Team Archives | Solid Green Consulting
The Solid Green team is made up of experienced professionals, all well-known figures in the industry. Marloes Reinink has an architectural background and made her mark handling the Green Star certification of the first office, retail and MUR buildings in South Africa. Warren Gray and Chilufya Lombe are both mechanical engineers who employ their extensive experience in simulation tools to optimise indoor environmental quality and minimise energy consumption in building designs.
7Amy Symington
Drawing from her passion for sustainability and her creative aspirations Amy obtained a Bachelor of Architectural Studies Honours, from the University of the Witwatersrand. After completing her studies, she transitioned to working at Solid Green Consulting as a Junior Green Building Consultant to focus on making a positive impact in the industry. She works on Interior Green Star Certifications for buildings. She also helps design presentations and graphics. Amy volunteers at the RCSA where she edits monthly webinars and posts them to the NPO’s YouTube channel. She aspires to use her creative skills to advocate for sustainability and make people aware of practical real-life solutions that will provide a valuable difference to the built environment. Amy is enthusiastic about continuing this path and using her skills to drive sustainable practices.
Kayce Theunissen
As a Sustainability Consultant and recent Architectural graduate, Kayce is deeply passionate about technology, innovation, and continual learning. My focus lies in energy modelling and sustainable building practices, where he has cultivated expertise using IFC’s Edge—a tool that simplifies the design and certification of resource-efficient and Zero Carbon buildings worldwide. Kayce approaches challenges with optimism and a keen eye for opportunity, consistently striving to make a positive impact.
His strengths include high-level problem-solving, adaptability, resourcefulness, effective communication, and self-motivation. Kayce thrives in innovative environments that offer clear goals and ongoing learning opportunities. Beyond his professional pursuits, he is a Creative at heart, channelling his energy into music production, digital art and DJing during his leisure time.
Thobeka Zuma
Thobeka is a dedicated Quantity Surveying graduate and Sustainability Consultant with a deep passion for technology, innovation, and continuous learning. She began her career in property development as an intern, gaining invaluable experience that paved the way for her successful transition into the property finance sector. Thobeka has also served as a Property Administrator for body corporates, further broadening her expertise in property management. Her professional interests are centred around sustainable building practices, social impact, and green buildings. Thobeka has hands-on experience with the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) EDGE, a green building certification tool that simplifies the design and certification of resource efficient and Zero Carbon buildings globally. Outside of her professional endeavours, Thobeka enjoys hiking and indulging in a good book.
Janki Malefane
A skilled Interior Architect with a BA (Hons) Degree from Limkokwing University, Janki is dedicated to creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces with a strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation. His role as an Architectural Technologist at Mashabane Rose Architects was pivotal in shaping his career. There, he played a key role in the development of complex architectural designs, honing his technical skills and deepening his understanding of how architecture can address contemporary challenges.
He was honoured with the Industrial Award of Excellence for Best in Interior Design, a recognition achieved through hard work, consistency, and creativity. This award underscores his commitment to merging design excellence with environmental responsibility.
Currently, as a Modelling and Simulation Consultant, he focuses on integrating sustainable practices into architectural design. Passionate about advancing his expertise in environmentally responsive architecture, he aspires to create spaces that harmonise with nature while addressing the diverse needs of communities. He excels in tackling challenges, particularly by exploring innovative design concepts through freehand sketching and CAD modelling.
Mellissa Laubscher
A dynamic and results-driven CIMA Certified Business Accountant, Mellissa is the indispensable engine powering Solid Green’s Finance department. Solid Green, a leader in promoting sustainability through innovative practices, relies on Mellissa’s decade of expertise to navigate the financial landscape with precision and purpose. Her deep understanding of the finance value chain, combined with a passion for advancing environmental goals, allows her to enhance both financial accuracy and operational efficiency.
Mellissa is known for her keen eye for detail and her talent for streamlining processes, which she applies meticulously in general accounting, developing robust accounting procedures, and guiding teams with unwavering dedication. Her role extends beyond the conventional, as she actively contributes to Solid Green’s mission by ensuring transparent financial practices that support the company’s sustainability objectives.
In addition to her impactful work in sustainability finance, Mellissa’s diverse financial background spans property management, content production, and IT services, showcasing her versatility and adaptability. This broad experience makes her a valuable asset to any organisation, enhancing her ability to tackle challenges with both strategic insight and practical know-how.
Hannah Watt
Hannah is a passionate Environmental Design graduate with a strong foundation in creative problem-solving and sustainable design. With a Bachelor of Design from Inscape College, she has developed expertise in visual communication, photography, and various design tools like Photoshop, ArchiCAD, and Design Builder. Her professional journey includes hands-on experience with top architecture firms and consulting roles in sustainable design. Known for her resourcefulness and discipline, she brings a unique blend of creativity and technical skills to every project, always striving to deliver innovative and impactful solutions.
Thato Mohale
Thato is a EDGE Project Manager with a dual background in Finance & Investments and Property Valuation & Management. Proven expertise in retail acquisition, financial modelling, and utility operations. Experienced in managing EDGE certification processes, with a keen interest in sustainability and sustainable-development financing. Adept at leveraging financial skills to drive impactful sustainability initiatives.
During her studies in Finance, she developed a burgeoning passion for Property. This newfound interest was not only intellectually stimulating but also aligned with her career aspirations. To deepen her engagement with the field, she pursued a BCom Honours in Property Valuation & Management, where she immersed herself in both academic and practical aspects of property management and valuation.
A pivotal moment in her career came when she took on the role of Chairperson of the Women’s Property Network, student chapters , where she honed her leadership and project management skills. This role allowed her to integrate her financial acumen with property management, driving impactful projects and contributing to significant organisational advancements.
Kamohelo Selepe
A sustainability-focused Construction Management professional, Kamohelo holds an Honours degree from the University of the Witwatersrand and is accredited by Net Zero and Green Star. With experience in integrating green building strategies, she is committed to promoting sustainable practices in the built environment. Initially drawn to commerce, a pivotal moment in high school inspired her to pursue civil technology, leading to a passion for construction and sustainability. Despite early challenges in finding her niche, working at Solid Green has solidified her dedication to adding value to the green-built environment and her endeavours.
Wish Mundondo
Wish is a driven and diligent mechanical engineering professional, with a strong focus on energy modelling and simulation within the construction industry. He is dedicated to promoting sustainable building practices and applying advanced engineering principles to enhance building performance. In addition to his technical expertise, Wish is deeply committed to leadership and mentoring, contributing to both academic and professional communities. Passionate about addressing the energy crisis, particularly in Africa, he is keen on research involving renewable energy sources and energy conservation methods. His goal is to explore and improve energy use within the field of infrastructure. Alongside his interest in energy, Wish has a growing enthusiasm for biomedical studies. As an avid athlete, he is particularly motivated to make a difference in the world of Paralympic sports by utilizing AI to optimize bionic limb designs and improve biomechanical procedures for athlete rehabilitation. With a passion for solving real-world challenges, Wish strives to blend his engineering skills and research ambitions to create lasting, positive impacts in the fields of energy, sustainability, and biomedical engineering.
Wardah Peters
Wardah’s passion for sustainability began during childhood visits to my uncle’s farm in Genadendal and grew through a family member’s influence in Quantity Surveying. She pursued degrees in Construction Studies and Quantity Surveying at the University of the Witwatersrand, where her honours research on sustainable construction earned third place in the Greenovate Competition. Currently, Wardah is completing a Masters in Property Development and Management while leading a team as Technical Services Success Manager at Solid Green. Her career reflects a strong commitment to advancing sustainability in property development through leadership and client-focused service.
Ranjita Pillai
Ranjita Pillai is a distinguished Professional Architect with over a decade of expertise in sustainable building practices across a diverse array of projects, including upmarket residential, commercial, retail, educational, and heritage refurbishments and is currently working as a Green Building Consultant. Armed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Pune, India, and professional accreditations from both GBCSA and WELL, she is deeply committed to advancing sustainable architecture.
At Solid Green Consulting, she plays a crucial role in driving sustainability initiatives, expertly guiding clients through the Green Star and WELL certification processes. Her focus on energy efficiency, resource management, and human well-being is complemented by her strong project management skills, attention to detail and ability to develop, apply and manage high performance sustainable designs and creative solutions.
Ranjita’s holistic approach to sustainability is rooted in her upbringing, where practices such as water harvesting, composting, and energy conservation were a way of life. Now, as a mother, she is dedicated to passing on these values to the next generation while continuously advocating for environmentally responsible building practices.
From conceptual design to implementation, Ranjita is known for seamlessly integrating innovative technologies and sustainable materials, fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, and ensuring that every project she undertakes contributes to a more sustainable future.
Andrew Chileshe
Andrew Chileshe is a skilled Green Building Consultant and Mechanical Engineer with expertise in building performance modelling, sustainable building practices, and green building certification processes. He has extensive experience with IFC’s EDGE, a green building tool designed to simplify the design and certification of resource-efficient and Zero Carbon buildings of every type, everywhere. In addition, Andrew has honed his skills in detailed modelling and simulations of building systems using advanced simulation tools like DesignBuilder and EnergyPlus to achieve optimal energy efficiency. Passionate about innovation, Andrew is committed to delivering energy-efficient, sustainable solutions. Outside of work, he is dedicated to sustainable farming, aligning his personal values with environmental stewardship. He also enjoys watching a variety of sports, which helps him stay engaged and balanced in both his professional and personal life.
Jennifer Dean
Jennifer Dean is a Professional Architect with over 10 years of experience before transitioning into sustainability consulting. Her passion for sustainability, sparked by childhood travels and DIY projects, instilled a deep appreciation for resourcefulness and environmental stewardship. This commitment to sustainability is reflected in her career trajectory: a continuous quest for improvement, driven by a belief in the importance of creating a sustainable future through thoughtful and precise design.
As a Sustainability Consultant at Solid Green Consulting, Jennifer uses empirical and verifiable approaches to integrate sustainability into the built environment, focusing on delivering innovative solutions with lasting impacts.
Beyond her architectural and sustainability work, Jennifer is an avid photographer of landscapes, architecture, and people. This creative pursuit enhances her professional work, highlighting her keen eye for detail and appreciation of both the built and natural environments. Known for quoting songs as solutions to problems, she draws inspiration from music, blending creativity into all aspects of her life.
Aadil Fayzoo
Aadil is a value-driven sustainability consultant focused on implementing practical and innovative solutions. With a strong foundation in the built environment, his expanding expertise is aligning with a holistic approach to sustainability, applying both critical and systems thinking. Aadil is dedicated to continuous learning and knowledge-sharing, guided by his Islamic faith, aiming to contribute meaningfully while helping others on their sustainability paths. His passion for problem-solving is reflected not only in his work but also in his interest in mechanics outside of work, where his attention to detail and drive for optimization naturally align with his approach to sustainability.
Xenia Scott
Xenia Scott is a dynamic and ambitious young professional in the built environment who possesses strong problem-solving abilities, coupled with the ability to generate comprehensive reports solutions. She is deeply passionate about sustainability and continuously striving to expand expertise in this field. She embraces every opportunity as a chance to learn and grow, actively insights and stays updated on the latest advancements in sustainability practices. Xenia’s primary focus right now is on incorporating sustainability practices into households. She’s always believed that sustainability has a more significant impact in the commercial sector, while the residential sector has seemed less substantial in comparison. She is currently educating herself and exploring ways to integrate Net Zero waste and water strategies into her own home.
Thato Molapo
Thato’s deep curiosity about how things work led him to mechanical engineering, where he developed a strong appreciation for its problem-solving and interdisciplinary nature. His journey through challenges honed his leadership skills, allowing him to lead teams and achieve significant project milestones. A nature enthusiast who enjoys laughing and road running, Thato finds balance in the outdoors. His role at Solid Green has solidified his commitment to sustainable engineering, with the goal of becoming a professional engineer to contribute to his industry’s development and uphold integrity and trust.
Elri Syfert
Elri Syfert is an Accredited Professional in Green Buildings with a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from NMU. With a passion for making a positive impact, she is dedicated to finding creative and innovative sustainable design solutions to reduce environmental impact, improve business practices and operations, and create healthier and more sustainable spaces for all.
Elri is driven by the need for advocacy, collaboration and action that enables transformative change needed to future proof the environment and shape a regenerative future.
Cebisa Mafukuzela
Cebisa is a Sustainability Consultant with over a decade of experience in the construction industry, including seven years focused on green building practices. She excels in project management, sustainability strategy, and green certifications, with a particular interest in urban-scale and precinct initiatives. Her rural upbringing fuels her commitment to making sustainable architecture accessible to all, especially in rural communities where she develops modern solutions for building infrastructure, sanitation, and educational facilities while preserving local character.
Beyond consulting, Cebisa is a prominent researcher who has presented at international conferences, demonstrating her creative approach to sustainability challenges. She is passionate about the evolving role of sustainability in industry and economic development and is dedicated to transforming the built environment through innovative design and collaborative efforts.
Ruth Ndlovu
Ruth is an experienced Sustainability Consultant with over 10 years in office management and administration. She holds a diploma in Economics and Management Sciences, has Green Star accreditation for Existing Buildings, and is certified in office and payroll administration. Ruth is currently pursuing a BCom in Human Resources at UNISA to further her expertise. Ruth combines a goal-oriented approach with a strong drive for results. Outside of work, she enjoys organising events and has a love for farming, which highlights her commitment to environmental care.
Makhosazana Mthethwa
Makhosazana is a SACAP registered Professional Architect and ESD Consultant with over 14 years of experience in green building consultation and sustainable design across South Africa. She holds a Master of Architecture (Prof.) from the University of Cape Town and is an expert-level sustainability consultant and certification specialist. As a Green Star Accredited Professional, she has managed multiple projects, including office developments, commercial interiors, and educational facilities. Her work has been recognized with the 2022 Green Rising Star and 2023 Best Quality Submission runner-up awards. Makhosazana is also a WELL Accredited Professional, having delivered Africa’s third WELL Health-Safety rating in 2024. Passionate about knowledge sharing, she has lectured at the University of Cape Town and mentors graduate students through the Greenovate program.
Derisha Govender
Derisha Govender is an Architectural Technologist; she graduated with her undergraduate degree in architecture from Wits and spent a year as an intern at Solid Green learning more about sustainable building so that she could apply it to her work as she pursues her Honours degree in architecture at Wits in 2017.
Derisha believes that there are numerous benefits to sustainable building design; she completed the AP courses on the New Buildings and Existing Buildings Green Star Tools as well as the Edge tool course with the intention of getting a better grasp on what it take for a building to be “green”.
Marloes Reinink
Marloes Reinink is the founder and director of Solid Green Consulting, a leading sustainability consultancy in Africa. With an academic background in Innovation and Architecture, she has been a sustainable building consultant for over 20 years in South Africa and Africa. Marloes started Solid Green in 2010, driven by her passion for contributing to a better-built environment and a cleaner planet. Under her leadership, Solid Green has worked on over 200 Green Building projects, offering property developers and building professionals a sophisticated range of consulting services to help them achieve their green building goals. Marloes has been the Sustainability Consultant and Green Star expert on numerous groundbreaking and award-winning green building certification projects in South Africa. In 2017, she expanded her advocacy for a greener built environment by founding GreenED, an online education platform focused on sustainability in the built environment. Additionally, she runs the Regenerative Collaborative SA, an NGO focused on promoting a regenerative built environment. Her outstanding contributions were recognized in August 2018 when she was named Business Woman of the Year: Entrepreneur (Gauteng Regional Awards) at the 4th South African Women in Property Awards (SWAIPA).
Chilufya Lombe
Chilufya is an experienced Electro-Mechanical Engineer with a strong background in sustainability-focused design and compliance modelling. Specializing in Green Star project management, he excels in detailed modelling of building systems to optimize energy performance. Using advanced simulation tools like DesignBuilder and EnergyPlus, Chilufya has successfully enhanced building energy efficiency while guiding project teams towards sustainable solutions and away from conventional building practices.
A key challenge across Africa is the lack of electricity generation infrastructure, exacerbated by rapid urbanization. Chilufya is passionate about addressing this issue by ensuring that both new and existing buildings operate with significantly reduced resource consumption.
Chilufya played a pivotal role as the Lead Technical Consultant in developing Nigeria’s Building Energy Efficiency Code (BEEC), a project that holds immense significance in Africa’s most populous country. His work contributed to policies that could reduce building energy requirements by 30 to 50%, marking a critical step toward the impact needed on the continent. This project also allowed him to expand his network of experts in sustainable building practices across Africa.
Additionally, Chilufya is a member of the Green Building Council of South Africa’s Education Faculty and serves on their Project Assessment Panel. Originally from Zambia, he is fluent in English.
Annelidé Sherratt
Annelide Sherratt is a results-driven leader in sustainable building design with a proven track record in achieving high-level certifications for diverse projects. She holds a Master’s in Energy and Sustainable Building Design from the University of De Montfort, Leicester, and a Bachelor’s in Architecture from the University of Johannesburg. Currently leading the Green Building Certifications department at Solid Green Consulting, she brings over 12 years of experience and expertise in achieving high-level sustainability ratings for various projects. Recognized as a leader in her field through several GBCSA awards, she specialises in guiding projects to attain cost-effective, high-level sustainability certifications, including Green Star, LEED, WELL, Net Zero, and EDGE.
With direct involvement in over 45 successful certifications, as well as leadership and oversight of numerous additional projects, Annelide excels in managing and leading teams, liaising with clients, and providing technical consultancy to achieve sustainable building goals. Her career highlights include the first Green Star Certification in Mauritius, various first Interior Pilot Project Certifications, one of the first Sustainable Precinct Pilot Certifications, various first Net Zero Pilot Ratings, the first 6-Star Green Star SA Office V1 As Built rating in Johannesburg,
She has a passion for developing sustainable and meaningful architecture. Her future focus is on pioneering innovative sustainable building practices on an international scale, continuing to lead in green certifications, and driving the global transition towards net-zero buildings. She aims to expand her influence and contribute to the creation of environmentally responsible and health-promoting built environments worldwide. As a Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) faculty member, a GBCSA assessor for New Build, Interiors, and Sustainable Precincts projects, and the Healthy category lead for the development of the New Build version 2 tool, Annelide is well on her way to achieving these goals.
Adrie Fourie
Adrie Fourie is a visionary sustainability strategist who seamlessly integrates her extensive insight into development economics, urban management, green building design, and precinct development into her role as Head of Department: Sustainable Cities and Research. With a passion for facilitating liveable, resilient, and trauma-informed cities, Adrie is committed to reshaping urban landscapes to address the lingering effects of apartheid spatial planning. She is focused on ensuring that cities prepare for the inevitable challenges of climate change, urbanisation, and resource scarcity. Her career is marked by a relentless drive to foster innovation and guide strategic conversations that lead to tangible, sustainable outcomes. Adrie’s unique approach to city planning is rooted in her certification as a trauma-informed coach, enabling her to mentor and develop the next generation of sustainability practitioners at Solid Green Consulting. Through thought leadership, she consistently pioneers new tools and approaches, facilitating a transformative shift in thinking for clients and positioning herself at the forefront of the industry.
Wayne De Villiers
Wayne De Villiers is an Architectural Draughtsman with extensive skills in 3-Dimensional modelling. He studied Architectural Technology at Inscape Design College, graduating in 2014, and has accrued substantial experience on-site with commercial and retail projects, as well in landscaping. Wayne is well versed in Green Building and Ecological studies and has a large appetite for knowledge across a wide nerd spectrum which includes the biological sciences, robotics and environmental and mechanical engineering, the last of which he is currently pursuing as a degree.