Our People
The WUCT team extends well beyond the people directly employed by the Trust, each of whom is a star in their own right, from Chris our caretaker to Pieter our General Manager, Patricia our receptionist, and Veronica, an Enrolled Nurse Assistant and Community Healthcare Worker; each member of the management and team integral to delivery the service we do.
WUCT is underpinned by a strong board of trustees who wield their influence and experience on behalf of WUCT with government, corporations, local businesses, other NPOs and their personal contacts, to further the aims of WUCT.
Our sponsors and partners are what makes it possible for us to help the people of Westlake Village.
And lastly, but not least, and without whom none of this would be possible, the people of Westlake Village comprise the bigger team, who continually surprise and delight us with their creativity and ability to rise above the very difficult circumstances they often find themselves in.
Senior Management Team
Pieter Greyling, General Manager
Pieter joined our team in March of 2022 as the new General Manager. As a retired Methodist Minister, Pieter brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion for helping his fellow man. His fresh view on the every day needs of our community, helps drive our team and we know with him at the helm, we are ready to embrace whatever challenges we may face.
Yvonne Nyamvaka, Head of Department: Child Care and Protection
Yvonne joined the team in July 2019 and is a qualified social worker with extensive experience working with marginalised children.
Yvonne also subscribes to the wonderful quote (below) that her predecessor, Arlene Kalima frequently used.
“It is easier to build strong children than repair broken men”
– F. Douglas
Alastair Grey, Group Financial Manager
Having worked for Churches and other NGO’s, Alastair worked part-time since 2009 and joined WUCT full-time in early August 2018.
Responsible for the full range of accounting functions, he produces monthly management accounts and prepares the annual budgets. Additionally, he also administers the home-based-care programme and broader funding applications.
Our Stars
Veronica Weier - Enrolled Nurse Assistant (ENA) / Community Healthcare Worker (CHW)
Veronica is an ordinary woman making an extraordinary impact in her corner of the world.
She lives in Westlake Village. As a pillar of society there, in addition to her work at WUCT, she is also a councillor for the trauma rooms at Kirstenhof Police Station.
But what really sets Veronica apart is her unconditional love and generosity toward the children in Westlake. As if fostering just 1 child is not hard work enough, her humble home has been designated a Safe House and an additional 6 children (aged 1 ½ to 13 years old) have been warmly welcomed in. With little or no funding from social welfare for these children, times are lean but hope abounds.
The eldest received a scholarship at the Norman Henshilwood High School. READ MORE
Thembisa Ngetu , PA to the General Manager
Thembisa started working for the Trust in 2021. Passionate about the community and the children of Westlake. She loves cooking and music. She would love to see herself doing more towards assisting the wellbeing of the community.
Thembisa attends the Methodist Church and has 2 children and 1 grandson.
Hazel - Principal of Emmanuel Educare
Hazel Introduction to follow
Patricia Jordaan Bosch - Receptionist
Patrica worked as cleaner and tea lady, and blessed us all with her happy, helpful spirit. In 2018 she stepped up to become the friendly face that welcomes all who visit us. She has 3 daughters and 6 grandchildren. The eldest grandchild will be 21 this year! She has attended the Westlake Worship Centre in Westlake for more than 20 years. “I am happy in my job, I love my job, work is important” says Patti.
Jenna Hill - Crafts Department Manager
Jenna is an exceptionally experienced seamstress, and alongside her team, they produce amazing items for sale and accept orders. Click Here to view some of their products.
Franklin Mert - Facilitator in the Child Care & Protection Department / Security
Franklin has a passion for working with children. His second passion and main hobby is music. He is married with 3 boys and attends the ACTS Mission church.
Gaby - Emmanuel Educare - Administrator
Gaby Introduction to follow
Brian January - Driver
Always smiling, Brian Jauary, joined our team in …. as our Driver, ensuring all transportation needs are met with enthusiasm and great kindess. Brian is resident of the village …
Maria Geduld - Head Cook
Our cheerful, hardworking cook Maria is also Head Cook at Emmanuel Educare, sharing this highly responsible position with Anna Francke. We are blessed to have Maria who manages stock take at the school and also serves the delicious pastas and aromatic food that the children enjoy daily. Her passions are baking, cooking and baking bread. The lovely smells from Maria’s cooking draws many people to the kitchen as all ask ‘What did Maria cook today?”. Maria has 9 children and 13 grandchildren. Life is not easy with this patient, smiling woman as she is sole breadwinner and has many dependants but ‘die Here sorg na haar” and she lovingly serves her large family. Recently Maria attended a cooking course and gave feedback to all the kitchen staff on the aspects of Food preparation, Food safety and hygiene, Nutritious Meals and Food etiquette. (Please refer to our website for more on this). What a joy it is to have Maria on board for the past 8 years and we so lucky to have this gentle soul!
Anna Francke - Cook
For the past 9 years, Anna Francke has cooked the amazing food at Emmanuel Educare Kitchen which feeds 180 school children, as well as the staff, daily with a nurtritious breakfast, lunch and 2 snacks. While she cooks with a loving smile, tastebuds water at the appetizing aroma wafting through the corridors. What lucky children to have this wonderful cook who is known at work and in the community for her tasty stew, her signature dish! Anna has 4 children and 7 grandchildren (en Anna lag en se “die kombuis is nou gesluit”, ). She is well known at the school for her wonderful flower arrangements taught to her by our ex-Headmistress Eleanor Lawrence. She has a passion for cooking and baking and enjoys her work and we enjoy the wonderful service of Anna who is the longest serving kitchen staff member.
office hours
Monday to Friday
08:00 to 16:00
Address
Westlake Community Centre, Corner of Egret Street and Stibitz Street, Westlake, 7945
gm@wuct.org.za
phone
+27 21 702 1697