Team

Chwayita Zantsi  (Social Worker - Mental Health and Wellbeing)

Chwayita Zantsi is a dedicated and compassionate registered social worker with over five years of professional experience in counselling and advocacy.  With a strong academic foundation in Social Work and Psychology, she brings both knowledge and practical expertise in supporting individuals and communities through complex personal and social challenges. Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to social justice, client wellbeing, and ethical practice.  Over the years, she has developed a reputation for building meaningful connections, empowering vulnerable individuals, and advocating for access to essential resources and support systems.

Caroline van der Werff (Chairperson)

Caroline has been a medical doctor with The Department of Health for more than 12 years. She has worked in deep rural hospitals for 8 years where she managed HIV/AIDS programs working with TransCape NPO. Caroline has a Masters degree in Medicine and a Postgraduate Degree in Family Medicine.

Elize Coetzee (Treasurer and Mental Health and Wellbeing)

Elize Coetzee is a qualified nurse, registered lay counsellor, and Mental Health and Wellness Programme Manager at the Sunshine Life Centre. She has extensive experience in mental health, child protection, foster care, temporary safe care, and early childhood development. Elize also holds a Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation from the Wits School of Governance and is passionate about strengthening community-based programmes that improve the lives of vulnerable children, families, and communities.

Helen Averbuch(Administration)

Helen Averbuch is a qualified and experienced art teacher who has worked in mainstream schooling, project management for a Rhodes University outreach project, has worked in training and HR and has, for the last 12 years, been running a small art school, ArtShip, from her home. 

In 2025, she had a change of heart and began outreach work, first at the Inkwenkwezi School of Artistry and then in July 2025, joining the staff of Sunshine Life to coordinate the Skills Centre.

 She is passionate about learning for youth and lifelong learning and wishes to read for her master's degree in Art Skills Acquisition. She is responsible for organising training in the Skills Centre and also manages the manufacture of products created by trainees and Skills Centre participants, including the Sunshine Life Women's Collective. Their sewn, ceramic and crocheted products are available to purchase at Sunshine Life and are sold through outlets in the local community.

Pat Stocks (Centre Manager and Occupational Skills and Employment)

Pat is experienced in nursing leadership, mentoring and ISO quality management, and nonprofit leader with a strong record in governance, fundraising, and community partnership. Passionate about transparent stewardship and community-driven service delivery in her current role at Sunshine Life Centre of training coordinator and employment facilitator.

Terri-Lee Baartman (Deputy Chair and Multi-Sector Liaison; Life Coaching)

Terri has been employed as an Occupational Therapist with The Department of Health since 2011. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy and a masters degree in Early Childhood Intervention.

Mahoy Hosanna Nkontso (Community Liasion)

Mahoy was the founder of Ingubo Children’s Haven in Port Alfred. This program assists children who make a living on the street and rubbish dumpsite to find a home, get an education and it provides them with several after-school enrichment programs, keeping them off the streets and dumpsites. Mahoy implemented a driving simulation program working with Stenden SA. He worked with several schools to address the non-attendance of students by visiting their homes and assisting the families and students to improve attendance. Mahoy is a community liasion for the Shine program.

Mittie Diyani (Coordinator)

Mittie is a vibrant young woman with good computer and social skills. She is a qualified auxiliary social worker.  She has working experience with the Dept of Social Development and Child Welfare.

Hyman van Zyl (Managing Director)

Hyman has been in the development aid sector since 2003. He managed several NGOs and was the chairperson for the Wild Coast NGO forum and the Local Tourism Organization for Nyandeni Municipality. He has an honours degree in Psychology, a masters degree in Philosophy and a masters degree in Development Studies. Hyman is the managing director of the Shine program and the founder of AidIT NPO.