Thabang is a passionate Social Ecologist. She holds a Bachelor of Environmental Sciences from the University of Venda, a BSc Honors in Environmental Management from UNISA, and is currently pursuing an MSc in Nature Conservation at UNISA. With experience in community development, biodiversity conservation, and land governance, she has made significant contributions in various roles. At the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Thabang worked as a Research Assistant, focusing on biological invasions and community-driven eradication projects, supporting national biodiversity management efforts. She also served in the Working Group. Convenor for the South Africa Land Network on National Engagement Strategy (LandNNES), advocating for land governance reforms and enhancing land rights through capacity-building initiatives. As a Project Officer and Junior Researcher at the Association of Water and Rural Development (AWARD), Thabang facilitated co-management of protected areas agreements between landowners and government. She also worked on Community-Based Natural Resource Management, youth empowerment, climate change adaptation, and livelihood diversification projects. Her commitment to integrating biodiversity conservation with community development drives her work, emphasizing sustainable practices and meaningful community engagement. Thabang is dedicated to empowering communities using social sciences methodologies that prioritize people, fostering a sense of belonging in diverse landscapes and promoting sustainable development goals.