MEET OUR TRAINERS

Elmah holds an MSc in Environmental Science, a post-graduate diploma in International Environmental Law and has successfully completed the Executive Development Programme with the University of Stellenbosch. She has over 24 years of post-graduate experience, with more than 20 years spent gaining insight into planning and execution of public participation as part of broader environmental impact assessment and social environmental assessment projects for both government and the private sector, in fields such as water development, tourism, commercial, mining, land use, and waste management.

Elmah is a certified Principal Environmental Assessment Practitioner with the Botswana Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association. She was recently (2022) accredited by the IAP2 Federation Board to deliver IAP2’s core courses of the Global Learning Pathway curriculum. Elmah holds training licences for the Southern Africa region as a bona fide member of IAP2SA and across regions as an international training partner.

Lorato Tigedi (Reg. EAP (EAPASA) Pr. Sci. Nat.) founded NSVT Consultants in 2011, as the sole member. She has over twenty (20) years of experience as an environmental consultant and has completed a myriad of environmental management applications such as basic assessments, environmental impact assessments (EIAs), waste management licences, and water-use licence applications for various developments. During the course of her employment, she has provided professional advice on various environmental issues, e.g., air and water pollution, conservation and preservation, waste management, etc. Lorato has a thorough understanding of environmental legislation and the interpretation thereof, and is registered as an Environmental Assessment Practitioner with the Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa and a Professional Natural Scientist (Environmental Science) with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions. She has also mentored several undergraduates in the environmental management field and provided experiential training through her company.

Lorato is an accredited trainer with the Federation of International Association for Public Participation (IAP2), licensed to deliver courses in Southern Africa. She has extensive public participation experience, gained through her work in undertaking EIAs, and understands that an effective public participation process provides an opportunity for the successful implementation of projects. Through her involvement in various projects, she has acquired excellent analytical, problem-solving, and research skills.

Lorato is an active member of the International Association for Public Participation Southern Africa (IAP2SA) and the International Association for Impact Assessment South Africa (IAIAsa). In 2013, Lorato was part of the team that coordinated the IAIAsa conference, held at Black Mountain Hotel, Thaba Nchu in Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality.

In her spare time, Lorato enjoys running and is also a volunteer for Heidedal Parkrun.

Refilwe Sishange is an IAP2 licensed trainer, film school graduate and has a Bachelor of Technology degree in human resource management. She has over 10 years of extensive and tangible experience as a lead social facilitator/public participation practitioner in the built environment sector.

Refilwe’s experience and skills span stakeholder management and engagement, skills development (coaching and training), human resource management, change management, organisational design, ISO 9001 quality management and branding.

She has gained valuable experience through working with government departments, municipalities, and state agencies such as the Housing Development Agency, State Information Technology Agency, the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority as well as Nedbank and other private companies, some of which exposed her to handling blue chip client portfolios such as MTN, Samsung and Nissan.

Ritta Khiba is the founding member of Ritta Khiba Planning Consultants. She holds a master’s degree in urban and regional planning, a postgraduate diploma in environmental management and an advanced diploma in public administration. Ritta has over 15 years of post-graduate experience, with most of it spent in urban planning, environmental management, law enforcement, academia, property practice and management, public participation planning, and facilitation and execution. She also coaches and mentors young professionals.

Ritta is a professional registered town and regional planner and environmental consultant and a member of the Namibia Council and Institute of Town and Regional Planners. Ritta is also an accredited trainer with the Federation of International Association for Public Participation (IAP2), licensed to deliver courses in Southern Africa.

Noeleen Greyling is a social scientist, currently employed as the head of the department for social development and communications at Impact Catalyst. She also sits on the Board of the International Association for Public Participation Southern Africa (IAP2SA).

Noeleen’s education includes tourism, travel and hospitality, environmental management, as well as senior and further education and training. She has more than 15 years of experience in social research, community development, stakeholder engagement, impact assessment and resettlement planning. She focuses on strategic thinking and planning, community and people, innovative thinking, complex facilitation, mentoring, effective problem-solving, industry collaboration, and effective communication. Noeleen has been involved in various programmes and projects across the African continent. She is passionate and committed to advancing rural and regional socio-economic development and drives collective impact by providing a platform through the Impact Catalyst where diverse partners, sharing a common interest, can collaborate and address complex social issues.

Noeleen is an accredited trainer with the Federation of International Association for Public Participation (IAP2), licensed to deliver courses in Southern Africa –certified modules include Fundamentals of P2/Engagement; IAP2 Way in Challenging Contexts; Designing P2/Engagement; and Applying Methods.

Aluwani Seshoka is a skilled community developer and social facilitator with extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, mapping, and analysis. She holds a BA in Community Development and Leadership, as well as a BA in Social Policy, and is an accredited trainer with the Federation of International Association for Public Participation (IAP2), licensed to deliver courses in Southern Africa.

Aluwani's passion for community development led her to join Kuhle Solutions & Development Services, where she has worked on a range of social facilitation projects for the Council for Industrial and Scientific Research, the Johannesburg Development Agency, the Johannesburg Social Housing Company, the Social Housing Regulatory Authority, the City of Ekurhuleni, Lepelle Northern Water, and SMEG.

Her exposure to diverse community dynamics and stakeholders has refined her expertise in stakeholder identification and developing engagement plans. Due to her exceptional attention to detail, Aluwani was appointed as a quality assurance and content specialist, responsible for ensuring the company's social facilitation projects adhere to high-quality standards.