In order to maintain independent and unbiased judging of the Eco-Logic Awards, The Enviropaedia appoints a panel of 12 independent, highly respected, environmentally conscious executives from a diverse range of occupations and professions to judge the Eco-Logic Award entries using 7 criteria that are the ‘V.I.R.T.U.E.S’ of Eco-Logic.
In 2020, the Judging panel consisted of:
Yolan Friedmann
Yolan is the CEO of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, one of the largest conservation NGOs in southern Africa. Yolan’s academic qualifications include an MSc in Environmental Governance, a BA in Communications and English and a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. Yolan was the first female recipient of the SAB Nick Steele environmentalist of the Year Award, the winner of the CEO Most Influential Woman in Business and Environment Award in the Environmental Category, recipient of the 2012 Green Globe Award, a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society, a Board member of the Tourism Conservation Fund, and was a Regional Councillor on the IUCN Council for 4 years.
Catherine Hofmeyr
Catherine is currently the ‘caretaker editor’ of Getaway magazine. She first joined the travel publication as a photojournalist back in 1994, honing her travel-writing and photography skills over a 10 year period, and earning a Pica Award for writing excellence along the way. She then left to raise a family and follow a freelance writing and editing career, contributing to many magazines including Getaway, Cape Etc, Zigzag, Wine and many others. When her children were toddlers, the family set off on a 10-month African 4x4 camping safari that resulted in her first book, Travels with a Roadkill Rabbit (Struik 2011). She was copy editor on Reality magazine for two years before rejoining Getaway in 2018 as deputy editor.
Kevin James
Kevin is an eco-entrepreneur focused 100% on unlocking green economy opportunities. He is also a sustainability professional with deep experience in strategic corporate sustainability as well as in the development of green, low carbon projects. In 2006 he founded his most current entrepreneurial venture - Global Carbon Exchange (GCX) with two goals in mind: to create commercial value and to make a positive impact at the same time. Kevin is currently the CEO of GCX, a strategic environmental sustainability and project development company that supports the transformation of large, complex organisation across SA into more responsible and valuable entities through the design and implementation of sustainable business programs. Besides his role at GCX and The Green Building Council South Africa, Kevin is also a Director of OptimusBio a leading, homegrown biotech company developing biological solutions across various fields.
John Maytham
John hosts the PM Drive show on CapeTalk, a station he helped start 23 years ago. He has a keen interest in matters ecological and environmental.
Albi Modise
Albi Modise serves as Chief Director/Head of Communications at the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). Modise graduated with an Honours degree Journalism and Media Studies from Rhodes University School Journalism. He has worked as a Lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology, also at Government Communications and Information System, State IT Agency and Spokesperson for the national Ministry of Communications.
His responsibilities include overall management of the communications portfolio in the department while also entrusted with spokesperson roles for the department. He has served as the Country Spokesperson during international conferences like international climate change talks, CoP 17 and other similar international conferences. In addition he also Certificate in Telecommunications Policy from Wits University and General Management Programme from Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).
Lumka Poswayo
Lumka holds Bachelor degree in Environmental Studies and Honours degree in Geography from the Walter Sisulu University. In addition, she has certificates in Entrepreneurship, Life skills and sustainability. Started her working career as a SAASTA volunteer at the Department of Basic Education for a year. Where she worked on a number of projects that promote Science, Mathematics, Technology and Engineering. Lumka is Sustainability Manager at Pick n Pay, skilled in Project Management, Sustainable Development, Research and Environmental Social Governance (ESG). Her responsibilities include focusing on Corporate Social Responsibility projects, Pick n Pay People n Planet Beach Clean Up, Corporate Governance, Marketing & Communication, Environmental projects in climate change, sustainable seafood, food waste, packaging, deforestation, and water-saving initiatives. Promoting environmental literacy, Healthy living and education in Pick n Pay School Club school.
Nancy Richards
Nancy Richards is an independent journalist with many years’ experience in radio and print. As a radio presenter, areas of specialisation included literature, the environment and ‘women’s issues’. In print amongst others, she covers environment, arts, lifestyle, travel and décor. She is the founder of NPO: Woman Zone and a Women’s Library. She’s author and co-author of Beautiful Homes - featured in Fairlady; Woman Today - 50 years of South African women on radio and Being a Woman in Cape Town. She is a speaker, media trainer and proud to be Board member of Soil for Life. Born in London, based in Cape Town.
Vincent Shacks
Vince is a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission and the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas. He has worked throughout Southern Africa with national governments, private sector and community based organisations in the management and planning of nature based tourism. Vince worked as a researcher and independent consultant in the Okavango Delta for over a decade and has also carried out biodiversity survey work in Mozambique, Madagascar and Angola to assist governments with the setup and planning of new protected areas. He is currently the General Manager of the Ecotourism unit at the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) which oversees the Blue Flag, Green Coast and Green Key eco-labels, as well as the management of national youth development projects.
Georgina Smit
Georgina Smit is Head of Market Transformation at the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), overseeing certification and research related products that drive the property sector to design, build and operate buildings in a more sustainable way. She manages the Technical Team at the GBCSA who are responsible for independently certifying green buildings and identifying market leaders. Her daily responsibilities include driving market transformation through certification which can verify tangible, quantifiable impacts and providing customer-focused technical support to all stakeholders engaging with the GBCSA, both in the private and public sector.
Kate Stubbs
Kate Stubbs is the current Group Business Development and Marketing Director for the Interwaste Group which forms part Séché Environnement, a leading international environmental solutions business. She has held various executive positions in marketing, sales, strategy and communications over the last 20 years, predominantly working for Supply Chain, Logistics and Waste Management companies serving a broad range of industries. Her experience has enabled her to work with diverse local and international teams and she thrives in complex, intellectually stimulating environments. Some of her successes have been in creating and building new brands, achieving growth strategies and assisting with the integration of many acquisitions. She is passionate about developing sustainable solutions for businesses that are not only economically viable but which are socially conscious and protect our environment for future generations. Kate holds a BCom Business Management degree and has completed Leadership and Executive Development programmes through the GIBS business school.
Anthony Stroebel
Anthony Stroebel has been the Group Marketing Director for Pam Golding Properties (Pty) Ltd since 2000 but his role has now evolved to Head of Strategy. He is currently responsible for integrating a ‘green agenda’ into the future of Residential property in South Africa, this as a brand dimension of the Pam Golding brand. His vision is to drive green consciousness in the domestic environment, thereby facilitating the inclusion of green credentials in the valuation of residential property. He schooled at Woodridge College in Port Elizabeth and currently holds a degree in Bachelor of Commerce (UCT), as well as Diplomas in Public Relations and Marketing (Damelin College).
Joanne Yawitch
Joanne Yawitch has been the Chief Executive Officer of the National Business Initiative (NBI) since March 2011, having previously been Deputy Director General for Climate Change in the Department of Environmental Affairs with responsibility for Environmental Quality and Protection, as well as for the Department’s Climate Change work. She worked for the Gauteng Department of Environment from 1997 to 2004 and prior to that was Special Adviser to the then Minister of Land Affairs. Joanne is currently the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of South African National Parks and is a Director of the National Research Foundation. Joanne's expertise lies within business and sustainability, business and government collaboration, climate change and climate change negotiations.