DMISA

The Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa

Community of Practitioners

DMISA is the professional body for Disaster Management in Southern Africa and the home of Disaster Management practitioners where they can share, learn, network and align in a safe and sociable environment with peers who are faced with similar challenges and opportunities.

Learning Opportunities

DMISA supports our members through providing learning opportunities such as the annual DMISA Disaster Risk Reduction Conference.

Professional Development

DMISA is the SAQA-recognised professional body for Disaster Management in South Africa and supports the Disaster Management profession in Southern Africa with opportunities for professional registration, recognition of prior learning for professional registration, and continuous professional development.

Alignment

DMISA creates platforms and opportunities for sharing and spreading international best practice in Disaster Management.

DMISA Statement on the Classification and Declaration of National Disasters: Flooding and Fires

The Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa (DMISA) supports the classification and declaration of the current severe flooding and widespread fires as disasters in terms of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002). Given the multi-provincial...

FESTIVE SEASON MESSAGE FROM THE DMISA PRESIDENT

Dear DMISA Members,

As we approach the close of another remarkable year, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to each of you for your unwavering commitment, professionalism, and continued support throughout 2025. Your dedication has been the cornerstone of our progress and achievements as an institute.

The festive season is a time for reflection, celebration, and renewed hope. Let us take pride in what we have accomplished together and look forward with optimism to the opportunities that lie ahead. May this holiday season bring you joy, peace, and cherished moments with your loved ones.

On behalf of the DMISA leadership, I wish you a safe and joyful festive season and a prosperous New Year.

Please note that the DMISA office will be in recess from 06 December 2025 and will reopen on 12 January 2026.

Thank you for being an integral part of our journey—we truly value your contribution.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Warm regards,

Lebogang L Mosotho-Segage

President, DMISA

Photo album: DMISA DRRC 2025

From 21 – 23 October 2025 DMISA convened a conference and pre-conference workshop to reflect on ten years of implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in Southern Africa, DRRC 2025 brought together diverse voices to critically assess progress, identify remaining gaps, and chart a practical way forward. View the photo album of the 2025 annual DMISA conference DMISA DRRC 2025 Photo Album.

Hot off the press!

The latest edition of the Disaster Management Journal, official magazine of the Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa (DMISA), is now available.
This edition features a brief overview of the review of the Disaster Management System of South Africa by Dr Elias Sithole of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC). We also feature the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Working Group’s two-part meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, which culminated in a Ministerial Meeting on the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR). CoGTA Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa officially launched the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) at the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Ministerial Meeting.
To read your free digital copy, just click here:
Interested in submitting a research article or case study?
Interested in advertising?
Give Lee Raath-Brownie of FRI a call or send her an email! More info here: https://www.frimedia.org/

Disaster Management Journal

Disaster Management (DMJ) is the official journal of the Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa (DMISA). The journal enhances DMISA’s role in creating learning and networking opportunities, skills development, supporting the Disaster Management community of practice, accelerating professional development, advocating international disaster management best practice, nurturing a culture of disaster risk reduction and fostering national and international communication networks and linkages. DMJ also serves as a valuable resource for information and knowledge dissemination, education and training to not only proactively reduce disaster risks but also the efficacious management of disasters. The magazine will also promote the Institute: national and regional DMISA news and all disaster management related topics, events, conferences and disaster risk reduction initiatives. The articles featured in this quarterly magazine include forewords from the President of DMISA and the Head of the South African National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), amongst others. Each edition features a disaster management centre, research articles, industry opinions and viewpoints, technology updates and a news roundup.

The DMISA DRR Conference 2024 culminated with the announcement of the new leadership of the professional body for the 2024 to 2026 term of office.

DMISA Disaster Risk Reduction Conference 2025 - Pre-Conference Workshop

Pre-conference workshop

Sun City Resort

21 Oct 2025, 10:00 – 13:00

Navigating Disaster Risk – Practical Priorities for Action in DRR

Co-Hosted with the National Disaster Management Centre in partnership with SALGA

Highlights:

Engagement and consultation on key aspects of the disaster management system review

Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk in rural areas

DMISA Disaster Risk Reduction Conference 2025

 Practitioners and stakeholders in Disaster Management and related disciplines attended

DMISA DISASTER RISK REDUCTION CONFERENCE 2025:

A DECADE OF SENDAI IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

PROGRESS, GAPS, AND THE ROAD AHEAD

from 22 – 23 October 2025.

at the Sun City Resort, Bojanala District, North West Province, South Africa

More info here.

DMISA Disaster Risk Reduction Conference 2024

Practitioners and stakeholders in Disaster Management and related disciplines attended

DMISA DISASTER RISK REDUCTION CONFERENCE 2024:

CONNECTED CAPABILITY FOR FUTURE RESILIENCE

from 21 – 22 November 2024.

at the City of Cape Town Council Chambers, Cape Town, Western Cape Province, South Africa

More info here.

DMISA Disaster Risk Reduction Conference 2023

Practitioners and stakeholders in Disaster Management and related disciplines participated in the

DMISA DISASTER RISK REDUCTION CONFERENCE 2023:

RISK INFORMED ACTION

from 25 – 26 October 2023.

at the Kalahari Waterfront, Budeli Village (Nandoni Dam), Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province, South Africa

More info here. Photo gallery here.

Training, education, skills development and capacity building news

REPORT OF THE RE-ALIGNING AND DEVELOPING OF AN OCCUPATIONAL QUALIFICATION FOR THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT OFFICER AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT MANAGER

The report describes the outcome of the re-aligning and developing of an Occupational Qualification for the Disaster Management Officer (OFO Code: 541907) and Disaster Management Manager (OFO Code: 134912) by Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA).

Download the report here: Report on Review LGSeta NQF 4-5 2019

 

The Professionalisation Portal provides resources for those interested in professional registration in Disaster Management.

Notices and Announcements

DMISA Constitution 2018, as amended

DMISA’s role as SAQA-approved professional body for Disaster Management in South Africa required some changes to the Institute’s Constitution.  The process to change the Constitution,  as well as what changes were proposed and accepted, are described here.

 

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The Disaster Management institute of Southern Africa (DMISA) was founded in 1985 and still maintains its position as the premium professional association for Disaster Management professionals and associated disciplines in Southern Africa.  DMISA is the SAQA-recognised professional body for Disaster Management in South Africa and manages the SAQA-registered Disaster Management Professional (PrDM), Disaster Management Practitioner (DMPc), Disaster Management Associate (DMA) and Disaster Management Technician (DMT) designations.

DMISA is a registered non-profit organisation (NPO) with the South African Department of Social Development, Registration No 209-841 NPO registered on 7 June 2018. 

Professional Registration

DMISA is inviting applications for registration as Disaster Management Professional, Practitioner, Associate and Technician.  Download the application forms with detailed instructions from the Professionalisation Portal.

Continuous Professional Development

Registered professionals must maintain their status through a system of continuous professional development (CPD) points. Access information about continuous professional development opportunities, processes and documentation.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Professional registration requirements include qualifications and experience.  In some cases persons may have considerable experience but have not yet had the opportunity to acquire the required qualifications.  In such cases RPL provides an opportunity for persons with applicable experience to also register professionally.
DMISA supports the Disaster Management / Disaster Risk Reduction community of practice

DMISA is committed to providing learning, networking and alignment opportunities for the Disaster Management / Disaster Risk Reduction community of practice in Southern Africa. We encourage interaction between practitioners, researchers, legislators, stakeholders and leadership across Southern Africa to build capacity and resilience, reduce risk, and improve our common understanding of disaster risk. Our common goal is to reduce the impact of disasters on society and to build future ready sustainable communities.

The following links may be useful to our members and the general community of practice:

Disaster Risk Reduction in Southern Africa

SADC DRR

This SADC website provides a platform for sharing of information on Disaster Risk Reduction / Disaster Management, and provides learning opportunities for DRR practitioners and other stakeholders.