People | African Wildlife Economy Institute

Core Team

The AWEI Core Team is responsible for the operations of the Institute.

Prof Francis Vorhies

Director & Professor Extraordinary
Dr Wiseman Ndlovu

Programmes Manager & Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr Hayley Clements

Research Manager & Senior Researcher
Mr Thapelo Brilliant Lebopa

Programmes Assistant
Mr Crespen Ndlovu

Development Officer
Ms Emily Taylor

Communications Officer
Ms Lydia Daring Bhebe

Programmes Assistant & Research Associate
Klarine Schutte

Programmes Assistant & Research Associate

Community Members

Members of the AWEI Community include Research Fellows with a formal university appointment, Research Associates
including postgraduate students, and Expert Associates in subjects, regions, and skills. More info here.

If you would like to join the AWEI Community, please introduce yourself by email.

Ms Francine Barchett

Research Associate
Dr Matthew Child

Research Associate
Dr Richard Fergusson

Expert Associate
Mr Joseph Goergen

Research Associate
Mr Steven Johnson

Expert Associate
Dr Biandri Joubert

Research Fellow
Mr Ali Kaka

Expert Associate
Dr Tariro Kamuti

Research Fellow
Prof Urs Kreuter

Senior Fellow
Ms Roseline Mandisodza-Chikerema

Expert Associate
Mr William Marandu

Research Associate
Prof Joseph Mbaiwa

Research Fellow
Dr Victor Muposhi

Research Fellow
Dr Michael Musgrave

Research Fellow
Mr Reinhard Bonke Nyandire

Expert Associiate
Dr Taddeo Rusoke

Senior Fellow
Ms Catherine E. Semcer

Research Associate
Ms Basilia Andoroone Shivute

Research Associate
Dr Michael 't Sas-Rolfes

Research Fellow
Dr Thabang Rainett Teffo

Expert Associate
Dr Keith G. Tidball

Senior Fellow
Ms Deborah Vorhies

Expert Associate
Ms Sarah Whitehead

Research Associate
Dr Jane Wiltshire

Research Fellow
Ms Beverley Wynne

Expert Associate

Advisory Board

The AWEI Advisory Board provides strategic guidance to the Institute as an academic think tank at Stellenbosch University.

The AWEI Director, Prof Francis Vorhies, is an ex officio member of the Board.

Prof Kennedy Dzama

Advisory Board Chair
Prof Danie Brink

Advisory Board Member
Prof Brian Child

Advisory Board Member
Prof Louw Hoffman

Advisory Board Member
Prof Alison Leslie

Advisory Board Member
Dr Cyrie Sendashonga

Advisory Board Member

AWEI Alumni

AWEI Alumni have previously been engaged in Institute activities.

Mr Abdulai Barrie

AWEI Intern (2022)
Dr Julia Baum

Programmes Manager & Partnerships Advisor (2021-2023)
Mr Xolani Nicholus Funda

Senior Advisor (2019-2022)
Ms Elizabeth Gitari-Mitaru

Research Fellow (2020-2022)
Ms Mara Glas

Intern (2022)
Ms Carla Glen

Communications Manager (2022-2024)
Ms Caitlin Graaf

Research Fellow (2018-2020)
Dr Tuqa Jirmo

Senior Advisor (2020-2022)
Ms Sungeni Ruth Karonga

Intern (2023)
Prof Andrea Lane

Training Fellow (2021-2023)
Ms Hollie M'gog

Teaching Fellow (2021-2023)
Mr Filbert Minja

Intern - Communications (2024)
Ms Ashley Nolwazi Mpofu

Research Associate (2024)
Prof Elizabeth Pienaar

Research Fellow (2019-2021)
Ms Aro Ny Aina Ratolojanahary

Intern (2023)
Ms Mame Diarra Sarr

Intern (2022)
Ms Savanna Strauss

Junior Operational Officer (2022-2023)
Mr Hennie de Villiers

Senior Advisor (2020-2022)
Dr Jako Volschenk

Advisory Board Member (2018-2023)

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Through impactful research, stakeholder engagement, and professional development, AWEI is supporting the wildlife economy across Africa. Please subscribe for occasional updates on our work and forthcoming events.