STAFF
Akademia has outstanding and vocation-driven staff who contribute to a worldclass learning experience.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marthinus Visser
Managing director
Prof. Danie Goosen
Academic head
Dr. Dirk Hermann
Director
Henk Schalekamp
Chairman and director
Piet Steyn
Director
Flip Buys
Director
OFFICE OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR
Marthinus Visser
MBA
Managing director
Marthinus Visser is the managing director of Akademia and has completed a MBA degree at the University of Potchefstroom. Marthinus has also completed BCom- and Bed degrees, and earned a Higher Education Diploma at the same university. For the past decade, Marthinus has been involved in the establishment and development of two higher education institutions, namely Sol-Tech and Akademia. Marthinus currently serves as chairman of the Sol-Tech board of directors. Marthinus also serves on the boards of directors of Solidarity Financial Services and Solidarity Properties, as well as the board of trustees of Medihelp.
Prof. Hannes Rautenbach
Specialist:
Business Development
Helena Bekker
Personal assistant:
Managing director
DEAN
Dr Rachel Maritz
DCom (Business Management)
Dean:
Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
Dr Rachel Maritz obtained her doctorate in Business Management (specialising in Strategic Management) from the University of Pretoria (UP) in 2008. She obtained a Master of Business Leadership degree (MBL) from Unisa (2002) and a master’s degree in Afrikaans (Media communication) (cum laude) from UP, as well as a BA (Languages)- and an honours degree in Afrikaans (cum laude) from the same institution. She received awards for best honours student, master’s dissertation, and doctoral thesis.
Previously, Maritz was affiliated with the University of Pretoria’s Department of Business Management (Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences) full-time. She served as head of Teaching and Learning at this department, on the Faculty Teaching and Learning Committee, and as the faculty task team for the faculty’s international accreditation. Between 1997 and 2001, she was employed by Telkom as a senior consultant for internal audit and manager for Competitive Intelligence.
Maritz possesses wide-ranging experience as a strategy consultant for PWC, as well as Enterprises UP, and was involved in strategic projects (among which are the development, audit, and implementation of strategy) for divergent companies. She develops courses in strategy for UP, the local industry, as well as the international MBA of the Guglielmo Marconi University in Rome. She acts as academic supervisor for master’s- and doctoral studies, as well as external moderator and examiner for programmes, dissertations, and theses at other universities. She is involved in writing manuals on strategic management and publishes various research articles in international academic journals. Her research is focused on emergent and creative strategy, strategy in practice, and corporate management.
HEADS OF DEPARTMENT
Elize-Mari Coetzer
MCom (Tourism Management)
Head of Department:
Management Sciences
Elize-Mari Coetzer is the department head of Management Sciences at Academia. She obtained a BCom degree in Corporate Communication and Tourism Management (cum laude), as well as an honour’s and master’s degree in this discipline at the North-West University (NWU). Coetzer’s research focuses on market profiles, spending patterns, and economic contributions. Her most recent publication is the article ‘Expenditure-based Segmentation of Visitors to the Wacky Wine Festival’, in the Tourism Recreation Research scholarly journal. Her academic awards include membership of the Golden Key Internation Honour Society. She worked as a conference and spa manager for two years. She also has more 15 years of experience in the higher education environment as a programme coordinator and lecturer, among other roles.
Rika Nieuwoudt
MCom (Financial Management)
Head of Department:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Rika Nieuwoudt is the head of the Department of Economics and Financial Sciences and the programme coordinator of the Postgraduate Diploma in Management Accounting. She is also a lecturer in Financial Management and Financial Strategy. She obtained a BCom degree in Management Accounting and an honours degree in this discipline from the North-West University (NWU). She obtained a master’s degree in Financial Management with a thesis titled: The Impact of Firm-specific Attributes on Shareholder Value Creation of Listed South African Companies.
Department of Management Sciences
Bernard Odendaal
MA (Security Studies)
Lecturer:
Management Sciences
Bernard Odendaal is a lecturer in Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at Akademia and obtained the following academic qualifications at the University of Pretoria (UP): a BA degree in Political Sciences, an honours degree in International Politics and a master’s degree in Security Studies. He has worked in various capacities in the private and public sector, and since 2011 he has been the CEO of The Fact Foundry, a consulting and training company. During his professional career he has given presentations on a wide range of topics at various international and national conferences. He currently teaches Sustainability and Responsible Citizenship as well as Ethics and Corporate Governance.
Chané Naudé
MCom (Business Management)
Lecturer:
Management Sciences
Chané Naudé is a lecturer in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at Akademia. She obtained a BCom degree in Entrepreneurship and Business Management (cum laude), an honours degree in Entrepreneurship and Marketing Management (cum laude) as well as a master’s degree in Business Management (cum laude) from the North-West University (NWU). Naudé’s research focus is to investigate the management of service quality in the fast-food franchise industry of Gauteng. Based on her academic performance, she was invited to become a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. She completed an internship at Anglo American Platinum where she then practiced as a project administrator.
Christine Terblanche
MPhil (Management Sciences and Supply Chain Management)
Lecturer:
Management Sciences
Subject head:
Operations Management
Christine Terblanche is a lecturer in Supply Chain Management at Akademia and obtained a BCom degree in Business Management (cum laude) as well as an honours degree in Business Management and a master’s degree in Supply Chain Management from the University of Pretoria (UP). She is currently working on a doctoral dissertation in Supply Chain Management. Terblanche’s research focus is supply chain risk management, integration and information sharing. Her most recent article, “Counterfeiting: Exploring mitigation capabilities and resilience in South African pharmaceutical supply chains”, was published in Acta Commerci. Academic awards include membership in the Golden Key International Honour Society. She has got more than four years of experience in the higher education environment.
Delicia Bezuidenhout-Conradie
MCom (Tourism Management)
Lecturer:
Management Sciences
Delicia Bezuidenhout-Conradie is a lecturer in Business Management at Akademia and obtained a BCom degree in Marketing and Tourism Management (cum laude) as well as an honours and master’s degree in Tourism Management at the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). She is currently working on a doctoral dissertation in Tourism Management. Bezuidenhout-Conradie’s research focus is Tourism Management and Marketing. Academic awards include the best student over three years in Tourism Management as well as membership in the Golden Key International Honour Society. She has got four years of experience in the higher education environment as a lecturer.
Jaun Kriel
MCom (Tourism Management)
Lecturer:
Management Sciences
Programme coordinator:
Advanced Diploma in Project Management
Jaun Kriel is a lecturer and the programme coordinator of the Advanced Diploma in Project Management at Akademia. He obtained a BCom degree in Corporate Communication and Tourism Management, as well as honours and master’s degrees in this discipline from the North-West University (NWU). Kriel is currently working on his project management certification at the Project Management Institute (PMI). He has 13 years of experience as a lecturer, as well as eight years as a programme coordinator at Akademia.
Johann Smith
MCom (Communication Management)
Lecturer:
Management Sciences
Johann Smith is a lecturer in Business Management at Akademia. He obtained a BCom degree and an honours degree in Informatics, as well as a master’s degree in Communication Management from the University of Pretoria (UP). He has also attended a predoctoral course in Entrepreneurship at the Open University of the Netherlands in Heerlen. Smith’s research focuses on the identification of business opportunities as a cognitive construct. He practises as a management consultant, but has also been involved in the education sector for almost two decades.
Marthe-Mari Herbst
BComHons (Business Management)
Lecturer:
Management Sciences
Programme coordinator:
Higher Certificate in Office Administration
Marthe-Mari Herbst is a lecturer in Business Management at Akademia. She obtained a BCom degree in Chartered Marketing and a postgraduate teaching certificate (PGCE) from the North-West University (NWU), as well as an honours degree (cum laude) in Business Management from the University of South Africa (Unisa). Her academic awards include Top-4 Student for the PGCE Qualification at the NWU. She worked in practice as an account manager, and she also has experience in tertiary education.
Monique Visser
MCom (International Trade)
Lecturer:
Management Sciences
Programme coordinator:
BCom (Business Management)
Monique Visser is a lecturer in Management Sciences at Akademia. She obtained a BCom degree in International Trade and Marketing, as well as an honours degree (cum laude) and a master’s degree in International Trade from the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). She is currently busy with a doctoral dissertation in strategy. Visser’s research focus is the strategy-as-practice. Her article, “Identifying the comparative advantage of products and industries of South Africa’s Mpumalanga province”, was published in the Southern African Business Review. Visser worked for an international import and export company for two years, and she has over nine years of experience in the academic environment at higher education institutions.
Morné Venter
MCom (Labour Relations and Human Resources Management)
Lecturer:
Management Sciences
Morné Venter is a lecturer in BCom (Business Management) at Akademia, specifically Human Resource Management and Labour Relations. He obtained a master’s degree in Human Resources and Labour Relations Management from Nelson Mandela University (NMU). His dissertation focuses on how to break the cycle of poverty. Furthermore, he achieved an honours degree in Industrial and Organisational Psychology from the University of South Africa (Unisa) and a BCom in Industrial Psychology and Labour Relations Management from the North-West University (NWU). Venter holds a postgraduate diploma in Labour Law from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and a postgraduate certificate in education from Unisa. He has five years of experience as a legal advisor at an employers’ organisation.
Dr. Rina Steynberg
DCom (Leadership, Performance Management and Change Management)
Lecturer:
Management Sciences
Dr Rina Steynberg is a lecturer in the field of Business Management at Akademia and obtained a DCom degree in Leadership in Performance and Change at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) with her thesis focussing on people’s integration processes during mergers and acquisitions. She obtained an honours and master’s degree (cum laude) in Human Resources Management at the University of Pretoria (UP). She published various articles and acted as a speaker at professional bodies with a strong focus on organisational culture and transformation, leadership and team dynamics, and the integration thereof with business processes. Her most recent publication is a chapter on change navigation for the University of South Africa (UNISA) included in the textbook, “Contemporary Issues in Human Resources Management”. She has more than thirty years’ industry experience of which twenty years are as a management consultant. She also enjoys being a study leader for intern industrial psychologists.
Salomien Boshoff
MCom (Business Management, Marketing)
Lecturer:
Management Sciences
Subject head:
Business Management
Salomien Boshoff is a lecturer in Business Management. She obtained a BCom degree in Business Management, as well as an honours degree in Marketing from Stellenbosch University. She obtained her MCom in Business Management from the University of the Free State with a dissertation titled: Teamwork as a Skill for Marketing Graduates. Boshoff’s research focuses on hiring skills and marketing. She serves as the chairperson of Akademia’s Navorsingondersteunings en ontwikkelingskomitee (Research Support and Development Committee) (NOOK). Boshoff has decades of experience in teaching and learning, during which she has received several awards – specifically for her assessment practices and collaboration agreements with businesses.
Stefan Vorster
BComHons (Entrepreneurship and Business Management)
Lecturer:
Management Sciences
Stefan Vorster is a lecturer in field Management Sciences at Akademia and obtained a BCom degree in Entrepreneurship and Business Management, as well as an honours degree in this discipline at the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). Academic awards include
the following: member of Golden Key. He has more than four years’ experience in higher education as a lecturer.
Chanté Coetzer
PGCE
Part-time lecturer:
Management Sciences
Chanté Coetzer is a part-time lecturer in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at Akademia. She obtained a BCom degree in Accounting Sciences at the University of Pretoria and a diploma in higher education (with honours) at Mancosa. She is currently busy with her honours degree in Taxation. Coetzer is the director of Thomas & Fick, where she offers accounting and taxation services to her clients. She is experienced as an account, and also has experience in the education environment.
Jacolene Greyvenstein
MSc (Project Management)
Part-time lecturer:
Management Sciences
Jacolene Greyvenstein is a part-time lecturer in Project Management at Akademia’s Faculty of Economic- and Management Sciences. She obtained a BSc and honours degree in Quantity Surveying, and later an MSc degree in Project Management from the University of Pretoria. Her academic awards include membership in the Golden Key International Honour Society She has been practising for over 20 years, initially as a professional quantity surveyor and later as a project- and development manager in the construction industry. Her professional qualifications include international membership in project management and quantity surveying.
Dr Lize van Hoek
DTech
Part time lecturer:
Management Sciences
Dr Lize van Hoek is a part-time lecturer in Innovation and Project Management at Academia’s Faculty of Economic and Business Sciences. She obtained her undergraduate degree at the North-West University (cum laude) and both her masters and doctoral degree in Human Resource Management at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in 2004 and 2014, respectively. She is a lecturer at TUT in the Faculty of Management Sciences and has lectured various modules, for example Human Resource Management, Organisational Behaviour and Industrial Psychology. Her focus for the last few years has shifted to research, where she acts as a supervisor for master’s and doctoral studies. She is also an external moderator for programmes, dissertations and theses at other universities. She is the co-author of two academic books, she regularly attends international seminars and gives presentations mainly on organizational behaviour. She has published several articles in accredited journals, the most recent was published in the South African Journal of Human Resource Management with the title “The relationship between talent management, transformational leadership and work engagement: An automotive artisan perspective”. She receives awards for the institution-wide emerging female researcher of the year, as well as the Faculty of Management’s female researcher of the year.
Department of EconomicS and Financial Sciences
Alick Burger
MCom (Management Accounting)
Lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Alick Burger is a lecturer in Financial Management at Akademia and obtained a BRek degree (cum laude) as well as an honours degree in this discipline at the University of the Free State (UFS). He obtained a master’s degree in Management Accounting from the North-West University (NWU). Burger’s research focus is on qualitative methodologies in the broad field of management accounting and financial management. His most recent published work is an article in Financial Management entitled “Finding the key to strategic cost management” and his most recent paper was on “Strategic cost management in a South African automotive company” at the 13th International Business Conference. He has ten years of commercial experience and has held the prestigious Chartered Accountant (GR(SA)) title for the past eleven years.
Berrie Stoop
BComHons (Financial Accounting)
Lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Berrie Stoop is a lecturer in Accounting Sciences at Akademia and obtained a BCom degree in Financial Accounting, as well as an honours degree in this discipline from the North-West University (NWU). He is currently working on a master’s degree in the philosophy of higher education at Stellenbosch University (SU). He is the author and presenter of several workshops and seminars offered in the accounting profession and has been practicing as an accountant for two decades. Stoop is currently the chairperson of the Southern African Institute for Commercial Accounting (SAIBA)’s Education Committee.
Chalté Venter
MCom (Finances)
Lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Chalté Venter is a lecturer in Statistics, Investment Management and Economics (with specialisation in Econometrics) at Akademia. She obtained a BCom degree in Economics and Econometrics, an honours degree in Econometrics, as well as a master’s degree in Finance and Investment Management at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Venter’s master’s thesis is titled “An empirical analysis of information efficiency in financial markets”. Her most recent published work is an article on “Volatility modelling and trading volume of the CARS equity indices” in the conference proceedings of the International Conference for Applied Economics, which was also presented as a paper at the University of Milan in Italy. She practiced as an educator in the private education sector for four years.
Daniëlla du Preez
MPhil (Higher Education)
Lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Subject head:
Financial and Investment Management
Program coordinator:
Postgraduate Diploma in Management Accounting
Daniëlla du Preez is a lecturer in Accounting Sciences at Akademia and has a BCom degree in Management Accounting, as well as an honours degree in Financial Accounting from the North-West University (NWU). She completed three years of clerkship and passed the SAIPA (South African Institute of Professional Accountants) board exam. Du Preez has got five years of international corporate experience in, among other things, human resource management, accounting, taxation and contract negotiation.
Edward Blight
MCom (Local Economic Development)
Lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Subject head:
Economics
Edward Blight is a lecturer in Economics. He obtained a BA (Politics, Philosphy, and Economy), as well as an honour’s and master’s degree in Economics at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). His master’s degree is titled Prevalence of a Mineral Resource Curse in South Africa: A Critical Analysis of the Gold and Diamond Sectors. He received further training in Heterodox Economics at Mises University in America. He delivers presentations at various national conferences. Blight works as an opinion writer for Maroela Media, and publishes several articles about the South African economy.
Mariska Wannenburg
MPhil (Fraud Risk Management)
Lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Programme coordinator:
BCom (Financial Planning)
Mariska Wannenburg is a lecturer in Taxation and Accounting at Akademia and is currently the programme coordinator for the BCom (Financial Planning)-programme. She obtained a BCom degree in Accounting Sciences and an honours degree in Internal Audit from the University of Pretoria (UP). Her research focus is cyber security and specifically the feasibility of phishing in a South African context. She has published an academic article in the Southern African Journal of Accountability and Auditing, and delivered a paper on white collar crime investigations at the Southern African Accounting Association’s international conference. Furthermore, she has international corporate experience in internal auditing and has practised at the auditing firm Ernst & Young in the Netherlands and South Africa; thereafter, she continued her career as an internal audit operational manager at Investec Bank.
Michelle Coetzee
MCom (Computer Auditing)
Lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Subject head:
Accounting, Taxation and Auditing
Programme coordinator:
Higher Certificate in Accounting
Michelle Coetzee is a lecturer in Taxation and Auditing at Akademia. She obtained a BCom degree in Chartered Accountancy (cum laude), as well as an honours degree in this discipline from the North-West University (NWU). She is currently working on a master’s dissertation in auditing. Coetzee’s research focuses on the auditing of cryptocurrencies. Her most recent published work is an article in the Accountancy SA professional journal concerning the accounting considerations related to the coronavirus. She is a registered Chartered Accountant (South Africa) and an assessor at the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). She is also the regional vice-chairperson for the Southern African Accounting Association. Her academic awards include membership in the Golden Key International Honour Society.
Nadia Hunt
MCom (Investment Management)
Lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Programme coordinator:
BCom (Economics and Law)
Nadia Hunt is a lecturer in Economics and Financial Planning at Akademia. She obtained a BCom degree in Economics and Econometrics, as well as an honours degree in International Trade and Financial Economics from the University of Johannesburg (UJ). She has approximately two years of experience practising as an economist in the commodity sector of South Africa.
Nicolene Coetzee
BCom (Accounting Sciences)
Lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Nicolene Coetzee is a lecturer in the Department of Economic and Business Sciences at Akademia and obtained a BCom degree in Accounting Sciences as well as a postgraduate diploma (CTA) in this discipline at the University of South Africa. Coetzee’s research focus is professional scepticism in auditing. She worked as an auditor for three years and has a decade’s experience in the academic environment at higher education institutions.
Nikki Kennedy
BComHons (Accounting)
Lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Programme coordinator: Postgraduate Diploma in Taxation
Nikki Kennedy is a lecturer in Management Accounting and Taxation at Akademia. She obtained a BCom degree in Accounting Sciences from the University of Pretoria (UP) and an honours degree in this discipline from the University of South Africa (Unisa). She has completed the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) exams up to the TOPCIMA level. Kennedy has also completed a postgraduate programme in Advanced Taxation and Tax Legislation through the North-West University (NWU). She practises as an accountant and is a member of CIMA, the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA), and the South African Institute of Taxation (SAIT).
Roelien Botha
MCom (Financial Management Sciences)
Lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Programme coordinator: BCom (Management Accounting) and BCom (Financial and Management Accounting)
Roelien Botha is a lecturer and the acting programme coordinator of the Higher Certificate in Accounting and BCom (Management Accounting) at Akademia. She obtained her BCom Law degree (cum laude), as well as her honours and master’s degrees (cum laude) in Financial Management from the University of Pretoria (UP). Botha’s research focuses on the financial management activities of small businesses. Her academic awards include academic colours, Dean’s Merit List, and membership in the Golden Key International Honour Society.
Dr Sandra Adendorff
DCom (Economy)
Lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Sandra Adendorff is a lecturer in Economics at Akademia and obtained a master’s and doctoral degree in this discipline at the University of Pretoria (UP). She was previously employed at the UP, as well as the Reserve Bank. Adendorff’s research focus is economics, financial markets and instruments, as well as macroeconomic policy. As a researcher, she is co-author of a number of textbooks, including Economic Indicators and Understanding South African Financial Markets (Van Schaik) and Monetary Economics in South Africa (Oxford). In addition, she has written articles and publications for various institutions, and delivered a number of papers at international conferences. She has also been involved in a number of research projects, among others focused on financial integration in Southern Africa, and is a fellow at the South African Institute for Financial Markets.
Shaun Coetzee
MBA
Lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Shaun Coetzee is a lecturer in the Department of Economic and Financial Sciences at Akademia. He obtained both a BCom Accounting degree and an honours degree in Management Accounting with distinction from the North-West University (NWU). He obtained ACMA (Associates of Cost and Management Accountants) and CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant) recognition from CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants), an MBA from the University of Derby, and an MSc (Strategic Business Management) from Manchester Metropolitan University. His academic awards include academic honours, Best Honours Student, and membership in the Golden Key International Honour Society. For the past 18 years, he has worked in the mining-, consumer goods-, recycling-, and manufacturing sector, during which he was responsible for businesses in South Africa, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Yolandi van Wyk
MCom (Accounting Sciences)
Lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Yolandi van Wyk is a lecturer in Financial Accounting at Akademia and has a BCom degree in Accounting Sciences, as well as an honours degree in this discipline at the University of Pretoria (UP). She later also obtained a master’s degree in Accounting Sciences at the UP in 2019. She practiced as auditor with Deloitte and holds membership with SAICA.
Thinus Nienaber
BComHons (Economics)
Lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Thinus Nienaber is a lecturer in the field of Economics and Financial Sciences at Akademia and obtained a BCom degree at the University of Free State (UFS) as well as an honours degree in Economics at the University of Pretoria (UP). He also obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from Milpark Education and is busy with his MBA. He practiced four years as economist and for more than twenty years as tax and financial consultant. Furthermore, he spent seven years as senior manager in the corporate environment and has already lectured for twelve years.
Alicia Kamfer
Part-time lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Alicia Kamfer is a lecturer in Financial Planning at Akademia and obtained a BCom degree in Law in this discipline at the University of Pretoria (UP). She is currently working on her LLB degree. She has got a few years of experience in the insurance industry and currently practices as a registered compliance officer.
Andria de Wet
Part-time lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Andria de Wet is a lecturer in Project Management at Akademia. She obtained a degree in City and Regional Planning, as well as an honours degree (cum laude) in this discipline, from the North-West University (NWU). She is a professional town planner registered with the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN) and practiced as a town planner for seven years. She is currently a project coordinator in the construction industry.
Johantie du Preez
Postgraduate Diploma (Accountancy)
Part-time lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Johantie du Preez is a lecturer in Economic and Financial Sciences at Akademia and obtained a BCom degree in Accounting as well as a postgraduate diploma in this discipline at the University of Pretoria (UP). She is a chartered accountant that is registered at SAICA and is currently a financial manager at an international company. Du Preez has five years’ practical experience.
Monique Brasler
Part-time lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Monique Brasler is a lecturer in the BCom (Financial Planning) programme at Akademia. She obtained a BCom degree in Finance, as well as an honours degree in Financial Planning from the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Brasler currently practises as a financial planner.
Surina Cloete
Part-time lecturer:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Surina Cloete is a lecturer in Investment Management at Akademia. She obtained a BCom degree in Investment Management and an honours degree in this discipline from the University of Pretoria (UP). She is also a practising financial analyst.
Tho-Marie Stoltz
Part-time lecturer:
Research methodology
Tho-Marie Stoltz is a lecturer in the Postgraduate Diploma in Taxation at Akademia. She obtained a Bcom degree in Tourism Management and an honours in this discipline from the North-West University (NWU). She also obtained a postgraduate teaching certificate from the University of Pretoria (UP). She is currently working on a master’s dissertation in Education (Information, Technology, and Communication) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
ACADEMIC ASSISTANTS
Elizma van Zyl
Academic assistant:
Management Sciences
Marli Erasmus
Academic assistant:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Rochel Oberholzer
Academic assistant:
Economics and Financial Sciences
Theuns Strydom
Academic assistant:
Management Sciences
Zandie Esterhuizen
Academic assistant:
Economics and Financial Sciences
DEAN
Prof. Danie Goosen
DTh (Theology)
Acting dean:
Faculty of Humanities
Goosen studied economics, classical languages, theology, and philosophy at the University of Pretoria (UP) and the University of South Africa (Unisa). He completed BCom-, BA-, BAHons- (Philosophy), BD-, and DTh degrees.
While studying, Goosen was, among others, a research assistant at the Greek Department of the University of Pretoria. He completed his thesis titled ‘Nietzsche en die verwondering’ (Nietzsche and wonder) at the Department of Religious Studies at Unisa. During this time, he was also appointed as lecturer in the same department, where he was promoted to full professor in 2008. In this department, he is especially responsible for courses in philosophy of religion. Goosen has been giving lectures on the philosophy of architecture at UP’s Department of Architecture for several years, and offers a course on the modern experience of scarcity at the Department of Philosophy at the same university.
Goosen is a member of various academic societies, among which is the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns (South African Academy for Science and Arts). His research focuses on Western metaphysical thought, the theological-political problem, modernism and post-modernism as idea-historical phenomena, as well as the religious- and politico-philosophical questions of our time.
Goosen gives a variety of lectures locally and abroad. At the same time, he also publishes a wide range of scientific and popular articles in a variety of media, among which is the comprehensive Nihilism (2007), about the spiritual-cultural problems of our time. In 2015, he published a politico-philosophical work, On Community and Place: Beyond the Discontent (2015). He is currently writing a work on modern conservative thought.
Goosen has been acting as chairman of the board of directors of the Federasie van Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniginge (Federation of Afrikaans Cultural Societies) (FAK) since 2004. He is a member of the directorate of AfriForum, the civil rights organisation of the Solidarity Movement, as well as a member of the directorate of Akademia.
HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS
Alida Kok
BAHons (International Relations)
Head of Department:
Social Sciences
Alida Kok has more than 10 years’ experience in teaching Political Science and previously worked as a lecturer at the University of Pretoria (UP) and the University of South Africa (Unisa). Previously, she also worked as a manager, researcher and analyst in the non-governmental and private sectors, and as a deputy and acting director of the international cooperation programme at the Department of Science and Technology of the national government. Kok regularly comments in the media on South African politics and has been a columnist for Beeld since 2016. Her columns have also been published in Die Burger since 2020. In these columns she likes analysing themes concerned with the decentralisation of state power, the reformation of the state and political revolution. She completed her undergraduate and honours studies (cum laude) in Political Science (specialising in International Relations) at UP. Her master’s degree, that is currently working on, is a critical discussion of the public sphere and action in the political theory of Hannah Arendt where she tries to bring action – or ‘political action’ – back in the relation with the house. She also focuses, in other research, on the relation between the decentralisation and centralisation of state power, multi-level governance studies and the rising of smaller spheres of influence.
Dr Alé Steyn
PhD (Communication Studies)
Head of Department:
Languages and Cultural Sciences
Programme coordinator:
BA (Communication and Journalism)
Dr Alé Steyn is the head of the Department of Languages and Cultural Sciences. She obtained her master’s and doctoral degrees in Communication Studies (specialising in Journalism) from the North-West University (NWU), and she completed honours and master’s degrees in English Literature at the University of the Free State (UFS) and the University of Cape Town (UCT), respectively. She also obtained a certificate in text editing from UCT. Steyn has over 10 years of experience as a sub-editor, layout artist, journalist, news and content editor, manuscript developer, text editor, and media and advertising practitioner. Previously, she was a senior lecturer in Journalism and Corporate Communication at the NWU’s Potchefstroom campus, where she received recognition for her excellent and innovative teaching. Her research has been presented at local and international conferences, and she has delivered several guest lectures at universities abroad.
Department of Social Sciences
Dr Hercules Boshoff
DPhil (Philosophy)
Lecturer:
Social Sciences
Subject head:
Philosophy
Dr Hercules Boshoff obtained his doctoral degree from the University of the Free State (UFS) and his master’s degree from the University of Pretoria (UP). During his research, he worked under some of the Netherlands’ most prominent philosophers. His publications cover the philosophy of language, economics, technology, German idealism, and the history of philosophy. He is the programme coordinator for BSocSci (Politics, Philosophy, and Economics)
Jean-Jacques Boshoff
BAHons (International Relations)
Lecturer:
Social Sciences
Programme coordinator:
(Politics, Philosophy and Economics)
Jean-Jacques Boshoff is a lecturer in Politics at Akademia and obtained an honours degree in this discipline from the University of Pretoria (UP). He is currently completing a master’s dissertation in political science. Boshoff has eight years of experience in lecturing in Political Science and was previously affiliated with UP and the University of South Africa (Unisa). His research focuses on political marketing and African politics. His most recent published work is an article on the phenomenon of negative election campaigns during the South African national election of 2014. He has also worked as a political consultant for various non-governmental organisations.
Pierre Muller
BTh degree in Biblical Languages
Lecturer:
Political Philosophy and the Art of Argumentation
Pierre Muller is a lecturer in Ethics and the Art of Argumentation at Akademia. He obtained a BTh degree in Biblical Studies and an honours degree in Philosophy. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in the latter discipline at the North-West University (NWU), wherein he focuses on the relationship between our understanding of free will and the philosophy of science. Muller delivers academic presentations on both a national and international level. He has been involved in university debating as a coach, judge, and speaker; at the 2019 World Universities Debating Championship, he represented the NWU, and later South Africa. He was previously associated with NWU as a part-time lecturer in the School of Philosophy, as well as a part-time lecturer and postgraduate assessor in the Faculty of Theology.
Rentia Pretorius
MA (Political Science)
Lecturer:
Social Sciences
Subject head:
Global Politics
Acting subject head:
Politics
Rentia Pretorius is a lecturer in Politics at Akademia. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree, an honours degree in Political Science, a postgraduate Higher Diploma in Library Science, and a master’s degree in Politics from the University of Pretoria (UP). Pretorius’s research focuses on African politics, democratisation, and international relations. Her most recent published works include an article in the journal Studia Universitatis Babes-Boloyai: Studia Europaea’s special edition on international relations in Africa (2019). She was a lecturer in Politics and International Relations at UP for over 30 years.
Thinus Malan
BAHons (Philosophy)
Lecturer:
Social Sciences
Thinus Malan is a lecturer in Philosophy 3 and Core Integration. He holds a BTh in Biblical Languages and an honours degree in Philosophy. Currently, he is pursuing his master’s degree in the latter discipline at the North-West University, focusing on Alvin Plantinga’s epistemology. His research interests lie in apologetics and formal logic, and he has developed and taught various courses in logic.
Daan Goosen
MA (Philosophy)
Part-time lecturer:
Social Sciences
Daan Goosen is a lecturer in the Faculty of Humanities at Akademia and holds a master’s degree in Philosophy. He also obtained a BA degree and an honours degree (cum laude) in Visual Culture Studies from the University of Pretoria (UP). Goosen’s research focuses on the ethics of Thomas Aquinas.
Prof. Pieter Labuschagne
DPhil and LLD
Part-time lecturer:
Social Sciences
Pieter Labuschagne is a contract appointment in the field Political Sciences (GPOLI150) at Akademia.
Labuschagne is a full professor in Political Sciences and obtained the following degrees, BAHons (cum laude), MA (cum laude) and DPhil, from the University of the Free State (UFS). He also obtained the LLB, LLM and LLD degrees from Unisa.
Labuschagne was a history teacher for twelve years and after that he was a lecturer at the Department of Political Sciences (Unisa) for thirty years – the last five years as head of the department. He was also a guest lecturer at the University of Pretoria (UP) and the Defence College.
In terms of research, he published 73 full-length scholarly articles in accredited journals, as well as one book and twelve chapters in books. He was placed in the Accelerated Performance Excellence programme for his research at Unisa.
Department of Languages and Cultural Sciences
André Gouws
MA (Journalism and Media Studies)
Lecturer:
Languages and Cultural Sciences
André Gouws is a lecturer in Visual and Digital Communication in the Faculty of Humanities, Department of Language and Cultural Sciences.
Gouws is an experienced journalist and academic. He has been in academia since 2017. From 2017 to 2018, he lectured in Journalism at the University of Stellenbosch (US). From 2019 to 2022, he lectured in Journalism and Communication at the North-West University in Potchefstroom. In 2018, Gouws obtained an MA degree in Journalism and Media Studies (with distinction) from Rhodes University. Before that, in 1993, he earned a BA degree in Political Science from the University of Johannesburg.
On 1 March 2023 Gouws was designated as exceptional researcher in the School of Communication at the NWU (Potchefstroomcampus). In 2022, Gouws received the Excellent Teaching Award from the Faculty of Humanities at the North-West University (NWU) for his teaching in the School of Communication. In 2021, he received the Excellent Teaching Award from NWU for the use of information technology in teaching. He was a part of the NWU fellowship programme for open education in 2021 and 2021.
Gouws conducts research on digital media, visual communication, and journalism education. He is currently pursuing his PhD at the University of Stellenbosch. His PhD research deals with the digital public sphere and social media. In 2022 and 2023, he delivered various papers on his research. In 2022, he published an academic book chapter on journalism education.
For over two decades, Gouws has been associated with various media institutions, including Beeld, Die Burger, and Grafika24 (Media24‘s infographic department). He was the founding editor of Grafika24 and held several other editorial positions, including night editor and head sub-editor of Die Burger. Since 2023, he has been the public representative for the Forum for Community Journalists (FCJ) on the Press Council of South Africa. Since 2023 he is a member of SACOMM, the South African Communications Association that represents communications departments from higher education institutions.
Dr Annerie Geyer
DPhil (Communication Management)
Lecturer:
Languages and Cultural Sciences
Dr Annerie Geyer is a Communication lecturer at Akademia. She obtained a BA degree, as well as honours-, master’s-, and doctoral degrees (specialising in Communication Management) in this discipline from the North-West University (NWU) and the University of Pretoria (UP). Geyer’s research focuses on organisational communication, with a specific emphasis on relationship management and employee engagement. Her most recent work includes a report on employee engagement presented at the International Research Symposium in Public Relations (BledCom). She practised as a communication consultant for four years and has already been lecturing in the field of communication for eight years.
Dr Hélanie Jonker
PhD (Communication Studies)
Lecturer:
Languages and Cultural Sciences
Dr Hélanie Jonker is a lecturer in Communication Management at Akademia. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business Communication, a master’s-, and doctoral degree (specialising in Development Communication) from the North-West University. She began her career over two decades ago and has work experience as a communication practitioner and project manager in higher education and non-profit organisations. For the past seven years, she has worked as a freelance academic course content writer and lecturer at various private higher education institutions. Jonker’s research focuses on development- and organisational communication. She is a contributing author of the textbook Developing Soft Skills for Success: A guide for Modern Professionals (Publisher: Van Schaik), where she wrote the chapter on professional communication skills.
Landi Slatter
MA (Communication)
Lecturer:
Languages and Cultural Sciences
Landi Slatter obtained a BA degree in Communication Studies from the North-West University (NWU), as well as her BA Honours (specialising in Journalism) and Master’s degree in Communication Studies (specialising in Journalism) (cum laude) at the same university. Slatter began her career at Maroela Media and later joined Rapport‘s newsroom in Pretoria.
Yolandi Groenewald
Bachelor in Business Communication
Lecturer:
Languages and Cultural Sciences
Yolandi Groenewald is a lecturer in the field of Journalism at Akademia. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication from the North-West University (NWU). Groenewald is a seasoned and award-winning environmental- and business journalist with 20 years of experience in the media industry. She has worked for publications such as Mail & Guardian, Rapport, and City Press, the Vrye Weekblad, and numerous international publications. She was also the bureau head of Fin24.
Dr Morné Malan
PhD (Theology and Philosopy)
Part-time lecturer:
Languages and Cultural Sciences
Dr Morné Malan obtained his doctoral degree in Old Testament Studies from the University of Pretoria (UP). Furthermore, he also obtained a master’s degree in Theology, an honours degree in Ancient Languages and Cultures, and a BTh degree, each from the same university. Malan is also a proud alumnus of Akademia, where he obtained his BCom degree in Economics and Law, after which he completed an honours degree in Economics from the University of South Africa (Unisa). He is currently pursuing a Master of Commerce (MCom) degree in Economics at the North-West University (NWU). Malan is an experienced lecturer who has presented a wide variety of modules.
DEAN
Prof. Gawie du Toit
PhD (Didactics)
Acting Dean:
Faculty of Natural Sciences
Prof. Gawie du Toit completed his qualifications at the University of the Free State (UFS), including a Higher Education Diploma, an MSc degree in Mathematics, and a doctorate in Didactics. In 1987, he entered higher education as a senior researcher at the erstwhile Research Institute for Educational Planning at the same university. In 1997, he was appointed as department head of the Department of Didactics (later known as Curriculum Study) at the Faculty of Education at the UFS. He also occupied the position of programme director: Undergraduate Programmes from 2010-2013.
On 1 November 2013, he was seconded for three years to implement the BEd Senior Phase and Further Education and Training programme, which he developed at UFS at the newly-founded Sol Plaatjie University (SPU). Since being appointed in 2016, he has held the full-time position of head of the School for Education at the SPU. His research is focused on mathematics education and curriculum development. Since joining the Faculty of Education in 1997, he has produced nine articles and five chapters in academic books. Under his supervision, 22 master’s degree students and 11 doctoral students have successfully completed their studies.
Prof. du Toit was also involved in various research projects with the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium and the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. Other than that, he was also the administrator of various management training seminars for educational leaders in the Free State.
Since 1 March 2019 du Toit is the dean of the Faculty of Education.
Department of Computer Sciences
Dr Piet Pretorius
DBL (Business Leadership)
Lecturer:
Computer Sciences
Acting Head of Department:
(Computer Sciences)
Programme coordinator:
BSc (Computer Sciences)
Dr Piet Pretorius is a lecturer in Computer Science as well as the programme coordinator of Computer Science at Akademia. He holds a BSc degree in Computer Science as well as a master’s and doctoral degree in Business Management from the University of South Africa (Unisa). Pretorius’s research focuses on the use of information and related technologies by organisations in South Africa, with an emphasis on the decade to follow. He has been practising as a computer scientist for almost five decades. Previously, he lectured in Information Technology on a part-time basis at various universities, most recently at the North-West University’s Business School.
Christo Croucamp
BScHons (Computer Sciences and Information Technology)
Lecturer:
Computer Sciences
Christo Croucamp is a lecturer in Computer Science at Akademia and obtained a BSc degree in Information Technology (cum laude) as well as an honours degree in Computer Science and Information Technology at the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). He is currently busy with a master’s thesis in cyber security awareness. Croucamp’s research focus is cyber security and educational/serious games. His most recent publication is a conference article and presentation with the title ‘Promoting cybersecurity awareness utilizing a “build your own adventure” serious game’ at the 19th International Conference on Applied Computing (AC 2022). He taught for one year as a lecturer in decision support systems at the NWU.
Tina van Niekerk
BScHons (Computer Science and Information Technology)
Lecturer:
Computer Sciences
Tina van Niekerk is a lecturer in Computer Sciences at Akademia and obtained a BSc degree in Information Technology as well as an honours degree in Computer Sciences and Information Technology at the North-West University. She is currently busy with her master’s degree in computer sciences. Van Niekerk’s research focus is cyber security – before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Her most recent publication is a conference article in “The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on work dynamics in IT Software Development Organisations in South Africa, based on Organisational Size and Managerial Levels” at The 2023 WEI International Academic Conference Proceedings in Barcelona, Spain. She worked for a year as a project manager at the NWU where she managed four projects.
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Leonie Mostert
MSc (Mathematics)
Acting Head of Department: Mathematical Sciences
Programme coordinator:
BSc (Mathematical Sciences)
Leonie Mostert is a lecturer in Mathematics at Akademia and obtained an MSc degree in Mathematics (cum laude), as well as a BSc (cum laude) and BSc Hons (cum laude) in this discipline from PU for CHO (currently the North-West University). From 1988 until June 2022, she lectured in Mathematics at the University of Pretoria.
Adiél Holtzhausen
MSc (Physics)
Lecturer:
Mathematical Sciences
Adiel Holtzhausen is a lecturer in Applied Mathematics at Akademia and has obtained a BSc degree in Physics as well as an honours degree in this discipline at the University of Pretoria. She is currently working on a master’s dissertation in clean and green energy. Holtzhausen’s research focuses on semiconductor- and solar cell physics. Her academic awards include the Best Master’s Poster in Applied Physics from the South African Institute of Physics (2021). Furthermore, she is involved in the Women in Physics Association (WiPiSA) as well as African Inclusive Microscopy.
Corle van der Walt
BScHons (Mathematics and Applied Mathematics)
Lecturer:
Mathematical Sciences
Corlé van der Walt is a lecturer in Mathematical Sciences at Akademia and obtained a BIng degree in Industrial Engineering (cum laude) at the North-West University. As well as an honours degree (cum laude) in Applied Mathematics at the University of the Free State. She is currently busy with a master’s thesis in applied mathematics. Van der Walt’s research focus is optimisation and dynamical systems. Academic awards include the following: Best presenter at the yearly Afrikaans student symposium held by the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns (2023). She practised for two years as a lecturer.
Elsabé Weyer
MSc (Mathematics Education)
Lecturer:
Mathematical Sciences
Elsabe Weyer is a lecturer in Mathematics at Akademia and obtained a BSc degree in Psychology and Statistics as well as an honours and master’s degree in Mathematics Education at the North-West University (NWU). She is currently busy with a doctoral dissertation in mathematics education. Weyer’s research focus is mathematics teaching of first-year calculus students. Her most recent publication is a conference paper and a presentation on “The Mathematical Beliefs of First-Year Calculus students at a university in South Africa” at Table Mountain DELTA 2023 (The 14th Southern Hemisphere Conference on the Teaching and Learning of Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics) in Cape Town (26 November until 1 December 2023). She practiced nineteen years as a mathematics lecturer at NWU, Potchefstroom Campus and for eight years as a mathematics teacher at various secondary schools.
Frieda Theron
DSc (Mathematics, Algebra)
Lecturer:
Mathematical Sciences
Frieda Theron is a lecturer in Mathematics at Akademia and she has a BSc degree in Mathematics (cum laude) as well as an honours and master’s degree (cum laude) and a DSc degree in this discipline, all from the University of Pretoria. She also holds a BA (Human Movement Science) (Sports Science) and a higher education diploma from the same institution. Theron’s research focus is Matrix Theory as well as Module Theory. Her most recent published work is an article in the Electronic Journal of Linear Algebra. She has a total of more than 40 years of experience as a mathematics lecturer at various universities and four years as a mathematics teacher.
Dr Henri Moolman
DCom
Lecturer:
Mathematical Sciences
Dr Henri Moolman is a lecturer in Mathematical Statistics at Akademia and obtained a BCom degree as well as an honours degree in this discipline at Stellenbosch University (SU). He also obtained a master’s and doctor’s degree at the University of Kwazulu-Natal (UKZN) and a Diploma in Datametrics (Computer Sciences) at the University of South Africa (UNISA). He is currently busy with research in data analysis and statistical consultation for a paper in Australia. Moolman’s research focus is time series, data analysis, optimisation and the use of statistics in consultation work. His most recent publication is an article in Current topics on Mathematics and Computer Science and a paper about the use of R and Excel in the teaching of Statistics and Data Analysis at the IFCS 2022 conference in Porto, Portugal. He is a chartered member of the Institute of Certificated and Chartered Statisticians of South Africa (ICCSSA) and a member of the South African Statistical Association (SASA).
Dr Machiel Snyman
PhD (Physics)
Lecturer:
Mathematical Sciences
Dr Machiel Snyman is a lecturer in Mathematics at Akademia and has obtained a PhD in Physics, as well as an MSc (cum laude) in Applied Mathematics from the University of Pretoria (UP). Snyman’s research focuses on operator algebras and their application in theoretical physics. His most recent published work, in collaboration with Prof. Rocco Duvenhage, is an article in Annales Henri Poincaré (UP) about balance in quantum Markov semigroups.
Michelle Michau
MSc (Mathematics)
Lecturer:
Mathematical Sciences
Michelle Michau is a lecturer in Mathematical Sciences at Akademia and obtained a BSc degree in Mathematical Sciences (cum laude) as well as an honours and master’s degree (cum laude) in this discipline at the University of Pretoria (UP). Her most recent publication is her thesis – an in-depth investigation of the traits of the Rado graph. Academic awards include the following: merit certificate for academics on behalf of the UP-Student Community and member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. She practised three years as a teacher.
Dr Petro Uys
Lecturer:
Physics and Applied Mathematics
Dr Petro Uys is a part-time lecturer in Physics and Applied Mathematics at Akademia. She obtained a BSc degree in Mathematics and Physics (cum laude), an honours and master’s degree (cum laude) in the same discipline, as well as a DSc in Applied Mathematics from the University of Pretoria (UP). She is currently employed at Klydon, a private company that specialises in gas- and isotope separation through a locally developed, unique separation process. Her academic awards include two awards for outstanding performance at Klydon. She has nine years of experience as a lecturer and 13 years as a research manager.
René Swanepoel
MSc (Mathematical Statistics)
Lecturer:
Mathematical Sciences
René Swanepoel is a lecturer in Mathematical Sciences at Akademia and obtained a BSc degree in Mathematical Statistics (cum laude) at the University of the Free State as well has an honours- and master’s degree (cum laude) in this discipline at the University of Pretoria. She worked for seventeen years in various roles during her career, for amongst other things, as a programmer at an insurance company and head of the data analyst team in the credit department at African Bank. During her time at the bank she focused her skills on the development and optimisation of credit risk models for the bank to determine the client risk count of clients. She has a healthy interest in the development of credit risk models by means of automated Artificial Intelligence technology.
DEAN
Prof. Gawie du Toit
PhD (Didactics)
Dean:
Faculty of Education
Prof. Gawie du Toit completed his qualifications at the University of the Free State (UFS), including a Higher Education Diploma, an MSc degree in Mathematics, and a doctorate in Didactics. In 1987, he entered higher education as a senior researcher at the erstwhile Research Institute for Educational Planning at the same university. In 1997, he was appointed as department head of the Department of Didactics (later known as Curriculum Study) at the Faculty of Education at the UFS. He also occupied the position of programme director: Undergraduate Programmes from 2010-2013.
On 1 November 2013, he was seconded for three years to implement the BEd Senior Phase and Further Education and Training programme, which he developed at UFS at the newly-founded Sol Plaatjie University (SPU). Since being appointed in 2016, he has held the full-time position of head of the School for Education at the SPU. His research is focused on mathematics education and curriculum development. Since joining the Faculty of Education in 1997, he has produced nine articles and five chapters in academic books. Under his supervision, 22 master’s degree students and 11 doctoral students have successfully completed their studies.
Prof. du Toit was also involved in various research projects with the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium and the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. Other than that, he was also the administrator of various management training seminars for educational leaders in the Free State.
Since 1 March 2019 du Toit is the dean of the Faculty of Education.
HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS
Dr Maretha Steyn
PhD (Early Childhood Development)
Head of Department:
Professional Studies
Programme coordinator:
BEd (Foundation Phase Teaching)
Dr Maretha Steyn is the head of the Department of Professional Studies, programme coordinator of the BEd programme, and a lecturer at Akademia. She obtained a BPrimEd (cum laude) degree from the University of Pretoria (UP) and a BEd Honours degree (cum laude) from the University of South Africa (Unisa). She also holds an MEd in Historical Education from Unisa and a doctoral degree from UP in Foundation Phase Mathematics. Her master’s dissertation focused on changing perspectives on the early teaching of reading and writing, and her doctoral dissertation was titled Teaching the Mathematical Concept of Time in Grade 2.
Steyn was involved as department head and as a teacher at Laerskool Stephanus Roos for 31 years. Steyn is passionate about teaching and has experience in the development of course materials as well as training of teachers and students, including curriculum implementation and innovative teaching strategies. She is also involved in planning and writing teaching and learning materials. Steyn’s research interests are currently focused on teaching strategies in the foundation phase with the aim of empowering pre-service teachers.
Susan O’Reilly
MA (Research Psychology)
Head of Department:
Education Studies
Programme coordinator:
Postgraduate Education Certificate for Senior Phase and FET Education
Susan O’Reilly is a lecturer in Education at Akademia and holds a master’s degree in Psychology (cum laude) as well as a professional teaching qualification. Her teaching profile includes experience in both school education and tertiary education. Her master’s dissertation has been reworked and included as an article in an international journal, namely the Journal of Intergenerational Relationships. O’Reilly is the programme coordinator of the Postgraduate Education Certificate for Senior Phase and FET Education at Akademia.
Department of Educational Studies
Dr Chris-Mari Le Hanie
PhD (Education with Curriculum Studies)
Lecturer:
Education Studies
Chris-Mari Le Hanie is a senior lecturer in Education at Akademia and obtained a PhD in Education with Curriculum Studies as well as an honours and master’s degree in this discipline at the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). Le Hanie’s research focuses on curriculum studies, assessment, research, and business education. She has held several positions throughout her career: curriculum coordinator, curriculum developer, head of institutional quality and academic support, teacher, and lecturer. Le Hanie is the author of several journal articles, book chapters, and books in the field of education.
Daleen Botha
MEd (Learner Support)
Lecturer:
Education Studies
Daleen Botha is a lecturer in Education at Akademia and holds an honours degree in Learner Support (cum laude) as well as a master’s degree (cum laude) in this discipline from the North-West University (Potchefstroom campus). She is currently working on a doctoral thesis in education for special needs. Botha’s research focuses on functional school-based support teams. Her most recent published works include an article in the Journal for Inclusive Education South Africa (IESA) (2020), and she was a co-author of a chapter in a published collective work (2021). She has worked in the field of education for 15 years, serving schools and learners at the district level for nine years as a senior education specialist: inclusive education and special schools. Until recently, she taught Inclusive Education and Mathematics modules at STADIO (Centurion campus), a higher education institution.
Jhani Pottas
MEd (Natural Science Education)
Lecturer:
Education Studies
Jhani Pottas is a lecturer in Education at Akademia. She holds a BEd degree in Life Sciences and Mathematics Education, as well as an honours and master’s degree (with distinction) in Life Sciences Education from the North-West University (Potchefstroom campus). Her academic awards include the Best Honours Student in Life Sciences award. She worked as a Life and Natural Sciences teacher for eight years.
Tersia Kloppers
MEd (Special needs education)
Lecturer:
Education Studies
Tersia Kloppers is a lecturer in Foundation Phase Education at Akademia and obtained a BEd degree in Foundation Phase Education as well as an honours degree (cum laude) in BEd Learning Support at the University of Pretoria (UP). She obtained her master’s degree (cum laude) in this discipline at the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). She is currently writing a chapter for a textbook on development in young children. She practiced as a foundation phase teacher for six years.
Department of Professional Studies
Dr Annelise de Vries
PhD (Applied Linguistics)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Dr Annelise de Vries is a lecturer in Afrikaans and the head of the Department of Languages in the Faculty of Education at Akademia. She holds a doctoral degree in Applied Linguistics, a master’s and honours degree in Afrikaans-Dutch, a BA degree in Communication Studies, and a BA degree in Pastoral Guidance and Psychology. She obtained her doctoral degree from the University of Johannesburg; her MA, honours, and BA degrees were obtained from the North-West University (Potchefstroom campus). De Vries’ research focuses on applied linguistics, including language planning and forensic linguistics. Her most recent published work is a chapter in the book Language and the law in South Africa and Beyond – Language and Crime: Issues in Forensic Linguistics.
She worked in the educational environment for three years and then predominantly as a researcher for four years. She currently serves as the chairperson of the board of the Afrikaanse Taalraad (Afrikaans Language Council) and as a member of the Language Commission of the South African Academy for Science and Arts.
Prof. Arend Carl
DEd (Curriculum Studies)
Lecturer:
Social Sciences
Prof. Arend Carl is a part-time lecturer in Social Science Education (SP), as well as History Education (FET) at Akademia. He obtained a BA, BAHons in History, Higher Education Diploma, MEd and DEd from the University of Stellenbosch (US). He was associated with the Department of Curriculum Studies in the Faculty of Education at US for 35 years, where he served as the vice dean of Teaching and Learning, among other roles. Carl’s research focuses on curriculum studies and social sciences. He has published extensively in this field and delivered numerous presentations at both national and international conferences. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal for Humanities, as well as Yesterday&Today. His book Teacher Empowerment through Curriculum Development: Theory into Practice (currently in its 5th edition), is widely used in South African universities for teacher education.
Charmain Kruger
BAHons (Geography)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Charmain Kruger is a lecturer in Education at Akademia and holds a BAHons in Geography as well as a higher education diploma from the University of Pretoria (UP). She is currently pursuing an MEd in Educational Leadership and Management (master’s dissertation) at the North-West University. Kruger’s research focuses on the influence of a client-centred management approach on quality education in primary schools. During her successful teaching career in the subject of Social Sciences (Geography and History), she was recognised as the best primary school teacher (senior phase) in Gauteng in 2019. She practised as a teacher for 12 years.
DJ Cloete
MA (Linguistics and Literary Theory)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
DJ Cloete is a lecturer in Education at Akademia and obtained a BA degree in Languages as well as an honours and master’s degree in this discipline at the North-West University. He also obtained his PGCE qualification at Akademia. Cloete has a wide interest in the workings of language and has collaborated on international projects that includes Skryfhulp Afrikaans. Prior to his appointment he was a lecturer in linguistics at the North-West University and was closely involved with projects launched by ICELDA and SADiLaR. The aim of these projects is to create tools that can support students during their academic career and to promote multilingualism within the higher education context. He was also the project manager of a new book on applied linguistics in Afrikaans, titled Toegepaste Taalkunde in Afrikaans (2022). Cloete’s research interests are Variation and Computer Assisted Language Learning.
Esme Leus
Lecturer:
Computer Skills
Esmé Leus is a part-time lecturer in Computer Skills at Akademia and has a bachelor’s degree in Technology as well as a master’s degree in Information Technology at the University of South Africa (Unisa). Her research focus is the evaluation of the IT component in tourism and hospitality curricula. She has more than a decade’s experience as a lecturer in tertiary education in information technology, and she also specialises in management information systems.
Karien Brits
Lecturer:
Sepedi Conversational Language
Karien Brits is a lecturer in Sepedi as a Conversational Language at Akademia. She holds a degree in Business Communication, as well as honours and master’s degrees (cum laude) in Setswana from the North-West University (NWU). Brits’ research focuses on multilingualism and language planning, but she is also interested in language acquisition, morphology, language technology, and onomastics. Her great passion for language learning is evident in practice; she has proficiency in the following languages: German, Polish, Spanish, French, as well as some Sotho and Nguni languages. She is currently learning Turkish and Russian. Her most recent published work is an article in the South African Journal of African Languages on language stereotyping and multilingualism. Her academic awards include the best honours student in the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy at the Potchefstroom campus of the North-West University. She has been involved in the collegiate world for two decades and has worked at the North-West University, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan (Poland), and the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
Mariaan Oschman
BComHons (Business Management in Marketing Management)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Mariaan Oschman is a lecturer in Business Management at Akademia. She holds a BCom degree in Marketing Management, as well as an honours degree in this discipline from the University of South Africa (Unisa). She has practised as a teacher of Economics and Business Studies for six years.
Michelle van Dyk
Lecturer:
Life Skills
Michelle van Dyk is a part-time lecturer in the Faculty of Education and teaches the Drama component of the Life Skills module for second-year BEd students at Akademia. She holds a master’s degree in Drama and Film Studies from the Tshwane University of Technology. Van Dyk has extensive experience in teaching drama and taught at higher education institutions. She also served as the head of the Drama Department at a high school and participated in a curriculum development panel for Dramatic Arts for grades 10 to 12 on behalf of the Gauteng Department of Education. Van Dyk has also led improvisation skills classes for professional and amateur actors in Amsterdam. She has practical experience in the entertainment industry, having worked in children’s theatre, puppetry, and as an assistant production designer. Her academic awards include the award for Best Supporting Lead Role in a production, as well as Best Academic Achievement in the Faculty of Arts and Design at the Tshwane University of Technology.
Monique Alberts
BAHons (English Studies)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Monique Alberts is a lecturer in Education at Akademia and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Education (FET phase) as well as an honours degree in English Studies and in Education- specialising in psychological support (cum laude) at the University of Johannesburg and the University of South Africa respectively. She is currently busy with a master’s thesis in Education. Alberts’s research focus is English as Language of Teaching and Learning. She practiced eight years as an English teacher.
Moreen Coetzee
MEd (Phsycial Sciences Education)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Moreen Coetzee is a lecturer in Education at Akademia and holds a BSc degree in Physiology and Biochemistry, as well as a professional teaching qualification from the North-West University. She obtained an honours and master’s degree in Physical Sciences Education from the University of Pretoria. Her master’s thesis delivered two articles that was published in the following journals: Perspectives in Education and African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. She worked in the education environment for seven years, which included part-time research experience. Coetzee’s research interest is inquiry-based regarding teaching and learning and its context in South African classrooms.
Dr Nic de Jager
PhD (Education)
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Dr Nic de Jager is a lecturer in the Faculty of Education and specialises in English for both the BEd and PGCE programmes. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Education (senior phase and FET Education) from the North-West University, followed by a BAHons in English Education, an MA in Applied Language and Literacy Education, and a PhD in Education from the University of the Witwatersrand. De Jager’s passion for teaching and education lies in the arts, literature, and various digital platforms, as well as the opportunities these areas provide for creative expression and self-realisation. Since 2011, he has been practising as a teacher, subject head, and lecturer at various secondary and tertiary education institutions, including the University of the Witwatersrand and Tshwane University of Technology. As a result, he has gained extensive practical experience as an educator in both the high school- and university contexts. His research focuses on multimodal pedagogy, specifically the application of alternative teaching strategies in developing prescribed subject knowledge. His published work includes academic articles as well as illustrations for books. His latest published article is titled ‘Reading Gamefully: Videogamification as Multimodal Pedagogy for High School Setworks’.
Santie Louw
MSc TEd
Lecturer:
Professional Studies
Santie Louw is a lecturer in Education at Akademia and holds an MSc Applied Pedagogy degree in Mathematics Education from the University of Oxford, as well as an Honours degree in Mathematics from the North-West University (NWU). She also obtained a BTh honours degree. Louw’s research focuses on the training of Mathematics teachers in a subject-specific model. She practised as a Mathematics and Science teacher for 35 years.
Annette Botes
BAHons (Psychology)
Part-time lecturer:
Professional Studies
Mrs Annette Botes is a lecturer in Life Skills (music) at Akademia and obtained a national diploma in light music (Pretoria Technikon), a diploma in contemporary music and music education (Contemporary Music College), a BA degree in music and an honours degree in psychology from the University of South Africa (Unisa). She has three decades of experience in teaching various aspects of music, including class music, piano and vocals. She is also a registered wellness counsellor and currently busy with a postgraduate certificate in play therapy.
Celeste Labuschagne
MEd (Information and Communication Technology)
Part-time lecturer:
Professional Studies
Celeste Labuschagne is a part-time lecturer in Education at Akademia. Labuschagne obtained a BSc degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry, an honours degree in Biochemistry with Metabolism as specialisation as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education from the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (now NWU). She also obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Delphi programming for Teachers as well as a master’s degree in Information and Communication Technology education from the University of South Africa. She was a high school teacher for 24 years of which two years were as a department head for Natural Sciences and ten years as deputy head. From 2019 she was part of the Solidarity School Support Centre where she started as Cloud School Lecturer in Physical and Natural Sciences. Currently, she offers training to teachers as subject specialist in the Sciences and Robotics. She is also in charge of the Rassie Erasmus Sport Association.
Prof. Erna du Toit
PhD (Didactics)
Part-time lecturer:
Professional Studies
Prof. Erna du Toit is a part-time lecturer in Life Sciences Education at Akademia. She holds the following qualifications: a higher education diploma, BScHons (Botany); MEd-, and a PhD in Didactics from the University of the Free State (UFS). She started her teaching career at the erstwhile Vista University where she was seconded to the UFS. From 2014 to 2018, she formed part of the academic team that implemented the education programmes at the newly established Sol Plaatje University. She currently works as an educational consultant.
She has authored numerous publications, book chapters, and books. She has also delivered national and international presentations. As a study leader and co-study leader, she has successfully supervised the studies of four doctoral and seventeen MEd students.
Johan Koekemoer
Part-time lecturer:
Professional Studies
Johan Koekemoer is a lecturer in Mathematics at Akademia. He studied at the North-West University (NWU) as well as the University of Pretoria (UP). He obtained a BIng degree in Mechanical Engineering, after which he pursued qualifications to work as an educator. He completed a postgraduate teaching certificate (PGCE) as well as his honours degree in Mathematics Education. Koekemoer presented the findings of his research project, titled Aligning Mathematics Taught in the Intermediate Phase, with Afterschool Enrichment Programs, to Respond to a Changing Engineering Education Landscape, at the biennial international congress of the South African Society of Engineering Education (SASEE). He also completed a Mathematics Education course at the Freudenthal Institute at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. He is currently involved at the School Support Centre as the head of the Vereniging vir Afrikaanse Wiskunde-onderwysers (association for Afrikaans Mathematics Educators).
Marizahn Wentzel
MA (Sport and Recreation Management, Corporate Wellness)
Part-time lecturer:
Professional Studies
Marizahn Wentzel is a part-time lecturer in Life Skills in the BEd programme at Akademia. Marizahn obtained a BA degree in Human Movement Science from the University of Pretoria. She then obtained her Postgraduate Education Certificate (PGCE) from the North-West University. Wentzel also holds an honours degree and a master’s degree (cum laude) in Sports and Leisure Studies at the University of Pretoria. Her dissertation was titled Corporate Wellness Programs in South Africa: Contextualising Pitfalls Rendering Businesses from Achieving a Culture of Wellness.
Marizahn Wentzel’s academic awards include academic honorary colours on behalf of the Student Council of the University of Pretoria. She practised as a teacher for five years.
Riana Manley
BAHons (English)
Part-time lecturer:
Professional Studies
Riana Manley is ʼn lecturer in Professional Studies at Akademia. She obtained a BA (Languages) degree, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and an honours degree with specialisation in English from the University of Pretoria and Unisa, respectively. Her most recent published work is a guide, Applied English Literature Foundation Phase First Additional Language at Unisa. For eighteen years she was an English Home Language and English First Additional Language teacher of which four years was as department head. During 2023 she was a national examiner for SACAI. She was also an external marker and tutor for Unisa.
Dr Viné Petzer
Part-time lecturer:
Professional Studies
Dr Viné Petzer is a lecturer at Akademia and holds a BCom degree (cum laude), a postgraduate teaching diploma, as well as an honours and master’s degree (cum laude) in Teaching and Learning from the North-West University. She obtained her doctoral degree from the same institution, and her thesis focused on a model for creating positive Accounting classroom conditions that support successful learning in school. Petzer’s research interests are currently focused on improving teaching and learning strategies in Accounting, with the purpose of promoting cognitive development among both learners and pre-service teachers. She is also in the process of finalising articles for publication purposes in an internationally accredited journal. Her most recent published work includes a chapter in a book titled Quality Education: The Nexus of Human Capital Development, Economic Growth and Social Justice in a South African Context by the North-West University, and she has also contributed to a chapter in the book Developing Critical Thinking. She has 25 years of experience in education at both school- and higher education levels.
Academic assistants
Marizahn Wentzel
MA (Sport and Recreation Management, Corporate Wellness)
Part-time academic assistant: Education
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS
Nadia Herbst
Coordinator:
Work-integrated learning
DEAN
Prof. Hermie Coetzee
LLD
Dean:
Faculty of Law
Prof. Hermie Coetzee is the dean of the Faculty of Law at Akademia. She has a BCom degree in Law (cum laude), an LLB (cum laude), an LLM through research (cum laude), as well as an LLD. Coetzee is the author and co-author of many accredited articles, in both national and international academic journals. She also contributes as a writer of manuals. Coetzee specialises in consumer credit law and consumer insolvency law. She also has an interest in business law. Hermie was involved with various research projects, including those of the World Bank and the National Credit Regulator, among others. Coetzee was connected to the University of Pretoria in various capacities from 2006 to June 2020. Since 2020, she has served on the editorial team for the Journal of Contemporary Roman-Dutch Law (JCRDL), and she currently holds the position of extraordinary professor at the North-West University. Coetzee is an admitted attorney and member of the Advisory Committee regarding Project 127 of the South African Law Reform Commission. She also serves on the Solidarity Legal Network’s advisory board.
HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS
Dr Melanie Roestoff
LLD
Head of Department:
Private and Mercantile Law
Dr Melanie Roestoff, formerly a professor at the University of Pretoria (UP), is a lecturer and the head of the Department of Private and Commercial Law at Akademia. She earned a BLC degree (cum laude) and an LLB degree (cum laude) as well as a master’s degree (cum laude) and a doctoral degree from the University of Pretoria. Roestoff is an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa. Her research focuses on insolvency law and commercial law. She is the author and co-author of a large number of articles, notes, and case reviews in accredited and scholarly journals. She is also the co-author of several textbooks, including Mars: The Law of Insolvency (2019), and has presented numerous talks at national and international conferences. She has also been involved in various research projects, including an investigation into the debt review process under the National Credit Act of 2005, which resulted in a report titled The Debt Counselling Process: Challenges to the Consumers and the Credit Industry in General (2009), as commissioned by the National Credit Regulator.
Dr Willem Gravett
LLD
Head of Department:
Public and Procedural Law
Dr Willem Gravett is the Head of the Department: Public and Procedural Law in the Faculty of Law at Akademia. He obtained the degrees BLC (cum laude) and LLB (cum laude) from the University of Pretoria (UP). In 1997, he was awarded the Bradlow International Human Rights Law Scholarship for 1997/98. In 1998, Gravett obtained an LLM degree summa cum laude from the Notre Dame Law School in the United States. In 2015, he was awarded the LLD degree by UP.
Gravett has received several academic awards, among which are the Schiltz Prize for the best student in the final year of the BLC degree, the Grotius Medal and Harold Galasko Prize for the best student in the final year of the LLB degree, and the Butterworths Prize for the LLB student who wrote the best thesis. At the Notre Dame Law School, he received the Dean’s Award for outstanding achievements in international law and accountability for egregious human rights violations.
Gravett was admitted as an advocate of the High Court of South Africa in August 1997, and as a member of the New York State Bar in November 1998. Between 1998 and 2012, he practised as a litigation attorney in New York.
Gravett is the author of two books, two chapters in textbooks, 27 accredited articles in international and national academic journals, and 13 peer-reviewed articles in professional journals.
Department of Public and Procedural Law
Chrislie Boers
LLM
Lecturer:
Public and Procedural Law
Chrislie Boers (formerly a lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria) is a lecturer in Law at Akademia. She holds a BSc degree in Human Physiology, an LLB degree (cum laude), and a master’s degree (cum laude) from the University of Pretoria. She is currently preparing for a doctoral thesis in medical law and bioethics. Boers’ research focuses on bioethical- and regulatory guidelines for human genome editing. Her academic awards include the Dean’s Merit List and Norton Rose Fulbright prize for the best student in Medical Law.
Natasha Venter
LLM (Criminal Law and Procedure)
Lecturer:
Public and Procedural Law
Natasha Venter is a lecturer in Law at Akademia. She obtained an LLB degree and a master’s degree in Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Law from the North-West University (NWU), as well as a BA degree in Linguistics and Psychology (cum laude) from the University of South Africa (Unisa). She has previously worked at AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit. Venter is also an admitted attorney.
Stephen Nel
LLM
Lecturer:
Public and Procedural Law
Stephen Nel is a lecturer in Law at Akademia. He obtained an LLB degree and an LLM in Environmental Law from the North-West University (NWU). Nel recently delivered a presentation titled ‘Waste Law and Policy Perspectives on Municipal Landfill Gas CDM Projects in South Africa’ at the conference of the Environmental Law Association.
Lourene Scholtz
LLB
Part-time lecturer:
Public and Procedural Law
Lourene D Scholtz is a part-time lecturer in Civil Procedure at Akademia and obtained a BJuris degree at Nelson Mandela University (NMU) in 1994 and a LLB degree at University of Pretoria (UP) in 1996. Scholtz was admitted as an advocate of the High Court of South Africa in 1997. During her years in practice, Scholtz qualified as a teacher-trainer at the Pretoria Society of Advocates. She was an acting judge in the Gauteng Division of the High Court on two occasions. Scholtz completed the Advanced Programme in Alternative Dispute Resolution: Negotiation and Mediation, presented by UP, in 2019. During 2020, she obtained a PGCE qualification at the Afrikaanse Protestantse Akademie (APA). Further studies include biblical studies and psychology, with a research focus on Legal Practice. She is currently a practising advocate and has been for 27 years.
Phyllis Vorster
LLM (Criminal Procedure)
Part-time lecturer:
Public and Procedural Law
Phyllis Vorster is a part-time lecturer at Akademia. She holds a BIuris degree, an LLB degree, and a master’s degree in Criminal Procedure Law from the North-West University. Vorster was a prosecutor with the National Prosecution Authority for 20 years, and a prosecutor with AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Authority for the past five years.
DEPARTMENT OF PRIVATE AND MERCANTILE LAW
Dr Alexander Politis
LLD (Public Law)
Lecturer:
Private and Mercantile Law
Dr Alexander Politis is a lecturer in Law at Akademia and holds an LLB degree (cum laude) from the University of Pretoria, an LLM degree from the University of Cambridge, an LLM degree (cum laude) from the University of Pretoria, and an LLD degree from the University of Pretoria. Politis’ research focuses on medical law. He practised as an attorney for 18 years and is an associate member of the Pretoria Bar Council.
Anél Sahd
LLM (General Private Law)
Lecturer:
Private and Mercantile Law
Anél Sahd is a lecturer in Law at Akademia. She has obtained an LLB degree, a Diploma in Law, and an LLM in General Private Law at the University of Pretoria (UP). Her LLM dissertation, which is titled A Critical Analysis of the Extension of Existing Common Law Grounds of Unworthiness to Inherit, deals with the possible extension of the common law rule that no person may inherit from another whom they have caused to die. Sahd’s current research focuses on the possible legalisation of euthanasia and its constitutionality within the South African legal system. She delivered a lecture on this controversial topic at the Pearson Institute of Higher Education’s annual Research Indaba. Her academic awards include Golden Key International Honour Society membership.
Prof. Jacolien Barnard
LLD
Lecturer:
Private and Mercantile Law
Prof. Jacolien Barnard is a lecturer in Law at Akademia and obtained the degrees LLB and LLD (cum laude) at the University of Pretoria as well as an LLM degree at the University of South Africa (Unisa) in this discipline. Barnard’s research focus is consumer protection law; product liability; law of purchase and sale and law of lease. She has been an admitted attorney since 2002 and was previously associated as a professor with UP. She is a visiting professor at the University of the Witswatersrand. She is author and co-author of several national and international articles, chapters and books.
Lichel Helmchen
LLM
Lecturer:
Private and Mercantile Law
Lichel Helmchen is a lecturer in Law at Akademia. She holds an LLB degree (cum laude) and an LLM degree from the University of Pretoria (UP), and has obtained a postgraduate teaching certificate for the senior and further education and training phase from the University of South Africa (Unisa). Helmchen’s research focuses on child law. She is the author and co-author of articles in accredited academic journals. She is a qualified attorney.
Sarita Gerber
LLM (Corporate Law)
Lecturer:
Private and Mercantile Law
Programme coordinator:
LLB
Sarita Gerber is a lecturer in Law and the LLB programme coordinator at Akademia. She obtained an LLB degree, an SARIPA diploma in Insolvency Law, as well as an LLM degree in Corporate Law from the University of Pretoria. She is currently busy with a LLD degree in Insolvency Law at the University of Johannesburg. From 2006 Gerber was affiliated with the University of Pretoria, UNISA and the University of Johannesburg in various capacities. She is the author and co-author of articles in the accredited Journal of Contemporary Roman-Dutch Law (JCRDL). Her research focuses is on contract law and commercial law, and she also has an interest in construction law. For the past nine years she is the director of Orliflex (Pty) Ltd, a cross-border transport company. She is also a practising attorney from 2010.
Dr FJ Labuschagne
LLD
Part-time lecturer:
Private and Mercantile Law
Dr FJ Labuschagne is a part-time lecturer in Law at Akademia. He obtained an LLB degree from the Potchefstroomse Universiteit vir Christelike Hoër Onderwys (Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education) and subsequently an LLM in Corporate Law, an LLM in Tax Law, as well as an LLD from the University of Pretoria (UP). His doctoral degree focused on corporative financing. He has practised as a specialist attorney for 10 years at some of the country’s top law firms, as well as at an international law firm. Thereafter, he joined the Bar and currently practices as a member of the Pretoria and Johannesburg Bars with chambers at Brooklyn Advocates’ Chambers and the Maisels Group in Sandton. His areas of specialisation include corporate law, corporate finance and regulation, corporate insolvency and business rescue, competition law, tax law, and commercial law. He previously lectured in corporate law to postgraduate students at UP. At Akademia, Labuschagne takes pride in teaching the module on Business Law to third-year LLB students and sharing the dynamic world where business and the law intersect.
Prof. Reghard Brits
LLD (Public Law)
Part-time lecturer:
Private and Mercantile Law
Prof. Reghard Brits is a part-time lecturer in Law at Akademia. He has earned a BCom (Law), LLB, and LLD degree from Stellenbosch University (US). His research focuses on real security law as well as aspects of constitutional property law, insolvency law, and consumer credit law. His academic awards include the University of Pretoria (UP) Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarly Book Award in 2017 for his book Real Security Law (Juta in 2016). He was previously affiliated with UP as a senior lecturer and associate professor, and he is currently a research fellow in the Department of Private Law at US.
Zandri van der Westhuizen
Part-time lecturer:
Private and Mercantile Law
Zandri van der Westhuizen is a part-time lecturer in Law at Akademia. She obtained an LLB and an LLM degree in Commercial Law from the University of Pretoria (UP). Van der Westhuizen is a Law Practice Council member and is a practising attorney with appearance rights in the High Court. She is an admitted conveyancer and notary, and her area of specialisation is Property Law.
REGISTRAR
Liana van Rooy
MBA
Registrar
Liana van Rooy has served as registrar of Akademia since 2016. Liana obtained a BCom (Law) degree and an honours degree in Economics from the University of the Free State. She completed her MBA degree (cum laude) at the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). Liana started her career in private higher education 12 years ago at the Pearson Institute of Higher Education as lecturer of Economics and Accounting. She later became programme manager at the same institution, where her passion for both administration and planning developed. She expanded her expertise and assumed the position of head of Administration and Systems and was later promoted to registrar.
ADMINISTRATION
Adele Venter
Coordinator:
Academic administration
Aletha Marx
Manager:
Student and academic administration
Alida Oosthuizen
Administrator:
Student administration
Ansie van Niekerk
Coordinator:
Student administration
Carina Saayman
Administrator:
Academic administration
Estelle van Staden
Administrator:
Academic administration
Henriëtta van Biljon
Administrator:
Student administration
Ilze Gagiano
Administrator:
Student administration
Karina Bestbier
Coordinator:
Academic administration
Leandré Struwig
Coordinator:
Academic administration
Yolandie Meyer
Administrator:
Student administration
HEAD
Zydèlia Venter
MCom
(Communication Management)
Head:
Marketing and Communication
Zydèlia Venter is the head: Marketing and Communication at Akademia and obtained an honours degree (cum laude) and a master’s degree in communication management at the University of Pretoria (UP). She is currently working on a doctoral thesis in strategic communication at the same university. She started her career as an assistant lecturer at UP and then embarked on research projects. For part of her career, she was employed at a reputation management company where her tasks included measuring corporate reputations, using a unique South African measurement tool, and crafting and implementing communication strategies and plans. She has been employed at Akademia since 2017 where she held various roles, amongst others as communication officer, communication manager and senior communication manager.
MARKETING
Lizán Maree
Manager: Marketing
Wendy Bartlett
Leader: Student Bureau
Adrienne Krause
Coordinator: Marketing projects
Anri Boshoff
Advisor: Marketing
Carmen Pienaar
Junior advisor: Marketing
Chrisna O’Kennedy
Advisor: Marketing
Danelle Conradie
Advisor: Marketing
Hendrina Basson
Junior advisor: Marketing
Jeanmarie van Niekerk
Advisor: Marketing
Johan Lubbe
Advisor: Marketing
Jorese Prinsloo
Administrator: Marketing
Pieter Jordaan
Advisor: Marketing
INSTITUTIONAL PROJECTS AND ENTERPRISES
Mareli Swanepoel
Manager: Institutional projects and enterprises
Catherine-May Trollip
Assistant:
Sowel As
Leah van Heerden
Coordinator: Institutional projects and enterprises
Nikkie Nel
Coordinator: Institutional projects and enterprises
Vianca Bodenstein
Internship: Marketing and Communications
COMMUNICATION
Desmond Stols
Leader: Production house
Elzet Bester
Leader: Media and content
Annette Willemse
Specialist:
Media liaison and content
Casper Labuschagne
Videographer and editor
Chané Jonker
Junior officer:
Social media
Karien Brits
Senior language practitioner
Minette d'Assonville
Officer:
Digital communication
Sarita Blignaut
Language practitioner
FINANCES
Anel Ehlers
Manager:
Finances
Alet Steyn
Clerk:
Debtors
Arinda Conradie
Clerk:
Debtors
Jacky Farham
Clerk:
Finances and creditors
Leoni Swanepoel
Clerk:
Finances and creditors
Lizannie Williamson
Clerk:
Finances and creditors
Renette Coetzee
Clerk:
Debtors
Information and Communications Technology
Paul Grobler
Senior Manager:
Information and Communications Technology
Juan Visser
Leader:
Technical support
Jaco-Louis Kruger
Acting leader:
Systems and security
Christiaan van Dyk
Technician:
Information technology
Donovan du Toit
Systems administrator
Franko Labuschagne
Technician:
Information technology
John Collins
Technician:
Information technology
Johann Schoeman
Technician:
Information technology
Llewelyn Barkhuizen
Systems developer
Riegardt Lambrechts
Systems administrator
Nelius Syfert
Junior systems developer
Deon Pouwels
Intern:
Information technology
HEAD
Dr Jannet Davel
PhD (Industrial Psychology)
Head:
Staff and Development
Dr Jannet Davel has earned her MCom in Industrial Psychology from the University of Pretoria and is a registered industrial psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). She has also obtained her PhD from the University of Pretoria with her research theme being the development of human capital and the impact of development programmes on employability. Since 2011, Jannet has established her career as consultant with a wide range of organisations where she has worked with the total human resources chain. Her passion for bringing about excellence in organisations by putting the right people in the right jobs has eventually caused her to specialise in high-level talent management, development, and organisational design.
STAFF AND DEVELOPMENT
Louna Marx
Officer:
Staff and Development
Michelle Pieterse
Administrator:
Staff and Development
Sulize van Niekerk
Officer:
Staff and Development
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Elmien Van Amerom
Manager:
Teaching and Learning
Amor Classen
Designer:
Online learning
Eugene Steyn
Educational technologist
Lianca Rall
Designer:
Online learning
Lira Beukes
Designer:
Online learning
Suné Bester
Supporter:
Online learning
Tanya Weimann
Supporter:
Online learning
Tanya Smit
Designer:
Online learning
Tho-Marie Stoltz
Supporter:
Online learning
OPERASIONEEL
Coenie Steyn
Facility coordinator:
Gerhard Street
Hennie van Eeden
Supervisor:
Centre
Henry van Zyl
Facility coordinator:
Head Office and centres
Sonja Blignaut
Supervisor:
Centre
Tinus Dodds
Facility coordinator:
Leriba
PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT AND ACCREDITATION
Dr Celia Booyse
Senior manager:
Programme Development and Accreditation
Chanél Labuschagne
Administrator:
Programme Development and Accreditation
HEAD
Dr Heleen Coetzee
DPsych (Child Psychology)
Head:
Student affairs
Heleen Coetzee is the head: Student affairs at Akademia and obtained a DPsych degree in Child and Adolescent Pathology and Therapy from the University of the Free State (UFS). She also obtained an MA degree in Clinical Psychology (cum laude) as well as an MA degree in Communication Studies and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (cum laude) at the North-West University (Potchefstroom campus). Coetzee’s current research focus is on attachment theory as well as the psychological well-being of mothers. She was a senior lecturer in Psychology at the North-West University (Potchefstroom campus) for thirteen years where she lectured Developmental Psychology at undergrad, honours as well as master’s level. She was the coordinator for the master’s programme in Clinical Psychology for ten years and also the residence mother of Vergeet-my-nie ladies’ hostel. She practises as a clinical psychologist and specialises in child and adolescent pathology and therapy. She started her career in 2002 as a student recruiter at the North-West University. Later she served as the deputy director of marketing and client services in the Marketing and Communication Department at the former PU for CHO. She served on the North-West University Council for three terms and is currently a member of the AfriForum board of directors.
STUDENT AFFAIRS
Douard d’Assonville
Manager:
Student life and residences
Abigail Fourie
Coordinator:
Student life
Dr. Annelize van Antwerp
Counselling Psychologist
Elana Kriel
Educational psychologist
Kobie Krause
Officer: Sport
Dr Mandie Dubrey
Part-time social worker
Michelle van Niekerk
Officer:
Student wellness support
Paul Smit
Consultant:
Strategic development
MEDIA CENTRE
Lianda Coetzer
Librarian
Alrina Teichert
Administrator:
Library
OFFICE OF EXECUTIVE CHIEF: ACADEMY
Prof. Danie Goosen
DTh (Theology)
Executive head: Academic
Goosen studied economics, classical languages, theology, and philosophy at the University of Pretoria (UP) and the University of South Africa (Unisa). He completed BCom-, BA-, BAHons- (Philosophy), BD-, and DTh degrees.
While studying, Goosen was, among others, a research assistant at the Greek Department of the University of Pretoria. He completed his thesis titled ‘Nietzsche en die verwondering’ (Nietzsche and wonder) at the Department of Religious Studies at Unisa. During this time, he was also appointed as lecturer in the same department, where he was promoted to full professor in 2008. In this department, he is especially responsible for courses in philosophy of religion. Goosen has been giving lectures on the philosophy of architecture at UP’s Department of Architecture for several years, and offers a course on the modern experience of scarcity at the Department of Philosophy at the same university.
Goosen is a member of various academic societies, among which is the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns (South African Academy for Science and Arts). His research focuses on Western metaphysical thought, the theological-political problem, modernism and post-modernism as idea-historical phenomena, as well as the religious- and politico-philosophical questions of our time.
Goosen gives a variety of lectures locally and abroad. At the same time, he also publishes a wide range of scientific and popular articles in a variety of media, among which is the comprehensive Nihilism (2007), about the spiritual-cultural problems of our time. In 2015, he published a politico-philosophical work, On Community and Place: Beyond the Discontent (2015). He is currently writing a work on modern conservative thought.
Goosen has been acting as chairman of the board of directors of the Federasie van Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniginge (Federation of Afrikaans Cultural Societies) (FAK) since 2004. He is a member of the directorate of AfriForum, the civil rights organisation of the Solidarity Movement, as well as a member of the directorate of Akademia.
Dr. Daniel Maritz
Manager:
NP van Wyk Louw-centre
Daan Goosen
Specialist:
Classical education
Zelda van Niekerk
Personal assistant:
Academic management
