GERATEC - Key Persons
The administration of any organisation is said to be its engine room because without it the organisation cannot move forward. Alda's role in GERATEC is exactly this and as an Office Administrator, she truly does assist the entire GERATEAM and organisation as a whole. However, it is far more than Alda's professionalism and expertise that is allowing her to excel in her role; her honesty, compassion, and friendliness are all central themes to how GERATEC operates.
Job Titles:
- Housekeeping and Compliance Officer
Bonnie is passionate about working with people, which she compliments with strong attention to detail and background in human resources, as well as health and safety - allowing her to perfectly fulfil her role as Housekeeping and Compliance Officer. Her personal mantra is to seek the positive in every situation, treat others the way she wants to be treated, and always be grateful. These qualities shine bright in the eyes of her fellow GERATEAM members who hold her friendliness and compassion in the highest regard.
For seven years Brian served diligently as the CEO of the Helderberg Society for the Aged in the heart of Somerset West before he joined GERATEC. He was inspired by GERATEC and shared the organisation's belief that those we care for should be given a life worth living. For many years Brian has utilised his longstanding experience in the care sector, as well as his financial and risk management experience to play an imperative role in GERATEC's professionally administered finance department. Currently, Brian serves passionately as the organisation's non-executive director.
Colette has extensive experience in the culinary world that dates back nearly three decades in some of the most prestigious establishments in the Western Cape. Colette has a tenacious ability to problem solve and her high professional standards, coupled with her expertise in the culinary world allowed her to progress at GERATEC since she began her journey with the organisation. In 2017, Colette joined the GERATEAM as a Food Service Manager, however, in a mere two years, was promoted to Auditor and Relief Manager, adding Food Quality Trainer to her title by 2021 before fulfilling her role as Food Quality Manager in 2022.
Deirdre's meticulous and extremely helpful nature saw her ascend in the organisation she has called home for over 24 years. GERATEC's philosophy of investing in people to make a difference in their lives is what inspires her about the organisation, continuously forcing her to go above and beyond. She began her career with the organisation as a Food Service Manager and ascended to new heights as GERATEC's Finance Manager. Deirdre's professionalism, helpfulness, and honesty are fully illustrated in her successful operation of GERATEC's finance department.
In 1996 Dr Stroebel founded the only organisation in South Africa that provides a full range of services to the long-term support and care sector for older persons: Gerontological Research, Training, Education and Caring (GERATEC). At the heart of the organisation is the bright light of Dr Stroebel's passion to change the narrative of ageing and go beyond the borders of concepts that define care for older persons. His expert knowledge is fully illustrated through academic achievements by obtaining an honours and a master's degree, and a PhD in dementia studies. Dr Stroebel continues to extend the wealth of knowledge, acquired through his life's work in the long-term care sector, through his public speaking engagements and the training of more than 3 000 caregivers to date where he stimulated different approaches to caring for older persons. GERATEC was founded on the values of integrity, respect, compassion, and innovation to drive the business, which has been echoing through the entire organisation and the GERATEAM since its inception.
What consistently pushes Eva forward in her career and personal development is the betterment of her children and the ability to help others. She has an extensive retail background that illustrates a trajectory from a cashier to frontline supervisor, to administrator of four service departments before joining the GERATEAM more than 16 years ago. Eva's unique ability to empathise with others and her attention to detail has proved invaluable to GERATEC, allowing her not only to redefine older person care but redefine what success is.
Gerswin's seven-year career with GERATEC is an excellent example of how GERATEC believes in passionately growing and developing its GERATEAM. In 2015, Gerswin started as an Assistant Food Service Manager. He was uncompromising in only producing the best quality, which he proved by rising to the rank of Food Service Manager, Project Manager and now fulfilling his role as a Food Quality Manager. As a garden enthusiast in his spare time, Gerswin understands the care and nurturing it takes for any aspect of life and business to flourish.
Job Titles:
- Human Resources Administrator
Hannelie embodies the tenacity that has made GERATEC become industry leaders. She is uncompromising in her commitment to achieving her potential and providing support, the same way GERATEC is committed to constantly going beyond the border that defines care for older persons. Her professional knowledge combined with her empathetic demeanour and diligence is crucial in fulfilling her role as GERATEC's Human Resource Administrator.
Job Titles:
- Nutrition Services Manager
Ide-Marie is the embodiment of selflessness since she is naturally caring and at GERATEC we believe caring is heroic. She's passionate about the role nutrition plays in the quality of life of older persons, displaying enthusiasm to constantly share knowledge and equip systems for the optimal nutritional status of residents and the GERATEAM. After joining the organisation in 2008, her background in clinical nutrition and management in the catering industry proved vital to her success as Nutrition Services Manager and full-time dietitian.
Lauren proudly joined the GERATEAM in 2019 and adds a tremendous amount of value to the organisation with her compassion, innovation, and integrity - similarly to how GERATEC adds value to those who choose a journey with the organisation. Since Lauren is responsible for multiple administration functions, her accuracy, efficiency, and timeous manner prove vital to the well-being and success of GERATEC. Lauren's demeanour of patience and openness unifies the organisation to continue to pursue new heights.
Job Titles:
- Business Development Manager
Melanie personifies how GERATEC passionately grows and develops its employees. She upholds GERATEC's ethos of friendliness, helpfulness, and integrity, which stands testament to how she flourished in her career since she joined the organisation in 2008. Melanie first began as a Food Service Manager, before progressing to take on the responsibilities of the organisation's Strategic Partnership Coordinator and Fundraiser. Melanie advanced to become Area Manager, where she developed into her current vital role as Business Development Consultant and continuously drives the organisation's objectives forward by growing the organisation through building relationships and partnerships with current and new clients.
Job Titles:
- Care & Consultation Services Manager
For over 45 years Retha has been developing, growing, and caring as an academically accomplished professional nurse in the medical industry with 18 of those years being managerial. Retha has been a crucial part of the GERATEAM for nearly a decade and serves diligently as the organisation's Care and Consultation Services Manager. She plays a crucial role in delivering what makes GERATEC industry leaders and helps improve the quality of life of older persons through relationship-directed support. Her integrity, compassion, friendly nature, and genuine demeanour allow her to thrive in a role she was born to fulfil.
Victor was first inspired by GERATEC when he worked as a labor consultant for the organization in 2011. Witnessing the passion and commitment that drove GERATEC and its team, he knew that he wanted to remain a part of the organization. Over time, Victor progressed from labor consultant to HR manager and eventually became the Leader in Business and Growth, a position he has held since 2018. With a master's degree in Human Rights and Constitutional Law, and extensive legal experience coordinating the South African Human Rights Commission and working as an HR specialist for top South African businesses, Victor brings valuable expertise to his current role as Human Resources Manager at GERATEC. His knowledge and leadership continue to drive GERATEC to new heights.