
Gauteng Branch Committee

Gauteng Branch Chair: Zama Mkhize
Zama Mkhize is an experienced Senior Environmental Sustainability Advisor with a demonstrated history of working in the utilities, exploration and mining industries (14 years experience). She has worked in Chrome Smelting, Gold Mining, Management, Water Resource Management, Environmental Legal Compliance, and Risk Management. Zama is a qualified professional with an honours degree in Energy Studies from the University of Johannesburg and is currently completing her final year of MSc in Industrial Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Zama has led and partaken in the successful development of Eskom’s strategic and governance documents (guidelines, policies and procedures) for the Risk & Sustainability Division, for business implementation, which is then followed up with periodic compliance assessments to analyse performance against the legal requirements.
Zama is passionate about community development and does her bit in social services to ensure that the marginalised communities are provided with an opportunity for education, career growth and business development. This is achieved in collaboration with NPOs and mentoring selected individuals in need. Her goal is to see young scientists grow and thrive; developing the next generation of inventors and researchers.

Gauteng Branch Vice-Chair & Treasurer: Lehlongonolo Mashego
Lehlogonolo Mashego is a Sustainability Manager working at BDO South Africa and a sustainable living activist. Through her professional experience she has served and continues to serve the mining industry, township establishments, energy sector, resettlement and maintenance/rehabilitation related work. Her profession has served to equip her to understanding the sensitivities that are faced as a population and the urgent need to present practical solutions. With over six years of professional experience, Lehlogonolo continues to grow in her field of speciality.
Lehlogonolo completed her MSc in Environmental Science with the University of Witwatersrand. She is a six-year IAIAsa member and continues to serve the committee with the aim of bringing transformation and youth empowerment. Lehlogonolo’s passion lies in environmental awareness, sustainability, water management and stakeholder engagement. Her professional wish is to make a mark in driving strategic development while bringing sound solutions for implementation.
Lehlogonolo plans to work her way toward becoming a leading Sustainability Advisor and Lecturer. Lehlogonolo is young and vivacious, leaving a lasting impression on everyone she meets. The song that best represents Lehlogonolo is “Run the World” by Beyonce. Lehlogonolo is well on her way to running the world and she is a shining star we should all keep our eyes on. In the meantime, we are lucky to have her energy and her sass on our committee, keeping us on our toes.

Gauteng Branch Secretary & Events: Emmy Molepo
Emmy Molepo is a Senior Environmental Specialist at Sasol. She previously worked as a Senior Environmental Advisor / Specialist for Eskom Holdings for almost a decade. She worked at various government departments prior to joining Eskom. She has 19 years’ work experience in the environmental field and specialises in environmental impact assessment (EIA). Emmy is an all-rounder within the EIA space, as an Authority representative she issued various environmental authorisations; and as an applicant representative, her experience ranges from managing complex EIA projects,
undertaking construction monitoring and auditing at national level within South Africa, providing trainings and undertaking due diligence.
She is registered with both SACNASP, as a professional Natural Scientist and EAPASA as an EAP. She also serves as an assessor with EAPASA. Emmy holds MSc and BTech in Environmental Science, as well as National Diploma in Environmental Management.
On a personal level, Emmy is a tourist at heart, a baker of note and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Gauteng Branch Branch Marketing and Communcations & Memberships: Ronell Kuppen
Ronell has worked in the environmental field for over a decade with experience in all facets of consulting. She holds a Honours degree in Geography, with her undergraduate in Environmental and Development. Ronell is a self-motivated individual, who is adaptable to most situations and quick to pick up new skills, which is essential in the environmental field to meet the needs of developers and the departments. My current position offers me the responsibility of undertaking Environmental Impact Assessments (Scoping and EIR’s, Basic Assessments, Feasibility Reports and Due Diligence Reports),
Water Use License Applications, Waste License Applications, Project management and engaging with clients, government departments and the public
Ronell is easy going and loves socialising with family and friends. She is a Harry Potter fanatic, which I have successfully passed onto my nieces and nephews.

Gauteng Branch Student and Young Professionals Support: Tshilidzi Tshimange
Tshilidzi Tshimange is a SACNASP and EAPASA registered Professional Environmental Scientist Holding a Master of Environmental Management from the University of Venda, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Water Management from Monash University among others. His experience in the field of environmental management/sciences spans over a decade and a half. He is also a highly supportive professional with a high level of ethical work practices and always strives to satisfy the needs of his clients/customers through excellent professional practice.
He has spent over the past decade and a half working in several areas such as consulting, construction and with authorities – both provincial and local. His main strengths include Integrated Environmental Management, Compliance and Monitoring as well as Project Management.
shilidzi is married to only one wife and blessed with three amazing boys. He is a very vibrant person that is easy-going to relate to and forms relationships with. He enjoys outdoor life including camping and fishing. For this reason and ministering the Word, he is usually referred to as “Born to Fish”. He is also interested in legal matters and currently pursuing an LLB degree (Final-year level) with the University of South Africa.