Sustainability Committee

Rob is the chairperson of the PASA Sustainability subcommittee. Rob is Managing Director of Cambridge University Press Sub Saharan Africa and has spent over twenty-five years’ within the education sector in Sub Saharan Africa having previously gained experience with both Oxford University Press and Maskew Miller Longman. Rob is a qualified Chartered Accountant and a passionate trail junkie and surf skier.

Chéri is the Sustainability and Publishing Project Manager of Cambridge University Press Sub Saharan Africa. She previously worked at the South African Book Development Council and is passionate about building and developing the industry. She has also served on PASA’s Skills Development Committee. Chéri currently champions environmental, social and governance awareness and initiatives across Africa, with a particular focus on driving engagement within Cambridge’s South African branch. She is passionate about finding purpose in what she does and being able to contribute to meaningful change and diving into sustainability has been an incredible way to make that change tangible. Being part of PASA’s Sustainability Committee gives Chéri the opportunity to help people see the abundance in living sustainably, and to empower and inspire them to take action.

Vanessa Duff is the Operations Director for Oxford University Press (Africa). With 20 years’ experience in the publishing industry, she has held different roles across Editorial, Product and Operations, serving the southern and East African markets. She has been fortunate to lead high-functioning teams in delivering high-stakes projects. She strives to define and embed optimal publishing and operational processes. She tries to instill in her teams a sense of curiousity, and a gritty determination to get things done. She believes that there is always a better way of doing things, one simply needs to start with the question “why?”. Vanessa is mom to two busy girls and many badly behaved pets. She loves spending time outdoors, with friends and family, and travelling as much as possible.

Monique Hayes holds both a Bachelor’s and an Honours degree in Publishing from the University of Pretoria. During her Honours studies, she served as an assistant lecturer in the Department of Information Science at the same university. Her research during this period concentrated on alternative publishing models, particularly the role of libraries in promoting environmental sustainability. Monique’s commitment to sustainable development is further examined in her Master’s research at the University of Witwatersrand. Concurrently, she is engaged in freelance work as a designer and editor, collaborating with esteemed publishers such as KREST House and Bridge Books.

Bheki Gumede is a skilled Electronic Originator, Typesetter and Proofreader with extensive experience in the printing and publishing industry. He has worked on a wide variety of projects, including magazines, books, journals and study materials, always ensuring high quality, clear layout and accuracy. Bheki is currently studying towards a master’s degree in Publishing, showing a strong commitment to professional growth and the future of the publishing industry. As a member of PASA’s Sustainability Committee, he brings technical expertise and deep passion for building a more inclusive, eco-friendly and innovative publishing landscape in South Africa.