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Legacy Environmental Management Consulting (Pty) Ltd, generally known as Legacy EMC, is a privately-owned environmental consulting practice with offices in Stellenbosch, Bellville and George. Legacy EMC strives to establish a footprint throughout South Africa.

The company, established on 22 May 2017, provides environmental consulting and project management services in various sectors such as the transport; utilities; social infrastructure; mining, renewable energy and nuclear industries. In this regard Legacy EMC has concluded contracts with all spheres of Government and the private sector, mainly in the Western Cape and Gauteng.

As of 1 March 2019, Legacy EMC have acquired a 100% stake in Withers Environmental Consultants (WEC). WEC was established in Stellenbosch in 1999 by Aubrey Withers, and is a well-respected name in the environmental industry.

Since the acquisition, Legacy EMC is able to offer a greater range of environmental services and with an increased service offering, 30+ years of combined experience and a larger staff compliment, we believe this acquisition will provide our clients with added value and peace of mind in respect to continuous service provision.

Our goal is to assist clients with finding value in their current situation and to create sustainable environmental solutions throughout the project life cycle, that meet the demanding and challenging expectations of a growing socio-economic environment.

Legacy EMC believes that effective environmental management reflects responsible business practice, and the realisation of growing socio-economic expectations without compromising the environment for future generations, as the environment is our common Legacy!

Legacy EMC is a dynamic and expanding company, dedicated to excellence!

The Lobunye Group (Pty) Ltd (Lobunye) was then established with the purpose of investing in companies operating in niche markets, all in the built environment that share much values and attributes and would complement one another in all aspects of business. The Group and its association with other business entities have the following goals – transformation, sustainability of specialist and ‘boutique’ professional services providers; synergy and inclusivity.

As the Managing Director, Kim Pontac brings a wealth of experience and leadership to our environmental consulting firm. With a proven track record in the environmental management industry spanning numerous years, Kim has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape, not only within South Africa but across the continent and abroad. Kim’s extensive knowledge and hands-on experience contribute to our ability to navigate the complexities of environmental issues, ensuring that our clients receive tailored, effective, and sustainable solutions.

Our Team Members

Kim Pontac

Managing Director and Principal Environmental Consultant

Kim holds a Master of Laws degree in Environmental Law from the University of Cape Town, a Bachelor of Technology degree in Environmental Management and a National Diploma in Oceanography, both obtained from the Cape Peninsular University of Technology. She is a registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) with the Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa (EAPASA). Moreover, Kim is a registered Professional Natural Scientist (specialising in Environmental Science) with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professionals (SACNASP). Kim is actively engaged in professional communities, serving as a member of the International Association of Impact Assessment South Africa (IAIAsa), where she has previously fulfilled the role of Western Cape Branch Secretary. Additionally, she is a member of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA).

Kim has co-ordinated and managed numerous environmental processes within the public and private sectors, catering to national and international companies. As Principle Consultant, she has successfully led a variety of environmental investigations and evaluations for Green and Brown Field projects.

Her expertise primarily lies in Integrated Environmental Management (IEM), where she excels in guiding projects through phases such as tendering, design, construction, operations, and decommissioning. Kim's repertoire also includes proficiency in environmental and social due diligence, adhering to standards set by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Equator Principles. Furthermore, she possesses adeptness in conducting environmental compliance audits, legal reviews, permitting and licensing processes, as well as facilitation and training sessions. Additionally, Kim has considerable experience in environmental construction monitoring.

Lauren Abrahams

Senior Environmental Consultant

Lauren, an adept Environmental Consultant, brings a wealth of experience in applying Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) principles and navigating Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations across diverse development projects in South Africa. Her expertise spans various sectors, including residential, commercial, and industrial developments.

Central to Lauren's skill set is her proficiency in Project Management for environmental initiatives, guiding projects seamlessly from tendering and design to construction, operations, and decommissioning phases. She boasts extensive experience in Permitting and/or Licensing procedures under Specific Environmental Management Acts (SEMA), Environmental Compliance Monitoring, and facilitating Water Use Licence Applications in alignment with the National Water Act, among others.

In addition to her technical prowess, Lauren possesses invaluable knowledge and hands-on experience in facilitating Public Participation Processes, ensuring stakeholders are engaged effectively throughout project lifecycles. She holds both a BTech and a National Diploma (ND) in Oceanography from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, underpinning her academic foundation in the field.

Vivienne Thomson

Principal Environmental Consultant

With almost 25 years of experience in environmental consulting, Vivienne offers a rich understanding of the sector and is able to provide insightful advice to her clients. She approaches her work with integrity and is able to manage high level projects with ease.
Vivienne holds a BSc in Zoology from the University of Cape Town (1995) and has over twenty three years industry experience in the construction, power generation and mining sectors. She has completed an ISO 14001 Lead Auditors course, as well as several environmental short courses and has guest lectured for the MSc in Environmental Science Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) course at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Vivienne is a member of the National Association for Clean Air (NACA) and has served as a NACA National Council Member. She is an affiliate of the Institute of Innovators and Inventors. She was also a member of the Committee of Interested Parties which acted as an independent, advisory body to ensure impartiality of Pricewaterhouse Coopers’ Certification Body in their governance and sustainability division.

Since 2004, Vivienne has been involved in environmental consulting with experience in EIAs, establishing and implementing ISO 14001 EMSs, contract management, legal compliance and due diligence evaluations, as well as developing, implementing and assessing environmental management plans and monitoring programmes.

Charl Cilliers

Senior Environmental Consultant

A scientist by trade, Charl Cilliers brings a depth of botanical and geological understanding to the team that is an asset to any projects he manages or supports.
Charl is a professionally registered Botanical Scientist and Ecological Scientist, who holds a PhD in Geology, along with his MSC in Botany (Cum Laude) as well as a BSc in Forest Science - majoring in Nature Conservation and Silviculture.

Charl is also an Environmental Practitioner with a demonstrated history of working in the environmental services industry in South Africa. He has experience in various sectors including residential, commercial and industrial developments, renewable energy, transport and infrastructure. His core experience includes Project Management of environmental projects, including the tendering, design, permitting and implementation phases.

Charl has extensive experience in undertaking Environmental Impact Assessments, Due Diligence Assessments and Compliance Audits. He is also experienced in licensing processes in respect of the Specific Environmental Management Acts (SEMAs) and associated Public Participation Processes.

Tayla Hobson

Junior Environmental Consultant

Tayla Hobson, a Junior Environmental Consultant at Legacy, brings fresh enthusiasm and a strong commitment to supporting project management, significantly enhancing our project endeavours. Holding an MSc in Environment, Society, and Sustainability, along with a BSc (Honours) in Ocean and Atmospheric Science and a BSc in Marine Biology and Ocean and Atmospheric Science from the University of Cape Town, Tayla is well-equipped academically.

She is currently a Candidate Environmental Assessment Practitioner with the Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa (EAPASA), showcasing her dedication to professional growth within the environmental sector. With nearly two years of experience in environmental consulting, Tayla is poised to make meaningful contributions to the dynamic socio-economic landscape of the industry.

Tayla's core strengths lie in Project Management for environmental initiatives, guiding projects seamlessly through various phases such as tendering, design, construction, operations, and decommissioning. Additionally, she possesses valuable expertise in Public Participation Processes, further enriching her skill set and enhancing project outcomes.