Who is NNF?
The Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) is Namibia's leading, conservation and sustainable development, non-governmental organisation (NGO), contributing to a wide range of programmes through our core technical specialisms and expertise in financial and project management. The NNF promotes sustainable development, the conservation of biological diversity and natural ecosystems, and the wise and ethical use of natural resources for the benefit of all Namibian's both present and future. The NNF envisages a sustainable Namibia both in terms of its people and the land upon which it develops. We value working together, professionalism, individual's worthiness, trust-given and received-, respect, enjoyment/fulfilment and the wonders of nature .
Vision
"An equitable, informed society living in harmony with natural and sustained, physically and mentally, by the natural richness of our environment"
Mission
"To promote sustainable delelopment, the conservation of biological diversity and natural ecosystems, and the wise and ethical use of natural resources for the benefit of all Namibian's both present and future"
Mandates
The NNF actively participates in key local, regional, national and global proccesses and contributes to environmental and sustainability solutions primarily within Namibia but also beyond our borders.
Objectives
The Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) has adopted the following objectives, we will:
- Initiate, support and promote activities that conserve Namibia's environment, protect biological diversity and foster the sustainable and ethical use of natural resources
- Support and promote initiatives that strengthen Namibian institutions to better understand and manage natural resources
- Raise funds for conservation and environmental initiatives, in support of the mission statement
- Administer and manage funds for partners, donors, private sector, government, communities and project implementers
- Plan, develop, implement and manage selected projects and programmes, in support of the mission, with an emphasis on integrated, sustainable development
- Encourage and support sustainable community-based natural resource management initiatives
- Initiate and support activities that promote more effective and efficient use of resources, particularly where management of resources is devolved to the appropriate level and where local groups have identified good initiatives that could make a real difference
- Help strengthen natural resource institutions in ways that help them better understand and sustainably manage natural resources
- Cooperate and foster partnerships with other organisations - government, NGO, private sector, community and donor - to better promote sustainable development; and
- Raise awareness, promote and support environmental education and help build capacity in the fields of renewable natural resources and sustainable development
Our History
Our Board
The Director reports to the NNF Board of Trustees, which meets quarterly to approve the annual workplan and budget, and receive and review financial and technical reports.
The AGM receives the Chairman's report, the presentation of audited financial statements and elects office bearers.
Board of Trustees:
Mr M. Bottger
Dr S. Heita
Mr M. Hill
Dr P. Lindeque (Vice Chair)
Mr A. G. Middleton (Director)
Dr R. Miller (Chair)
Mr R Niddrie (Treasurer)
Dr H. J Orford
Mr H. E. Rumpf
Ms L. Shikongo
Mr K. Uiseb
Mr N. Willemse
Our Staff
NNF is made up of staff members committed to conservation. As a multi-disciplinary team, we bring creative solutions to environmental challenges and opportunities across Namibia.
The NNF has an affirmative action approach to staff employment.
Management
Angus Middleton
Executive Director | Management
Angus has over 15 years of senior management and organisational leadership in Africa and Europe. He brings a relevant mix of knowledge and technical experience in environmental economics, ecological resouce management, agricultural management and biodiversity policies. At NNF he provides overall leadership for the organisation and also works directly on number of projects, particularly in the field of environmental economics. He holds an MSc in Environmental and Policy from Imperial College London and a BSc in Ecological resource Management from Newcastle University. He has a great passion for outdoors, a particular interest in raptors and a love of fresh-water angling.
Edla Kaveru
Director of Operations | Management
Edla, as the Director of Operations, is responsible for the day to day running of the organisation, with a primary responsibility of providing leadership for the organisation’s financial and operational functions. She holds an MBA, a Bachelor of Commerce degree and has completed various management development programs. She has 20 years’ experience in financial management and corporate operations of which 10+ years have been in a leadership role.
Edla was part of the team that successfully implemented the Millennium Challenge Account Namibia Compact between the years 2009 and 2015. Prior to joining the MCA team she worked as a financial management specialist on the World Bank funded Project (ICEMA) and held several positions at the Namibia Nature Foundation between the years 1998-2005.
She has a passion for the development sector in Namibia in general and a special interest in the improvement of livelihoods of rural Namibians through women empowerment.
Edla is based at the Windhoek office.
Britta Hackenberg
Director of Projects | Management
Britta holds a Master’s in Sustainable Forestry and Land Use Management, a Degree in Land Use Planning and has over 10 years experience working in the field of land and natural resource management. Since 2005 she worked with Conservancies and Community Forests in Namibia on sustainable natural resource management in Katima Mulilo and later in Otjozondjupa region. She was part of a team developing a community-based forest resource inventory system, facilitated communities to set up forest management plans and zonation plans themselves. One thing she is really passionate about is to translate complex scientific systems into usable information that allows local communities to make informed decisions, using participatory approaches.
In 2010 Britta joined the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement and being known for her expertise in PRA tools and land use planning, she contributed to the methodology of the first Integrated Regional Land Use Plans in Namibia. She later coordinated the project Communal land registration, and was part of a policy team which initiated some new regulations around the communal land reform.
Britta joined NNF in 2014 as Head of Projects, overseeing the implementation of all projects. Despite backstopping the technical projects, she is always happy to go to the field and do some work out there, like the integrated forest management plan for Muduva Nyangana Conservancy and Community Forest.
Britta is based at the Windhoek office.
For any info email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Projects
Allen Sameja
Project Coordinator Fisheries | Projects
Allen has over 10 years working experience with local and International organizations in Namibia on different levels in community development programmes and projects. He holds an Honors degree in Development Studies with University of South Africa- UNISA, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration- UNISA, Diploma in Participatory Methodologies for Development with Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development-(ACORD) and a certificate in HIV/Aids Care and Counseling with –UNISA. Allen has rich experience in Project Management and Community development and is currently studying towards his Masters degree in Management- majoring in Risk Management with Southern Business School.
Andrew Malherbe
Regional Manager, north-west | Projects
Andrew studied Social Sciences at the University of Cape Town and has worked for the NNF for 6 years. He is based at the coast and focuses his work on providing support to communal conservancies in both Erongo and Southern Kunene regions. Andrew's role has expanded to include aspects of ATF project management and office management at the regional office in Walvis.
Andrew is based at the Walvis Bay, Erongo office
Clemens Naomab
Regional Project Coordinator | Projects
Clemens studied Environmental Biology and Molecular Physiological Biology at the University of Namibia. His main responsibility as Regional Project Coordinator is to provide Administrative, Logistical & Technical support to the targeted conservancies under various donor funded CBNRM support project in the South Kunene and Erongo Regions. Previously Clemens worked as an Albatross Task Force (ATF) project coordinator, and was responsible for advance policy changes in Namibian fisheries to bring Namibia in line with current best practice for avoiding or reducing seabird bycatch in fishing operations. He is passionate about rural woman empowerment and community development. Hobbies : Playing football and Nature walks.
He is based at the Walvis Bay, Erongo office.
Nabot Mbeeli
Project Assistant | Projects
Nabot has a background in environmental education, community engagement and research with communities in the south, particularly the Hardap region, and the central north regions of Namibia, working on environmental awareness, sustainability and climate change adaptation. He joined NNF in July 2017 as a volunteer and worked his way up to become a Project Assistant. He holds a B.Sc. (Hons) Degree in Environmental Biology and Geology from the University of Namibia, and is currently pursuing a Masters’ in Natural Resources Management at the Namibia University of Science and Technology. He is passionate about nature and enjoys working with the culturally rich and diverse communities of Namibia. He is based at the Windhoek office
Samantha Matjila Ulrica Abrahams
Seabird Bycatch Mitigation Instructor | Projects
Samantha studied Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences at the University of Namibia (2011) and did her Masters in Animal Sciences (2015). She started working for the NNF in May 2016, based at the coast as an instructor for the Albatross Task Force (Namibia) project. Her work focuses on monitoring seabird bycatch within the Namibian demersal hake trawl fleet, testing and demonstrating mitigation measures to reduce seabird bycatch within this fishery.
Samantha is based at the Walvis Bay, Erongo office.
Titus Shaanika
Titus holds a Masters in Zoology. He previously worked as a consultant with the NNF and ATF in 2015. His current role with the ATF Namibia project started in February 2018. He is based in Walvis Bay as an ATF Instructor. His work entails monitoring seabird bycatch within the Namibian demersal hake trawl and longline fleet, testing and demonstrating mitigation measures to reduce seabird bycatch with the fishing companies and fishery as whole.
Titus is based at the Walvis Bay, Erongo office.
Ulrica Abrahams
Project Administrator | Projects
Ulrica Abrahams joined the NNF team in February 2018 as a Project Administrator. She has over 10 years experience as an administrative professional. Her main responsibilities at the NNF are to assist with coordination and administration of NNF projects, projects contracts compliance and assist's with management of NNF consultancies. She has a passion for project management, to meet project objectives and see people’s lives transformed through projects. She holds a National Diploma in Commerce and is currently busy with her MBA degree. In her free time she is envolved in social projects, focusing on women empowerment, and enjoys gardening.
Ulrica is based at the Windhoek office.
Vasco Samwaka
Field Coordinator - WWF Conservation Agriculture | Projects
Vasco joined the NNF in 2015 as a field co-ordinator for the WWF Conservation Agriculture project. He has over 10 years’ experience in sustainable agriculture and community project management and implementation. Vasco also has knowledge of Indigenous Natural Products (INP), using Management Orientation Monitoring System (MOMS). He holds a certificate in Conservation Agriculture (CA) and a National Diploma in Lifelong learning and Community Education with UNAM. He’s main responsibilities at the NNF is to coordinate conservation agriculture activities and report to the Director of Projects. He enjoys fishing and watching soccer.
He is based in Kongola, Zambezi Region
Veripura Muukua
Communications Officer | Projects
Veripura as a Communications Officer, is responsible for internal and external communications activities, digital marketing and management, building relationships with stakeholders, and working on the NNF’s communication materials. She holds a B.A (Honours) in Media and Political Studies and a Diploma in Public Relations. She has a passion for community development and enjoys traveling and photography.
She is based at the Windhoek office
For any info email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Finance
Amon Uzera
Junior Project Accountant | Finance
Amon holds a Btech Degree in Accounting and Finance. He joined the NNF in September 2017. He enjoys going to the gym, farming and cooking.
He is based at the Windhoek office.
Bia Kotze
Bookkeeper | Finance
Bia has over 30 years of experience in Procurement, Business administration and Finance. She holds a Diploma in Marketing and Business Management and speaks three languages English, Afrikaans and Portuguese.
Bia is based at the Windhoek office.
Christa Katjiruru
Finance Manager | Finance
Christa is a Btech Holder in Accounting and Finance. She joined the NNF team in April 2016 as a Senior accountant.
She is based at the Windhoek office.
Petrina Aitembu
Senior Project Accountant | Finance
Petrina joined the NNF as an intern Bookkeeper in April 2014. Before the NNF, she worked as a clerk in a bank for over a year. In 2016, Petrina was promoted to Project Accountant and then to Senior Project Accountant in 2017. As a Senior Project Accountant, Petrina is responsible for the financial management of major projects. She graduated from the University of Namibia in 2015, and is currently pursuing an advanced degree in Finance and Accounting. Outside of the office, Petrina enjoys travelling, reading novels and experimenting with new culinary recipes. She is based at the Windhoek office.
For any info email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Administration
Jessica Nowotes
Administrative Manager (Acting) | Administration
Jessica Nowotes is a third year student studying towards her Honours in Business Administration at the University of Namibia. She holds a Diploma in Business Administration. She joined NNF in 2017 as an Administrative Assistant. She likes photography and travelling and believes in hard work.She is based at the Windhoek office
Tina Siririka
Cleaner | Administration
Tina joined the NNF in 2016 as a cleaner. She likes neatness, organising and loves planting.
She is based at the Windhoek office.
For any info email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Advisors
Pius Gsponer
Business Development Advisor | Advisors
Pius studied business and HRM in Switzerland where he is from. He has over 30 years of experience in senior leadership, human resource management and consulting. At NNF he works voluntary as a business advisor and mentor. Passionate about nature in general, the move to Namibia Nature Foundation was a natural fit. In his free time, Puis loves to photograph people and lanscapes.
Puis is based at the Windhoek office.
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