Annetjie grew up in Otjiwarongo – the nearest town to CCF headquarters in Namibia, and was first introduced to conservation very young when her school and church would take her to CCF for environmental education programs. She believes some memories from these excursions stuck with her long enough that she decided on a career in conservation, and what inspired coming back and working at the CCF.
After completing her undergraduate degree in biology at the University of Namibia, she worked as an Environmental Educator at a research station in the Namib Desert, then went on to pursue a Master’s Degree in Applied Ecology in Norway. She worked as a full-time high school teacher in her home town of Otjiwarongo after completing her studies in Norway, teaching natural and social sciences for two years, before joining CCF as Research and Education Manager.
Annetjie is very passionate about educating especially the young, as the future of conservation lies in their hands. She is also interested in research that provides lasting solutions to human-wildlife conflict with large predators, and she is excited to be involved in both research and education in her current position at the CCF.