Meet the Team

Empowering People Programme Manager

nandi.thobela@birdlife.org.za
Nandi Thobela is BirdLife South Africa’s Empowering People Programme Manager. Nandi is responsible for the implementation of BirdLife South Africa’s northern KwaZulu-Natal community conservation project and oversees all other related projects within the Empowering People Programme, including the Avitourism Project. Having worked in the field of conservation for over a decade, Nandi has spent the bulk of her career managing many aspects of community conservation, protected area management, environmental education with a strong focus on training and learning material development.

Avitourism Project Manager

john.kinghorn@birdlife.org.za
John has always had a deep-rooted passion for nature. Qualifying as a professional specialist bird guide straight out of school, John took a gap year to travel southern Africa to record 800+ species within a calendar year and share his love for our country’s avifauna with as many people as possible.  Whilst continuing to lead tours across the globe, John completed his LLB degree and worked as a candidate attorney, where he practiced in various fields of law. The necessity to complete his articles in contribution toward his admission as an attorney was primarily COVID-induced, and it was not long before he accepted the call to return to conservation, exchanging his suit and tie for much-preferred khakis and vellies. John has continued guiding specialist birding tours, served as an avifaunal consultant within the renewable energy sector, and explored his passion for TV presenting through the channel “Wild Earth”. John’s focus is to promote South Africa as a key avitourism destination among the global birding audience whilst furthering the upskilling and empowerment of specialist birding guides trained through BirdLife South Africa’s Bird Guide Programme.

Ntsikeni Conservation Officer

Ntuthuko.Mathe@birdlife.org.za 

Ntuthuko is the Ntsikeni Conservation Officer who is based in the Ntsikeni area between Underberg and Kokstad. Ntuthuko currently holds an MSc. degree in Animal and Poultry Science. He has a multidisciplinary Master’s degree with a thesis focused on how people, nature, and ecosystems can coexist without interference. Ntuthuko has worked with rural farming communities with a focus on community engagement. As the Ntsikeni Conservation Officer, Ntuthuko will be responsible for facilitating the establishment of the Sustainable Livelihoods Development Project in the Ntsikeni community.

Grasslands Community Conservation Officer

Zoleka.mkhize@birdlife.org.za

Zoleka Mkhize serves as the Grasslands Community Conservation Officer at BirdLife South Africa and holds an Honours degree in Ecological Sciences, with her research concentrating on the impact of Vetiver allelopathy on the growth of native grasses in South Africa. Her responsibilities involve building partnerships with local communities in Wakkerstroom, Daggakraal, and Groenvlei while promoting biodiversity conservation using Botha’s Lark as a flagship species. This encompasses the implementation of environmental education initiatives, the enhancement of stewardship efforts, and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods for local farmers. She appreciates the chance to connect with communities and gain insights from their experiences and perspectives

Community Bird Guide, Ntsikeni Nature Reserve

Daluxolo, well known as Dalu, is a local bird guide at Ntsikeni Nature Reserve in southern KwaZulu-Natal, between Underberg and Kokstad. Dalu has been with BirdLife South Africa since 2022 and has worked at Ntsikeni Lodge for 11 years. He collaborates closely with BirdLife South Africa’s White-winged Flufftail Project Manager on approaches for managing the White-winged Flufftail to the public at the reserve. Dalu assists with the management and maintenance of the lodge. Dalu also assists the EKZNW with the management of a wetland within the reserve.

Empowering People Programme Intern

thandulwazi.ndaba@birdlife.org.za

Thandulwazi holds an Honours degree majoring in Curriculum Studies and has a strong background in the development of learning material. She believes that education is the foundation upon which we build our future, so she is excited to be part of BirdLife South Africa’s Empowering People Programme. In her role as an intern, Thandulwazi assists in environmental education and awareness, avitourism, an approach to sustainable livelihoods and programme administration.