Professor Hector Chikoore (fourth from left), recipient of the Society of South African Geographers Fellowship, with colleagues at the 2026 SSAG Biennial Conference in Mbombela.
The University of Limpopo climatologist joins an esteemed group of geographers recognised for outstanding scholarship in the sector
By Staff Reporters – ulpublications@ul.ac.za
University of Limpopo (UL) climatologist Professor Hector Chikoore has been elected a Fellow of the Society of South African Geographers (SSAG), one of the Society’s highest honours, in recognition of research that helps Southern Africa prepare for droughts, floods, tropical cyclones and heatwaves
The Fellowship is awarded in recognition of outstanding scholarly contributions that advance Geography, alongside contributions to teaching, postgraduate training, editorial work and professional service. Prof Chikoore’s nomination was endorsed by the SSAG Council, with the award formally presented at the Society’s 2026 Biennial Conference at the University of Mpumalanga in Mbombela recently.
Reflecting on the recognition, Prof Chikoore remarked: “I am deeply honoured to receive this Fellowship from the SSAG. This recognition is particularly meaningful because it comes from the national geographical community and reflects a journey shaped by many years of research, teaching, postgraduate supervision and service to the discipline.”
Prof Chikoore’s research focuses extensively on weather and climate dynamics, including droughts, floods, tropical cyclones, heatwaves and other extreme weather events across Southern Africa. Through his scholarly research, he aims to enhance understanding of climate risks and contribute to disaster risk reduction, environmental policy and community resilience across Southern Africa.
He has published 74 peerreviewed journal articles and accumulated approximately 2,000 citations, achieving an h-index of 25. He has also supervised 47 master’s and doctoral graduates and holds an NRF C2 rating as an Established Researcher for the 2025–2030 period.
His research seeks to examine how climate information can support decision-making in agriculture, water security and disaster management. Among his recent contributions is a co-authored paper published in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment in 2025, which examined the impacts of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation in Africa.
The Fellowship awarded to Professor Hector Chikoore by the Society of South African Geographers.
A trained meteorologist, Prof Chikoore completed World Meteorological Organisation Class I Meteorologist training at the Bureau of Meteorology in Australia before working in operational meteorology in Zimbabwe. He transitioned into academia in 2008, earned a PhD in Synoptic Climatology from the University of Zululand and joined UL as a full professor in 2022.
His contribution extends beyond research and teaching. He is Vice-President of the South African Society for Atmospheric Sciences for the 2026–2029 term, serves on the editorial board of Discover Atmosphere and holds a Professor Extraordinarius appointment at the University of South Africa.
Dr Izelque Botha, Head of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at UL, highlighted the importance of the award, noting that Prof Chikoore’s election was a significant recognition of his contribution to Geography in South Africa and beyond.
“As a Department, we are particularly proud of the impact of his scholarship, but also of his commitment to postgraduate supervision, mentorship and the development of the next generation of geographers and climate scientists,” Dr Botha said.
Prof Chikoore also expressed his gratitude to the people who have contributed to his work, including colleagues, students and research collaborators.
“I am grateful to the colleagues, students and collaborators who have been part of this journey, and to UL for providing an environment in which our research can continue to grow and contribute to addressing pressing climate and environmental challenges in South Africa and beyond,” he added.
The Fellowship also carries honorary lifetime membership of the Society.
“This recognition is particularly meaningful because it comes from the national geographical community and reflects a journey shaped by many years of research, teaching, postgraduate supervision and service to the discipline.”