Meet the GreenMatter Team
The GreenMatter Core Team is responsible for coordinating all GreenMatter programmes, and for managing the organization on a day-today basis, as well as its legal and financial interests. The Core Team is also responsible for raising funds from programmes, and sponsors to support GreenMatter programmes and initiatives as well as to ensure the sustainability of the organization.
Karen Vickers
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Neo Ntshobane
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Quote that motivates your work: “Everything in Universe is within you. Ask all from yourself.” – Rumi
Karen Vickers is the Executive Director of GreenMatter. Originally from Canada, she moved to South Africa in 2005 to do an M.Sc. in Conservation Biology at UCT. What started out as a love for field-based ecology developed over many years into a passion for designing and delivering transformative nature-based science leadership programs. In 2012 she co-founded the Nsasani Trust, working closely with SANParks and the Organization for Tropical Studies to deliver these leadership and biodiversity skills development programs to South Africa’s youth in alignment with the Biodiversity Human Capital Development Strategy (BHCDS). She joined GreenMatter in 2022 excited to work at a systemic level with many stakeholders across South Africa to deliver impactful and collaborative skills development initiatives aligned with the BHCDS and other Green Skills initiatives. She envisions GreenMatter as the “mycelium” that provides structure for, and facilitates, the flow of information and resources about green skills between sector partners and initiatives to leverage our collective impact. She is a firm believer in the power of human potential and knows that collectively we can transform South Africa. |
Quote that motivates your work: “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’.”- Audrey Hepburn
Neo Ntshobane, in her capacity as the Administrative Office Manager is responsible for office management, board secretariat functions, financial and project administration. Mrs Ntshobane previously worked as an Administration Officer for The Lewis Foundation. She obtains a Bachelor of Science in Economic Science from the University of Witwatersrand and a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Economics from the University of South Africa. Neo Ntshobane strives to provide effective office management and contribute to innovate the work culture for the betterment of all parties concerned, with the highest priority given to achieving the organization’s vision and objectives. |
Kgomotso Thomas
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Lesego Khunou
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Quote that motivates your work: “The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible" - Arthur C. Clarke
Kgomotso holds a Masters degree in Environmental Education from Rhodes University, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of South Africa, and a Bachelor of Science Honors in Biology from North West University. She has over 5 years’ experience as a Science Educator and has also worked as a Junior Biodiversity Officer in a Non-Government Organisation for more than 2 years. She is an educator at heart and passionate about working with youth, students and teachers in the education for sustainable development space. |
Quote that motivates your work: “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10
Lesego Khunou as the Administration Assistant for Climate Change Education Project is responsible for all administrative and logistical duties pertaining the project. She obtains a Diploma in Environmental Education from Delta Environmental Centre and is currently studying Nature Conservation at the University of South Africa. Lesego Khunou has immense knowledge and experience within office administration, as a result of working in the field for 4 years within multiple organizations. |
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Emihle Dodo
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Vukheta Manganyi
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Quote that motivates your work: “Success is not final; Failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston S.Churchill
Emihle Dodo works as the Environmental Management Intern for GreenMatter as part of the Groen Sebenza Programme. Emihle holds a Bachelor of Science Honours in Environmental Sciences which she obtained at the University of the Free State and a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Environmental Sciences from the University of the Free State. Emihle is also registered as a Candidate of Natural Scientist in Environmental Science with SACNASP. Her main interests include, but not limited to, Environmental Science, Geography, Climate Change, Sustainability as well as Conservation and Biodiversity. She strives to use her qualifications to show her commitment to learning as well as her inherent passion for the environment and the protection thereof. |
Quote that motivates your work is: “If we pollute the air, water and soil that keep us alive and well, and destroy the biodiversity that allows natural system to function, no amount of money will save us”. - David Suzuki.
Vukheta Manganyi is a Groen Sebenza Intern hosted by GreenMatter as an Environmental Biodiversity management Intern. He is in possession of an undergraduate qualification in Bachelor of Science Water and Sanitation from the University of Limpopo, and a Bachelor of Science in Water Utilization from the University of Pretoria. Vukheta’ s areas of interest include the programmes that offers support system for young people considering careers as water or biodiversity entrepreneurs, natural resources management and conservation, South Africa’s biodiversity policy and legislatures, and research. |
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Senine Naidoo
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Liz-Mari Visagie
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