Green Group Simonstown

Nature

We acknowledge and deeply respect Indigenous wisdom and spirituality. Therefore, we serve Nature first and regard Nature as our primary and most important member and stakeholder.
In the last 300,000 years, humans remained deeply and spiritually connected, and lived in a remarkable balance, with Nature. They maintained profound connections with a vast array of plants and animals—often hundreds or even thousands of species. These intricated relationships supported a deep sense of reciprocity.
Only in recent centuries, however, these connections have largely been severed as humans sought to dominate Nature. Ironically, the more we attempt to control the environment, the more challenges we create, ultimately undermining our own safety.
Indigenous Peoples, even today, show us the way in conservation practices. Although they make up only 5% of the Earth’s population, they safeguard 80% of its biodiversity. Indigenous Elders around the world possess invaluable knowledge about effectively and spiritually interacting and communicating with Nature. This includes all wildlife, the elements, and natural events.
We aim to integrate scientific insights, modern thinking, and the philosophy of Ubuntu. But when we make decisions affecting Nature, we carefully evaluate and respect Nature’s primary interests and authority.

Luana Pasanisi

Founder and Executive Director of GSST

Luana brings over 30 years of expertise in animal protection, advocacy, rescue, and first care. As a senior resident of Simonstown, she has consistently stepped in to provide immediate aid to various local wildlife, including land and aquatic birds, reptiles, and mammals. As a local, she believes she has a right to influence how wildlife is treated in the region and is a dedicated advocate for the well-being of both wild and domestic animals. For over a decade, she has faced the challenges of managing baboon troops and has devoted herself to safeguarding individual animals from harm. Her approach is hands-on and innovative; Luana has made significant contributions to the Simonstown community by improving, transforming and making waste management more efficient. Her efforts have helped reduce waste, promote sustainability, and protect the environment, ultimately benefiting both wildlife and residents.

Stefania Falcon

Co-Director of GSST

Stefania, originally from Italy, earned a BSc in History and Sociology from Università La Sapienza in Rome. A committed environmental and wildlife conservationist, she has a keen interest in behavioural ecology and policymaking. She is a qualified paralegal from the University of Cape Town. For nearly a decade, Stefania has advocated for and promoted causes of environmental, social, and intergenerational justice. As co-director of Green Group Simonstown, she collaborates closely with partner organisations, focused on primate protection in South Africa. As funder of Future 4 Wildlife-Africa, she is a member of the Ministerial Wildlife Well-being Forum. Stefania also represents Future 4 Wildlife in several key forums, including the Wildlife Animal Protection Forum South Africa (WAPFSA) and the Pro Elephant Network (PREN).

Lizette Swanevelder

Co-Director of GSST

Lizette Swanevelder is CEO of a green-tag certification company. She is dedicated to increasing awareness of the environmental repercussions of development and advocating for products that are ethical and have minimal impact on both people and the environment. Highly committed to social upliftment through greening and sustainable development, Lizette has also been actively involved with non-profit organisations that support these interventions and sustainable urban green living environments for low-income housing settlements. In 2011, she was nominated as one of the top 100 women in the Mail & Guardian Woman’s Book of South Africa in the Environmental category. Lizette also won the 2015 Mail & Guardian Greening the Future award in the Communities for Climate Change category. She serves as a volunteer basic ambulance assistant for the Hout Bay National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in Cape Town.

Lindsey Dickey

Co-Director, Treasurer

Lindsey is a passionate advocate for children’s education and ethical sustainability. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Non-Profit Business Management, complemented by minors in Accounting and Psychology. At just 19, Lindsey founded her own non-profit organization, driven by a deep-seated belief in the power of education and sustainability in shaping the future. Over the past six years, she has served as the Executive Director. Lindsey is passionate about wildlife and the environment. She contributes her expertise as a Development Support Specialist for different non-profits across the globe. Here, she channels her skills in grant writing, financial reporting, and accounting best practices to further the organization’s mission and expand its reach.

Dr Adam Cruise

Dr Adam Cruise is an investigative environmental journalist and academic. He holds a PhD in Philosophy with a specialisation in environmental and animal ethics and he is the Wildlife Ethics Advisor for Green Group Simonstown. With over twenty years of experience as a wildlife investigative journalist, Dr Cruise has developed a deep understanding of the complex issues surrounding global environmental degradation, loss of land and marine habitats, wildlife trafficking, and pandemics. He has focused on the most burning issues relative to wildlife captivation, lion, elephant, and rhino poaching, smuggling, and trophy hunting.
His extensive research and reporting are featured in various international publications, including National Geographic, The Guardian, and Daily Maverick. Dr Cruise’s work has led him to explore the underlying mechanisms driving wildlife exploitation, and he has authored four books on these topics. His unique blend of philosophical inquiry and journalistic expertise makes him a sought-after voice in the field of wildlife ethics and conservation.
Dr Cruise serves as the editor of the online Journal of African Elephants. His authored books include King Solomon and the Showman, Louis Botha’s War, In the Pursuit of Solitude and It’s Not About the Bats.

Dr Celia Fenn

Dr Fenn is a writer and speaker based in Simon’s Town and she holds a PhD in Humanities. With over a decade of collaboration and lectures at prestigious institutions like KZN University and the University of Johannesburg, she transitioned to a global stage, working as a transformational coach and speaker and empowering individuals and groups in private and corporate settings around the world. Dr Fenn supports the inclusion of ethics in conservation towards the achievement of harmonious coexistence while promoting a deep respect for the Natural World and our place within it. She is a steadfast advocate for the well-being of both humans and animals, and her work reflects this commitment. Her lifelong passion for Nature, Wildlife, and Ecology studies has led her to champion projects that align with her values, including the dedicated work of GGST and their community-based Baboon Monitoring Project in Simon’s Town. With her unique blend of academic rigor, creative expression, and spiritual exploration, Dr Fenn continues to inspire and guide others on their own transformative journeys, weaving together her love of Nature, art, and human potential. Dr Fenn is extremely supportive of the dedicated Monitors and their compassionate conservation efforts.

Nadima Smith

Nadima is a dedicated community leader and passionate advocate for social change. Born in District 6, she relocated to Simon’s Town in 1980. Nadima holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from UCT.  In 2022, Nadima further solidified her dedication to the community by joining the Simon’s Town Civic Association. Through this platform, she continues to advocate for the needs and interests of the community, working tirelessly to create positive change and foster a sense of unity and cooperation. Nadima and Luana’s collaboration had been crucial to achieving positive engagement with the City of Cape Town and enhancing waste management in Simon’s Town. Their efforts have focused on reducing the amount of wet waste sent to landfills and improving recycling practices. They introduced double bins—one for recycling—and implemented a more frequent recycling collection service for local businesses. Nadima has been on the frontline of the Baboon community-funded Monitoring Project. Through her tireless efforts, Nadima has demonstrated her dedication to creating positive change and fostering a sense of community in Simon’s Town. Her work serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and the impact one person can have in driving meaningful change.

Mphatheleni Makaulule

Mphatheleni is a community leader, indigenous knowledge practitioner, and environmental advocate. Raised under the guidance of her father, a traditional healer, she was immersed in indigenous spiritual knowledge from a young age. Mphatheleni holds a profound belief in baboons as keystone species and guardians of the interconnected ecosystems of the bushveld, mountains, and rivers, recognising them as critical to environmental health and resilience. After moving to Johannesburg and completing her university studies, Mphatheleni struggled to reconcile traditional values with modern society, but she rediscovered her roots following a life-threatening illness and a self-healing path. She is the founder of Dzomo la Mupo, a community-based organization that, for nearly three decades, combined Indigenous knowledge and environmental stewardship through intergenerational learning programs. Her work focuses on water, land, food, and the seed system, thriving in harmony with the environment, the community, and the indigenous wildlife. Mphatheleni collaborates with many organisations focused on implementing the philosophy of Ubuntu and is a strong advocate of the protection of the last primates in South Africa.

Anso Thom

Anso has worked as a journalist, human rights activist and Editor in South Africa for the past 34 years. Anso and her family moved to Murdock Valley South in Simon’s Town on the day of the Covid-19 lockdown. The people they bought the house from told her that baboons hardly visited the neighbourhood, so imagine the excitement when the Smitswinkel troop paid them a visit during lockdown. The family quickly got to know the alpha male Philemon and the utter shock at the news that he had been killed by the authorities was indescribable. It made no sense that killing a living being was a solution to an inconvenience. In a search for answers and solutions Anso soon got to know Luana and the incredible work she was doing for the community. The memory of Philemon and the many other wild animals that live on our doorstep and the residents who quietly help is what drives Anso to be involved in the Greengroup. “The solutions lie with modern thinkers, people who are prepared to be on the ground and communities who are prepared to go the hard yards to enjoy the privilege of living on the edge of one of the few wild spaces left in Cape Town. I am determined to make sure that my children and grandchildren experience the same privilege.”

Annie Roux

Annie, with a background in finance, formerly served as Financial Director of VDZ Construction (Pty) Ltd, driving development projects for private hospitals, schools, and police stations in the Eastern Cape. After the company’s sale to BEE in 2006, she remained a key team member until 2012 before relocating to Simon’s Town. Enchanted by the area’s natural beauty and wildlife, Annie became passionate about proactively preserving it. Her involvement with GGST deepened through multiple collaborative efforts, including beach clean-ups and road traffic-wildlife management to increase the safety of crucial traffic hot spots. This experience in the local community solidified her commitment to supporting GGST’s mission and advocating for the well-being and protection of both wildlife and the community. As a dedicated entrepreneur and property owner in Simon’s Town, Annie promotes sustainable practices through her eco-friendly choices, including an eco-laundromat and other business ventures. She wholeheartedly supports GGST’s holistic, respectful, and compassionate approach to conservation, fostering harmonious coexistence between humans, wildlife, and the environment. Annie is eager to continue backing GGST’s initiatives, ensuring the long-term well-being of baboons, wildlife, and the community.

Charline Miles

Charline grew up on a farm in the Eastern Cape, where her early experiences instilled a deep connection to both the environment and the community. After travelling and working across Africa, India, and Europe for nearly two decades, she returned to South Africa to pursue a Master of Business Administration at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business. Currently, she is a PhD student in Business, furthering her expertise. Charline has served on multiple boards in South Africa and abroad, as Executive and Non-Executive Director, driving positive change through strategic governance and integrative thinking. Her passion for making a difference led her to become the Managing Director of a Simon’s Town healthcare facility, where she oversees a team of 70 local employees and positively impacts countless lives. Charline’s approach is characterised by proactivity, holistic thinking, compassion, and a drive for innovative solutions. She strives to make a meaningful impact in the commercial sphere while positively influencing socio-economic landscapes and the environment. Through her work, Charline embodies a unique blend of business acumen, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship.