Solving global health, development, and conservation challenges requires a multidisciplinary approach rooted in justice and understanding.
The community-led Battle of Lurwayizo Development (BOLD) initiative in Mbhashe, South Africa, emerged from the legacy of Apartheid injustice, transforming conflict into a vision for peace and progress. Grounded in the lessons from the Battle of Lurwayizo, this initiative focuses on promoting peace, health, justice, and environmental conservation in South Africa’s Eastern Province.
In partnership with BOLD, W&M students are conducting research to support community-driven development and the implementation of an integrative management strategy that addresses public health, biodiversity conservation, local development, youth empowerment, and social justice.
In 2023 and 2024, W&M students explored ecotourism opportunities to commemorate the Battle as a livelihood strategy, examined ways to improve community access to healthcare through enhanced health worker programs, and investigated the integration of traditional and Western medicine. They also studied the impact of forced displacement of local farming and ranching communities from Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserves and how to acknowledge the role of these communities in regional biodiversity conservation.
In 2025, W&M students will work with BOLD to document and share oral histories from veterans and local community members, identifying connections between social and racial injustice, biodiversity conservation, and human well-being.
