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Meet the Members: In Conversation with Gavin Kode

We recently welcomed Gavin Kode to the Board of the GBCSA. He is the Deputy Director-General of Provincial Public Works in the Western Cape Government Department of Transport and Public Works. We asked him a few questions, to get to know him better.

  1. Where do you go for inspiration?

The simple answer would be that I go into ‘nature’ but, to give it more context, I go out to sea or to the top of a mountain or I run in the forest. I often come back with answers to questions I didn’t even know I had. During the lockdown, we saw many instances of nature reclaiming from the urban space or recovering from our human impact on nature. Nature is amazing – it is common grace and a gift from God.

  1. What is the best part of your work day?

Any part of the day when I get something done. I have learned that very little happens by simply being put into the system, so now I never wait for it to happen. We each have to provide the fuel for it, and drive it to completion. When I eventually see the fruit of my investment, that’s the best part of the day, whatever time of the day that might be.

  1. What achievement are you most proud of?

While it was initially conceptualised by my predecessor, the Western Cape Government annual Property Efficiency Report required significant drive and direction to have reached its 8th publication in 2019. Our original management rationale for publishing a report of this nature was the measurement of property performance data, the regular and rigorous monitoring of that performance data, and the management of the opportunities that arise. This is, and remains, the primary principle on which our immovable asset management is undertaken. We have expanded both the reach of the survey and extent of the properties we report on, as well as the way in which we manage all the public immovable assets under our control. This may seem obvious for those in the private sector. However, having this tool, and the efficiency levers that it highlights and makes available, is a significant achievement for government and capability in government.

  1. What do you think is the most urgent global environmental challenge facing us?

We have many global environmental challenges. All of us working in the sustainability space understand these all too well, as well as the linkages between them. I do not think that we can solve the greatest or the most urgent of these and think that this alone will save us. We are in critical need of inspiring leadership, at all levels and in all places, and to appreciate that we need to act holistically and on many fronts. Only this can achieve a critical mass in turning the tide on the destruction of our only planet. For this, we need ordinary leadership to step up in an extraordinary way.

We are all leaders. We can, and must, all take action. My greatest wish is for leaders of nations to inspire change across the board and to drive this inspiration and example in their nations. Unless it starts at the top, it will never truly become pervasive, all-encompassing, and effective.

  1. What do you feel is the biggest issue in the green building industry that we have to overcome, and any ideas on where to start in tackling it?

Many new buildings are being designed, built and operated sustainably, or certainly more sustainably than before. However, the world has a massive portfolio of existing buildings that waste resources and operate unsustainably. As I said above, I believe that leadership can solve this and create the future that we want and need. It is said that ‘With great power comes great responsibility’. If leaders accept this responsibility, this issue can be tackled successfully.

Individual Membership

Designed for professionals acting in their individual capacity, including single consultant-businesses.

Organisational Membership

Ideal for companies, government departments, and organisations.

  • Total Employees: 1 - 5 Employees
  • Total Employees: 6 - 20 Employees
  • Total Employees: 21 - 50 Employees
  • Total Employees: 51 Plus Employees

Lisa Reynolds

Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director

Lisa Reynolds is the CEO of the Green Building Council South Africa.

Lisa was the driver for the drafting of Energy Efficiency Standards and Regulations for Buildings and has been involved in Energy Efficiency since 2003. She serves on many committees in the SABS and within the energy management professionals’ space. She was President of the SAEEC from 2016 to 2019 and was the previous President of the ESCo (Energy Services Companies) Association. Lisa was instrumental in the formation of SAFEE (Southern African Females in Energy Efficiency) within SAEEC.

She has assisted the South African Government with its Green Building Framework policies, Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives and Energy Efficiency Strategies

Her passion for the “Green space” started with the birth of the Green Building Council in 2007. Lisa served on the Board and the Technical Committee of the GBCSA, as well as on several Technical Working Groups for Rating Tools and Criteria. Lisa. became CEO in June 2020.

Lisa has a BSc, an MBA and a CEM. Lisa’s awards include the 2007 ETA Award for Women, 2008 Individual Energy (SAEE), 2012 SABS Standards Writer Award; the 2014 Women in Energy (SAWIEN); and the 2016 Ian Lane Hall of Fame award.

Lisa is committed to growing the Green Economy within a Green Recovery.

Organisational categories

As an organisational member, you will fall into one of the below categories, and be charged according to specific size indicators. Please reach out to us for any further clarity on which category is best for your organisation

Property Developers

Annual Turnover

Investors, Owners, Property Managers

Total Asset Value

Major Corporate Tenants & Retail

Annual Gross Rentals

Building Contractors

Annual Turnover

Building Product Manufacturers & Distributors

Annual Turnover

Professional Services: Architects, Designers, Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, PM’s, Consultants, Legal

Number of employees

Research, Higher Education, NGO’S & Regulators

NGO or Research/Higher Education/ Regulators

Related Interests: Utilities, Financial, Insurance, etc.

Annual Turnover

Government

Local/ municipal/ provincial/ state 
Contact GBCSA to confirm your category