Marie-Tinka Uys

Executive Coordinator & Chief Operating Officer

Marie-Tinka was born and bred in Musina,  where she completed her Matric. She obtained her BA (Hons) from Rhodes University and her Master’s Degree from the University of Witwatersrand.

After marrying Dr Wynand Uys, the couple moved permanently to the Hoedspruit Area in 1987.

Over the years, she has played a role in the conservation and sustainable development interface in the landscape, where she championed the declaration of the Kruger to Canyons UNESCO Biosphere Region in 2001.

Her work experience includes the coordination of the Rural Foundation’s Community Development Programme, a Short Course Coordinator at the Southern African Wildlife College, the Coordinator for the Tourism and Conservation Training Authority’s Skills Development Programme in the Region and a stint as a lodge manager (Ottersden River Lodge).

In 2012 she was appointed as the Executive Coordinator of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere, a position that she currently holds.

Vusi Tshabalala

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Manager

Vusi is a bubbly, energetic young leader involved in variety of programmes. He has been with K2C since 2013 when he started as an Environmental Monitor. He completed his National Diploma in Nature conservation with Tshwane University of Technology in 2010. He has gained skills and experience working in various kinds of jobs including zoo keeping, game capture, snake wrangling, Environmental Educator and international volunteer programme coordinator, to name a few. The different skills set was a perfect fit for the K2C Environmental Monitors (EMs) programme where he is currently the project manager. Vusi oversees the 5 EM managers, partnering with 31 different environmental projects and 74 communities in the K2C landscape. He is also currently working on a Human Wildlife Conflict project through WWF-Khetha to assist local communities in developing a communication & response protocol for the community leaders, aligned to the relevant provincial authorities. He is passionate about youth & community development where he represents the landscape and the country in other international programmes such as Man And Biosphere (MaB) International Youth Programme and Global Youth Biodiversity Network.

Romy Antrobus-Wuth

Conservation Science and Data Manager

Romy joined the K2C team in the beginning of 2019. She has an honours degree in Environment, Ecology & Conservation (WITS) and a Masters in Geography and Environmental Studies (WITS), where she conducted her research on the Makuleke Wetlands (Ramsar site) in the Pafuri region of the Kruger National Park. She has worked for many years in the environmental consulting industry and has a strong GIS and Remote Sensing background. 

Romy joined the K2C as the stewardship ecologist for the SANBI GEF 5 Biodiversity Stewardship and Land Under better Management Project. Through a secondment to The Nature Conservancy, Romy currently supports work on formalising protected areas & other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), monitoring and tracking environmental elements in the landscape and improving land management practices for improved biodiversity and water conservation in the K2C region. Romy is also the “go-to” person for all K2C’s branding, marketing & communication materials.

Shoki Mafogo

DWS Project Manager/EM Manager

Rešoketšwe ‘Shoki’ Mafogo, was born and bred in the Kruger to Canyons landscape and has been growing and learning as part of the K2C team since 2014.

With a BA Humanities degree, Shoki always finds the human factor in any circumstance. This, together with a special heart for development, has combined well in the role that she fills in the K2C team; as the Project Manager for the Dinkwenyana Water Smart Project, as well as the Environmental Monitors project. She works closely with Traditional Authorities (Bapedi ba Dinkwanye, Mametja and Bakone ba Sekororo), Municipalities (Maruleng, Mopani) and LEDET; and partners Hoedspruit Hub, Conservation South Africa and STEPS.

As a strong believer that the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow, Shoki is taking up space and cementing herself in youth oriented platforms such as MaB Youth Forum, GYBN and SAYBN.

“I believe in change, empowerment and development; these are factors I would like to stimulate in the work I do everyday.”

Dimakatso Nonyane

Resilient Waters Project Manager

Dimakatso is the friendly ever smiling lady in the office and she has been part of the K2C team since 2013 as part of the EPWP Environmental Monitors program that is Implemented by BSP SANParks. She moved her way up into the office as an EM Manager in 2016. She has a National Diploma in Nature conservation and is busy pursuing her BTech Degree in the same field.

Dima currently forms part of the K2C team as the Project Manager for the Resilient Waters Project. She works closely with the Environmental Monitors, Restoration Teams, Traditional Authorities, CPAs, Traditional Healers and communities to help preserve and restore the environment back to its natural state and encourage the practice of sustainable harvesting of natural resources. 

Johan Coetzer

Restoration Manager

Johan Coetzer is the restoration manager for Kruger to Canyons (K2C)’s northern project, focusing primarily on the Upper Letaba Restoration Project. In this role, Johan oversees the clearing of invasive alien plants (IAPs) to restore water resources and reconnect fragmented endangered Woodbush Granite Grasslands. With a diverse background in environmental compliance and management, carbon consulting, permaculture development, lecturing, and experience as a qualified field guide, Johan aspires to contribute to sustainable land management and conservation efforts within the K2C biosphere region.

ANGI ELLETT

Community Income Generation Manager

Angi Ellett is our Community Income Generation Manager at Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region. Dedicated to empowering local communities through sustainable development and environmental conservation initiatives, her role focuses on fostering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) by providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive within the green economy.

By developing and implementing innovative value chain projects and training programs, she strives to enhance livelihoods and promote economic stability. This work not only supports local entrepreneurship but also contributes to the preservation of our region’s rich biodiversity. She is committed to building strong partnerships and creating inclusive opportunities that benefit both the community and the environment.