Godwin Nemakhavhani

I am an experienced Environmental Management and SHE professional with over a decade in environmental compliance, regulatory enforcement, and risk management across the public sector. I hold a Master’s degree in Environmental Management and a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Monitoring & Modelling, and I am a registered Professional Natural Scientist (SACNASP).

Currently serving as an Environmental Officer at the Department of Employment and Labour, I support organisations to identify, assess, and mitigate environmental and occupational risks, ensuring compliance with South African environmental, OHS, and sustainability legislation. My work focuses on translating complex regulatory requirements into practical, auditable, and business-aligned solutions.

What I do best:
• Environmental compliance auditing & enforcement
• ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems implementation & auditing
• Environmental risk assessment and reporting
• Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) & monitoring
• SHE governance, policy development, and assurance
• Stakeholder engagement with regulators and industry

Problems I solve:
• Reducing regulatory, environmental, and reputational risk
• Strengthening compliance and governance frameworks
• Improving environmental performance and audit readiness
• Bridging the gap between legislation and operational realities

I am particularly interested in roles within Environmental Risk, SHE Governance, Sustainability, and Regulatory Compliance in sectors such as energy, water, finance, infrastructure, and research.

Department of Employment and Labour

Job Title: Environmental Officer

Period: November 2014 – Present

Key Responsibilities:

 Arranges sampling of air and water at facilities for further analysis / testing at the

Laboratory.

 Identifies and addresses environmental violations by developing and recommending

solutions to eliminate pollution and environmental hazards.

 Advise Health and Safety Committee on environmental risk mitigation

 Ensures that relevant environmental and waste policies, processes, practices and procedures

are implemented and enforced.

 Checks that waste management, waste bins, housekeeping and pollution control equipment

are in working order.

 Makes recommendations to assist in reducing environmental impact such as recycling or

making energy-efficiency improvements.

 Maintains management information systems that identify the location of hazardous sites,

chemical inventories, and complaint investigations.CURRICULUM VITAE OF MPHISEDZENI GODWIN NEMAKHAVHANI

 Ensure compliance with environmental regulations, procedures and standards related to

pollution and waste management.

 Manage hazardous waste disposal, documentation and contractor compliance

 Ensures that waste is disposed of at the legal landfill site, and transported in a legal manner.

 Educates employees on environmental health and safety procedures, as well as to raise

awareness on Environmental matters.

 Ensure that all environmental related documents are updated and controlled in line with

the organization’s documented information management process.

 Co-ordinate and assist with environmental audits and inspections conducted by external

parties as and when required.

 Report and co-ordinate progress and compliance to agreed time limits.

 Create with all employees a culture that promotes a positive stewardship towards an

Environmental Management System (EMS).

 Report incidents, maintain legal registers, and track corrective actions

 Provide support by implementing and executing the implementation of an international

organization of standardization (ISO) 14001 environmental management system and

related procedures in the designated areas of the business.

 Conduct environmental and occupational hygiene inspections, including sampling (air,

water)

 Develop risk control measures and ensure implementation across departments

 Support pest control programs, incident investigations and emergency responses

Department of Water and Sanitation

Job Title: Environmental Officer

Period: October 2013 – October 2014

Key Responsibilities:

 Processing of water use licence applications in water management areas. Provide comments

on environmental impact assessments.

 Execute the process for obtaining environmental approvals for environmental

authorization, waste, water usage, atmospheric emission licenses and tree cutting permits.

 Make recommendations regarding the issuance of licenses.

 Assess completeness of Water Use Licence Applications and conduct site inspections.

 Liaise with stakeholders in the water sector and other government departments.

 Conduct regular compliance monitoring at mines, industries, agricultural activities, local

authorities.

 Manage water quality in designated catchment areas.

 Prepare reports and interpret water quality monitoring results.

 Capturing of water quality results of water management system.

 Technical expertise in the assessment of the impact of activities in Water Resources.

 Draft record of recommendation (RoRs).

 Draft license conditions to control/mitigate the negative impacts of water uses.

Vhembe District Municipality (Nandoni Water Treatment Works

Job Title: Trainee Water Process Controller

Period: June 2012 – September 2013

Key Responsibilities:

 Monitor the treatment process under supervision.

 Operate and control electric motors, pumps and valves.

 Take samples and analyse water for quality control.

 Regulate routine dosing process as per instruction.

 Backwashing of rapid sand filters and handling of sand within sand filters in order to

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Qualification: Master of Environmental Management

Year Completed: 2024

Research Topic: Assessment of Air Quality Compliance in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan

Municipality

University of South Africa

Qualification: BSc (Hons) Environmental Monitoring and Modelling

Year Completed: 2021

Research Topic: Solid Waste Management and Its Impact on Climate Change in the City of

Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality

University of Venda

Qualification: Bachelor of Earth Sciences in Hydrology and Water Resources

Year Completed: 2012

SECONDARY QUALIFICATION

School Attended: Gole Secondary School

Grade Completed: Grade 12

Year Completed: 2002

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION

South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions

Designation: Professional Natural Scientist

Membership No: 009587