Specialists in Air Quality and Climate Change

Dr Martin van Nierop (PhD Chem Eng) obtained a doctorate in Chemical Engineering from the University of Witwatersrand in 2002. Martin became involved in a number of large research projects for the University. In 2003, Martin managed the Cape Town Brown Haze Study, which was conducted by the Climatology Research Group at the University under the leadership of Prof Stuart Piketh.

A year later Martin and Stuart managed the formation of Gondwana Environmental Solutions. Since Gondwana opened their doors in 2004, over 450 projects have been completed. Martin has been involved in all types of projects conducted by Gondwana at various levels over the years. Martin was instrumental in Gondwana becoming an ISO/IEC 17025:2005 SANAS Accredited Testing Laboratory in Environmental Analysis in February 2015.

Prof Stuart Piketh (PhD, Geography) completed his doctorate at the University of Witwatersrand in 2000. Stuart joined the Climatology Research Group at the University in 1998 as a research officer. Stuart progressed within the Group becoming Director and Reader 2003. Stuart managed various projects on a national and international scale as Director of the Group. Stuart joined the North-West University in 2012 as Professor for the School of Geo and Spatial Science.

Stuart has accumulated over 20 years of experience in the air pollution, climatology and climate change and continues to promote and develop research in these fields.

Rethabile Sibisi has a BA Degree from the University of the Witwatersrand and has recently completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Energy Leadership with Witwatersrand Business School. Ms Sibisi has worked with Gondwana as an Environmental Scientist since 2019, actively involved in numerous climate change and ambient air quality projects.

Rethbile has experience in the compilation of air quality emissions inventory, climate change strategy, public participation and the stakeholder engagement process, alongside report drafting, analysis of meteorological data, and research support in climate change-related projects.

Barine Stenberg is a professional Business Development Manager with years of experience in various aspects of running a business. She has broad exposure to the property, security, technology, construction, mining and various other industries.

Barine is extremely knowledgeable in identifying, creating and optimizing opportunities. Barine has vast experience in project management, research and analytics. Barine considers herself a good team player, highly experienced in technology, a willing and fast learner and a motivated entrepreneur.

Dr Luanne Stevens (PhD Botany) has been working in the field of monitoring, measuring and estimating GHG emissions from the land and agricultural sectors for more than 15 years. She obtained her PhD in Botany from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2000 and has since worked as a senior research at Wits, as an atmospheric scientist at the CSIR and as a private environmental consultant. Presently, Luanne consults on projects related to atmospheric chemistry, greenhouse gas emissions, climate change and the impacts on the environment. She has conducted extensive work in developing updated GHG inventories for the agricultural, transport and now the land use sectors for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA).

Anja van Basten (BA (hons) Physical Geography) completed her BA (hons) degree in Physical Geography cum laude at Wits University in 1988. She taught high school Geography between 1989 and 1994. She has worked for Gondwana Environmental Solutions since June 2009 and completed an AERMOD course in March 2010. She has worked on many projects since then, including air quality impact assessments, air quality management plans and other environmental research projects.