Tebogo Maleka is an environmental advocate and project management specialist with a broad spectrum of expertise having collaborated with international organizations and state-owned entities on key issues related to waste management, the circular economy, international development, and accelerating climate resilience through the sustainable management of natural resources.
Prior to her current role as the Program Manager, Waste MAP Initiative at the Global Methane Hub, Tebogo served as a National Evaluation Consultant for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). In this capacity, she played a key role in a Global Environmental Facility (GEF) funded project that promoted organic waste-to-energy and other low-carbon technologies. Tebogo’s contributions were instrumental in accelerating the development of the biogas market in South Africa, particularly in micro-, small-, and medium-scale enterprises.
Tebogo’s commitment to environmental sustainability is further underscored by her role as a National Project Coordinator at UNIDO. In this capacity, she actively supported South Africa’s transition from conventional single-use plastics to more environmentally sustainable alternatives. Her efforts were integral to waste characterization programs, aligning with the ‘One UN Plan’ and the District Development Model of South Africa. She also served as a technical focal point for the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) steering committee which outlined the United Nations development systems’ collective commitment to supporting sustainable development in South Africa in line with national, regional, and global development priorities.
Tebogo holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural and Environmental Sciences from the University of Johannesburg, a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Environmental Management from the University of South Africa, and a Master of Science degree in Aquatic Health from the University of Johannesburg. Currently, in the final year of her Ph.D. candidacy at the University of Johannesburg, Tebogo’s research focuses on quantifying and examining the removal efficacy of microplastics from municipal wastewater treatment plants.