CONNECT | COLLABORATE | CONSERVE
MEET THE TEAM
In a region where conservation capacity is limited and government resources are increasingly stretched, WLA stands apart as a truly local, grassroots organisation. WLA is deeply embedded in the Waterberg, connected to an established network of landowners, partners, and stakeholders. WLA brings long-standing relationships, practical insight, and the ability to act swiftly on the ground.
Our proven Greater Waterberg Network model, originally developed to strengthen coordinated security, has shown how powerful community-driven collaboration can be. This approach can be effectively expanded to support broader biodiversity and landscape conservation at scale. Backed by strong spatial knowledge of the Waterberg and the capacity to grow expertise where needed, WLA is uniquely positioned to lead practical, informed, and connected conservation initiatives across the region.
Our strength lies in the deep local knowledge and expertise of the WLA team and the partners we work alongside. Together, we bring unwavering dedication, long-standing commitment, and a shared purpose. Through strategic, coordinated action, we continue to protect the Waterberg—its people, its wildlife, and its ecological integrity. Our collective impact reflects a clear goal: to ensure the Waterberg remains a beacon of conservation success for generations to come.
Chris Ransome – WLA Chairman and Director
Chris, a chartered accountant by profession, has been actively involved in nature conservation in the Waterberg for the past 23 years whilst simultaneously pursuing his career in corporate finance. During this time Chris chaired the boards of various market-leading companies. Chris brings decades of granular experience in game farming and conservation complemented by his corporate negotiation, structuring, financial and implementation skills.
In 2008, Chris co-founded Rooiberg Bewaria, a fully operational public benefit organisation that provides environmental and biodiversity conservation and protection services to its membership base of over 70 landowners and the indigenous communities in the Rooiberg precincts of the Southern Waterberg. Over recent years, Rooiberg Bewaria has received recognition both locally and internationally for the significant impact that it has on wildlife and biodiversity conservation in this area spanning over 160,000 hectares.
Chris joined the board as chairman of Waterberg Landscape Alliance in 2024 under the mantra of ‘Do Best for the Waterberg’ in terms of developing and implementing a sustainable and inclusive wildlife-based economy within the Waterberg landscape whilst actively enhancing its biodiversity and conservation.
During 2024/5 Chris co-founded RoiSan Reserve, a 15,000 hectare nature conservancy. This three-year project involved a formal collaboration with Chris’s neighbouring landowners whereby RoiSan Reserve was established. RoiSan Reserve which is governed by its bespoke constitution and formally adopted management plan, continues to gather momentum with more landowners agreeing to drop their boundary fences to become part of this Big 5 reserve initiative.
Kelly Abram – WLA Executive Director
Kelly joined the organisation at its inception in 2012, initially serving on the management committee before becoming a full-time employee in 2016. Since then, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the organisation’s growth, direction, and impact across the region.
She oversees all day-to-day operations and has been instrumental in broadening the organisation’s scope towards a holistic landscape-level conservation approach. Her extensive knowledge of the Waterberg, combined with her background in biodiversity surveys and a Master’s degree in Conservation Biology, has guided WLA’s transition toward protecting the full spectrum of biodiversity. Kelly also provides key technical expertise, including GIS, spatial planning, map development, and dealing with development applications.
Prior to joining WLA, Kelly spent five years with the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere Reserve as Programme Coordinator. She successfully managed and implemented major initiatives such as the Youth Environmental Service Project (three years, R15 million budget), the SANBI Groen Sebenza Project (2.5 years), as well as the overall operational management of the organisation.
Kelly brings a wealth of experience in biodiversity conservation, with a focus on protected species, landscape-level planning, and African ecosystems. Her expertise includes specialised knowledge of rhino conservation and the broader ecological and ecosystem system approach that supports habitat protection.
Kassie Knoetze – WLA Director and Director of Welgevonden Reaction
Kassie Knoetze is the Reaction Managing Director at Welgevonden Game Reserve, where he plays a pivotal leadership role in safeguarding one of South Africa’s most important conservation landscapes. With deep experience in security coordination, integrated wildlife protection, and multi‑agency collaboration, Kassie is instrumental in strengthening the reserve’s proactive response capabilities.
He leads strategic initiatives across the district—including security operations, technology integration, inter‑agency cooperation, and Joint Operations Centre (JOC) readiness. Kassie works closely with private reserves, law‑enforcement partners, conservation bodies, and national committees to advance the Integrated Wildlife Zone (IWZ) framework, ensuring both public and private sectors contribute effectively to combating wildlife crime.
Known for his practical leadership style, Kassie is frequently involved in national and regional engagements, representing Welgevonden and the broader Waterberg conservation community in discussions that shape security standards, technology use, and wildlife‑crime prevention strategies.
Passionate about innovation and community partnership, Kassie champions Welgevonden’s ethos: Sanctuary – Connect – Innovate, building resilient systems that protect biodiversity while strengthening relationships across the conservation and security landscape.
Shaun McCartney – WLA Director and Senior Conservation Manager, Endangered Wildlife Trust
Shaun McCartney is a senior conservation practitioner with over 40 years’ experience working across southern Africa’s biodiversity hotspots. He currently serves as Senior Conservation Manager at the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), where he leads landscape-scale initiatives aligned with the EWT’s Future Fit Strategy. His core focus areas include transboundary conservation, protected area expansion, and species recovery planning, especially within priority areas such as the Greater Limpopo TFCA, Western Soutpansberg, and Waterberg–Mapungubwe corridor.
Shaun oversees multi-partner conservation strategies across South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, working closely with state conservation agencies, SADC TFCA stakeholders, research institutions, and local communities. His portfolio includes climate resilience planning, ecosystem restoration, and Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) models. He is currently leading workstreams related to alien plant removal, water security, ecotourism, and medicinal plant enrichment in support of both biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods.
Shaun has played a pivotal role in developing governance and management frameworks for Medike Nature Reserve, an EWT-owned reserve, and has guided the design of conservation-linked tourism, local employment initiatives, and species-specific bonds. He has a strong interest in science-policy integration, area integrity, community-based conservation models, and landscape connectivity to support the 30×30 global biodiversity targets.
Dr Andre Uys – WLA Director and General Manager of Qwabi
Dr André Uys is the General Manager of Qwabi, where he has transformed the reserve into a distinguished Big Five and prominent conservation area within the Waterberg.
His extensive experience in protected area management was honed during his tenure as GM of the Marataba section of Marakele National Park, overseeing 21,000 hectares. With a background as a qualified veterinarian, Dr Uys has been contracted by prominent organizations such as African Parks Network, Peace Parks Foundation, and IFAW to reintroduce wildlife into new or depleted areas across Africa. His projects have included the reintroduction of lion, elephant, and rhino species.
Dr Uys has played a pivotal role in wildlife translocations throughout the continent and has been a leading figure in expanding rhino habitats, contributing significantly to rhino conservation efforts.
Liesbeth Drutti – WLA Director and Owner of Quaestor International
Liesbeth Drutti turns change into opportunity rather than chaos. As an expert in procurement, sourcing, and change management, she guides businesses toward more efficient structures and stronger performance.
With her international experience and Certified Prosci Change Management Practitioner title, she ensures that organizations don’t just grow but do so strategically and sustainably.
She knows that motivated employees deliver better results—translating into long-term value creation for investors. In short: Liesbeth builds businesses that keep performing—today, tomorrow, and in the future.
Erwin Mallekoote – WLA Director and Owner of Quaestor International
Erwin Mallekoote is a seasoned expert in general management, change management, and strategic procurement & sourcing. With international experience at multinationals and large SMEs—both as a leader and consultant—he sharpens organizations and drives change with maximum impact.
His style? Sharp, strategic, and results-oriented. Erwin cuts through complexity, makes businesses more efficient, and ensures that growth is not just a plan but a reality.
In short: Erwin delivers results, not reports. And that’s exactly what investors count on.