Our team is made up of passionate educators, scientists, and conservation leaders who share a commitment to education, equity, and the environment. Together, they bring decades of experience in biodiversity management, research, and sustainable education.
Born into a family of biologists and humanitarians, I have followed my passion for both by running field-based, experiential learning programmes in and around South Africa. Given the challenges facing education institutions (lack of resources, limited access to the field) and the barriers to education many students face, I see our goal at the Nsasani Trust, to be the dismantling of these obstacles. I feel strongly that we need to reconsider our role in society and the environment, and return our focus to humanity rather than self-actualisation, and how we can contribute to the betterment of others. The courses we have run over the last 15 years have been incredibly fulfilling, and cemented my passion for education and scientific research.
In pursuit of my passion for running experiential education courses and field-based learning opportunities for South African students, I co-founded the Nsasani Trust in 2013. Between 2013 and 2022 I was the executive director, overseeing the strategic development, governance, compliance and operations of the Trust and the SSLI. I resigned from executive duties in late 2022 but remain dedicated to the growth and success of Nsasani through my role as a trustee. My passions are three-fold: exploring the genius of nature, teaching and learning about systems and empowering individuals to see their own potential for growth and success.
Leading on Nsasani’s strategic alignment with major needs in the environmental science and education sector, within a global to local policy context; ensuring impeccable good governance of the organisation. Originally an ecologist by training, I’ve run three non-profits, with loads of hands-on field experience, and currently sit on the Boards of three more. Whilst happiest being out in the bush or ocean soaking up the intriguing complexities of life on Earth, my passion is on youth engagement in making their voices heard in global to local policy debates, most especially around the issues of inter-generational equity. The lack of involvement of those who will bear the brunt of current policy decisions, including all other non-human life, is deeply disturbing to me, so striving to change that fuels me.
I am an interdisciplinary South African social scientist, environmentalist, and public intellectual, and I have a passionate and continuing interest in communities and protected areas globally. My main focus is on partnerships with the groups that live on the borders of protected areas, including especially stakeholders in the greater Kruger National Park region. While I am now a professor in the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, I was for many years the research director of Wits Rural Facility. My years of work with the Organization for Tropical Studies, and the Nsasani Trust fueled my interest in field work, in savanna ecosystem structure and function, and the thronging of life around waterholes on the basalt plains of the Kruger Park.
Course logistics are “my thing” at Nsasani! I make sure that attendees have an enriching and fulfilling learning experience with us in the majestic wilderness of Kruger National Park. I am a field biologist with a broad love for all things wilderness-related (settings, denizens, and how everything is interconnected!). I’ve been operating in the conservation sphere for several years, and while it can get gnarly at times – I love it! You will occasionally find me lurking in an office, but I am happiest when spending time and energy on great projects with “lekker” people outside, whether it’s in the Kalahari looking for leopards, on a sub-antarctic island looking for plants, in the mountains looking for frogs or in bushveld looking for insects. I have a soft-spot for leopards, because I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to monitor these elusive characters.
As the Guest Relation expert, I am the first point of contact with anyone wishing to engage with Nsasani Trust on any topic. This includes accommodation at the SSLI campus, courses and any other admin-related topics.
I am a reliable and enthusiastic person who strives to give everyone the best experience possible with Nsasani Trust. I have exceptional multi-tasking ability and communication skills. I love birds and game drives as a hobby.
My role at Nsasani Trust is Administration, finance and Human talent officer. I oversee the finances of both OTS and Nsasani, responsible for the human resources of the team. Part of my job is to do accommodation bookings for the groups. I deal with group enquiries to SSLI station, draw up budgets, advise on options available, etc.
My passion (apart from my husband and kids) is psychology. Currently I’m pursuing my honours degree in Counselling Psychology, part-time. The human psyche intrigues me greatly
I enjoy most outdoor activities, working out, dancing and spending time with my loved ones.
I am responsible for preparation before-hand for a field course and also making sure things go smoothly. I take students out for fieldwork in various study sites within the Kruger National Park and other areas. I am an ecologist passionate about wildlife, social awareness and healthy ecosystems and sustainability. My interests are understanding patterns of climate change, disease ecology and the dynamics of vegetation. I have 7 years experience of working with university groups who seek field experience in ecology. I love sharing and educating young scientists and this has been a dream come true for me! I feel alive when I am out in the bushveld.