The Board of Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa (EAPASA) announced significant changes in its leadership structure on 07 June 2024.
EAPASA was appointed by the Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), Ms Barbara Creecy, as the single registration authority for environmental assessment practitioners in South Africa, under Section 24H of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998.
During a general meeting held on May 10, 2024, members from all quarters of the country convened to conduct the nomination and appointment process in strict adherence to EAPASA’s constitutional provisions. Subsequently, at the full seating of the Board on May 23, 2024, Professor Khangwelo Desmond Musetsho was duly nominated and appointed as the Chairperson of the EAPASA Board.
Prof Musetsho is one of the founding Board members at EAPASA and has served the Board as Vice-Chairperson for many years. He also serves as a Council Member at the Council for the Built Environment (CBE), a Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) entity, appointed by Honourable Minister Sihle Zikalala. He also serves as a Council Member at the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), a Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) entity, appointed by Honourable Minister Blade Nzimande. He served the National Executive Committee of South African Affiliate of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIAsa) and led the Limpopo Branch for several years. He is a former Board Member of the South African Wetlands Society (SAWS) and the Central Branch Committee of the Institute of Waste Management in Southern Africa (IWMSA) and a member of the Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA).
He is the founder and has been the Principal Environmental Scientist at Naledzi Environmental Consultants (Pty) Ltd for 21 years. He holds a PhD in Environmental Management and a Master of Business Leadership (MBL). His professional repertoire extends beyond the confines of environmental consultancy. He has enriched the academic world as a University Lecturer, currently a Professor of Practice at the University of Venda, Prof Musetsho has further contributed to urban planning as a member of the Capricorn District Municipal Planning Tribunal, and fostered community development through various leadership roles, such as being the Chairperson of the Mphaphuli Development Trust (MDT). His expertise is diverse yet focused, and he has made significant contributions to EIAs, Wetland Ecology/ Assessments, Land Management, and Ecosystem Services Valuations. He is a Professional Natural Scientist at SACNASP and a Registered EAP with EAPASA.
Professor Musetsho is a product of the University of Venda, a recipient of both the Zahira Armed and the Best Overall Student awards for the School of Environmental Sciences (now the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences under the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture) at the end of his first qualification. He has been associated with the University of Venda since joining the private sector through part-time lecturing, replacement lecturer and linking the university with various professional bodies. He was also a student leader involved in the Student Representative Council (SRC) and Environmental Societies, leading campaigns on and outside the campus for environmental awareness. He is indeed a true embodiment of the University motto: “Creating future leaders”.
He is caring and a genuine guardian of the King Code of Corporate Governance and Companies Act. He is an ever-present individual in dialogues around Professional Bodies’ development in South Africa and abroad. He has facilitated numerous conferences presenting aspects related to professional development, and environmental assessments amongst others. His community environmental activism has seen him leading awareness campaigns on national radio and TV (SABC, Newzroom Africa, ETV etc) regularly, which should place UNIVEN at the forefront of these campaigns.
Prof Musetsho has experience in leading strategic projects, programmes, and initiatives aimed at business development, improvement, and transformation. He is an expert in conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and associated activities such as Environmental Audits and Environmental Rehabilitation. He was born and bred in the Vhembe region, a product of the University who has been a torch bearer and an ambassador of the University in many fronts.
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University of Venda
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