SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT NETWORK - Key Persons

Anton Buirski

Job Titles:
  • Executive Director
  • Secretary
Anton is a corporate attorney of more than 50 years standing and is currently in practice in Cape Town. He is a graduate of both UCT and the London School of Economics. Anton is currently the chairperson of Action on Elder Abuse South Africa, an NGO and a national organisation which deals with problems of the aged. During a long professional career he has served on committees of many community projects as well as sporting bodies and brings a wealth of administrative experience to the organisation.

Daniel Steenkamp

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Executive Board
Daniel is an executive board member of the SDN group. He is also a Senior Project Manager within the Innovative Finance Initiative. He is a Chartered Accountant (ACA, registered with the ICAEW) with extensive business experience throughout Africa and the Middle East. Daniel is an alumnus of Deloitte LLP in the United Kingdom and DaimlerChrysler AG in Germany. He is particularly passionate about Africa and concluded his MBA studies with a focus on entrepreneurial innovation in Africa. Daniel also has experience as an audit and advisory partner in serving both for-profit and non-profit organisations.

Johann Sym

Job Titles:
  • Board Member / One Heart Ambassador
Johann has worked with children and child/youth counselling for over 20 years. He has Certificates in Pastoral Work and Biblical Studies from Bethel Bible School and has completed a Certificate Course in Teacher Training through the Test Learning Centre. Johann has also worked as a Train the Trainer for the Western Cape Department of Education, providing teacher training and support throughout the Western Cape. Furthermore, he managed the One Heart volunteer programme, he acts as a One Heart teacher and school liaison and assists with all One Heart events.

Lisa Thompson-Smeddle - Founder

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Founder
  • Founder / Executive Director SDN Group
Lisa Thompson-Smeddle is the Founder and Director of the Sustainable Development Network Group. She has over 30 years experience working in the Education, Non-Profit and AID industries in southern Africa. She has acted as a sustainability consultant to Family Health International, an Umbrella Grants Mechanism managing a $93 million USAID/PEPFAR grant in South Africa. Lisa was also the Programme Coordinator for the Sustainability Institute and course designer/lecturer (Stellenbosch University). She has managed research and development projects for the UNDP, DANIDA, Cordaid, the City of Cape Town, the University of California Berkeley and other academic institutions and donor organisations. She has a Master's degree in Sustainable Development from Stellenbosch University and Honours degrees Sustainable Development and in Social Sciences.