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Thami Nkadimeng
Programme Director of 1.5 Degrees Net Zero ConferenceThami Nkadimeng, A global citizen known as the “The Message Architect" with a passion for bettering the world by
untangling complex and intricate topics through conversation for Presidents, Leaders, Executives and Organizations around
the world. By doing so, she has influence on positive change towards a better world and contributes towards the United
Nations sustainability goals and the narrowing of social disparities in a provoking, directed, motivated and effective
manner. She advocates being the example of change you want to see in the world as individuals. Another one of Thami's passions is
in advancing Africa, which then saw her being selected as an ambassador for brands with that very focus. A Ted Talk
Speaker with presence, her Tedx Talk is making an impact not only on the continent but the globe. She holds an undergraduate degree in Communications Science, a post degree diploma in Marketing Management (cumlaude) and an Honours Degree in Integrated Organisational Communication.
She has a wealth of corporate experience and fuses her communication background paired with her voice in front of the
camera and behind a microphone to deliver messages through dialogue.
“I am putting value on my African voice on global issues.” Thami Nkadimeng
Alderman James Vos
Mayoral Committee Member: Economic Growth at City of Cape TownAlderman James Vos is the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth in the City of Cape Town. With a portfolio that covers matters of trade, tourism, investment and business support, James heads up a team that is instrumental in driving meaningful economic opportunity in Cape Town.
During his time as a Public Representative, when he also served as a Ward Councillor, Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Tourism, James received numerous civic awards, including the International Merit Award. He is also among the youngest to receive the life title of Aldermanship.
James believes that the most powerful instrument for improving the quality of life and creating jobs is economic growth. To achieve this, his mission is to drive travel and trade to Cape Town and make the metro the easiest place to do business.
James oversees various programmes that support workforce and entrepreneurial development.
He loves spending time in the outdoors with his wife and two daughters and has a passion for aviation.
Aliyah Allie
Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company- Measuring Africa's climate related risks in macro economics and global terms?
- Investment opportunities, upskilling challenges and solutions in implementing alternative energy projects in Africa
Aliyah helps financial institutions, particularly banks, decarbonise, define their ESG ambitions, and embed purpose into their organisation. She serves clients primarily in Africa and the Middle East. She has a strong track record in solving complex problems across the public, private and social sectors from the grassroots level to the most systemic.
She holds a Masters in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from Columbia University, an honours degree in economic history from the University of Cape Town as well as an undergraduate degree in financial accounting from the same university.
Dr Gina Arena
Science communications associate at Conservation South AfricaDr Gina Arena is a science communicator and researcher with a background in vegetation ecology, land use and climate change. In her current role, she communicates the research, application and impact of CSA’s climate adaptation and mitigation projects in vulnerable farming communities in South Africa to a diversity of audiences. She is currently leading the development of a toolkit on best practices in communal rangeland management, a resource designed to support, educate, and equip stakeholders who are actively involved in the uptake and expansion of sustainable rangeland practices across Africa.
Craig Atkinson
Founder of Green RidersCraig was the founder of
Pathway Cycles, the
forerunner of Green Riders. He
has also run a prestigious
music school with over 3 000
pupils over its lifespan, and the
school achieved the highest
results in South Africa for 12
years. Prior to that, he co
founded JamPacked
Productions, an events
company and production
house. Hereby, Craig has
managed teams of between
10-120 people from small,
intimate club shows to major
live music festivals in South
Africa. With over 12 years of
managing experience and in
developing companies from
the ground up, Craig focuses
on the details that make each
venture unique, with the
highest standards possible in
mind
Portia Bangerezako
Head of Sustainability at Old MutualPortia Bangerezako is the Head of Sustainability at Old Mutual and is responsible for embedding sustainability practice in the organisation. She has extensive experience in the management of environmental and social risk in the financial services sector. Prior to joining Old Mutual, she worked at Sanlam, the Industrial Development Corporation and Standard Bank. She holds a bachelors degree in Geography and Environmental Management from the University of KwaZulu Natal and a Masters in Sustainability Leadership from Cambridge University.
Greg Blandford
Director of Energy and E-Mobility at Rubicon SaDirector of Energy and E-mobility at Rubicon, Greg has gained 23 years’ experience in the industrial and renewable technology sectors focused on automation, renewable energy, and e-mobility. He has worked on many renewable energy and electric vehicle infrastructure projects across Southern Africa.
He is passionate about sustainability and technology to solve mankind’s need for energy, food, water, and mobility. He is currently focused on the rollout of EV charging infrastructure for various vehicle OEM’s, private networks, and a Rubicon funded EV charging network.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-blandford-3543a25b/
Karen Bosman
Head of strategic and advocacy at WesgroKaren is educated in international economic law and policy. Her focus includes the competitiveness of the Western Cape economy in a changing international economic context, in particular the intersection between international trade and investment and the green transformation.
Karen previously spent time working in Washington D.C. on international trade and development projects across Africa, as a legislative advisor in the South African Parliament, and at a commercial law firm in Cape Town.
She holds degrees in law (LLB) and in political science, philosophy and economics (B.A. PPE) from Stellenbosch University and a master in international economic law (LLM) from Georgetown University in the US.
Wesgro is the Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape
Darryl Chapman
e-Mobility Programme Manager at EskomDarryl Chapman: Darryl started his professional career with Eskom in 1995 after the completing his BSc. in Electrical Engineering at WITS University. Initially Darryl started out in high voltage electrical engineering research and obtained his MSc. (Eng.) in 2000. In 2009 Darryl was seconded to Eskom’s Internal Energy Efficiency programme as the Programme Manager for a period of 4 years. In 2017 Darryl took on the role of e-Mobility Programme Manager at Eskom Research Testing and Development, where he is responsible for the development of a business case for e-Mobility within Eskom.
Dr. Nick Charalambides
Technical Director of Imani Development- Africa's industrialization Plans and the balance of meeting Net Zero targets.
- Decarbonising African Industry: Opportunities, challenges, and risks for the African Private Sector
Dr Nicholas Charalambides is an international trade economist and Director at Imani Development International. He has over 30 years of experience in Southern and Eastern Africa, specialising in legal & regulatory frameworks, regional integration and trade facilitation. He is currently team leader for a project with the African Union, looking at ESG practices among the African Private Sector, with specific focus on decarbonisation. Nick holds a Doctorate in Economics from Oxford University, a Master’s in Economics from Queen Mary & Westfield College and an LLM in International Business Law from University of Liverpool.
Rob Childs
Executive at IMQS SoftwareRob’s has led a wide range of engineering programmes - in southern Africa as well as initiatives in the Far East, Middle East, and UK. In recent years he has been a vocal advocate of the value to be gained through more effective infrastructure asset management practice, and specifically the value it can add to the challenges of service delivery in developing country environments. He has co-authored a number of infrastructure asset management guides locally and internationally and has provided strategic advice relating to national and provincial government infrastructure as well as large privately funded concessions. He heads the provision of Advisory Services at IMQS Software, is on the board of World Partners in Asset Management (an international non-profit organization), and is a member of Council at the SA AM Association.
Adrian Coetzee
Executive Director of iX engineersAdrian Coetzee is currently an Executive Director and Regional Manager for the Southern business of iX engineers.
I am the proud father a 17-year-old twins, Jean and Gustav and married for 21 years to Mariska. Growing up in a town called Vredendal in the so called “Namakwaland” is part of my fondest memories. My hobbies include golf with colleagues and friends.
As a young engineering entry to the construction environment in 1995 with Power Construction, my exposure gave valuable insight to the physical implementation of hard engineering. Moving into the consulting engineering environment in 1997 with V3 Consulting Engineers (later KV3 Engineers) where the design and specification of water infrastructure became a new home. In 2011 WorleyParsons acquired KV3 and with a management buyout the new kid on the block, iX engineers (Prt) Ltd was born.
As a Registered Professional Engineering Technologist with more 20 years’ experience in design and project management of Water Infrastructure, my focus recently shifted to digitization and automation within the iX digital world. I am a firm believer of digital transformation in engineering towards creating a single source of truth environment in the Building Information Modeling process within iX.
It is my opinion that the world is changing too fast for us humans to keep up and that the Transformative technologies around today will protect our psychological wellbeing, our cognitive functions and physical capabilities, while disrupting the world in harmonious collaboration with (robotic) machines.
I have always been a keen follower of new technology and have a passion for innovative solutions, to achieve results more effective and in less time.
Favourite/Inspirational Quote
“A positive mind overcomes the challenges of life”.
Dr James Cullis
Technical Director: Water Resources of ZutariJames is a specialist in the field of water resources engineering, integrated water resources management (IWRM), the water-energy-food nexus, resilience, sustainability, and climate change impacts, risk, vulnerability and adaptation. He has a broad range of experience, including technical engineering hydrology and design as well as social, political, environmental and economic aspects of water resources. He is a technical director in the water resources group at Zutari and is based in Cape Town, South Africa.
As a scientist, James has research experience in South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Antarctica. He is an Honorary Research Associate with the African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI) at the University of Cape Town and external examiner for the Department of Civil Engineering.
James obtained a Doctor of Philosophy in 2011 from the University of Colorado, Boulder in the USA, a Master of Science in Environmental Change and Management in 2002 and an MA (Oxon) in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) in 2001, both from the Oxford University in the United Kingdom. In addition, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Cum Laude) in 1998 from UCT.
He is a registered professional engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and is a member of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE). He is also a member of the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) and the International Water Association (IWA) and a fellow of the South African Academy of Engineering (SAAE).
Charissa Da Costa
Regional Policy Specialist at Conservation South AfricaCharissa da Costa is a regional climate policy specialist at Conservation South Africa (CSA) and is based in Cape Town. She plays a key role in developing evidence-based policies for different levels of government and aligning CSA's work with global climate policies. Charissa works to create an enabling policy environment that supports the implementation of nature-based solutions. Charissa engages in policy dialogues with policy makers and community stakeholders in South Africa, Madagascar, and Liberia to support the goals set by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). She is currently involved in developing an Africa Strategy for Conservation International’s work in oceans, rangelands, and forests with the goal of advancing human well-being, ecosystem resilience, and biodiversity conservation. She also serves as the deputy chairperson of the Adaptation Network and co-chairs its climate policy and finance working group. In this role, she identifies areas of climate adaptation policy engagement, including adaptation finance, and coordinates input and feedback from policy processes.
Vanessa Davidson
Special Project Manager at Freeport SaldanhaVanessa Davidson has been a professional in the marine industry for 18 years. Holding an M Phil from UCT, Vanessa Davidson has extensive experience in the boat and ship building and marine fabrication sectors in South Africa.
Vanessa is a Special Project Manager at Freeport Saldanha focused on new port infrastructure and she is responsible for Business Development in the marine sector. Vanessa has served on a number of technical committees and she is currently a SAIMI Advisory Board member and a founding Director of Blue Cape, a non-profit company supporting the Blue Economy in the Western Cape.
Internationally she is the Chair of the International Marine Certification Institute (IMCI) responsible for CE certification of boats. She is a participating member of the International Council of Marine Industry Associations with representation on the Technical Committee, the Exporters Committee and the Grow Boating Committee.
Amy Davison
Head: Climate Change Resilience Department, Future Planning and Resilience Directorate of City of Cape TownAmy Davison is the Head: Climate Change in the City of Cape Town’s Resilience Department, which is part of the newly formed Future Planning and Resilience Directorate. She has over 15 years’ experience in climate change and urban sustainability focused policy and planning in local government. Currently, her work focuses on the roll-out of the City’s Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, with a particular focus on climate adaptation and resilience, and mainstreaming of climate change response in local government projects and operations.
Fanus Fourie
Scientific Manager at Department of Water and Sanitation- Main Breakout 2 Hall D
- The role of Government in co-ordinating policies in mitigating climate change Best practice case studies in Africa
Fanus has 28 years of experience in the groundwater industry.
He obtains his Master’s degree from the University of the Free State with distinction.
For 26 years, he has worked for the national Department of Water and Sanitation in South Africa.
He addressed issues like groundwater management, strategy development, assessment, and planning. His current projects involve aquifer recharge enhancements and developing groundwater operating rules for groundwater schemes under drought scenarios at the community level.
Fanus serves as the current Chairperson of the Groundwater Division of the Geological Society of South Africa and the Chairperson of the Table Mountain Water Source Partnership.
Charl Harding
CEO of The Impact CatalystCharl Harding, the CEO of the Impact Catalyst is seconded a 100% from the CSIR. Mr Harding has been at the forefront during the inception of the Impact Catalyst, and he continues to lead by providing strategic direction. He is committed to foster and build key partnerships in order to promote the vision of the Impact Catalyst. Charl has served at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research for over 13 years.
Stephen Horn
SA country director of Clean CreativesStephen Horn is SA country director at Clean Creatives and a SAFTA-winning creative director with more than 12 years in media and digital content production. He created South African satirical news show, Politically Aweh, and was recognised in the 2022 Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans list for his work in climate change communication.
Kevin James
Founder of Global Carbon Exchange (GCX)- The road to Decarbonising Africa's Future and decorbonized industrial plans
- The Journey to Net Zero Waste and Food Waste, a retail perspective
- Africa’s Infrastructure: A Key to Development but Potentially Vulnerable to Climate Change
Kevin James is a corporate sustainability adviser and climate change thought leader with over two decades of experience guiding the most complex companies in Australia, South Africa and beyond on their sustainability journeys. He has deep experience in developing sustainability solutions and green, low carbon projects to address the most pressing climate-related issues of our day. In 2006, he founded the Global Carbon Exchange (GCX), sustainable business experts who guide and support some of the largest and most complex organisations to drive sustainability throughout their value chains. He is also the Director of Zero Waste Technologies providing zero waste to landfill strategy and solutions.
Kevin is a well-known and highly regarded expert on climate change, sustainability, and ESG. He is frequently invited to speak at conferences and events, and quoted in the media. From 2000-2007, Kevin was host of the Radio 2000 show, 'Climate and sustainability with Kevin James'. He is a qualified accountant, serves on the board of The Green Building Council South Africa, and is an Advisory Board member for Proptech Africa.
David Kawesha
Head of the Just Transition Office at SasolDavid Kawesha is the current Head of the Just Transition Office for Sasol. His role is focused on formulating and implementing a just transition for Sasol as well as determining the most appropriate green financing options to support Sasol’s decarbonisation pathway. David is a Chemical Engineer by training and has extensive research development and demonstration experience of over 15 years specialising in separation technologies and environmental engineering including carbon mitigation. Between 2010 to 2017, David was Sasol’s lead technical advisor to the Norwegian state-led Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM) which conducted the world largest demonstration scale carbon capture technology trials.
In 2019, David joined the Sustainability function within Sasol which was formed in the same year. David has been instrumental in the development of the emission reduction roadmap and target sets for Sasol, culminating in the increased target to 30% by 2030 and setting a net zero ambition by 2050. David has been integral in the development and editing of Sasol’s 2021 Climate Change report and leading the work focused on developing a Just Transition roadmap for Sasol. Furthermore, David is working together the Sasol’s technical and business development teams to secure green financing for the shortlisted green hydrogen opportunities.
Dr. Lerato Khumalo
Manager Climate Change at Exxaro Resources LTDDr Lerato Khumalo is Manager: Climate Change at Exxaro and holds a PhD degree in Chemical Technology from the University of Pretoria. She has more than 16 years of experience and expertise in climate change and air quality management, with previous employment in the environmental consultancy and mining sectors. In her current role, she is responsible for climate change mitigation and adaptation, development of Exxaro’s decarbonisation plan, compilation of the Climate Change CDP, technical contribution to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives and air quality management.
Over the years, she has built extensive understanding of global and national climate policy, climate science, energy efficiency, climate mitigation and adaptation, ESG and air quality management. She possesses analytical thinking and innovative skills in developing ideas and solutions to improve environmental sustainability and actively participates in climate change forums on a national and international level. She currently serves as the Vice Chairperson for the Industry Task Team on Climate Change, is Co-Chair for the National Business Initiative Advisory Committee for Environment and Society, is a member of the Energy Council, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) Climate Change Technical Working Group and the NBI Just Transition Pathways Project Technical Workstream.
Richard Kriel
Strategic Projects & Sustainability Manager at HEINEKEN South Africa- Africa's industrialization Plans and the balance of meeting Net Zero targets.
- Renewable Energy: Manufacturing Companies' response to Energy Transition a Retail Perspective
I am an Engineer from KwaZulu-Natal who loves innovation and passionate about “Going Green”. I have spent my entire career in the Beer Industry starting at SABMiller and later moving to Heineken. I have been with Heineken for over 12 years and had various roles from Automation to Engineering Manager.
I now look after key projects within the company and also drive our ambitions to become Carbon Neutral while reduce our Water usage.
Effuah Kwaw
Africa Finance and Fundraising Lead at Ocean HubEffuah is a Finance specialist turned impact enthusiast , with over 10 years’ experience in the South African financial services sector. Over the last 6 years it has been her primary intention to increasingly use the knowledge and experience gained, throughout her career, to support the growth and evolution of Africa’s impact and start-up ecosystems.
David Le Page
Co Founder of Fossil Free SADavid Le Page is the coordinator and co-founder of Fossil Free South Africa, the campaign for fossil fuel divestment and sustainable reinvestment. Fossil Free SA is part of the global fossil fuel divestment movement, which has become the biggest ethical investment movement in history. In early 2022, Fossil Free SA helped push the University of Cape Town, Africa’s top-rated university, to commit to fossil fuel divestment. David’s expertise in ethical and sustainable investment builds on 20 years of experience as a human rights, environment and climate journalist, including with the Treatment Action Campaign and Mail & Guardian.
Rowan Le Roux
Head of ESG Impact Advisory at DelphosMr. Le Roux is Head of ESG Impact Advisory at Delphos. He has just short of two decades experience in sustainability with a focus on Sustainable Finance, ESG Strategy and Sustainable Project implementation.
At the start of his career Mr. Le Roux was actively involved in early stage ESG Analysis, Proxy Voting and Responsible Investing initiatives. He was part of the team that wrote the first Codes for Responsible Investing in South Africa (CRISA) and an early adopter of the UNPRI.
Mr. Le Roux has held the role of Group Sustainability Manager at one of South Africa’s largest plastic manufacturers implementing group wide sustainability projects. He has worked on cross-border teams between, South Africa, Portugal and Mozambique, involving optimization of ecosystem services for improved economic outcomes as well as leading Delphos’ ESG advisory to state owned enterprise in Uzbekistan. He currently advises extensively on ESG Strategy and Sustainability implementation.
Mr. Le Roux holds a Masters in Commerce (Environmental Economics) from the University of Natal (South Africa).
Benoit Le Roy
Operations Director of Nexus Water Alchemy- Main Breakout 2 Hall D
- Water digitilisation - Use of technology to create better water security for the African Continent from resource to tap
- Sewage is Sexy - Moving from the problem to a solution for clean water
- Case study 2. The increasing instances of "Day Zeros" on African cities a water crisis case study - Practical learning's for an African future
Benoît has in excess of thirty five years of environmental engineering experience concentrating on the Water, Waste Water, Waste and associated Energy fields serving all tiers of government, mining, utilities, SOE’s, automotive, Food & Beverage, Iron & Steel industries. He has been developing and integrating environmental solutions internationally using appropriate technologies via advisory services and the supply &/or co-ordination of specialized technologies. He has also presented training for the water and waste water disciplines to provincial and local government via the Centre for Environmental Management at North West University and various presentations on Water and Waste Water (concentrating on Capacity Building) for the Institute of Municipal Engineers of SA.
Benoît has been involved in water EPCM and O&M projects since 1982 in the industrial, mining and municipal sectors and as such has significant experience in turning around South Africa's collapsing municipal water and sanitation infrastructure.
Stefano Lepore
Marketing Director of Alloro Africa Enviro Services S.A.Mr. Lepore was born in Italy in 1975, after completing his studies he held was a position as Marketing and Sales representative for a distribution centre specialized in gift and toys manufactured in Italy.
In view of the above at the beginning of 1999, jointly with 4 other partners, he formed a trading commercial Company operating on the North-East part of Italy. At the point of his departure to Brazil, mid 2005, this company was representing 10 different European Manufacturers and had a Portfolio of an excess of 500 active clients with a turnover in excess of 37 million Euro per year.
At the beginning of 2005 he was contacted by a group Italian companies to open the South-American market within the medical sector with particular attention to the treatment “in loco” of infectious and/or potentially infectious medical waste.
In 2011, after succeeded in opening and establishing the above mentioned market, he was engaged from the same manufacturer to explore and established same market opportunities in Southern Africa.
In 2013, in partnership with Mr. Giancarlo Bovetti he purchase exclusive imports and distribution rights of Newster Systems Italy and he formed “Alloro Africa Enviro Services (Pty) Ltd “ of which together with Mr. Bovetti, he still retains shares, directorship and management.
James Mackay
CEO of Energy Council of South AfricaJamesMackay: CEO, EnergyCouncilofSouthAfrica
James is a multi disciplined professional, qualified in both engineering and finance and brings a broad range of skills and experience to his role as the CEO of South Africa’s Energy Council. Previously head of Energy Strategy for PwC he has worked across various energy sectors and Africa and is experienced in both public and private sector.
With over 20 years of experience in delivering large investment and transformation projects,
James brings a wealth of knowledge and diversity to the task of developing a sustainable national energy transition pathway focused on ensuring a thriving energy sector, whilst creating shared value and prosperity for all South Africans.
Time is against us, we cannot afford to ignore the accelerating climate and economic risks inherent in the Energy Transition. The Energy Transition can however unlock significant value through innovation, reform, investment and job creation, but will require commitment from all. The Energy Council strives to provide energy sector leadership with specific focus on a common vision for a sustainable national energy transition.
Ndia Magadagela
CEO of EverlectricNdia is the co-founder and CEO of Everlectric. Everlectric packages leading international electric vehicles, charging infrastructure & innovative finance solutions that remove the hurdles to adopting a cleaner & more efficient future. The services make fleet transition to electric vehicles as painless as possible.
Gianluca Magrini
Head of R&D Department at Newster SystemHead of R&D Department at Newster System, a company which offers innovative solutions for healthcare waste management. Environmental scientist, author of three Patents, I have several years of experience in research and development.
Enthusiastic and eager to contribute to Environmental Sustainability, I held a bachelor degree in Environmental Sciences and a master degree in Environmental Sustainability and Civil Protection. Proceeding my studies with an accreditation as Urban and Hazardous Waste Manager at Italian Register of Environmental Managers, Building Environmental Sustainability Certifier and Building Energy Certifier. I am also a member of the Italian Association of Environmental Scientists (AISA)
Once hired in Newster System srl, I have acquired high knowledge in the treatment and sterilization of infectious hospital waste, in particular in the treatment and management of liquid wastes produced by bio-medical laboratories, with on-site advanced oxidation process to allow removal of both biological and chemical hazards.
Among these activities, I deal with writing and coordination of EU project funding proposals, as well as the development and application of new company products.
Gray Maguire
Climate Neutral GroupCarbon Project Manager at Climate Neutral Group / Anthesis, South Africa. Gray has been working on green economy issues for the state, the private sector, NGO’s and academia for 15 years. He is the former Green Economy Coordinator at the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning at Western Cape Government and a long-standing green economy columnist for Business Day. He is the programme lead for South Africa’s first VM0042 - Improved Agricultural Land-use Management methodology, carbon credit programme and is the co-chair of the Carbon Hub of the Sustainable Finance Coalition. He holds a post-graduate degree in Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies from the University of the Western Cape and wrote his Masters thesis on private investment in sustainable land-use management at WITS.
Mokena Makeka
Principal at Dalberg Advisors- Main Breakout 1 Hall D
- Carbon offsetting, carbon credits and the voluntary carbon market. The role the voluntary carbon market plays in transitioning South Africa to a low carbon economy, untapped potential of the VCM in Africa.
- Africa's industrialization Plans and the balance of meeting Net Zero targets.
Mokena Makeka is a Principal in Dalberg Advisors, and the office director for Southern Africa.
Mokena Makeka was raised in Maseru, Lesotho and New York, USA and is an accomplished architect, artist, creative, curator, global leader, scholar, speaker, urbanist.
His passions lie in the intersection between design and Regenerative development, just ecology and inclusive economies and the role that infrastructure and human centered design strategy plays in that. Climate Smart Forest Economies and art are core passions.
Mokena has a passion for foreign affairs, and geo-political economics, and is well versed in the post-colonial landscape of the African continent and Sub-Saharan Africa, the America’s and Europe.
Dr. Amel Makhlouf
President at Engineering Association for Mediterranean Countries (EAMC)Dr. Amel Makhlouf is an International Expert in Aerospace and Geospatial, Climate and Sustainable Development in Africa, Europe and the Mediterranean regions. She gained a broad experience working at the United Nations, the African Development Bank, the World Bank, the European Union and became the first woman in Africa and in the Arab countries and second in the world to be an Aerospace engineering graduate of ITC (International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Sciences) at University of Twente in Holland. She holds a PHD and two MSc degrees in aerospace and geospatial fields with a PHD thesis on the structuring of spacial databases and was part of the team of researchers who designed and developed the “IlWIS” Integrated Aerspace for Water and Land information system and implemented it at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
Dr. Makhlouf is a member of the Council of Engineers of Tunisia, a visiting University Professor in Italian and Tunisian universities, a permanent Board member of the Council and General Assembly of the CMU (Community for Mediterranean Countries) in Italy and President of the Italian based EAMC / Women Engineers (Engineering Association for Mediterranean Countries).
Dr. Brian Mantlana
Holistic Climate Change Impact Area Manager at Council for Scientific and Industrial ResearchBrian Mantlana holds a Ph.D from Wageningen University, in the Netherlands, which was done while he was based at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, in Jena, Germany. Brian joined the CSIR in 2017 where he leads the work of climate change. Before that he was a Chief Director in the Climate Change Branch at the Department of Environmental Affairs for six years. He started to work as a research scientist at SANBI where he worked for six years. He is one of the members of the Presidential Commission on Climate Change. He is a co-chair of the Africa integrated assessment on air pollution and climate change. He supervises Ph.D and M.Sc students in various Universities on climate change issues.
Leonardo Manus
Acting Deputy Director General: Infrastructure Management of Department of Water & SanitationLeonardo Manus joined the Department of Water and Sanitation in 1998, after which he accumulated an array of civil engineering, regulation, and water resource management experience. He is responsible for the conceptualisation of the incentive-based regulation programmes and the initial implementation of the Blue and Green Drop Certification programmes. He represented South Africa on the World Health Organisation’s Regulators Network until he took the responsibility for the operations and maintenance of Government Water Schemes in 2012. He is currently acting Deputy Director General: Infrastructure Management; which includes the responsibility to oversee the implementation of large water resource infrastructure projects.
Nicole Martens
Head of Stewardship at Old Mutual Investment GroupNicole Martens joined the Old Mutual Investment Group Responsible Investment team in May 2022. She is responsible for further building Old Mutual Investment Group’s RI initiatives, leading OMIG’s pro-active stewardship strategy, and further developing Old Mutual Investment Group’s listed stewardship service capability.
Nicole’s passion for sustainable development and developing pragmatic and impactful strategies for Africa’s just transition to a low carbon economy in response to the climate emergency is critical to Old Mutual Investment Group’s strategy and contribution to the global SDGs.
Nicole sits on several working groups and committees such as The Lewis Foundation Climate Risk Analytics for Sustainable Investment Advisory Committee, South Africa-UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (South Africa-UK PACT) Programme Advisory Group, and The Transparency Taskforce.
Amiene Van der Merwe
Founder & MD of GREENCABAmiene van der Merwe holds a Masters Degree in Education obtained at the University of Oregon, USA, in 1989. She returned to South Africa to co-found an NGO offering Peace and Democracy Education to youth leaders. Since she founded The Green Cab 13 years ago, it has pioneered the drive for sustainable- and gender-equitable transport services in the Corporate sector and Events industry in South Africa. She acted as Transport Director for the last 4 consecutive World Economic Forum on Africa Events.
She completed a further Certificate in “Small Businesses Boost in the Green Economy” at the Gordon Institute for Business Science and the University of Pretoria [2019] and a Certificate in “Economic Empowerment of Women in Green Industry” UN Women Training Centre [May 2021]. Her many accolades include being recognised as a “Super Women in the Green Economy” in SA, international ”Remarkable Women in Transport” and “100 Most Influential Supply Chain Women in Africa”. The Green Cab was selected to participate in the inaugural UK Government funded Climate Finance Accelerator in 2021. She is confident that it will yield climate financing to get women in the driving seat of EVs plugged into corporate service opportunities on a national e-hailing App.”
Beauty Mazibuko
Senior Consultant Socio-economic Development at EskomBeauty Mazibuko is a Senior Consultant for Socio-economic Development in Eskom’s Risk and Sustainability Division. She is a dynamic thought leader who has a rich experience of more than 15 years in corporate social responsibility, sustainability and socio-economic development. Her expertise is in research and also in policy and strategy development. She has been at the fore front of promoting social aspects of Eskom’s business operations both internal to Eskom and with external stakeholders. Her work has been showcased through multiple platforms including local and international conferences. Beauty is leading the socio-economic impact assessment studies for the shutdown, repowering and repurposing of power stations in support of Eskom’s Just Energy Transition strategy.
Heather Mcewan
Senior Manager, Project Developer Engagement at VerraAs Senior Manager, Project Developer Engagement, Heather provides guidance and support to project developers who utilize Verra programs, standards, and frameworks to achieve climate and sustainable development goals.
Prior to working at Verra, Heather worked in the energy and carbon industries in both South Africa and the State of Kuwait, where State of the Environment projects were commissioned by the United Nations Compensation Fund for damages incurred during the Iraqi invasion – country to country as opposed to company scale projects. In South Africa, Heather has worked on over 50 energy audits for both small- and large-scale projects, including taking companies to the international ISO 50001 certification. More recently, she has been working in the carbon space assisting local companies with the newly implemented carbon tax as well as carbon foot-printing.
Heather holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography, (Hons) and a Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences alongside numerous energy, carbon, and sustainability certificates. She recently won the prestigious Female Energy Professional of the Year, awarded by the Southern African Energy Efficiency Confederation (SAEEC) and in 2019 was presented with the Sub-Saharan Energy Professional Development Award from the International Association of Energy Engineers (AEE).
In her free time, Heather enjoys hiking, skiing, reading , and sailing – she recently completed a trans-Atlantic trip from Cape Town to Brazil.
Nicola Millson
Director & CEO of Future Academy & She Leads ChangeNicola has 15+ years of catalysing systems change for government bodies, the private sector and civil society. She is a seasoned sustainability practitioner, global business expert and trusted advisor. Nicola has worked with clients as diverse as the UK Government, Marks and Spencer, SABMiller, Nesta, Pearson and Cafe Direct. She has worked on social innovation in South Africa, Brazil and India and on market-making in the UK and Europe. Nicola has impressive business and sustainability qualifications and is on faculty for Cambridge University and for Imperial College. Nicola brings clear-eyed optimism and actionable expertise in strategy, innovation and leadership to deliver on bold visions, create positive impact and secure long-term livelihoods. She loves fresh thinking, constructive challenge, radical kindness, wild spaces and her small family.
Babalwa Mni
Founder of UTANDO- The role of Government in co-ordinating policies in mitigating climate change Best practice case studies in Africa
- Investment opportunities, upskilling challenges and solutions in implementing alternative energy projects in Africa
- Main Breakout 2 Hall D
Babalwa is a youth energy enthusiast, her curiosity for problem solving and unquestioned policy have lead her to step outside of her comfort zone. She has developed her curiosity through engaging in Approaches regarding sustainability, the circular economy, energy systems and climate change mitigation strategies that affect Africa and the world at large. With Pursuing a Bachelor of Social Sciences, the lens of power relations, has contributed to her Vision of redefining systems of development. As a Climate Governance, Diplomacy and Negotiations leadership Fellow (AGNES), she envisions an Africa, that is empowered, revolutionised and filled with Authentic, African relevant Innovations. In the past She has collaborated with Like minded Youth to create youth centred programmes. "I believe the Youth to be Essential mobilizers of change!”. As the Founder of UTANDO, Babalwa, grows a research ecosystem that aims to bridge the gap between energy security and food security using waste management.
Lehlogonolo Moseri
Chief Impact Officer at Mosa Green Consulting- Climate change and Africa's developmental trajectory.
- Rural - Urban devide in a just energry transition. Rural areas enabling cities in Africa to prosper. At what costs?
Lehlogonolo is the Founding member and Chief Impact officer of Mosa Green Consulting, an organization that addresses and provides strategic sustainable solutions on Environmental Management, climate change and Social Impact Management services. She has lead various Mining, infrastructure and development projects within the African Continent, in government and private sector. In addition to this, she is a founding director at Puno Circular which is Waste management and recycling company whose main objective is to manage waste, recycle and beneficiate it through various circular economy methods, while improving the socioeconomic state of cities, rural and township developments and achieving the United Nation's sustainable development goals.
She is the recipient of the 2020 top 100 global inspirational women in Mining award, awarded globally by the Women in Mining United Kingdom to top women across the globe who are making a contribution towards a stronger, safer and more sustainable mining industry, Her passion on Sustainable development on Africa, and her strive to improve the state of the world has had her awarded the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship, an initiative of the US state department. Furthermore, she has also served on the board of the Mandela Washington NPC. Lehlogonolo has also received the Inspiring-Fifty award, an award issued by the Kingdom of the Netherlands to women around the world who are carrying impactful work in the STEM field.
Mzila Mthenjane
Executive Head, Stakeholder Affairs at ExxaroMr. Mzila Mthenjane (“Mzila”) is the current Executive Head for Stakeholder Affairs at Exxaro Resources Limited. He has over 30 years’ experience in business, which has been attained in the mining and financial services sectors.
He has held various board positions as non-executive director in various entities including Pamodzi Gold Limited, Fraser Alexander, and Merafe Resources. He is the current Chairman of the Board of the Impact Catalyst and is the former Chairman of the Wits University Mining Engineers Association and the former President of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr. Mthenjane holds a BSc degree in mining engineering from Wits University and has completed various leadership development training including the Senior Management Development Programme from the Graduate Institute of Management and Technology (GIMT). In addition, he has completed the ABSIP leadership programme with GIBS and Advanced Management Programme, with INSEAD.
His leadership acumen has greatly benefited his current role, where he is tasked with building and retaining harmonious yet robustly engaging relationships with Exxaro’s diverse stakeholder groupings. These stakeholders include employees, customers, investors, legislators, communities, traditional leaders, the media, unions, and civic organisations.
Simplified, his task is to position Exxaro’s strategic direction and ensure alignment with this diverse network of stakeholders. Whilst in parallel he advises the Exxaro leadership on the dynamics and changes within the external environment and their possible impact on the business.
He is credited with successfully leading the development of Exxaro’s sustainable impact approach, as well as establishing Exxaro’s ESG narrative for stakeholder engagement. Through his leadership, Exxaro has remained amongst the top performers for integrated reporting, as acknowledged by local and offshore ratings agencies.
Des Muller
Director of NuEnergy Developments (Pty) LtdDes Muller is the Managing Director for NuEnergy Developments, a Consultancy structured around the Development and Industrialization of a Balanced and Sustainable Energy portfolio for Southern Africa.
He is an Electrical and Power Process Engineer with over 35 years’ hands-on experience in the Development and Construction of Thermal, Renewable and Nuclear Energy projects for both Utility and IPP operations.
He advises on the development and delivery of effective energy solutions that ultimately addresses our “Energy Trilemma” (Reliability – Sustainability – Affordability), while also creating local jobs.
He is also the Spokesperson for the South African Nuclear Build Platform, an industry forum that aligns and qualifies the local supply chain for current and future nuclear energy projects.
As an Independent Energy Specialist, he is recognized for his dedicated Leadership in the sensible transition and recovery of our Energy Sector.
Des Muller
Director of NuEnergy Developments (Pty) LtdDes Muller is the Managing Director for NuEnergy Developments, a Consultancy structured around the Development and Industrialization of a Balanced and Sustainable Energy portfolio for Southern Africa.
He is an Electrical and Power Process Engineer with over 35 years’ hands-on experience in the Development and Construction of Thermal, Renewable and Nuclear Energy projects for both Utility and IPP operations.
He advises on the development and delivery of effective energy solutions that ultimately addresses our “Energy Trilemma” (Reliability – Sustainability – Affordability), while also creating local jobs.
He is also the Spokesperson for the South African Nuclear Build Platform, an industry forum that aligns and qualifies the local supply chain for current and future nuclear energy projects.
As an Independent Energy Specialist, he is recognized for his dedicated Leadership in the sensible transition and recovery of our Energy Sector.
Emma Muller
Founder of KaacKaiEmma Muller is an experienced entrepreneur and founder of KaacKai. Featured as one of the leading green solutions by Green Cape and Green Building Council South Africa, KaacKai’s first of its kind wastewater recovery Pods use proven and tested Danish patented technology to generate free water for reuse without any noise or smell. KaacKai Pods mimic nature, backed by clever scientific applications, are proven and tested to EU standards, certified, modular and extremely economic to run. KaacKai not only saves money by generating free water for irrigation or re-flushing, but prevents contamination of our fresh water resources.
Dr Nicholas Musyoka
Research Group Leader and Principal Research Scientist: CSIR-Hydrogen South Africa & Carbon Capture and Utilisation at CSIRDr Nicholas Musyoka is a Research Group Leader and Principal Research Scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa. He holds a PhD degree in Chemistry and currently finalising a Masters in Technology and Innovation Management (MTIM). He has close to ten years of experience in the hydrogen technology space. He is a Future Leaders – African Independent Research (FLAIR) Fellow, a C2-rated National Research Foundation (NRF) scientist and an affiliate of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS). Dr Musyoka leads several hydrogen storage and production technology development projects with a special focus on green methanol, composite cylinders, and biogenic ‘biogas-derived: Turquoise’ hydrogen production.
Dr Gamuchirai Mutezo
Founder of Madam Waste- The role of Government in co-ordinating policies in mitigating climate change Best practice case studies in Africa
- Public Private Partnership in government models, policies, regulations and programs
- Rural - Urban devide in a just energry transition. Rural areas enabling cities in Africa to prosper. At what costs?
Dr Gamuchirai Mutezo is the founder of Madam Waste, an urban energy planning firm based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Services offered span across urban energy planning, organic waste management and decentralised clean energy using anaerobic digestion. Using principles of circular economy, Madam Waste endeavours to constantly view waste not in its traditional sense of a disposable material, but as a resource for other activities. She is also a Post Doctoral Fellow at the Centre for Ecological Intelligence (University of Johannesburg) focusing on agro-ecological waste management and circular economy.
Dr Mutezo has over 12 years’ work experience underpinned by entrepreneurship, renewable energy, applied research and development, all with a keen focus on decentralising energy access in African cities using anaerobic digestion. She holds a B. Town and Regional Planning (University of Pretoria), an MPhil Energy Poverty and Development (University of Cape Town), Project Management Certificate (University of South Africa) and a DPhil in Urban Biogas and Circular Economy (University of the Witwatersrand). Dr Mutezo is a member of the African Circular Business Alliance (ACBA), African Circular Economy Network (ACEN) - South Africa and South African Biogas Industry Association (SABIA). She enjoys travelling, reading and worldly conversations.
Masa Nkgadima
Senior Strategic Programmes and Transformation Manager at South African Breweries (SAB)Masa Nkgadima joined South African Breweries in November 2022 as Strategic Programmes and Transformation Manager, working in the Corporate Affairs team. She is responsible for developing pragmatic and impactful environmental project strategies aligned to the SAB brand whilst supporting overall ESG and transformation programmes and ensuring regulatory compliance.
What motivates Masa is working on projects that impact communities positively and change livelihoods for the better. Prior to joining SAB Masa worked in the FMCG, manufacturing and Finance sectors with vast experience in community outreach projects, sustainable development and ESG strategic planning.
She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from the Gordan Institute of Business Science and Honours degree in Business Management.
Bernd Oellermann
Senior Programme Manager at CSIR- Main Breakout 2
- Rural - Urban devide in a just energry transition. Rural areas enabling cities in Africa to prosper. At what costs?
Bernd is senior programme manager at the NCPC-SA, heading up the eco-industrial parks programme and industrialization work, building on work he started in industrial parks and SEZs previously. He introduced the national eco-industrial park programme while still in the dtic to support the Just Transition for industry to a circular economy and currently continues to drive this in close collaboration with the dtic and numerous other stakeholders.
His areas of expertise cover management consulting, project and programme management, stakeholder management, policy, strategy, planning and sustainability. He has worked in diverse fields that include sustainable development, industrial development, renewable energy, water, health, agriculture, engineering, R&D, education and training, ICT, mining and the financial sector. Bernd has worked with stakeholders across the spectrum of government, industry and commerce, unions, communities, youth, academia, research and non-profit environments that includes international experience.
He is passionate about people and sustainable development, driven by the belief in the restoration of Creation and every person to their original purpose and identity. His approach is systemic and integrated towards working with others to find solutions to the multidimensional challenges faced by the world.
Hiten Parmar
Director of uYilo eMobility ProgrammeMr Hiten Parmar
Director: uYilo eMobility Programme (South Africa)
Hiten stands as a lead executive, thought leader and industry expert extending over 19 years in profession. As Director of South Africa’s national electric mobility programme, he delivers to the mandate of enabling the uptake of electric mobility across both the public and private sectors.
Hiten also serves as liaison for multiple sector related forums within South Africa, as well as internationally on advancing the electric mobility ecosystem.
David Parry – Davies
Publishing Editor at The EnviropaediaPublishing Editor of The Enviropaedia
( Environmental Encyclopaedia & Directory)
Eco-Logical Thought Leader and Author
Host of The Annual Eco-Logic Awards
Kavita Pema
Group Head: Sustainability and ESG at AECIKavita Pema holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Management obtained from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. She is senior leader in sustainability, ESG, Risk and Environment, Health, and Safety with more than 25 years of public and private sector leadership experience with a keen focus on strategic business integration, strategy analysis and reporting, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance matters.
Throughout her career, she has been relied upon as a sustainability strategist, program builder, and regulatory compliance expert. Her passion for improving company structure, policy, and controls have repeatedly placed her in engagement with C-level executives, Boards, government officials, customers and suppliers, and other partners to develop realistic goals that better people and the planet.
Her expertise encompasses all aspects of sustainability program development, encompassing SDG and ESG integration into business and portfolio management on a domestic and international scale. Further, her ability to build consensus among executive teams and stakeholders to promote transparency and influence positive change has been repeatedly proven.
She was previously held positions of Group Executive at Winfield United South Africa and Omnia Group prior to which she the Group Environmental Specialist at AECI.
Beyond her contributions in the South African government and private sector on a macro scale, her greatest accomplishments have been related to time spent in cultivating future sustainability business leaders and in transforming the perspectives of professionals that did not have a proper understanding of key issues.
Dr Perushan Rajah
Senior Manager of Conservation Impact at Conservation South AfricaDr Perushan Rajah is an environmental scientist by profession, with a strong background in Earth Observation and Spatial Science. In his current role as Snr. Manager of Conservation Impact, he leads the national CSA impact portfolio. By applying Earth observation technology and spatial planning to the methods in which CSA reports on conservation impact, Perushan offers a unique and comprehensive approach to providing an evidence-based system to monitoring and evaluation, as well as planning at scale.
Lisa Reynolds
CEO of Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA)Lisa Reynolds joined the GBCSA as CEO in June 2020.
She was the driver for Standards and Regulation for Energy Efficiency in Buildings and serves on many SABS Committees and served on the Regulatory Advisory Council to achieve this. Lisa worked at Saint-Gobain as Sustainability Director and later formed her own Green Consulting company.
Lisa was involved in the GBCSA from its beginning (2007) and served on several Technical Working Groups. Lisa served on the Board, the Advocacy Committee, and the Technical Committee of the GBCSA. She has engaged with Government Departments on various Sustainability initiatives. Lisa has won numerous awards in the Sustainability space.
Afema Ronnie
Ambassador Aviation Development at Aviadev AfricaAfema Ronnie a Ugandan is the Current Ambassador for Aviadev Africa. Mr. Afema has spearheaded a campaign to mitigate the impact of aviation on climate called the One-dollar Tree planting campaign. Afema started his Aviation career in 2018 at Ninety Nines Flight Academy Nairobi where he obtained his Flight Operations License and commenced his Private Pilot license training before moving to Eagle Air Flight Academy in South Africa. Afema Holds a degree in Quantitative Economics where he specialized in Math and statistics. He has worked with Simple Flying and Airspace Africa as an aviation Journalist. Ronnie is so passionate about African aviation development and sustainability.
Paul Rowett
CEO of TocoPaul Rowett has nearly 30 years of experience in the tech startup sector. Having worked alongside some of the world’s most inspiring minds, investors and industry-leading innovators, he has co-founded a number of successful startups, many of which concluded in successful exits. Most recently, Paul was part of the co-founding team at Lobster Ink, a leading digitally-enabled training solution which offered curated learning content to global workforces. At the height of its success, Lobster Ink offered content in over 20 languages to more than 2-million users across 130 countries. The company was successfully acquired by the New York Stock Exchange listed Ecolab in 2019.
Since then, Paul has drawn on his expertise, strategic prowess and technical insights to find globally relevant solutions through his biggest passion, Climate Tech. His philosophy is that innovators have always been able to solve complex global problems driven by intrinsic value creation. Now humanity is asking innovators to solve the world’s most complex problem yet: climate change. And Paul believes that innovation will solve the challenge of decarbonising the global economy.
Paul’s current focus is as the co-founder and CEO of Toco, the world’s first digital currency aimed at starting a movement to mitigate climate change through people’s everyday use of money.
He believes innovation has the potential to make climate action pragmatic, accessible, inclusive and very possible for everyone on the planet - regardless of their socio-economic circumstances. Toco is a prime example of how climate tech can develop solutions that simultaneously challenge the status quo, while allowing every person on the planet to practically live a more sustainable future.
Paul is often heard saying: “Time for talking is over. We need to take significant action quickly. Toco is the precursor for even more solutions that have the capability to accelerate positive climate action on both an individual and community level.”
Ridhwana Shaik
Circular Economy Creative Strategist at Fashion ConsultantRidhwana ‘Ray’ Shaik is a creative economy and sustainability consultant with over 10 years of experience in the footwear and apparel industry. She has gathered rich learning experiences spanning from Italy to The Netherlands.
From having worked in Asia to building brands in Africa, she has created extensive networks for both manufacturing and sourcing. As the founder of a creative agency called Green Start Ideas, she helps small brands build products from idea to production within the creative
space and helps them leverage opportunities within the Circular Economy. She currently operates at the nexus of footwear/fashion education and sustainable thinking and has launched an online footwear design course and continues to collaborate with leading educational institutions on the continent in creating footwear design programs that focus on circular economy principles.
As a sustainability-led creative consultant, her first point of reference is always getting the design right so that the products she helps create, do not become a burden to the environment further downstream. She also facilitates various workshops around design-thinking, and footwear making and runs a few pro-bono workshops per year teaching disadvantaged women how to make baby shoes by repurposing fabric and textile waste.
She's endeavored to teach as many creatives as are interested in starting their process with one simple question in mind- 'what will become of this thing that I a creating when it has reached the end of its usefulness?'
Georgina Smit
Head of Technical at Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA)Georgina Smit is Head of Technical at the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). She oversees certification and research related products that drive the property sector to design, build and operate buildings in a more sustainable way. She manages the Technical team at the GBCSA who are responsible for independently certifying green and net zero buildings and identifying market leaders. Her daily responsibilities include driving market transformation through certification which can verify tangible, quantifiable impacts and providing customer focused technical support to all stakeholders engaging with the GBCSA, both in the private and public sector.
Bjorn Stauch
Vice President, Conservation Finance at Conservation InternationalBjorn leads C.I. Ventures, the impact investing arm of Conservation International. CI Ventures is an impact-first investment fund, investing in and catalysing early stage nature-positive SME’s that have potential for large scale environmental impact through their business models. CI Ventures invests in Africa, South America, Global Oceans and more recently Asia-Pacific.
Prior to this role Bjorn led CI’s Conservation Finance portfolio in Africa, delivering conservation finance solutions across Africa, to achieve financial sustainability for conservation landscapes, and leverage the capital markets to achieve scale environmental impact though structuring & innovation. CFD mechanisms include Impact Investing, Carbon Finance, Financial Structuring and Trust & Endowment Funds.
Prior to joining Conservational International, Bjorn’s career spanned 17 years in Investment Management & Private Banking (in the UK, Singapore, New York, Cayman Islands and Africa).
Bjorn has a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from Stellenbosch University, an MBA from INSEAD, is an alumnus of both the Strategic Leadership Programme, and Impact Investing Programme at Said Business School, Oxford University, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Bjorn is South African and married with 3 children.
Ashmeer Sukdeo
Africa Energy and Fluids Sourcing Manager at South African Breweries (SAB)Ashmeer Sukdeo is the Africa Energy and Fluids Sourcing Manager for AB InBev Africa, the world’s largest brewer and a proud part of the Global Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB-InBev) family. He is accountable for the renewable energy agenda within AB InBev’s Africa Zone to transform their energy footprint as per the company’s sustainability and net-zero ambitions. He is responsible for developing AB InBev Africa’s renewable energy roadmap towards achieving 100% contracted electricity as well as driving renewable energy sourcing activities and mandates.
Ashmeer has a BSc in Mechanical Engineering (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Pretoria – Gordon Institute of Business Science. He has 10 years combined experience in oil and gas as well as food and beverage industries, serving in several departments from operations, projects, supplier development and procurement.
Ashmeer is a globe trotter that immerses in local cultures, loves non-fiction books, and acquiring new skills.
Tony Tiyou
CEO of Renewables in AfricaTony Tiyou is the Founder and CEO of Renewables in Africa, a Clean Energy engineering company and media platform which mission is to Bring (Back) Power to Africa.
Tony previously worked for a decade as an engineer and later consultant in several companies in the Automotive and the Renewables Energy where he occupied several key roles.
In 2016, Tony launched Renewables in Africa (RiA), a clean energy company whose vision is to turn Africa into a fully electrified continent by 2040 and the mission to Bring (Back) Power into Africa. RiA first mandate is the raise awareness about Renewable Energy across the continent and the globe and its second is to provide clean energy solutions to businesses. RiA has a footprint in Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique and Benin, and a wider network in other countries and regions.
Tony is a regular technical expert making appearances in various Renewables Energy programmes in BBC, Sky News and has also featured in US broadcasting Stations VOA and EmeraldPlanet TV.
Tony has also contributed to various prestigious outlets like, LSE Blog, The Exporter or Forbes Afrique.
Tony is the author of ‘The Wind Industry Outlook in Africa’, released in November 2017 and has won multiple Awards including African Leadership Impact Investing and being nominated as one of the 50 Top Influential African & Afro-Caribbean Leaders in the UK 2018.
Jason Van Staden
Project Manager for research and training at University of Cape TownJason is a Project Manager for research and training in the Bertha Centre's Innovative Finance initiative located at the University of Cape Town. Jason is responsible for coordinating teaching and research support for learning programmes in impact investing and innovative finance and driving research efforts in the Centre’s Green finance, Early-stage funding, and Blended finance work. He completed his BCom Honours (Information Systems) and Doctorate (Management) degrees at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he also did a postdoctoral research fellowship and lectured Management and Innovation courses. Jason has also founded two tech-based social enterprises in his private capacity.
Cornelis Van der Waal
CEO of the Grabouw Development Agency (GDA) at WesgroCornelis van der Waal holds an MBA degree obtained from the University of Stellenbosch in 2005. He has experience in market research and management consulting and more recently economic development at a regional level. In 2006 he joined the Frost & Sullivan Africa team and led the Energy and Environment practice until 2014 when he spent some time in the Financial Services industry. In 2016 he joined the Wesgro team as the Chief Research Officer and was involved in the events leading up to the “Day Zero” drought in Cape Town. During the drought Wesgro had the important role of educating investors and tourists on the realities of the situation. In particular the message around “open for business” during this time was important to save jobs and protect the economy. Wesgro subsequently commissioned research on the impact of the drought on the economy as well the impact on the perception international investors and tourists has of Cape Town.
Peter Varndell
CEO of NEPAD Business FoundationPeter Varndell is the Chief Executive Officer of the NEPAD Business Foundation (NBF), a non-profit organisation that has successfully mobilised and managed impactful development projects through public-private partnerships over the last 20 years.
Prior to his appointment as CEO, Peter was the Programme Manager for NBF’s Africa Infrastructure Desk. In this role he provided leadership and technical expertise on the North South Corridor Rail Project, which is a collective effort of seven rail operators in the SADC region, working together to increase intra-African trade.
As part of the NBF’s mandate to host the the SADC Business Council (SADC BC) and the Strategic Water Partner Network (SWPN), Peter participates as the Executive Secretary and Strategic Programme Management Support for both institutions respectively.
Peter’s professional career spans more than 20 years in infrastructure development. His extensive expertise includes interventions in the transport, energy, and water sectors with a significant emphasis on economic development and stakeholder engagement. Peter is passionate about the development of Africa and aims to develop public-private sector collaborations that achieve inclusive and sustainable socio-economic growth.
Peter is a chartered civil engineer and holds a B. Eng. Civil Engineering degree and is a chartered member of the Institution of Civil Engineers UK.
Mongezi Veti
Executive Head Sustainability at ExxaroHis extensive experience in the mining industry spans over four decades starting from Gold, Platinum, and now in coal. Upon joining the coal sector, he soon realized that coal was his final home, and that he never looked back, and this was after joining Sasol Mining, as a Mining Professional in Training in 1993. In 2002, he joined Eyesizwe Coal to become the General Manager, after which was sent to Exxaro Headquarters following the merger between Kumba Resources and Eyesizwe Coal.
He is currently an Executive Head: Sustainability a position has held since 2010.
He holds a master’s degree in Business Leadership from University of South Africa, mining engineering Diploma from University of Johannesburg, and advanced management program from Wharton, United States.
He is also a registered certificated Professional Engineer with Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), and also been the President of South African Colliery Managers Association in 2012.
Catherine Wijnberg
CEO of FetolaCatherine Wijnberg is a powerful advocate for change, for entrepreneurs, for Africa and the planet.
Born in Zambia, Catherine has two degrees in Agriculture, an MBA, and more than 30 years of business growth experience having created enterprises in 5 different sectors across 3 different countries.
Listed amongst the first ever Forbes Africa 50 Over 50 women in business that spotlights Africa’s female powerhouses who are inspiring the next generation, Catherine is a thought leader on small business development, sustainability and circularity. She has a particular passion for effecting impact at the ecosystem level.
She founded Fetola in 2006, a leading provider of world-class entrepreneurial support programmes for African entrepreneurs, building businesses that last through scalable solutions that deliver social, environmental and economic impact.
Fetola is best known for their four national business accelerators which build sustainable, empowered and thriving small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at scale. Over 1000 businesses have graduated from these accelerators creating lasting anchors in the local economy, 87% of whom are still in business ten years later – which is 9 times the national average.
In her spare time, she is a licensed paraglider, former national carriage driving champion and award-winning pilot, wildlife enthusiast and mother of three daughters.
Kirsten Wilkins
Associate: Urban Solutions at Zutari- Public Private Partnership in government models, policies, regulations and programs
- Rural - Urban devide in a just energry transition. Rural areas enabling cities in Africa to prosper. At what costs?
Kirsten has over 20 years of experience in urban design and collaborative transversal creation of urban solutions. She has worked across government spheres and with a range of international donors and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to ensure that projects and solutions are integrated and well-considered. Her experience has focused on the transport and mobility sector in the last 10 years and includes a specialisation in designing, implementing and managing urban placemaking projects. Her work spans thought leadership and packaging solutions for teaching and training, as well as government stakeholder engagements and consultancy work. She now leads the Urban Solutions team at Zutari, bringing collaborative problem solving to the business of impact engineering and implementation.