Georgina Smit has been appointed CEO of Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), effective May 2026

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GBCSA News

Georgina Smit has been appointed CEO of Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), effective May 2026. Having previously served as Head of Technical and Executive Director, she succeeds Lisa Reynolds, and brings fresh vision and proven leadership to the organisation.

Dash Coville steps into the role of Head of Technical, following his tenure as Technical Manager – Special Projects, adding deep expertise in sustainable building performance and certification.
Congratulations, Georgina and Dash!

Georgina Smit
Dash Coville

Women in Green Building Competition 2026

GBCSA, in partnership with the International Finance Corporation, invites women professionals across the built environment to enter the 2026 Women in Green Building Competition. Now in its fifth year, this impactful initiative continues to build technical capacity and elevate women leaders in property, construction and sustainability across Southern Africa. Under this year’s theme, “Your Perspective Matters”, the competition recognises the unique role women play in shaping a more inclusive and climate-responsive built environment.

Participants will gain access to globally recognised EDGE certification training, with two tailored pathways: the EDGE Expert stream for foundational knowledge and the EDGE Auditor stream for advanced professionals seeking to support independent certification.

Ten finalists will receive specialised training through GBCSA Academy and IFC, with two overall winners awarded a full pass to the GBCSA Green Building Convention in Cape Town, a R10 000 voucher and formal recognition at the event.

The competition runs from March to October 2026, culminating at the GBCSA Green Building Convention 2026. Women working in the built environment in South Africa and neighbouring countries are encouraged to apply and take the next step in advancing their green building careers. Entries close at midnight on 29 May 2026. www.gbcsa.org.za/women-in-green-building-competition

Green Building Roadmap

GBCSA and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) have partnered to develop a practical guide to green buildings for municipalities. This easy-to-use resource supports the sustainability and long-term performance of municipal properties by exploring:

  • what green buildings are;
  • how green buildings are developed; and
  • how existing buildings can be transformed into greener, more sustainable spaces.

Manager: Public Sector Advocacy & Sustainability at GBCSA, Bakang Moeng, who was the GBCSA lead on this project, says, “I’m hoping the Roadmap will translate into real action at the municipal level. It was designed to be accessible and easy to use, with the intention of serving as a practical tool that empowers cities to embed sustainability into everyday planning and infrastructure delivery. More than anything, I hope it goes beyond being just a guide and becomes a catalyst for collaboration – accelerating the transition to low-carbon, resilient communities while unlocking green economic opportunities and jobs.” The guide is now available – to request a copy, email Dr Prashina Mohangi at pmohangi@salga.org.za.

Ecolution Consulting Turns 15

Ecolution Consulting, one of Africa’s leading green building consultancies, marked its 15th anniversary on 22 April, Earth Day, with a renewed sense of purpose and a striking new brand identity. The milestone celebrates more than 500 projects and over 100 green building certifications, underscoring the firm’s role in shaping sustainable spaces that prioritise resource efficiency, technical excellence and ecological stewardship.

The Ecolution team celebrates 15 years – front, right: André Harms, founder

Reflecting on the company’s journey, founder André Harms said, “When we started out, the green building industry in South Africa was very much still in its infancy. It’s hard to believe that since those early days we have been privileged enough to be part of some of the most ambitious sustainability projects on the continent.” Those projects include Africa’s first 6-Star Green Star Sustainable Precinct at Newinbosch Neighbourhood Estate in Stellenbosch, the first double LEED Platinum hotel, Hotel Verde at Cape Town’ Airport Industria, the first Level 2 Net Zero-certified project, Two Dam Sustainable near Montagu in the Western Cape, and the first residential project to receive EDGE final certification, Four Leaf Estate in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.

Ecolution’s impact is measurable: its certified projects have greened 2.9 million m² of floor area, saved over one million m³ of water and conserved more than  122 000 MWh of energy. The firm also achieved carbon-neutral status in 2025, a goal set six years earlier. “For us, it’s incredibly important that we actively implement the principles we recommend to our clients within our own operations,” says Harms.

To celebrate the anniversary, the team launched a social media campaign highlighting personal acts of sustainability and spent a day at Vegkop Farm in the Philippi Horticultural Area (PHA), a vital agricultural
hub in Cape Town. There, they donated 15 trees to support Vegkop’s climate-resilience efforts and joined the farm’s team for planting and shared learning.

Looking ahead, Harms hopes Ecolution will remain “a sanctuary for inspiring and skilled professionals who can leverage their expertise to drive systemic, positive change. I hope we continue to be a home for those who view sustainability not just as a career, but as a means to create a regenerative future.” www.ecolution.co.za

GBCSA Academy

GBCSA Academy continues to empower built environment professionals with accredited training programmes that advance sustainability expertise and credentials. Between April and June 2026, the Academy will host online courses covering Green Star and Net Zero certification systems, designed to provide flexible learning while maintaining GBCSA’s high standards. These programmes combine online learning, live webinars and final assessments to ensure participants gain both technical knowledge and practical application.

Upcoming sessions include:

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