IRNDC Directors
John Kasaona
John Kasaona
Executive Director
John has worked for IRDNC since 1993. He holds a National Diploma in Nature Conservation and is currently pursuing his MBA. John has worked in all aspects... Read more
... of the field programme, i.e. tourism, NRM, Conservancy Support. He is skilled in advocacy, conflict resolution, negotiations, representing IRDNC and the wider CBNRM programme internationally. Jointly, with the Board of Trustees and Programme Director, sets strategic direction, supports fundraising activities, ensures plans are implemented and deliver IRDNC goals sustainably. Hide
Willie Boonzaaier
Willie Boonzaaier
Programme Director
Willie joined IRDNC in 2017, holds an
MBA in Project Management and started his career in community-based natural resource management and ecotourism... Read more
...development in 1980. As a consultant
he worked throughout southern Africa and further abroad and during this time was actively involved in the development of Namibia and ecotourism network for the benefit of conservancies and rural communities, prior to joining IRDNC. Hide
IRDNC Board
IRDNC is governed by a board of trustees who are appointed for a two year period, and re-appointed every two years. IRDNC’s board of trustees comprise:
Dr Malan Lindeque serves as Chairperson for the IRDNC Board of Trustees. He joined the IRDNC Board of Trustees in January 2019 following his retirement as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry on Environment and Tourism. Dr Lindeque has a strong interest in the management of national parks and the conservation and management of wildlife as well as community-based natural resource management. He was the Permanent Secretary of Trade and Industry until 2015 and oversaw the reform of Namibia’s investment legislation, industrial development strategy and related instruments during his tenure. Dr Lindeque was also the lead negotiator for Namibia for the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Southern African Development Community. He is also the Chairperson of Namibia’s Sustainable Development Advisory Council, a statutory body created in terms of Namibia’s Environmental Management Act as well as the Nature Conservation Board, established under the Nature Conservation Ordinance.
Adv. Andrew Corbett was the Director of the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) from 1992 – 1999. The LAC carries out innovative legal work in the areas of human rights, land and environment, HIV/AIDS and labour reform. In addition to his current professional role as advocate, Adv. Corbett also holds a number of other board positions, including that of board member of the Namibia Nature Foundation and has served as an Acting Judge of the High Court of Namibia.
Clara Bohitile was a member of the National Assembly from 1995-2005 and again from 2007 - 2010. She also served as the Deputy Minister of Basic Education and Culture from 1995-2005. She is known in parliament for her contributions to rural development, adult education and basic education for the marginalized communities. Ms Bohitile is a member of the SWAPO Central Committee. She is also an aspiring commercial farmer, and was named as the Emerging Farmer of the Year for 2006 by the Namibian Agricultural Union. In September 2010, she made history when she was the first woman ever elected to chair the board of the Namibian Meat Corporation.
Honourable Beaven Munali is originally from Zambezi Region of Namibia, where he lives and was the Councillor of the Judea Lyabboloma Constituency and served as the Chairperson for the Zambezi Regional Council until his retirement in 2020. Whilst working for the Regional Council under the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development between 2015 and 2020, he focused on programmes that improve rural people’s standard of living, through creation of jobs, capital projects and creating enabling political and legal environments in Zambezi Region where over two thirds of the population are below the World Bank’s poverty line. He also worked as the Natural Resource Management Field Coordinator for IRDNC, between1991 and 2007, heading a team of field officers who provided technical and logistical support to the staff of Zambezi’s fifteen registered communal conservancies and one association. Prior to joining the national government, Honorable Munali served IRDNC as the regional Assistant Director between 2007 and 2015, and returned in 2017 to serve as a Board Member to date.
Ms Olga Katjiuongua joined the IRDNC Board of Trustees at the end of 2021. She is passionate about rural/community development and unlocking the potential of rural areas to create and sustain decent jobs. She has a growing passion in social protection as a human right. Olga has years of experience in community-based tourism and tourism development in general. She is presently working for the Namibian Social Security Commission leading the Development Fund which deals with employment creation and skills development initiatives aimed at transitioning unemployed persons into the labour market, especially those at grassroots level. Olga holds qualifications in Education, Accounting and Finance, as well as Social Security/Social Protection. She was a founding member of the Board of the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) and the Water Regulator of Namibia, and currently serves on the technical advisory panel of the EIF. In her leisure time, she initiates and executes rural development programmes. 
Mrs Hilma N. Angula joined the IRDNC Board in 2021. She is passionate about Natural Resource Management, Sustainable Development, and fostering partnerships to unlock the value of wildlife for enhancing people's livelihoods. She coordinates Government and Institutional Development support to community conservancies at NACSO. She holds a Master's in Conservation Leadership from the University of Cambridge, a Degree in Natural Resource Management from the University of Nelson Mandela and a Diploma in the same field from the Namibian University of Science and Technology. Throughout her 10-year working experience in the CBNRM sector, Hilma gained skills in community outreach, stakeholder engagement, youth mobilisation, women empowerment and wildlife monitoring. She has volunteered as a Grants Advisor under the Next Generation Climate Board of Global Green-grants Fund, securing small grants to support youth groups addressing climate change in southern Africa. She also serves as a board member of the Namibian Chamber of Environment. 
Mr Asser Kaverua Ujaha joined IRDNC 15 years ago as an Enterprise Development and Holistic Rangeland Facilitator to Kunene community conservancies. In this position, one of his key performance areas has been to provide strategic guidance to conservancy communities in both tourism related enterprises and rangeland management. He played a key role in assisting conservancies in the north-west with joint venture agreements with private operators; a process which successfully reached 20 conservancies in Kunene having secured reputable business partners. Mr Ujaha currently serves the IRDNC Board of Trustees where he continues to share his wealth of experience in rural development in Kunene Region and across the country. He is currently works as a Manager at Roadside Lodge and Campsite at Hobatere in the Kunene Region. 

 John K. Kasaona, IRDNC Executive Director, and Willie Boonzaaier, the Programme Director, are ex officio board members.

Kunene Senior Team
Lucky Kasaona
Kenamurire (Lucky) Kasaona
Assistant Director
Represented Community-based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) internationally, particularly in the USA.
He has been the lead person ... Read more
...on the important/ground-breaking Ombonde People’s Park initiative in Kunene Region. He has excellent community and stakeholder engagement skills and has facilitated numerous institutional events. Hide
Basilia Shivute
Basilia Shivute
Operations Manager
Basilia was born and raised in a small village North of Etosha National Park, Namibia, where her upbringing instilled a strong sense of community, ... Read more
... while practicing subsistence
agriculture. She holds an MSc in Biodiversity Management and Research from University of Namibia and is an alumni of the African Conservation Leadership Network. She has more than 17 years of experience in sustainable tourism, environmental consulting and community-based conservation practice. She joined IRDNC in 2013 as the Operations Manager for IRDNC Kunene. Basilia is responsible for management, project proposals, implementation and outcomes reporting for IRDNC’s work in the Kunene Region. She is currently working towards an MBA with the
African Leadership University in Rwanda. Hide
Eben-Ezer Tjiho
Eben-Ezer Tjiho
Lion Cluster Coordinator
Eben holds a Community Development Programme Diploma. He joined IRDNC in 2005 to head the Natural Resource Management ... Read more
...team before becoming a Cluster Coordinator in 2017. Eben builds and maintains strong stakeholder relations and has adapted to many changes over the years. Hide
Dave Kangombe
Dave Kangombe
Impala (Ongotu) Cluster Coordinator
Dave has worked for IRDNC since 2003. Willing and committed to Community-based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM), Dave has ... Read more
...benefitted from consistent mentoring
by his previous supervisor over the years to progress from being Facilitator to his current role. He supports a number of remote conservancies in building their management capacity in financial management & governance, business
and enterprise development, natural resource management. Dave builds and maintains good strategic relationships with stakeholders. Hide
Lina Kaisuma
Lina Kaisuma
Giraffe Cluster Coordinator
Lina previously headed the Institutional Support team and has worked for IRDNC since 1999. Similar to other coordinators, Lina supports a number of ... Read more
...conservancies in the north-west Namibia. She is a strong trainer and translator, and has also developed her management capabilities over the years. Hide
Russell Vingevoldt
Russell Vingevoldt
HELP Rhino Cluster Coordinator
Russell has been with IRDNC since 2012. He has more than 22 years of conservation experience, including 12 years with the Ministry of ... Read more
... Environment and Tourism and a
further 12 years in tourism, including an eco-friendly operation fully owned by conservancies. Russell has extensive management experience and strong track record in community-based conservation and tourism. He is a human-wildlife conflict specialist and has consulted on the North West Human Lion Conflict Management Plan and the National Human-Wildlife Conflict Policy. His good leadership skills promote excellent community relationship and continuously mentor’s young talent. Russell is based at Wereldsend, IRDNC’s Environmental Education Centre and operates in the Kunene Region, home to the iconic
desert adapted lions, elephants and
rhino. Hide
Cliff Tjikuundi
Cliff Tjikuundi
Human-Wildlife Support Cluster Coordinator
Cliff holds a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management (Nature Conservation). Read more
He joined IRDNC as an Intern in 2014. Cliff has been with IRDNC since 2017 as part of the Human Wildlife Conflict response team. His role is to coordinate, plan and manage all activities of the Human Wildlife Support team to reduce wildlife related losses to community livestock and properties, to monitor wildlife populations, and to craft and implement innovative and creative mitigation measures. Hide
Albertus Uraravi
Jauire Uararavi (Albertus)
Trainee Cluster Coordinator
Allu has worked in CBNRM since 2002.
He joined the lion rangers programme for Puros Conservancy in 2007 and later joined IRDNC in 2007. Read more
He is currently a cluster coordinator for the Human-Wildlife Support Unit
(Elephant and Lion) and has specialist knowledge in supporting communities in the sustainable harvesting of Indigenous Natural Products (INP) and benefiting from it. Hide
Alton-Tsowaseb
Alton Tsowaseb
Crocodile Cluster Coordinator
After completing his Diploma in Natural Resource Management in 2011, Alton joined the CBNRM leadership program (CLP) with NACSO and the ... Read more
... Natural Resource Working Group. In the CLP he was mentored by industry leaders on various aspects of CBNRM, including Natural Resource Management, Governance, and Business & Enterprise for over two years. Alton worked briefly in the mining and environmental education sector before joining the Ministry of Agriculture Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) in the Geohydrology Division for about 5 years and joined IRDNC in 2020. Alton is also a member of the Environmental Assessment Professionals Association of Namibia and has been doing environmental consulting on an ad hoc basis. Alton completed his Bachelor of Natural Resource Management (Honours) at the Namibian University of Science and Technology in 2019 and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) specializing in Natural Resource Management at the University of Namibia. Hide
Uhangatenua Kapi
Uhangatenua Kapi
Sinkhole Trainee Cluster Support Coordinator
Uhangatenua has experience working with various community organizations such as IRDNC, GOPA, Conservation ... Read more
... Agriculture Namibia (C.A.N.), and Zakumuka Producers Cooperative since 2006. He is willing and committed to Community-based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM). He supports the most remote conservancies in Kunene, building their management capacity in the fields of rangeland, governance, enterprise development, and natural resources. He also builds and maintains good strategic relationships with stakeholders and partners when working with them on specialist projects such as NILALEG. Hide
Oiva Hamunyela
Oiva Hamunyela
Financial Administrator
Oiva holds an Honours degree in Accounting and Finance from Namibia University (UNAM). Read more
He worked for the public sector in the Accounting and Finance department for years. He joined IRDNC in 2018 and is responsible for managing the IRDNC Kunene Project funds, providing accounting services, ensuring financial efficiency, and manages the Administration Unit. Hide
Augustinus Ucham
Augustinus Ucham
Kunene Peoples Park Senior Coordinator
Augustinus joined IRDNC in April 2022 as a Senior Coordinator. He is an
accomplished executive ... Read more
... with 34 years’ experience in public service, community base natural
resource management and administration and respected as an exponent of development, empowerment and accountability. He offers expertise with advanced skills in decisive team leadership, operations management, strategic planning, risk mitigation, community liaison, personnel and
regional development, training and education as well as addressing economic growth/land development issues. Hide
Zambezi Senior Team
Janet Matota
Janet Matota
Assistant Director
Janet joined IRDNC in 1994. She was originally recruited as a Community Resource Monitor and was promoted in 2008 to lead the... Read more
...Zambezi team. She has received significant awards for her work on Women’s Development and HIV/AIDS. She is well regarded by local communities and maintains positive relationships with other stakeholders and staff. Janet is committed to the programme and is an excellent ambassador for IRDNC. Hide
Dominic Muema
Dominic Muemma
Operations Manager
Dominic holds a BSC in Wildlife Management and has worked in Thailand, Kenya and other parts of Namibia on natural resource... Read more
...management. He joined the team in 2009 and is now the Operations Manager for Zambezi. Dominic is responsible for staff management, project proposals, implementation, and reporting in the region, and contributes to senior decision-making processes. He has considerable experience in training/mentoring community people and IRDNC staff and building healthy stakeholder
relationships. Hide
John Kamwi
John Kamwi
Trans-Boundary Coordinator
John has worked for IRDNC since 2001.
His Diploma in Theology stood him in
good stead, as he showed immense integrity and commitment ... Read more
... His passion and ability to work with complex community governance issues led to his promotion from the position of facilitator to lead IRDNC’s transboundary conservation work in the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, where he has been responsible for the successful establishment of several Trans-Boundary Natural Resource Management Forums between Namibia, Angola, Botswana and Zambia, to facilitate collaboration between countries in the management of natural resources. Hide
Reuben Mafati
Reuben Mafati
Chobe West Cluster Coordinator
Reuben has been a part of IRDNC since August 2001. He holds a Diploma in Environmental Management and is currently pursuing ... Read more
... a Diploma in Marketing. After being responsible for the Enterprise Development team, he was promoted to the position of Cluster Coordinator in 2017. Hide
Caleb Mwitumwa
Caleb Mwitumwa
Wildlife Corridor Coordinator
Caleb holds a Bachelor of Arts honours degree in Tourism Management majoring in Geography from the University of Namibia. Read more
He started at IRDNC in 2011 during the June and December holidays with an internship under the Enterprise Development team and later as consultant in 2013. In March 2018, he was called back to IRDNC as consultant under the TBNRM team, and in September of the same year, permanently appointed as facilitator, a position he held until June 2021 when he was promoted to the position of Wildlife Corridors Coordinator. Hide
Rudolph Tjaveondja
Rudolph Tjaveondja
Bwabwata National Park Cluster Coordinator
Rudolph is one of the IRDNC staff members listed under the IRDNC Honor Roll having worked for ... Read more
... IRDNC in the late ’90s as a facilitator lending administration an personnel support to conservancies. Rudolph re-joined IRDNC in 2020 as Cluster Coordinator for the Bwabwata National Park Cluster. He supports Kyaramacan Association in building their capacity in financial management, governance, business and enterprise development, and natural resource management. As a diploma-level graduate Rudolph has strong technical skills and experience
that enabled him to support communities for the past 19 years in the areas of institutional support and governance, income-generating programs, volunteer management through the Homestay-based approach, disaster management, risk reduction, project administration, Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach, and training in health and wellness for the mining and fishing sectors. Hide
Julia Nchindo
Julia Nchindo
Office Administrator
Julia joined IRDNC in the year 2000 and got on-the-job training with IRDNC in project management... Read more
...For 4 years, Julia was mentored by an HR specialist and then by an experienced project administrator. She is now responsible for supporting the Zambezi team with financial and administrative services. Hide
Eben Tjiteere
Eben Tjiteere
Mudumu South Cluster Coordinator
Eben has held a number of roles since he joined IRDNC which has served to
broaden his experience and abilities. He
is currently a ... Read more
... Cluster Coordinator, and he supports several conservancies to build their management capacity. Eben has a BTech
in Nature Conservation and a National Diploma in Natural Resource Management. Eben has been with IRDNC since 2009. Hide
Maria Lazarus
Maria Lazarus
Chobe East Cluster Coordinator
Maria joined IRDNC in October 2022 as a Cluster Coordinator for the Chobe East Cluster. She has an Honours Degree in Integrated Environmental Sciences and a Higher Diploma... Read more
...in Natural Resources Management. She previously worked at the Cheetah Conservation Fund in the Education Department as an Environmental Educator. She is very passionate about the environment and conservation. Hide
Chunga Mukaya
Chunga Mukaya
Mudumu North Cluster Coordinator
Chunga joined IRDNC in April 2022 as a Cluster Coordinator. He has a bachelor’s degree in Land Administration, under the Faculty of ... Read more
... Natural Resources and Spatial Sciences. He has experience in engaging with communities to facilitate the development of capital projects that improve their livelihoods. Hide
Windhoek Team
Mendes Paolo Vinte
Mendes Paolo Vinte
Project Manager
Mendes joined IRDNC in 2021. He holds a Master in Natural Resources Management. His career in Protected ... Read more
... Area Management and Community-Based Natural Resource Management started in 2004 as a young student. Prior to joining IRDNC, he worked for a development programme of Integrated Protected Areas Management for the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, co-financed by the Federal Republic of Germany through the German Development Bank (KfW). He has vast experience in landscape biodiversity conservation, transfrontier conservation area management and rural community development projects. Hide
Phillemon Mwaala
Phillemon Mwaala
Grants Finance Manager
Phillemon holds a Commerce Honours (Postgraduate) from Regent Business School and a Bachelor of Technology in Accounting and Finance ... Read more
... from Namibia University of Science
and Technology (NUST). He has over 13 years of experience in a financial environment comprised of various industries such as Hospitality, Retail, Pharmaceutical, and NGOs. His key role is to manage and oversee the accounting and reporting functions of all Grant
Funds and to ensure good financial governance and efficient use of grant funds for IRDNC. Hide
Julia-Amukwa
Kristof Amukoshi
Senior Accountant
Kristof Holds a BTech in Accounting and Finance from Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST); ... Read more
... an Advanced Diploma in Accounting Science from the University of Cape Town; Bachelor of Business Management Honours (NUST). Currently, he is pursuing an MBA-Finance (NBS, UNAM). Before joining IRDNC, Kristof had been an Accountant in Public Service for 4 years. He Joined IRDNC in 2018 as a Bookkeeper Consultant, thereafter an Accountant. Kristof is responsible for managing, overseeing the accounting and administrative support functions for IRNDC, i.e., Accounting, risk governance & compliance, financial efficiency & reporting, etc. on all IRDNC Finances and Accounts. Hide
Belinda !Gaes
Belinda !Gaes
Accountant
Belinda holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting with specialization in internal audit. Read more
She has over 6 years’ experience working with Non-Governmental Organizations. Her current responsibilities include processing and recording of transactions, purchasing of supplies and assets, governance, risk and compliance and monitoring and reporting on expenditures.
Hide
Hilma Henok
Hilma Henok
Accountant
Hilma holds a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Namibia University of Science & Technology. Read more
She has an ample experience from her prior job in the hospitality industry. She recently joined IRDNC as an Accountant responsible for financial reporting; accounting processing and financial efficiency performance. Hide
Winette Jansen
Winette Jansen
HR & Admin Officer
Winette has worked for IRDNC since 2011. She previously ran a private book-keeping business. Her current responsibilities include Human Resources, payroll functions, office and staff management.
Other Staff

Kunene

Fares Kangombe, Facilitator
Linus Mbomboro, Senior Facilitator
Muatjindika Kapika, Facilitator
Pehi Kozohura, Cluster Support Facilitator
Muhaamberua Virere, Cluster Support Facilitator
Zikamisee Patrick Kasupi, Cluster Support Facilitator
Ben Karipandjarere Muzuma, Facilitator
Paulus Kenare, Team leader
Alfeus Ouseb, Field Officer
John Steenkamp, Field Officer
Wandi Tsanes, Field Officer
Kauroorua Tjavara, Field Officer
Fillimon Nuab, Field Officer
Katipo Ngunaihe, Field Officer
Fillimon Nuab, Field Officer
Kavare Kasaona, Trainee Facilitator
Exploria Gawusas, Trainee Projects Coordinator
Lisbeth Kaumbi, Office Assistant Clerk

 

Windhoek Administrative Support

Ester Abdallah, Senior Bookkeeper
Pelachia Kandjiriomuini, Receptionist / Clerk
Agnes Tsamases, Office Assistant Clerk

Zambezi

Juliety Mainga, Cleaner/Clerk
Sabrinah Chibahwile, Cleaner/Clerk
Charles Mwangu, Caretaker
Patricia Nchindo, Receptionist/Clerk
Alfred Tchadau, Senior facilitator
Obicious Siyanga, Cluster Support Facilitator
Benson Kupinga, Cluster Support Facilitator
Limbo Lameck, Cluster Support Facilitator
Sinvula Mwananawa, Cluster Support Facilitator
Leonard Sitwala, Cluster Support Facilitator
Phellem Simone Nawa, TBNRM Facilitator
Evens Sikumba, Caretaker
Winders Kalema, Camp Assistant
Rironderuapi Kavari, Trainee Projects Coordinator
IRDNC Honor Roll
Our achievements today are only possible thanks to the hard work of many
staff members over the years who will always remain a part of the IRDNC family.
Abrosius !Awarab
Polo !Awarab
Samson Amoro
Johannes Andreas
Robin Beatty
Beauty Buiswalelo
Hastings Bushebe
Charles Cadman
Anna Davis
Richard Diggle
Candy Diggle
Oena Dihaku
Anton Esterhuisen
Wanda Esterhuisen
Fransina Frans
Richard Fryer
Bennie Ganuseb
John Gawusab
Jack Goawagoe
Lynn Halstead
Foibe Haludilu
Action Hambo
Sonia Hambo
Tim Holmes
Rosie Holmes
Allan Homella
Angela Howells
Aino Humphrey
Ed Humphrey
Elna Irish
Manias Ishime
Margie Jacobsohn
Ronnie Johannes
Charles Kachele
Jeremy Kaiko
Betornikel Kwala
Rikondjerua Mutambo
Averusch Cloete
Elbe Becker
Lieb Kamba
Blacky Kanjimi
Etosha Karutjaiva                  Joseph Gwaya                              Ivy Simasiku
Lucky Kasaona
Kavangere Kasaona
Kavenako Kavenako Tjavara
Petra Compion
Ester Kutazo
Nadja le Roux
Lameck Limbo
Jones Lubinda
Ronnie Mahindi
Mary Makutela
Jose Manuel
Henry Mapanka
Cedric Mapanka
John Marembo
Simon Masene
Shebby Mate
Simon Mayes
Pamela McGrath
Mbeutjiua Muhuka
Linus Mukwata
Michael Mumbalu
Lucas Munembo
Carol Murphy
Markfaren Mushabati
Rena Mushavanga
Mavis Musole
Lister Mutabelezi
Maurice Muyatwa
Antonia Muzuma
Elvis Mwilima
Luscan Naha
Bonifasius Nanongo
Christiaan Bakkes
Beaven Munali
Beverly Katjatako
Uamunamundu Tjiwarao
Karine Nuulimba
Simone Nawa
Clive Ndozi
Daisy Nehta
Colin Nott
Nathaniel Nuulimba         Simasiku Mwanangombe                
John Odeke
Nils Odendaal
Garth Owen-Smith
Asie Rea
Matthew Rice
Hilary Roman
Bennie Roman
Harry Sauzuo
Bernard Sezuni
Katy Sharpe
Danica Shaw
Neil Shaw
Loveness Shiita
Johannes Shipopyeni
Calvin Shozi
David Sikabonga
Ferdinand Sinjabata
Joyce Sitapata
Annie Symonds
Ephraim Taniseb
Theunis Tjiposa
Rudolph Tjaveondja
Benson Tjivinda
Thumbee Tjorora
GeoffreyTukuhupwele
Peggy Tutalife
Asser Ujaha
Katharina von Rohr
Greame Wilson
Franziska Woellert
Scott Richmond
Selma Iipinge
Sokoi Kasaona
Roger Collinson
Karen Nott
Titus Rungundo
Friederich Alpers
Justice Muhinda
Diana Virere
Marietta Potgieter
Bennety Busihu                      James Maiba
Julia Amukwa                                    
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