BIPOC Environmentalists

My name is Charlton Thys. I am a postgraduate at the University of the Western Cape and holds an honours degree in Geography and Environmental science, that focused on wetland remote sensing. I had the opportunity to present my honours research at the 2019 ‘Natuurwetenskapppe Simposium’ (Natural science symposium) held at the University of the Free state (UFS), Bloemfontein.  Currently I am doing my master’s research focusing on the ecosystem characteristics of coastal lakes. My interests are wetlands and environmental sciences and my research analysis includes an understanding of the spatial and temporal variability of physical, biological and hydrological characteristics of coastal wetlands.  Charlton Thys, masters student.

Lwandisa Fada is originally from a small town, Mbizana in the Eastern Cape. She holds BSc (Hons) Environment and Water Science from the University of the Western Cape. She has previously worked as a Biodiversity Conservationist at the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) where she was mainly involved in Coastal Management Programmes i.e. the Blue Flag Eco-Label. Currently, she works as an Environmental Consultant in KwaZulu Natal based Environmental Consulting Company where duties mainly include but not limited to conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), conducting Environmental Audits, lodging Water Use License Applications for various developments. She is a member of International Association for Impact Assessment South Africa (IAIAsa) and is a registered Scientist at the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professionals (SACNASP).  Lwandisa is a nature enthusiast, as such, in her spare time she enjoys going out for Hiking, trail running, Nature

I graduated from Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 2013 with a National Diploma in Environmental Management, then went onto further my studies and graduated with a Bachelors if Technology in Environmental Management in 2015 where I was already working a graduate trainee since 2015 at the National Department of Water and Sanitation. In 2017 I was permanently appointed as a Scientific Technician where I been exposed to many different functions with the Department including regulation of water users, enforcement, water quality and quantity management and institutional support and technical support, furthermore  I am also a registered Candidate Science in the Environmental Science Category with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions. Some of my achievements that I accomplished over the past few years: 1.       Advisory Board Committee Member for Cape Peninsula University of Technology Environmental Programme (Appointed in 2018 to date). 2.       Miss Earth So

Lindokuhle Khumalo holds a MA in Geography and Environmental Science (Cum Laude) from the University of the Western Cape (UWC). His research focused on the Biodiversity Stewardship initiative in the context of varying land ownership regimes in KwaZulu-Natal. After completing his MA for which he was awarded the Bronze Medal for best Masters thesis by the Society of South African Geographers, he taught human geography at UWC. He is currently pursuing his PhD studies at the University of Oslo, Norway where his research furthers his interest in the areas of community-based conservation, environmental sustainability and environmental justice. Outside of work, Lindokuhle spends his time listening to various kinds of music and going on long bike rides. Lindokuhle Khumalo holds a MA in Geography and Environmental Science (Cum Laude)

Sinethemba Dlikilili holds masters in Geography and Environmental Science from the University of the Western Cape. His research focused on understanding the relationship between vegetation changes and variations in climate variables, and the dependence of vegetation on groundwater in the semi-arid Karoo. Sinethemba is passionate about environmental monitoring and conservation. He is mostly interested in the application of GIS and remote sensing methods on sustainable management of the environment. Sinethemba Dlikilili holds masters in Geography and Environmental Science

I am from the small town, Vredendal, on the west coast. I obtained my BSc (Hons) in Environmental and Water Science from the University of the Western Cape and then went on to do my MSc in Environmental Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand. My research was based on Stakeholder participation in surface water and groundwater quality management in the Waterberg area in the Limpopo province. The main focus of this study was to  spark a conversation on the contribution that multiple stakeholders of various structures contribute or should contribute to the decision-making process in how their water resources are managed and how the current management practices are impacting the quality of the water resources. Just over a year ago, I moved back to my hometown and find myself in the mining industry as an environmental practitioner at Tronox Namakwa Sands where I am responsible for all environmental monitoring at their northern operations. In my free time traveling, being in the outd