You are here: The Team
Pioneering a unique approach to community-based rhino conservation
A CHANCE encounter over 37 years ago changed the lives of two women after realizing that they share the same passion for wildlife conservation. The encounter connected Blythe Loutit and Ina Britz, who would later establish Namibia’s first rhino conservation project in 1982. Blythe's husband, Rudi later joined the organisation. Both Loutit and Britz have passed away but their efforts on conservation lingers through the work of the SRT. Britz died in August 1985, and Loutit several years later in June 2005.
SRT is a collaboration with government and local traditional leaders and founded to fill a critical gap in field-based conservation efforts at a crucial time when the future for the world’s largest population of black rhino persisting on formally unprotected lands hung in the balance. Today SRT is a beacon of hope for rhino conservation and our team is proud to continue the work to keep our rhinos save.
SRT is a collaboration with government and local traditional leaders and founded to fill a critical gap in field-based conservation efforts at a crucial time when the future for the world’s largest population of black rhino persisting on formally unprotected lands hung in the balance. Today SRT is a beacon of hope for rhino conservation and our team is proud to continue the work to keep our rhinos save.
One of the founding members, the late Blythe Loutit, with the team of trackers.
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Three decades later and still going strong.
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Simson Uri-Khob (Chief Executive Officer)
Simson is a native son of Damaraland, who vast experience in all aspects of the organisation. He began his career at Save the Rhino Trust Namibia in 1991. Since then, he has held several positions within the organisation, including leader of the camel team and Director of Field Operations.
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After achieving his MSc with Merit from the University of Kent, Simson became SRT’s Director of Research. In 2014, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of SRT. Simson is a member of the African Rhino Specialist Group and winner of the Namibia Nature Foundation Environmental Award. Like all the best conservationists, Simson looks towards to the future with respect for the past. “I strongly believe that my success is due to the late Blythe Loutit and Mike Hearn, who both helped me and encouraged me all along. Now it is my turn to help make a difference. Through education and communication, I am able to pass on my knowledge to the next generation, and I know that my work will carry on. That’s why I love it.” |
Andrew Malherbe (Chief Operation Officer) |
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Andrew's academic background is in Social Science and Development Studies.
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Andrew has worked in conservation in Namibia for a number of years and has extensive understanding of community based natural resource management in the Kunene region as well as nationally and internationally.
Andrew started at SRT in January 2019: ‘The black rhino population in the north-west is unique in so many ways. This makes our work at SRT dynamic, challenging and extremely rewarding. It is truly inspiring to be a part of a team that is made up of so many dedicated individuals, with all energy focused on saving rhinos’. As COO Andrew is responsible for overseeing operations are carried out in accordance with SRT’s Strategic Plan. Andrew is based in Swakopmund but travels regularly to our field bases. |
Lesley Karutjaiva (Director of Field Operations) |
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Lesley is a born and bred Namibian and started his employment at Save the Rhino Trust in September 1993.
Lesley is as a hard diligent worker who excels in transferring skills to new field trackers and training of SRT trackers as well as Rhino Rangers. His field of expertise include, but are not limited to excellent photography, tracking and knowledge of the area we patrol and monitor. Skills that makes him a rarity and a much valued asset to SRT in the field is his administrative, supervisory and training abilities which are much needed given that the staff are mainly from the conservancies and not highly educated. |
Hannelie Turner (Fundraising and PR Manager) |
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Hannelie is a native Namibian with more than 26 years experience in public relations. In 2008 her career took a new direction as Project Manager at University of Pretoria where she build experience in donor reporting and care. She has a fierce passion for conservation and since joining SRT in 2016 was able to apply her skills in raising the profile of SRT both nationally and internationally.
SRT is an NGO that is 100% reliant on donations. Part of her role includes all aspects of the fundraising program, including strategy development and day to day management of the acquisition, cultivation and retention of donors. |
Dr Jeff Muntefering (Science Adviser) |
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Bor n in Minnesota (USA), Jeff has made northwest Namibia his home since 2003, when he was introduced to Save the Rhino Trust by the late Mike Hearn. This was shortly after completing his MSc in Conservation Biology from the University of Cape Town.
In 2006 he accepted an invitation to serve as Save the Rhino Trust’s Science Adviser and continues to hold this post under his employment with the Minnesota Zoo. Jeff brings scientific leadership to SRT by managing and analyzing SRT’s rhino monitoring data and conducting applied research on rhino ecology and tourism that supports decision-making. He also coordinates the Conservancy Rhino Ranger Support Group. He completed his PhD through Stellenbosch University on tourism as a rhino conservation tool in 2016. |
We aim to provide a solid framework to enable the field operations and other programmes to function to maximum efficiency, with a well-run office and a highly motivated and enthusiastic team.
objectives:
The Board of Trustees will focus on developing and maintaining a current strategic 5-year plan to guide the organisation.
Members of the Save the Rhino Trust’s Board of Trustees:
Ms Maxi Louis (Chairman) / Mr Rob Moffett / Mr Wolfgang Grellman / Mr Brandon Munro / Ms Ginger Mauney / Mr Amos Shikuya / Mr Christopher Munwela / Adv. Daniel F Small
- Trustees to review and approve an annual operating plan, with additional two-year projection, which is developed by the CEO and the Team in support of the strategic plan. This plan is to be approved before end November each year.
- Continue to develop the efficient functioning of the support team including finance, administration, fundraising and communications.
- The CEO to ensure that the organisation complies with legal requirements e.g.: legislation relating to an organisation for no gain as well as an employer; compliance with health, environmental and occupational safety standards; compliance with obligations imposed by the Ministry of the Environment and Tourism; the annual audit etc.
Members of the Save the Rhino Trust’s Board of Trustees:
Ms Maxi Louis (Chairman) / Mr Rob Moffett / Mr Wolfgang Grellman / Mr Brandon Munro / Ms Ginger Mauney / Mr Amos Shikuya / Mr Christopher Munwela / Adv. Daniel F Small
gottlieb tjitanaIt is with tremendous sadness that we have lost one of our brave rhino warriors to cancer. Gottlieb Tjitana will be greatly missed.
We want to offer our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends during this dark time in their life. |
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Our Technical Partners
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Our Tourism Partners
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