Our People
About Us:
Gwynne Liversage
Project Coordinator
Gwynne Liversage is a Project Coordinator at Sustainable Energy Africa, with a background in Environmental Humanities and Social Anthropology. Passionate about sustainable development, just energy transitions, and community-led solutions, Gwynne combines strong research, stakeholder engagement, and communications skills to support impactful projects across South Africa.
Her experience spans grant and budget tracking, procurement, contract management, policy-oriented research, and multi-stakeholder dialogue facilitation. She has contributed to national campaigns for energy democracy, developed evidence-based recommendations for municipal energy access, and created compelling communications materials including social media content, newsletters, and event photography.
With a foundation in environmental journalism, digital communications, and ethnographic research, Gwynne brings both analytical and creative strengths to her work. She thrives in collaborative environments, committed to advancing climate justice, strengthening community resilience, and translating complex ideas into accessible, actionable outputs.
Joel Nana
Project Manager
Joel holds a B.Eng. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and a MSc (Research) in Physics with a focus on Energy Efficiency. He is currently pursuing a PhD with the Energy Systems Research Group (ESRG) at the University of Cape Town. Driven by a mission to make meaningful impact in Africa, Sustainable Energy Africa was a natural fit for him to hone in on his energy modeling skills. His primary focus is on driving power sector reform in sub-Saharan African countries, driving sustainable change in the power sector.
Itumeleng Morosele
Project Coordinator
Itumeleng is an Environmental Scientist with 6 years’ experience in environmental consulting and government. Her interest in sustainability was born out of her MSc (Environmental Management) dissertation which investigated the impacts of coal-fired power station emissions on ambient air quality in the Highveld and Waterberg-Bojanala Priority Areas. Her passions lie in capacitating and building public awareness on renewable energy,and providing access to clean and affordable energy especially to marginalized and indigent groups. Since joining Sustainable Energy Africa in 2024, Itumeleng has been involved in Embedded Generation, municipal-own generation, as well as energy democracy work. She seeks to influence inclusivity in policy making to ensure a socially just energy transition.
Leova Saul
Office Assistant
Leova obtained her Grade 11 in 2007. She has over two years’ experience in the restaurant hospitality industry as a Chef. Leova shares her passion for cooking at SEA, where she makes sumptuous lunches for us. She also manages the domestic chores at the office and is also responsible for kitchen supplies and reconciling invoices.
Mark Borchers
Technical Expert
Mark co-founded Sustainable Energy Africa in 2001 where he remains as a technical expert. Mark’s work has been broad-ranging, from integrated energy planning for the South African government, impact assessment of electrification projects, promoting access to electricity in the SADC region, developing Botswana’s energy policy, promoting the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency, sustainable building, and economic analyses of low income household energy options. Over the past decade he has increasingly been involved in developing Energy and Climate Change Strategies for cities around South Africa and Africa and supporting the implementation of such strategies. Mark has a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering and a M.Sc degree in Energy and Development Studies from the University of Cape Town’s Engineering faculty. After working in the civil engineering industry, in 1988 he moved to the Energy for Development Research Centre (EDRC) at the University of Cape Town before co-founding the Energy & Development Group consultancy in 1993. Mark is a partner in the award-winning Green Building Council – the first “future normal” green office building in Cape Town.
Megan Euston-Brown
Director & Project Manager
Megan has a BA degree in Economics, English and History, with a postgraduate degree in African History from the University of Cape Town. Her work experience includes development practice work in the land reform and rural development sector; freelance journalism and education materials development. Megan has worked in sustainable energy development since 2003, managing multi-year urban energy transition and climate response capacity building programs. This has included State of Energy reporting, city energy strategy development and climate action planning, cost of supply, tariffs and distribution sector reform, green building policy development, energy efficiency, energy poverty and just transition tracking. Megan is an experienced development facilitator and has worked extensively with local level energy data collection, policy and institutional development.
Megan Hendrickse
Office and Admin Coordinator
Megan joined SEA in April 2018. She holds a Diploma in Conference, Exhibition and Event Management and a Certificate in Frontline and Public Relations from Damelin Management School. Megan has over 15 years of experience as administrator and front office liaison. Her previous experience includes managing admin and events at various sport institutions. Megan’s daydreams consist of sport and she spends her weekends playing lawn bowls. Megan keeps the office entertained with her stories and loves a lekker laugh at lunchtime!
Mukta Govan
Finance & Project Support Manager
Mukta Govan joined SEA in April 2013. Her BTech degree in Cost and Management Accounting from Cape Peninsula University of Technology is a testament to her formidable expertise, honed through over a decade of dedicated work in the nonprofit sector, primarily in organisations where the key focus is on working with local government. Her primary responsibility is to provide financial management to the organisation and donor partners and her contribution are characterised by her unwavering dedication, attention to detail, and a passion for achieving financial excellence. In her role, she ensures the funds aligns perfectly with the organisation’s mission, creating a strong financial foundation upon which their noble aspirations thrive. She’s the financial architect behind the scenes, painting the path to a more equitable future.
Nick Sims
Project Coordinator
Nick is an industrial engineer who is passionate about the environment, problem solving and making a positive difference in the world, in particular Africa. Nick graduated as an industrial engineer at Stellenbosch University. Prior to returning to his engineering roots, Nick spent time working in the wildlife conservation and eco-tourism industry. His main focus areas at SEA are cost of supply studies and rebuilding the grid.
Oratiloe Sathekge
Project Coordinator
Oratiloe holds a BSc (Hons) in Energy Studies wherein she researched the adoption of micro digesters in South African communities to enhance circular economy ideologies.
Her work experience in the environmental and wind energy industry has solidified her passion for sustainable change in the energy sector. In her role at Sustainable Energy Africa, she has been assisting various sub-Saharan African countries with facilitating grid-connected distributed generation.
Oratiloe is purpose-driven and outside of work she enjoys spending time in the great outdoors.
Simisha Pather-Elias
Project Manager
Simisha Pather-Elias completed a Master of Philosophy degree from the Energy Research Centre at UCT in 2011. She has been employed at SEA from 2013. In her role, Simisha combines her analytical acumen with creative insights. Her project work spans climate change mitigation and adaptation, energy and low-carbon modelling, policy and strategy formulation, and addressing energy poverty issues in both South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. With a fervour for resource efficiency, she is not only passionate about the subject but also spearheads the energy efficiency initiatives at SEA, championing best practices and innovative solutions.
Tanaka Shumba-Mukudu
Project Manager
Tanaka joined Sustainable Energy Africa in 2018. She obtained a BSc and MSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cape Town. During her studies, Tanaka joined Engineers without Borders through which she developed a passion for using renewable energy to alleviate poverty. In order to pursue this, she enrolled in a Post-Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Development at the University of Stellenbosch where she gained better understanding of the different challenges that plague society, and some of the solutions that are currently being implemented. This experience further encouraged her to use her skills and expertise to bring positive change in society. Tanaka is passionate about gender equality and has served as a mentor for SAWomEng’s GirlEng team, which focused on encouraging female high school learners to pursue careers in Science and Engineering.
Zanie Cilliers
Project Manager
Zanie has BSc degree majoring in Environmental and Geographical Science, Ocean and Atmosphere Science, and Archaeology from the University of Cape Town, with a BSc (Hons) degree in Atmosphere Science. She started working at Sustainable Energy Africa in 2008, after an internship in the City of Cape Town’s Environmental Management Resource department. Her focus areas include City climate action planning and implementation, electric vehicle (EV) uptake impacts and responses at the local government level, and electricity distribution sector reform. Her skills include data collation and analysis, research and reporting, greenhouse gas inventories and city-scale state of energy reports, and financial and energy modelling, using programmes such as Energy Plus and LEAP (Low Emissions Analysis Platform). Zanie is certified as an Urban Greenhouse Gas Inventory Specialist as part of the World Bank’s City Climate Planner Certification Programme.
Zibusiso Ndlovu
Project Coordinator
Zibusiso is an Electromechanical Engineer by qualification from the North West University and has over 3 years’ experience working in the manufacturing industry as an electronic engineer. His passion for accessible renewable energy saw him join Sustainable Energy Africa in 2024, where he has been heavily involved in programmes that facilitate grid connected distributed generation in Sub Saharan African countries. Zibusiso’s interests develop and change with time, but at the top lies energy economics and the impact of Distributed Energy Resources on distribution networks.
Zukiswa Sidlayi
Finance Assistant & Project Support
Zukiswa is the Senior Financial Assistant and Office Coordinator at Sustainable Energy Africa and is responsible for company legal standing, human resource and staff activities, finances and general office administration & project Administration. She joined Sustainable Energy Africa in November 2006 as a Bookkeeper and a Project Administrator. She previously worked for the Western Cape Education Department as an Admin Clerk for four years. Zukiswa has a B Compt in Financial Accounting from Unisa. She also holds a diploma in Bookkeeping, Personnel and Training Management, Higher Certificate in Human Resource Management and a Certificate in Office Administration. She is currently doing a Post Grad Diploma in Forensic Auditing with UNISA.
Sinalo Thuku
Communications Officer
Sinalo is a communications professional specialising in strategic communications, media relations, digital storytelling, and stakeholder engagement within the climate and energy sectors. As a Junior Communications Coordinator at Sustainable Energy Africa, Sinalo leads the development of compelling communications that amplify the organisation's work across South Africa and the continent, supporting initiatives in renewable energy, climate action, and inclusive energy transitions. Holding a master's degree in journalism and media studies, Sinalo combines a strong foundation in journalism with expertise in content strategy, multimedia production, and brand communications. Passionate about conservation, climate justice, and sustainability, Sinalo is committed to using strategic communication to make complex issues accessible, foster meaningful engagement, and inspire positive environmental and social impact.
Candice Khambule
Project Coordinator
Zukiswa is the Senior Financial Assistant and Office Coordinator at Sustainable Energy Africa and is responsible for company legal standing, human resource and staff activities, finances and general office administration & project Administration. She joined Sustainable Energy Africa in November 2006 as a Bookkeeper and a Project Administrator. She previously worked for the Western Cape Education Department as an Admin Clerk for four years. Zukiswa has a B Compt in Financial Accounting from Unisa. She also holds a diploma in Bookkeeping, Personnel and Training Management, Higher Certificate in Human Resource Management and a Certificate in Office Administration. She is currently doing a Post Grad Diploma in Forensic Auditing with UNISA.