WESSA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Head of Programmes and Projects
Gary is an HR and conflict resolution specialist. He is currently studying full time towards a Phd in Labour Relations through Rhodes University. Gary works on a consulting basis through Medius Conflict Resolution focusing on facilitation, coaching, strategic planning, writing and training design. Gary is a community activist in the Eastern Cape and is a an active member and Chair of the WESSA Algoa Branch.
Dr Llew Taylor is an accomplished professional with a Ph.D. in Zoology, specialising in the ecology and genetic variation of southern African freshwater prawn species. With a career spanning 42 years, he has made significant contributions to natural resource conservation and management, as well as secondary and tertiary life sciences education and environmental research. He began as an agricultural development officer and later served as a Senior Nature Conservation Scientist, specialising in aquaculture. Llew's teaching experience covers the secondary and tertiary sectors, including various science and mathematics disciplines, and he achieved an MSc with distinction for his work in freshwater prawn aquaculture. Currently, as the sole proprietor of Taylor Environmental, he excels in ecological assessments, wetland delineation, water resource risk assessments, and IEM processes, conducting assessments and reports on local, regional, and international levels, meeting statutory requirements.
Job Titles:
- Group Human Resource Manager Support Services
Job Titles:
- Head of Business Development and Marketing
Augustine is a dedicated professional who has consistently demonstrated his commitment to personal and professional growth since 1994. With a focus on becoming an outcomes strategist, he is currently pursuing a PhD to enhance his skills and continue driving impactful change in organizations by identifying and addressing barriers to change.
Augustine held various positions at Table Mountain National Park and later served as the Estate Manager at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden within the South African National Biodiversity Institute. Subsequently, he worked as the Executive Manager of Operations at WWF South Africa and thereafter was part of a senior management restructuring with strategy revision at WWF South Africa He was instrumental in acquiring funding from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) for Table Mountain National Park.
Bongani Luthuli, an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa since 2014, is a prominent legal professional with extensive expertise in labour law and dispute resolution. He holds an LLB degree and a postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Law, specializing in the Companies Act 1998. Bongani's legal career began with successful articles at Blakes Maphanga Attorneys, culminating in his admission in 2013. He is an active contributor to The Thinker Magazine, focusing on labour law and industrial relations, and holds board positions in organizations such as Witkoppen Health and Welfare, Bible League of Southern Africa, and Guild Cottage Children Treatment Centre. Furthermore, he is the Director of Bongani Khanyile Attorneys, which has a strong track record of winning cases in Labour Litigation and High Court matters. Bongani is a sought-after speaker at conferences and panels, addressing labour issues and HR laws, and he is gaining recognition as an authority in labour law and industrial relations. He also chairs disciplinary hearings for corporate clients, known for his unwavering commitment to fair labour practices and the rarity of his recommendations being overturned by CCMA Commissioners. Notably, he is mentored by Justice Edwin Cameron.
Appointed as Chairman of WESSA's Board of Directors in October 2023, Janssen Davies brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to WESSA's mission of safeguarding the planet for future generations. With a proven track record of leadership in the environmental and business sectors, Janssen is well-poised to guide WESSA into a new era of impact and sustainability as the organisation approaches a millennium of conservation in Southern Africa.
Helena has experience at national and regional levels and in business in the fields of environmental and wildlife conservation and education. She is the Director of the Pangolin Trust and a cross-border safari business. She is experienced in small business concepts and fundraising. Helena worked as the Social Ecologist for Wilderness Safaris, Africa's largest ecotourism operator, and was previously a General Manager and Executive Committee member of WESS. She has experience in the management of biodiversity, water, community, and education programmes and projects throughout the SADC region. Her research involved an important South African study in the growth of the concept of "socio-ecological systems" and their role in protected area management and development.
Pearl is a dedicated youth development practitioner based in Johannesburg, South Africa, currently serving as the Managing Director of Youth Lab, a prominent national youth development organisation focused on enhancing youth capacity and promoting youth participation. With a master's degree in political studies from the University of the Witwatersrand and ongoing doctoral studies at the University of Cape Town, Pearl's academic background aligns with her commitment to organisation building, social movements, and their interconnected role in achieving social justice. Her distinguished service extends to her recent appointments by President Cyril Ramaphosa, wherein she serves as a Board Member of the National Youth Development Agency and as the National Planning Commissioner responsible for Youth Development, further exemplifying her dedication to empowering the youth and driving positive change.