Kushela Naidoo

Kushela Naidoo is the managing director of Wallace and Green, a specialist environmental consultancy focused on ensuring that development and infrastructure progress in a way that is responsible and sustainable.

Kushela explains further, “Generally our work is focused on large-scale developments or any infrastructure that triggers environmental legislation. If the project is going to have an impact on the environment, meaning it is a large-scale development, then we provide those environmental solutions to make sure that there is sustainability.”

For Kushela, sustainability is not a fashionable term, but a practical framework rooted in balance. He emphasises that every project must consider environmental protection alongside economic viability and social responsibility. “Sustainability is based on the three principles of environmental, economic and social,” he says. “We try to bring that balance together to all our developments that are happening around South Africa.”

This balanced approach has positioned Wallace and Green as a trusted partner for complex projects, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal. Kushela believes the firm’s reputation comes from a deep understanding of both environmental legislation and development realities. “We understand development, and we well understand what needs to be mitigated,” he says. “That is why we get it right the first time.”

AN UNPLANNED JOURNEY
Kushela’s journey into environmental leadership evolved through exploration and self-awareness. His education began in Durban, where he later completed a master’s degree in environmental science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

“I did not know that I was going to get into the environmental space,” he reflects. Although he got a distinction in geography in matric, he enrolled in optometry initially but soon realised it was not for him. “After three months, I said that I am not going to be staring at somebody’s eyes for a long time.”That decision led him into the science stream, where subjects such as zoology, botany and geology sparked a deeper interest. “I started taking a liking to the environmental space,” he says. “Once I was in my Undergraduate degree, I decided that I was enjoying this part.” From there, he completed his honours and then his master’s degree, laying the foundation for his future career.

Kushela’s first job came while he was still studying, giving him early expozure to the professional world. Over time, he built experience, credibility and a clear sense of purpose. Today, that purpose is centred on impact. “My why is to make a difference,” he says. “Especially in our age now and being in the environmental space. Making a difference in communities, in our country, contributing to environmental policies. That is my purpose.”He also sees business as a platform for others. “For business, it is giving a platform to individuals that are coming through, especially our employees,” he explains. “We are big on mentorship and training, and we give them a platform to grow their careers.”

MENTORSHIP AND RESILIENCE
Mentorship has played a defining role in Kushela’s leadership philosophy. Early in his career, he was guided by Moses Tembe, whose advice left a lasting impression. “He told me something that stuck with me,” usKhela recalls. “Make sure whatever you accomplish, always give back and pay it forward.” That principle has shaped his approach for more than fifteen years. Kushela actively ensures that Wallace and Green invests in people, not just projects. The company has a young team, and motivation is treated as a continuous process rather than a one-off initiative.

“I do one on one mentorship sessions with my team once a month,” he says. “We look at the academic side, the business side and the personal side. They are looking for development in that space as well.” Kushela is inspired by “the leaders that are out there that are making a difference, not just in their business but within communities.” Attending talks and workshops where these leaders share their experiences encourages him to reflect on his own journey. “You ask yourself, am I doing something right? What can I learn from it?” he says. This sense of reflection and continuous learning is what keeps him inspired.

Like many businesses in KwaZulu-Natal, Wallace and Green has faced significant challenges in recent years. The Covid pandemic, civil unrest and severe flooding brought development projects to a halt and slowed investment. “It affected our business quite badly,” Kushela admits. “A lot of projects went on hold. If developments do not happen, business is flat.”In response, the company diversified its services, moving deeper into specialist areas such as climate change resilience and carbon footprint projects. “We went more into the specialist side,” he explains. “There is a lot of international funding coming into South Africa for that kind of work, and we managed to secure some big projects on a climate change basis.”

Despite professional achievements, Kushela says his proudest accomplishment would be his family. “I have three boys. My eldest is playing under 13 soccer for KZN and the second is playing under 11A team cricket and is in the Dolphins Cricket Academy. Seeing them excel, not just academically, but in sport, stands out for me.”

SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
Guided by his personal motto of ‘service to the community is service to oneself’, Kushela is deeply involved in outreach initiatives. Recently, Wallace and Green supported a school shoe handover, collectively donating two thousand pairs of shoes through the KwaZulu-Natal International Business Association (KIBA). The company is also active in religious and cultural spaces, supporting temples during important periods in the Hindu calendar.

Looking ahead, Kushela’s vision is clear. He wants Wallace and Green to be the ‘go to’ environmental consultancy across every district municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. “We are almost known as the ‘go to’ environmental consultants,” he says. It is because we have made a mark in the industry and are a leading environmental consultancy. When big projects come into the province and we are not even asked to
tender, we ask why.”

For Kushela Naidoo, leadership is about purpose, people and perseverance. It is about making a difference today while building a more sustainable tomorrow.