
- Free State & Northern Cape
- Gauteng
- KwaZulu Natal
- Mpumalanga
- Western Cape
- Eastern Cape
- Limpopo
- North West

Free State & Northern Cape Branch Committee

Free State Branch Chair: Eldalize Kruger
Eldalize Kruger obtained a M.Sc in Environmental Management degree in 2003 at the NWU. After initially, working for a company specializing in mine rehabilitation and contributing to environmental management in the mining environment, she moved to Bloemfontein in 2001 where she joined the staff of the Geography Department of the University of the Free State. She teaches courses in general physical geography (at first year level) as well as environmental management courses (at third year and honours level). Her research interests include environmental management focusing on various aspects of environmental impact assessments; and environmental awareness and education.

Vice Chair: Hanlie Stander

Secretary: Marguerite Cronje

Treasurer: Lorato Tigedi

Gauteng Branch Committee

Gauteng Branch Chairperson: Lehlongonolo Mashego

Gauteng Branch Secretary & Events: Sharon Meyer
Sharon Meyer has over 20 years of experience as a Senior Environmental Assessment Practitioner and Project Manager. Currently working at SLR Consulting. She has worked on a range of projects from mining rights applications and hydroelectric power projects as well as large power generation projects. Sharon has significant experience in industrial waste management for both mining and the power sectors and has managed multi-disciplinary and multi-national teams on Due Diligence Projects within Africa to review compliance with international financing requirements.

Gauteng Branch Vice Chair, Student and Young Professionals Support: Lethabo Maebana
Lethabo holds a BSc Honours in Limnology and has eight (8) years of experience in the environmental management sector. She currently works as an Environmental Management Officer at Eskom: Lethabo Power Station and has worked at two environmental consultancy firms prior to her appointment in Eskom.
Over the years, she has grown to become influential and indispensable due to her growing knowledge of working on environmental and sustainability projects by coordinating, managing and conducting a range of environmental impact assessments, licensing, compliance monitoring and providing environmental advisory services.
Lethabo has been an active IAIAsa member since 2018 and she prescribes to the code of conduct of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) and the Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa (EAPASA) where she is registered as a Professional Natural Scientist and Environmental Assessment Practitioner, respectively. Furthermore, she also serves as mentor, through the EAPASA mentorship program, for the Registered Candidate EAPs.

Gauteng Branch Treasurer : Amy Galvao
Amy is a vibrant and passionate junior consultant. She has a background in environmental law BSc in Environmental Science and Legal Theory and a BSc Honours from Rhodes in Environmental Science in addition to a Masters Degree in Environmental Sciences from Wits. She has a bubbly personality and is great at networking and organising events. Amy aspires to grow her knowledge base surrounding the latest sustainability issues. She has an interest in environmentally focused technology and how this could become an important tool in sustainability and environmental management. Amy is in the early stages of her Environmental Consulting career at SLR Consulting and has a keen interest in specializing in the Renewable Energy sector.

Kwazulu Natal Branch Committee

KZN Branch Chair: Humayrah Bassa
Humayrah is a Senior Environmental Scientist with over 13 years experience in environmental consulting. She is a registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) with the Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of Southern Africa and a Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat.) in the field of practice of Environmental Science with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions. She is also the KwaZulu-Natal Branch Chair for the International Association for Impact Assessment South Africa (IAIAsa).
Humayrah is presently a Principal Environmental Consultant at SLR Consulting. She has a successful track record in environmental permitting processes that meet Good International Industry Practise (GIIP) and is versed in the application of international lender standards including the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards, World Bank Equator Principles and the application of the World Bank Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) sector-specific guidelines. She has extensive knowledge of environmental governance in Southern Africa and the complex challenges associated with environmental regulatory process including Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) / Environmental Management Programmes (EMPrs), Screening Assessments, Water Use Licence Applications (WULAs), Waste Management Licence Applications, Public Participation and GIS mapping.
She holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Environmental Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

KZN Branch Deputy Chair: Nazeer Jamal
Mr. Nazeer Jamal is Managing Director and Lead Environmental Specialist at Khweza Environmental Consulting. He has a B.Sc. (H) in Environmental Science majored in Economics, Geography & Environmental Management and over 10 years’ experience in all 3 spheres of government including the National DWS, the National DEA, the KZN EDTEA and the eThekwini Municipality. He was an active Environmental Management Inspector for the Green Scorpions for 9 years.
He has been awarded as One of 200 Top Young South Africans by Mail & Guardian in 2011, as Climate Reality Leader by Climate Reality, and serves as Council Member of the KZN Climate Change and Sustainable Development Council. He is Chairman of Penny Appeal South Africa, an international humanitarian aid organization and is an avid landscape and travel photographer.

KZN Branch Secretary: Riona Patak-Govender
Riona Patak-Govender holds a B.Sc. Honours Degree in Environmental Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). Over the last 11 years, Riona has practiced as an EAP and gained consulting experience through her involvement in environmental processes for a wide range of government and private clients across various sectors (including infrastructure, mining and renewable energy). Riona worked in the Pietermaritzburg area for the first 9 years of her employment and was an active member of IAIAsa KZN branch committee. She then relocated to Gauteng temporarily. Since relocating back to KZN, Riona has been employed as an Associate Environmental Consultant for SLR based in Durban. Riona serves on the IAIAsa KZN committee as branch Secretary.

KZN Branch Marketing & Communication: Sizakele Zungu
Sizakele is an independent consultant who previously worked as Project Officer: Environmental Policy for Dube Tradeport Corporation, specialising in project managing applications for environmental authorisations and water use licenses. Prior to working for DTPC, she worked as an Environmental Officer for the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) under the Environmental Impact Management section, reviewing Environmental Impact Assessment applications. She is trained in the review of EIAs and is registered with EAPASA as an Environmental Assessment Practitioner.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, an Honours BSc in Environmental Management and a Masters in Business Administration.

KZN Branch Partnerships: Divhani Ramovha
Mr Divhani Ramovha is an Environmentalist at eThekwini Municipality and is passionate about environmental protection. Divhani holds an Honours in Environmental Sciences and Eight years’ experience working in the Environmental Management field. He has additional training in Environmental Law and Environmental Management Systems ISO 14001:2015. Coupled with his academic and professional experience, he is a registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) with EAPASA and a Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat) with SACNASP as well as member of the International Association for Impact Assessment South Africa (IAIAsa).

KZN Branch Student Support: Bulelwa Doyisa
Bulelwa currently works for Transnet Pipelines as an Environmental Young Professional where her primary focus is on Environmental Permitting and Compliance. Prior to joining Transnet, she worked as an Environmental Trainee with eThekwini Municipality’s Biodiversity Management Department.
She holds a BSc Environmental Science degree from UKZN and a BSc Environmental Management honours degree from UNISA. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science (MSc) in Environmental Science focusing on water quality. Bulelwa is a registered Candidate Environmental Assessment Practitioner (Cand.EAP) with EAPASA.

KZN Branch Treasurer: Theo Wicks
Theo Wicks is an Associate Environmental Consultant at SLR Consulting (South Africa/Africa) (Pty) Ltd with more than 15-years of consulting experience. He holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Geographic and Environmental Science and Masters degree in Environmental Management and an EAPASA registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner. His experience has allowed him to consult on large and small scale projects across sectors (renewable and non-renewable power, infrastructure, mining, and oil and gas) and at different stages of the project life cycle (prefeasibility screening and concept development, permitting, and construction and post construction monitoring).
His experience has taken him across the continent having consulted on projects in southern, central, eastern, and west Africa, supporting these to comply with local regulatory and international finance institution requirements.

Mpumalanga Branch Committee

Mpumalanga Branch Chairperson: Tshepo Shakwane
Acquiring critical skills in advanced crop production and the application of GIS systems while farming in a sustainable manner. Interests and passion include organic food production, pharmaceuticals and viable seed production and its impacts on the environment for generations to come.

Mpumulanga Vice Chairperson: Ninette Barnard
Ninette is a Safety, Health and Environmental professional, with 24 years’ extensive experience in the mining environment. She holds a B.Sc. Hons degree in Plant Ecology obtained from the University of Pretoria as well as a B Tech in Safety Management from UNISA and is waiting to hear if she has passed her master’s in environmental management at the Northwest University. She is currently the Environmental Manager for Africoal SA in Emalahleni. Ninette is registered with SACNASP.
Ninette is passionate about sharing information and knowledge and hopes that being part of the IAIASA branch committee can assist to ensure members are always aware of the latest and greatest available information.
She has turned into a cat lady but will never love her cats more than wine.

Mpumulanga Branch Secretary: Phangisile Mthimunye
Ms. Phangisile Mthimunye is a member of the International Association for Impact Assessment South Africa (IAIAsa). She obtained her degree of Bachelor of Earth Sciences in Mining and Environmental Geology from University of Venda. Ms. Phangisile Mthimunye has also completed short courses on Project Management and Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001:2015). She currently works for Geovicon Environmental (Pty) Ltd as a Senior Environmental consultant.
Her responsibilities include but limited to: environmental control officer, conducting surface and groundwater monitoring, compilation of mining permits and prospecting right applications, environmental reports (EMPr, Scoping Reports, BARs and EIRs), Water Use Licence applications, environmental assessment audits and integrated water use licence audits.

Mpumulanga Branch Assistant Secretary: Nadine Joubert
Nadine Joubert is an associate member of IAIAsa Mpumalanga. She has obtained her Bachelor of Environmental Science as well as Honours in Environmental Management at NWU. She currently works in the Thungela Coal Mining Industry as an Environmental Officer in Training. Her passion lies in driving environmental compliance and finding new innovations to improve environmental practices. She believes that each small contribution can end up cumulating to a sustainable and healthy environment for everyone.

Mpumulanga Branch Treasurer: Phethile Mkhonto
Ms. Phethile Mkhonto is a member of the International Association for Impact Assessment South Africa (IAIAsa). She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from the University of Pretoria. She currently works for Ecoleges Environmental Consultants as a Junior Environmental consultant. Her responsibilities include: Performing Basic Assessments (BA) and/or Scoping & Environmental Impact Assessments (S&EIA) including all related tasks, Undertaking Water Use Authorisation Applications, as well as conducting compliance and/or conformance audits during the development and/or related operational phases of an activity in the capacity of an independent auditor or Environmental Control Officer (ECO).
Phethile is an ambitious, goal driven person whose intelligence, diligence, and work ethic, allows her to overcome challenges and work under time pressures.
Her willingness to learn new things allows her to integrate well into a team environment, while her goal-drivenness allows her to work well on her own to ensure deadlines are met. Phethile’s personality helps to build and maintain good working relationships.

Western Cape Branch Committee

Western Cape Branch Chair: Nicholas Arnott
Nicholas has served on the IAIAsa Western Cape Branch committee since 2019. He has over 17 years’ experience in environmental consulting and holds a BSc (Honours) in Earth and Geographical Sciences from the University of Cape Town. He is a registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner with EAPASA and a Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat.) with SACNASP in the field of practice of Environmental Science. Nicholas is presently an Associate Environmental Consultant at SLR Consulting working on EIAs within the oil & gas, renewable energy, mining, and infrastructure sectors. In addition to being involved in a number of projects located throughout South Africa (both onshore and offshore), he has worked on projects located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Western Cape Branch: Marélie Botha
Marélie Botha holds a B. Sc. Honours Degree in Geography and Environmental Management from the North West University and is a result-driven, Environmental Assessment Practitioner with a wealth of experience in technical, theoretical, and practical aspects of environmental management, which was gained over the past 13-years. With well over 100 successful reviews and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) under her belt, Marélie has developed a strong expertise in the development of large scale solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities across South Africa. She maintains an impressive 100% approval rate for her EIAs, demonstrating her exceptional competence in the field.
As Director and Project Manager of Blue Crane Environmental, Marélie is responsible for the successful delivery of projects from start to finish, including project management, overseeing the project team’s execution of tasks, budget and timeframe management, and maintaining strong relationships with clients. She has a pragmatic approach to problem-solving and is dedicated to achieving project objectives efficiently and effectively.

Western Cape Branch: Anwen Beukes
Anwen Beaukes is currently employed by Doug Jeffery Environmental Consultants and is a registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner with EAPASA. She holds a B.Sc Honours Degree in Biodiversity and Ecology from Stellenbosch University and is currently pursuing her M.Sc in Environmental and Geographical Science at the University of Cape Town. Anwen is an assertive independent young woman who is determined to accomplish great things in life. She began her career in the environmental management field in 2020 and has worked on a diverse range of projects within the Western Cape both in the public and private sector.
Anwen is registered as a Candidate Biological Scientist with SACNASP and was recently selected for the Young Scientist SACNASP Candidate Mentorship Programme facilitated by South African Wetland Society. She has experience within the Western Cape both in the public and private sector.

Western Cape Branch: Janet Ebersohn
Janet Ebersohn is the Managing Director of Eco Route Environmental Consultancy, founded in the year 2000 by Dr. Colleen Ebersohn. Janet has grown Eco Route for the past 8 years, which now operates across the Garden Route and into the Eastern Cape. Janet has completed various Environmental Impact Assessments, Environmental Management Programmes, Social Impact Assessment reports, amongst many others. She has worked on the assessment of goods and services that wetlands provide, thereby aiding informed planning and decision making. She has a BSc. Hons in Environmental Management from University of South Africa, and further certificates in Wetland Delineation and Flood Line Determination.
Janet strives to not only expand the knowledge and skills of the Eco Route staff but has a passion for assisting the community. Janet has hosted several workshops which host real estate agents, local farmers, and other agencies working within the environmental sector. The aim of the workshops is to educate the public on matters concerning EIAs and how to better inform their potential clients. The knowledge from these workshops will hopefully lead to the public making informed decisions in terms of development prior to initiating practices which trigger Listed Activities in terms of NEMA (Act no.107 of 1998) and having to undertake a costly and avoidable Section 24G process. In addition, Janet writes and publishes informative articles in the local newspaper which also serves as an avenue to contribute to the public’s knowledge on EIAs and the relevant processes.

Eastern Cape Branch Committee
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Limpopo Branch Committee
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North West Branch Committee
Please get in touch with us should you wish to start an IAIAsa North West Regional Branch.