Renske Minnaar
CEO
Renske Minnaar has been at the helm of Bergzicht Training and Development & Development as CEO since May 2013. Along with her team, she has worked tirelessly to drive the vision of our founding members and to ensure the financial sustainability of our organisation by focusing on fundraising, programme accreditation, financial control and the relevance of our organisation’s training.
Renske completed a Diploma in Hotel Management in Johannesburg in 1981, where after she built a career in the Hospitality and Services industries working in various marketing and sales positions at Fedics Food Services, Avis, Teljoy Communications and also at Vodacom. There she was involved in the company’s first cellular phone roll-out in South Africa in 1994 and later in Australia. In 1996 she entered the wine industry focusing specifically on export marketing and also brand development at Spier, a well-known wine estate in Stellenbosch.
She joined our NGO in June 2011 as a Director of our Board and served on the Board until May 2013, when she was appointed as CEO.
Nathalie Skippers
Social Development & Training Manager
Nathalie Skippers joined Bergzicht Training and Development & Development in February 2018 and oversees the professional development, mentoring and support to students and alumni. She is ably assisted and supported by Chante with the personal development of students and Corine with work integrated learning and job placements. Nathalie was promoted to the additional role of Training Management in November 2023. The development of Bergzicht students grew substantially from 2019 with the implementation of the unique Bergzicht training model, expanding the organisation’s developmental offering to enhance sustainable personal and career development for Bergzicht alumnus until a year after employment.
Nathalie is a registered social worker with more than 20 years of experience working as a Social Worker and Probation Officer in the non-profit sector and for the Department of Social Development. Her dedication to the field of social work is apparent from the various awards she received from the Department of Social Development over the years – from the Newcomer Showing the Greatest Potential Award in 2003 to the Merit Award for Excellent Social Work Services in 2013. Nathalie has also worked as a Co-Coordinator for the Johann Rupert Bursary Fund of the Johann & Gaynor Rupert Foundation where she also offered career guidance and mentoring to learners.
An experienced Project Manager and Facilitator, Nathalie has also been involved in community outreach programmes with the private organisations Kingdom Kids and Prospering Parents. She is proficient in conceptualising youth development programmes, and offering career guidance and mentoring to learners through these organisations.
Michele Walker
Academic and Accreditation Co-ordinator
Having spent the past 30 years in the hotel industry, Michele has joined the Bergzicht team as Academic and Accreditation Co-ordinator. Qualifying in Commercial Catering, Michele started her career at Roux Restaurants in London, working alongside Michel and Albert Roux, igniting her passion for food, hospitality, and service excellence. She took her knowledge of hotel, guest service and hospitality operations and began a career in Learning and Development of teams. She joined Sun International Training team at Sun City, the opening team of the Michelangelo Hotel as Training Manager, before moving to Hilton International to open the Sandton Hilton. As Training Manager at the Sandton Hilton, Michele became involved with facilitating Management and Supervisory Development programmes within the Hilton International Middle East and Africa region. During this time, she was involved with the Cathseta Pilot programme, creating Unit Standards and Assessment of NQF’s. In 2007 Michele took on the role as joint General Manager of The Umngazi River Bungalows and Spa. Here her passion for people, communities and service excellence were honed, running the day-to-day operation and HR and training of this award-winning family Resort and Spa. Michele administered the Friends of Umngazi Fund which oversaw all projects which funded various projects within 5 local schools, creches and development in the community. After a short stint in Botswana as Operations Executive for Mashatu Nature reserve; she developed The River Wellness Retreat & Spa in Haenertsburg, Limpopo, as a covid lockdown project, which they have recently sold before relocating to Cape Town to join the Bergzicht team.
Louisa le Roux
Fundraising Administrator
Louisa joined Bergzicht Training and Development & Development in 2016. She is primarily responsible for Fundraising and Training Material Development and also serves on the Student Selection Panel. Aspiring to make a positive contribution through teaching and upliftment, she believes education is a key to future success.
Louisa’s qualifications include a Master’s degree (Cum Laude) in Classical Culture (University of Stellenbosch), a Higher Education Diploma (University of Stellenbosch) and Secretarial Skills (Stellenbosch College), including Office Management.
Louisa has solid experience in empowering the disadvantaged and disabled through involvement in rehabilitation and mental development programmes. She has previously also held positions as Public Relations Officer and Research Executive, where she was responsible for sales and marketing, project management and client relations respectively. Furthermore, she has also worked in Kenya as a Volunteer Group Instructor to facilitate horse riding therapy at Riding for the Disabled.
Corine Mans
Student Support Coordinator – Job Placements & PR
Corine joined Bergzicht in September 2023 to assist with student placements and public relations and to build and maintain relationships with our WIL (Work Integrated Learning) partners in the hospitality and frail care industries.
She obtained a BA degree in Communications and Psychology in 1988, where after she built a career in sales and marketing.
She is passionate about people and believes in establishing and managing strong professional relationships through building mutual respect, trust and credibility.
She gained extensive sales experience in the car rental, wine and advertising industries, selling advertising space at Stellenbosch Visio, managing the national and international sales portfolio at Hazendal and ensuring excellence in service to corporate customers at AVIS.
Student Development Coordinator
Jenni Moses
Training Administrator
Jenni Moses, joined Bergzicht Training and Development & Development in 2023. After 24 years as a customer service professional in the banking industry she brings a wealth of knowledge to Bergzicht in her position as Training Administrator. Jenni is responsible for the smooth running of the programmes supporting academic policies and procedures and student administration.
Jenni’s skill set includes excellent time management, people management and customer relations. She is a local resident of Stellenbosch and lives with her two sons in Idas Valley.
Gillian Deneyssen
Office Administrator
Gillian Denyssen joined Bergzicht Training and Development and Development in June 2024. She is responsible for managing the organisation’s facilities, training venues, and assets. Additionally, she provides managerial and operational support to the team. With 20 years of experience as an administration clerk at the Department of Agriculture, Gillian brings extensive knowledge and expertise to her role at Bergzicht. She has completed a Secretarial Course at Boland College and a Personal Assistance Course at CPUT.
Gillian is a resident of Stellenbosch and lives with her family in Jamestown. In her free time, she loves spending time with family and friends.
Nicole Okkers
Front of House Assistant
Nicole joined Bergzicht Training and Development & Development in 2023. With 6 years experience in the challenging career of debt collection at a local attorney firm she brings her disciplined administration knowledge from this profession to this training administrative position. With the the guidance and leadership of the Nathalie Skippers and Michele Walker, Nicole is responsible for the effective running of the reception area welcoming new candidate and students and registration of new candidates. She is organised, self-motivated and passionate about continually improving standards of Bergzicht.
After matriculating in 2013, Nicole obtained a Certificate in Winemaking at Pinotage Youth Development Academy.
Nicole hails from Jamestown, enjoys outdoor activities and volunteers with her local community outreach programmes.
Her qualifications include a National diploma in Management Assistance (Boland College) and professional designation as Skills Development Technician (ASDSA).
