Mactavish Makwarela

Mr Azwimpheleli Mactavish Makwarela is a Director: Climate Change, Air Quality Sustainable Development of the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries of South Africa (DEFF). In this role, he leads and coordinates the mainstreaming and development of climate change mitigation related policy, legislation, regulations, strategies and plans. Mac oversees the development of the National Employment Vulnerability Assessment (NEVA) and Sector Jobs Resilience Plans (SJRPs) as a contribution to just transition.

Mr Makwarela has over 20 years working experience in areas of climate change, sustainability, biodiversity, international cooperation, research and development. Before joining the DEFF in 2012, he worked for the Department of Science and Technology for 6 years, first as a Deputy Director and later as a Director of Multilateral Cooperation. He was part of the South African delegation to the UNFCCC – leading the technology development and transfer negotiations. Between 1996 and 2006, he worked for National Botanical Institute, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, MEDUNSA and the National Research Foundation. Mr Makwarela has a Masters Degree in Systematics and Biodiversity Science from the University of Stellenbosch.