Members of the Council

Chairperson: Ms Gloria Simubali

Ms. Gloria Simubali’s appointment as the Chairperson of the Council was announced by the Hon. Minister at the inauguration of the new Council on 12th December 2020. Ms. Simubali is the Deputy Executive Director at the helm of the Geological Survey of Namibia, a department within the Ministry of Mines and Energy and has been in the employment of the Geological Survey at different levels since 2003. Her experience in geosciences spans over 19 years, working primarily in the public sector. She is registered as professional senior geoscientist with the Geoscience Council of Namibia and her expertise and experience covers geochemistry, economic and exploration geology. Ms Simubali is an alumna of the University of Namibia (UNAM) and the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) South Africa. She serves in various capacities on a number of local and international scientific and non-scientific organisations and committees where she either represents the Ministry, Government, Country or the African Continent

Deputy Chairperson: Mr. Ruan Bestbier

Mr. Ruan Bestbier is a distinguished visionary in sustainable finance and ESG integration. Holding a MSc in Agricultural Economics and Econometrics from the University of Stellenbosch, and an MBA with distinction from Stellenbosch Business School, he has pioneered ground-breaking initiatives. These include Namibia's first Green and Sustainability Bonds listed on the Namibian Stock Exchange and securing membership for the Nasdaq Sustainable Bond Network. As the Group Head of Sustainability at Capricorn Group, he integrates ESG principles into corporate strategy and product innovation through his Sustainability Integration Programme. Mr. Bestbier serves as the Deputy Chairperson of Namibia's Sustainable Development Advisory Council and Chairperson of its Resource Mobilisation sub-committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism. His leadership in these roles demonstrates his commitment to advancing sustainable practices and policies in the financial sector.

Environmental Commissioner: Mr Timoteus Mufeti

Mr. Timoteus Mufeti, appointed Environmental Commissioner in 2020, Mr. Mufeti is an esteemed ex-officio Council member. Holding a Master's in Science and Business Administration, he has over 25 years of experience as an Environment/Natural Resources Scientist. His expertise covers environmental systems, natural resource planning and management, sustainable development, environmental assessments, project management, land use planning, coastal zone management, Environmental Management Systems (EMS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Remote Sensing. Mr. Mufeti's unique blend of scientific knowledge and business acumen enables him to balance environmental preservation with economic growth objectives, making him well-suited to lead environmental and natural resource stewardship efforts.

Council Member: Mrs. Atna Bam

Mrs. Atna Bam is a highly sought-after sustainability expert with over 15 years of professional experience. Currently, she serves as the Manager of Environment and Social Sustainability at the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN), overseeing environmental, climate change, sustainable finance, and reporting initiatives. Atna guides sustainability strategies, performs ESG due diligence, and facilitates the transition to a climate-resilient, lower-carbon, and socially inclusive economy. Pursuing an MSc in Global Environment and Sustainability from the University of London, she is also a certified carbon auditor and environmental auditor. With 12 years of prior experience in the mining sector, Atna brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Her multifaceted background allows her to address complex sustainability challenges, driving positive change within DBN and beyond. Atna was elected Chairperson of the communication committee at the second meeting of the Namibian Sustainable Development Advisory Council.

Council Member: Mrs. Graça Bauleth D'Almeida

Mrs. Graça Bauleth D'Almeida, a multilingual professional has been the Director of Resource Management at Namibia's Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources since April 2012. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Gettysburg College (1990) and a Master of Science in Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Sciences from the University of Maryland (1998), both obtained in the USA, D'Almeida brings nearly three (3) decades of scientific experience to her work. D'Almeida's diverse career spanning various scientific capacities has equipped her with a deep understanding of ecosystem functioning and the intricate issues impacting the sustainable management of marine resources. Her multilingual proficiency, encompassing five languages including English, Spanish, and Portuguese, further enhances her ability to collaborate and communicate effectively within her field and across international platforms. D' Almeida's unique combination of academic excellence, extensive experience, and multilingual capabilities position her as a vital asset in Namibia's efforts to strike a balance between resource utilization and environmental conservation.

Council Member: Mr. Sylvester Kabuku Mbangu

Mr. Sylvester Kabuku Mbangu holds a Bachelor's in Economics and Industrial Psychology from the University of Namibia and a Master's in Financial Economics from the University of London. After a brief teaching stint, he spent most of his career at Namibia's National Planning Commission, rising to Deputy Executive Director. His expertise lies in macroeconomic analysis, poverty and inequality, human resource planning, and public finance. Mbangu played a key role in formulating Namibia's National Development Plans from NDP1 to NDP5, including Vision 2030. He led the development of NDP5 and is currently leading NDP6. He has served on councils like the Namibia Qualifications Authority, Higher Education Council, Energy Council, and Technical Committee on Research and Science. His current responsibilities include departmental leadership, performance management, staff development, research supervision, macroeconomic modeling, authoring economic reports, national development planning, human resource planning, and training. He also participates in regional and international developmental forums within SACU, SADC, AU, and the UN.

Council Member: Mrs. Christine Mutumbu Mahongo Haironga

Mrs. Christine Mutumbu Mahongo Haironga, representing the Okavango West Regional Farmers Union, is an accomplished educator and leader. Her qualifications include an NEC Teaching Certificate, BETD, Advanced Diplomas in Leadership & Management and African Languages, an Honors Degree in Rukwangali and English, and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership & Management. With a strong commitment to education, Christine has dedicated her career to nurturing young minds and fostering excellence. Currently serving as a School Principal, she utilises her extensive knowledge and leadership skills to create an environment that promotes academic growth and personal development. Alongside her educational endeavours, Christine is a passionate horticulturist, embracing sustainable farming practices and contributing to the agricultural landscape within her community.

Council Member: Mr. Petrus-Canisius Nangolo

Mr. Petrus-Canisius Nangolo, the Deputy Executive Director at the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR), brings a multifaceted perspective to the Sustainable Development Advisory Council (SDAC) through his diverse academic accomplishments. Armed with a Master's degree in Geo-Information Management Science from the University of Twente, a Master's in Disaster Management from the University of the Free State, and a Master's in Development Studies from the same institution, Nangolo-Canisius possesses a rare combination of expertise in land administration, risk mitigation, and policy formulation. His educational journey has equipped him with a profound understanding of the inextricable link between sustainable development and responsible land governance practices. Mr. Nangolo firmly believes that uncoordinated development can lead to resource degradation, environmental hazards, and man-made disasters, underscoring the pivotal role of coordinated land administration in achieving sustainability goals.

Council Member: Dr. Peter Tarr

Dr. Peter Tarr is the founder and Executive Director of the Southern African Institute for Environmental Assessment (SAIEA), a consulting NGO operating across Africa. With over 35 years of experience in conservation and impact assessment, Dr. Tarr leads initiatives in capacity building, quality assurance, and strategic environmental and social assessments. Key Achievements: • Led SAIEA to win IAIA's "Institution of the Year" award (2003) • Coordinated award-winning Professional Development Programme (2009) • Received IAIA Individual Award for significant contributions (2013) • Awarded IAIA Lifetime Achievement Award (2023) Dr. Tarr holds a PhD in Environmental Management and Planning from Aberdeen University, Scotland. His extensive experience spans public and private sectors, international agencies, and community organizations across Africa, South America, and Asia.

Secretariat of the Council: Mr. Pendapala Amadhila Amadhila

Pendapala Amadhila Amadhila serves as the Administration Officer for the Department of Environmental Affairs at the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT). He holds a Bachelor of Regional and Rural Development Planning (NQF 7) and a Bachelor Honours in Natural Resource Management (NQF 8) from the Namibian University of Science and Technology (NUST). Mr. Amadhila's expertise extends beyond his administrative role; he contributed as a Junior Consultant to the updating of Namibia's National Implementation Plan on Persistent Organic Pollutants, showcasing his knowledge in environmental policy. Currently, he also acts as the Secretariat to the Sustainable Development Advisory Council, facilitating key initiatives in Namibia's pursuit of sustainable development.

Secretariat of the Council: Ms. Saima Angula

Ms. Saima Angula is the Deputy Director for environmental management and regulations ( EIA and Waste Management) in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism. She holds a Masters of Science in Environmental Management and a Master's degree in Public Policy and Administration.