Green Group Simonstown

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.

Karen Hurwitz

Karen, a committed resident of Simon’s Town, has long been dedicated to preserving the unique beauty of this coastal community. Her profound appreciation for this extraordinary region fuels her commitment to safeguarding its national heritage – from its rich floral diversity to the faunal biodiversity on land and in the sea. As a founding member of the Green Group, Karen is driven by a firm resolve to make a difference and challenge prevailing norms. She views the dominant approach to environmental management, marked by exploitation and control, as a leading cause of the rapid decline in species populations. Karen advocates for a more compassionate, inclusive, and sustainable conservation model that replaces the current, often destructive, methods. She actively promotes eco-friendly practices and believes that conservation rooted in empathy, cooperation, and sustainability is key to preserving Simon’s Town’s irreplaceable heritage. With this vision, she inspires others to imagine a future where humans and nature coexist harmoniously, fostering a legacy that benefits both the environment and future generations.

Vanya Lessing

Vanya Lessing is a visionary business owner and passionate resident of Simon’s Town, where she has made her home since 2020. With a remarkable 32-year career in the travel and tourism industry, Vanya has established herself as a driving force for transformative change.
Vanya has held influential leadership roles, including CEO and President of ASATA (Association of Southern African Travel Agents) and CEO of The Sure Travel Group. In these positions, she has collaborated with private and public sectors to advance sustainable tourism practices, advocating for responsible tourism initiatives that promote environmental conservation and community engagement.
Deeply conscious of the impact human activities have on the environment, Vanya is a strong promoter of the 4 Cs of Ecotourism: Conservation, Community, Culture, and Commerce. She firmly believes these interconnected elements are crucial for creating sustainable tourism experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment. In Simon’s Town, Vanya saw an opportunity to integrate the 4 Cs and make a meaningful difference, and she joined GGST, aligning with the organisation’s mission to promote harmonious co-existence through responsible practices and initiatives, to protect South Africa’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage.

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.