Speakers

Nobukhosi Ngwenya

Nobukhosi Ngwenya is an urban planner and development practitioner whose research interest focuses on community-led planning, development and transformation of human settlements, particularly informal settlements, in the global South. As a result, Nobukhosi's research examines the (often conflicting) planning logics driving claims as well as the challenges to those claims for land in the urban and peri-urban areas. In so doing, Nobukhosi's research examines the interconnections between the land question, infrastructure and questions of identity, citizenship and belonging historically and in the present. Currently, Nobukhosi is part of the Environmental Humanities South team that Critical Zones Africa South and East, which examines how lived experience in Africa’s Anthropocene can support decision-makers to improve habitability in peri-urban areas.

Sinovuyo Mbobo
Coordinator
Adaptation Network

Sinovuyo holds a Bachelor of Agriculture and Honours Degree with a major in Agricultural Economics from the University of the Free State. Recently serving as the Project Manager at Indigo development & change, which hosts the Secretariat of the Southern African Adaptation Network, Sinovuyo played a crucial role in supporting the AN Steering Committee and working group co-chairs, ensuring the smooth functioning of the Network. This experience ignited her interest in working with diverse stakeholders, especially at the grassroots level, to connect broad scientific concepts with the personal experiences of individuals. Sinovuyo aspires to use her passion for writing to proficiently communicate about climate change, bridging the gap between scientific concepts with local knowledge to facilitate actionable steps towards the fight against climate change. 

Nthakoana Maema

CEO
Oribi

Meet Nthakoana Maema, a visionary leader and CEO of ORIBI, an impact-focused incubator dedicated to fostering social innovation through impact entrepreneurship. With a strong commitment to creating financially thriving and inclusive economies in South Africa, Nthakoana leverages her extensive experience as a development strategist spanning over 17 years. Passionate about sustainable cities, social entrepreneurship, and promoting youth and gender inclusion, Nthakoana approaches complex challenges through the lens of equity and systems thinking. Her diverse educational background includes studies in Business Science with a focus on Finance, Design Thinking, and NPO/SE Management. Recently, she furthered her expertise by completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Development at Stellenbosch University. Beyond her role at ORIBI, Nthakoana is the founder of FutureProof Consultancy, where she empowers leaders and teams to build resilience and cultivate a culture of innovation. Through coaching, co-designing, and fundraising for transformative development projects, she catalyzes positive change and helps shape a better future. Nthakoana Maema is a driving force behind sustainable development, social impact, and inclusive growth, leaving an indelible mark on the field of social innovation in South Africa and beyond.

Mpfunzeni Tshindane
Environmental Control Officer: Adaptation
Western Cape Government

Mpfunzeni Tshindane works for the Western Cape Government’s Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP). Mpfunzeni holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences and has over 8 years of experience working in the sector. Prior to joining the Western Cape Government, Mpfunzeni worked for the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) as a project coordinator for international donor funds such as the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund. Mpfunzeni has been involved in the development and implementation oversight of community-based climate change adaptation projects, ecosystem-based adaptation strategies, case studies and capacity building programmes in South Africa and through international Community of Practice platforms. Mpfunzeni is currently leading the development of the Western Cape Government’s Climate Change Adaptation Pathway project.

Bettine Koelle

Associate Director (ad interim)
Climate Centre

Bettina is a geographer by training and passionate about exploring linkages within complex systems and helping people navigate challenges by designing and facilitating interactive processes of dialogue. She leads the Climate Centre’s learning portfolio and is the Southern African focal point for the organisation.

Megan Blacker
Careers Development Consultant
Careers Service, University of Cape Town

Megan Blacker is a careers development consultant at the Careers Service department under Centre Higher Education Development for just over 3 years. Prior to this she was a clinical educator at the Faculty of Health Sciences and is currently completing her Research Masters. Before working at the University of Cape Town, she practiced as a dietitian both in South Africa and abroad. Her interest is translating scientific information into practical application via the student development journey and beyond.

Michelle Shields
Communications Officer
ACDI, University of Cape Town

Dr Michelle Shields joined ACDI in 2021 and runs ACDI's communications activities. Michelle completed her PhD in Conservation Biology at the University of Cape Town in 2021 after obtaining a BSc and Honours in Zoology at Rhodes University, and MSc in Conservation Biology at the University of Cape Town. Michelle has a passion for knowledge seeking and education which encouraged her to seek a role in science communication. It is Michelle’s goal to contribute to the improvement of the environmental status of South Africa as well as the greater African continent through research, education and engagement.

Lavinia Perumal
SAF-ADAPT Coordinator
University of Cape Town

Lavinia has an MSc in Ecology and is a PhD candidate working on assessing the ways in which future infrastructure developments will change natural ecosystems across SSA. Besides her PhD, Lavinia has several roles and spaces within which she works. She works with several transdisciplinary organizations and teams as a project coordinator and facilitator. Lavinia is also a Design Thinking coach helping people turn their ideas into actions. She’s interested in using her skills to teach, learn and turn information into valuable knowledge that can address some of the challenges facing society.

Dania Petrik
Senior Specialist: Resilience

ICLEI Africa

Dania is a climate and development specialist with experience as a consultant, applied policy researcher and technical advisor. She has over 10 years of experience in climate research and consulting, working alongside donor agencies, practitioners, local and national government, regional and global networks, and with academia to implement a range of projects specifically around building capacity, improved climate governance through multi-level action and strengthened engagement in political processes. Since 2021, Dania has been seconded from ICLEI Africa to the High Level Climate Champions team, where she is currently the Cities Engagement lead, with the goal to strengthen the engagement of cities, states and regions with Parties through the Marrakech Partnership, to amplify the voice of the Local Governments & Municipal Authority (LGMA) Constituency, and to showcase local leadership on climate activities from a subnational government perspective.

Xoliswa Ndeleni
Administrator

South South North

Xoliswa is an administrator for the Research for Impact Hub and supports the SABTR project. She was introduced to SSN as a project-funded MSc student by the Southern Africa Climate Finance Partnership programme(SACFP) and then went on to support the final phase of SACFP. Her research background is in aquatic health, alien and invasive species, energy access and climate change in the agricultural sector. She recently obtained her master’s degree in climate change (with a thesis that sought for opportunities to unlock climate finance in the agricultural sector, specifically for emerging farmers building climate resilience through the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices). Outside of work, she enjoys being active and attending music festivals.

Fumani Mthembi
Pele Energy

Chris Jack
Senior Researcher
CSAG/ Climate Services, University of Cape Town