — enriching South Africa’s research ecosystem and reinforcing the role of evidence in shaping inclusive and sustainable development pathways.