BRIDGES Ocean Talks #4

Dialogue and participation among diverse stakeholders : Lessons from marine and coastal governance in the Western Indian Ocean region

Join us for second webinar in the BRIDGES Ocean Talks series!

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📅 Tuesday, september 8, 2026, at 1:00 PM (UTC+4)

🗨️ Speaker : Philile Mbatha, Senior Lecturer at University of Cape Town, South Africa and member of the BRIDGES Scientific Advisory Board.

Abstract

During this webinar, Philile Mbatha, Senior Lecturer in Environmental and Geographical Sciences, will share insights from her research on marine and coastal governance in the Western Indian Ocean region (WIO), with a particular focus on rural coastal communities in South Africa and Mozambique.

Through concrete examples, the session will explore how stakeholders within social-ecological systems can be identified and meaningfully involved in decision-making processes related to coastal resource management.

The webinar will also explore power dynamics, conflicts over resource use and the different forms of stakeholder participation, from consultation and dialogue to knowledge co-construction and shared governance.

Drawing on experiences from coastal communities and governance processes in the WIO, the session will highlight the importance of inclusive stakeholder engagement, effective communication, knowledge co-production and relational skills in bridging the gap between science, policy and practices. It will provide insights into how collaborative approaches can contribute to sustainable ocean management and conservation.

Speaker

Philile Mbatha

Senior Lecturer in Environmental and Geographical Science at the University of Cape Town, South Africa and member of the BRIDGES Scientific Advisory Board.

Philile Mbatha is a Senior Lecturer in Environmental and Geographical Science at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Her research focuses on marine and coastal governance in the Western Indian Ocean region, with particular emphasis on rural coastal contexts. Her work contributes to rural development by strengthening the links between policy-making processes, institutional arrangements for coastal resource management, and the realities of local communities and their livelihoods. She also serves as Deputy Director of the One Ocean Hub.

Watch Philile Mbatha’s interview filmed during her participation in the 2025 BRIDGES x WIOMSA training in Mombasa, dedicated to interdisciplinary approaches to marine socio-ecological system resilience in the WIO.