Dr. Sharad Master, Chairman
Dr.Sharad (Sharadchandra) Master is a geologist, researcher and lecturer based at the Economic Geology Research Institute, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, where he obtained his BSc (Hons) and PhD degrees. He was awarded a Harvard-South Africa Fellowship and was a visiting scholar at Harvard University (USA). He has also visited and lectured at other institutions in 45 countries on six continents. He is currently (2021-2024) Vice-President for Africa of the International Commission for the History of Geological Sciences (INHIGEO) and is a member of the SA National Committee for IUGS/IGCP
Ms. Naazneen Khan, Member of the Board
Naazneen Khan is an attorney, Notary Public, accredited mediator, Director at Schwim Venter Khan Inc., and co-founder of Dignified Dispute Resolution. While her professional career is dedicated to resolving disputes and protecting legacies; a lifelong fascination with history, forgotten stories, and the mysteries of the past fuels her passion for maritime archaeology and underwater cultural heritage. As a Board Member of the African Institute for Marine and Underwater Research, Exploration and Education, she supports research, education, and heritage conservation, with a particular interest in the intersection of law, archaeology, and the preservation of Africa's rich maritime history. She believes every shipwreck and artefact has a story waiting to be uncovered, one that deepens our understanding of the past and shapes the legacy we leave for future generations.
Mr. Bart Gielen, MA, Member of the Board
Mr.Bart Gielen from the Netherlands is Board Member of the AIMURE and Ambassador for the ‘Haarlem Project’. After obtaining his MA degree in History, he worked as a historian and researcher for different Dutch television and productions companies like IDTV, VPRO and BNNVARA. Bart has his own YouTube-channel, A la Bart Producties, containing different kind of content like short historical films, interviews, and human-interest stories. Nowadays he is storyteller and freelance researcher/journalist for National Geographic and other broadcasters.
Dr. Bruno Werz, FSA, Chief Executive Officer
Werz was born in the Netherlands and joined the Underwater Reconnaissance and Diving Unit of the Royal Dutch Army after obtaining a doctoral degree in history. This was followed by a DLitt. in maritime archaeology. In 1988 he moved to South Africa where he was a Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town, introducing the field of maritime archaeology in Africa. He has undertaken numerous projects, including the excavation of sub-Saharan Africa’s oldest shipwreck. He is also the discoverer of the oldest artifacts from under the sea in the world. Werz was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in recognition of his services to archaeology.
AIMURE VOLUNTEERS
Mr. John Kleinhans, Fieldwork Assistant and Diver
Mr. Vic de Valdorf, Accounting Officer
Miss Jo Whitehouse, Web Site Developer & Manager
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Mr. Mario Assam, Fieldwork Assistant and Diver
