Sarah comes from a nursing background, having completed a BSc from the University of Cape Town with nursing experience in South Africa and the UK. She subsequently did an Honours in Nature Conservation at Stellenbosch University and Masters in Environmental Science at London University, also becoming a Green Star SA accredited professional with the Green Building Council of SA on her return to SA in 2008.

Sarah started working with award-winning UK based Bioregional Development Group whilst overseas and at the end of 2004 began working on the One Planet Communities initiative, then in its infancy. She moved to Durban to better fulfill this role and established the environmental NPO / PBO Bioregional South Africa in 2008, dedicated to developing practical solutions for sustainable living and furthering the use of the One Planet Living framework in this country. Her work varied to include delivery of One Planet workshops, stakeholder engagement, being part of consultancy teams and advisory panels, and management of projects that used the One Planet framework e.g. enterprise development work, refurbishment / new build projects. She has twice instigated volunteer programmes in her own neighbourhood on subjects that she is passionate about e.g. anti-plastic pollution, zero waste and educating the youth about sustainability. Sisonke Compost was born out of theurgent need to divert that 40% waste fraction that is organic waste and to promote the solidarity economy to decentralize compost making. This will support more local economy, food gardens, microenterprise development and build resilience in the face of climate change.