Johannesburg Parks Alliance (JPA)

Sunil Geness is the founding chairperson of the James and Ethel Gray Park Foundation (JEGPF), which was established in 2019 to support the safety and sustainability of the JEG park. From a once derelict park, today the JEG has been positively transformed and is now classified as a flagship park in Johannesburg, whilst also being independe

Sunil Geness is the founding chairperson of the James and Ethel Gray Park Foundation (JEGPF), which was established in 2019 to support the safety and sustainability of the JEG park. From a once derelict park, today the JEG has been positively transformed and is now classified as a flagship park in Johannesburg, whilst also being independently rated as the number one picnic destination in Gauteng. Against the successes of the JEGPF and to extend the learning benefits to other parks across Johannesburg, Geness undertook an extensive advocacy and consultation process with various stakeholders during 2020 and in close partnership with Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) established the Johannesburg Parks Alliance (JPA) during November 2020. Geness has a deep passion for the environment, which is epitomised through his actions in the establishment and outputs of both the JEGPF and JPA, as well as the Action Imbizo, all of which are undertaken on a voluntary and pro-bono basis. 

Geness commenced his career as a physical science, mathematics, and electronics teacher before moving on to develop a wide range of experience in Government, Quasi-Government and Private sector organisations. These roles have included a policy making and implementation stint at the South African National Government, various programmes in South African provinces, a national government modernization role and subsequently a political advisory role at the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), before being head-hunted by SAP, where he currently serves as Director of Global Government Affairs & CSR Africa, Global Sustainability Lead Africa at SAP. 

He has represented the South African Government and SAP on numerous occasions at high level meetings at the African Union, European Union, European Commission, United Nations, the World Bank, BRICS, and other multilateral agencies. Geness holds a Bachelor of Commerce (UNISA), Bachelor of Commerce Honours Cum Laude (UNISA), Master of Management (Witwatersrand), HED (Springfield College) and has been the recipient of scholarships for executive leadership programmes at leading global business schools in France (INSEAD), the United Kingdom (Birmingham) and the United States (Harvard). Geness is the recipient of the World-Wide Fund (WWF), One Planet Leaders, sustainability scholarship and is currently pursuing a PhD. Sunil currently serves on the Governance Committee of the Share Screen Africa virtual environmental educational initiative and is currently chairperson of the South African BRICS Business Council (SABBC) Deregulation Working Group, Director at the Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika at the University of Cape Town and Chairperson of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Science Centre. He is a member of the select United Nations (UN) Expert group on the global e-Government survey and a member of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP).

David Kramer has been involved in STEM education for over 40 years. He returned to South Africa after a few years abroad during the struggle for democracy.  Kramer ran PROTEC, an NGO was set up to offer maths and science education to township youth. In 2004, he was asked to set up the Sci-Bono discovery Centre and he then ran the centre u

David Kramer has been involved in STEM education for over 40 years. He returned to South Africa after a few years abroad during the struggle for democracy.  Kramer ran PROTEC, an NGO was set up to offer maths and science education to township youth. In 2004, he was asked to set up the Sci-Bono discovery Centre and he then ran the centre until 2016, when he joined the Gauteng Department of e-Government as Deputy Director General. He has been involved in several ministerial educational task teams. In 2011, he won the National Science and Technology Forum’s Award for Science Communication. In 2011, Kramer was made a Knight of the National Order of Merit of France. 

Since his retirement from formal employment, he has been appointed as CEO of the JNF Walter Sisulu Environment Centre in Mamelodi. He also serves as Project Lead for the d-lab Design Thinkers Lab project for unemployed youth. He also serves as general manager for Jozi Trails. He serves on the board of directors of the Johannesburg Parks Alliance.

Currently a precinct manager at Excellerate Managed Services. I am responsible for managing improvement districts on behalf of property owners in the City of Johannesburg. The goal is to always provide the best urban management solutions to address the issues of property owners in business nodes. This includes lobbying to council on their

Currently a precinct manager at Excellerate Managed Services. I am responsible for managing improvement districts on behalf of property owners in the City of Johannesburg. The goal is to always provide the best urban management solutions to address the issues of property owners in business nodes. This includes lobbying to council on their behalf and facilitating public space initiatives for the better of an area.

Previously worked at Makers Valley as a community development manager assisting communities in development issues and working with organisation's using sustainable solutions to address the communities challenges

I am a member of the Golden Key International Honour society as recognition of being in the top 15% of my field of study.

I currently hold the following degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand:

Msc in Urban Studies specialising in Urban Management

BSc (Hons) in Urban and Regional Planning

BSc in Urban and Regional Planning