STAFF PROFILES

MMATHABO MRUBATA Joined PDC as an administrative support person in 1992. Mmathabo speaks five local languages and specialises in primary data collection through interviews, focus groups and participatory data collection methods. She has been closely involved in training, capacity building and demonstration projects related to household energy use, notably the solar cooker project, energy efficient housing design marketing project and the Basa njengo Magogo alternative fire-lighting project in Orange Farm, Tembisa and Witbank. Mmathabo received the Eskom eta Award as Woman in Community Development in 2006. .

RICHARD PALMER has qualifications in Geography and Education and a Masters degree in Development Studies. He worked as a teacher for eleven years and in the development field for another eight years, where his particular interests relate to education, energy and the social aspects of development. He also carries the responsibility of running the Randburg office and he heads the firm.

PETER MABINA has qualification in Bachelor of Science degree at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg and is responsible for the administration of I.T.

MARLETT BALMER holds a Masters degree in development studies as well as a B.Comm honors degree in energy studies. She has worked in the energy and development field for the past fourteen years with specific focus on household energy and renewable energy. Marlett joined Palmer Development Consulting in January 2000 after working as an independent consultant since 1996. She has successfully participated in more than 50 development orientated research projects and specializes in interventions aimed at reducing household energy poverty and promoting the use of renewable energy. Marlett received the Eskom eta Award as Woman of the Year in Energy in 2003.

LOUISE PFISTER Having worked in finance for 5 years at 3 companies, Louise Pfister joined Palmer Development Consulting in April 2004 as bookkeeper. In 2005 she successfully completed a diploma in Financial Management and, based on her self-improvement and value to the firm, is now Financial Manager. Louise manages all finances of the firm from data input, weekly and monthly management accounts to year-end submission for auditing. Further to this, Louise now acts in a consulting role overseeing the day-to-day finances of 5 client companies and assisting project leaders with financial-analyses and related support where needed.