Jane Cruywagen

Coordinator, Bridging Year Programme

Jane is exceptionally cool but not cold. She was the Media & Bridge Building/Construction Year co-ordinator at SACP (SA Cool People) from 2007-2009. Jane graduated from Rhodes with a bachelor of journalism, majoring in journalism & information systems, and specializing in communication design. She has done freelance design & writing here and there. Jane taught English online, then she taught English in Taiwan for three years, and worked with kids from the ages of 2-17. Jane has also taught English to adults, international students, in Cape Town. She detests computers and loves people. In 2008, she worked on the YES project. 

Jane will be studying for a M.A. in Education at UCT in 2010.  We wish her the best of luck!

Zandile Mahlasela

Coordinator, Early Childhood Development Programme

Zandile was born and raised in Matatiele, Eastern Cape. Before coming to SAEP, she worked with a number of organisations such as Tabisa Training and Management Services, Khayelitsha Community Based Development Company, and Thubelisha Homes. Zandi was also a leader of the Khayelitsha Youth Development Council, an organisation that lobbies and advocates for youth interests in Khayelitsha township and beyond.

Zandile joined SAEP in 2007, where she currently serves as an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Coordinator, assisting principals of township ECD centres to reach their goals. Since joining SAEP, Zandile has been humbled by the impact the organisation has on its beneficiaries. In addition to her work, Zandi is currently studying Public Management at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

Danielle DeKock

Coordinator, Arts Outreach Programme

Danielle de Kock graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2006 with a degree in Fine Art and English. She has worked for SAEP since 2007 directing the Arts Programme, teaching Art and English in the High Schools and assisting with English teaching in the Bridging Year Programme.

Hannah Carter

Coordinator, Matric Success Programme

Hannah Carter was SAEP's Matric Success or "SMS" Coordinator, a programme which supports over 250 matric candidates "caught in the eye of the storm" after the introduction of the new curriculum to succeed on their matrics. Hannah had recently graduated from the George Washington University where she majored in Gender Studies and Communications. Originally from Detroit, Hannah came to Cape Town to Study Abroad where she fell in love with South Africa and moved back shortly after finishing her undergraduate degree. Outside of enjoying working with  the grade 12 learners at Zisukhanyo and with SAEP, Hannah spent her time reading, relaxing, and exploring the Western Cape.

Lindsey Witmer

Fundraising and Institutional Development

Lindsey Witmer graduated in 2008 with a BS in Public Health from the Dept of Environmental Science and Engineering at UNC-Chapel Hill. Lindsey was recruited to work at SAEP as Norton's right hand - grant-writing and strategic-planning her tush off from September 2008-November 2009. Lindsey also worked with Bongani in curriculum development and impact assessment for the Hope Scholars programme, taught a beautiful class of these grade 9 students in Samora Machel 3 days a week, and tutored and mentored former Bridging Year interns in between.

In 2010, Lindsey will move to Boston, MA, to begin work in healthcare consulting.