FARR Management & Staff Members

Business issues are managed by the Chairman and CEO with board support while other aspects of the FARR's work are carried out on a project or contract basis through an extensive network of highly qualified and experienced professional associates and advisors

Appropriate resources are drawn from a number of world-leading local and international scientific, medical and academic institutions as well as national, provincial and local government health departments and NGO's.

FARR is managed by the following board of trustees.

Chairman

Prof. D.L. Viljoen

Background:

Board Member: Prof. Denis Viljoen is Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR), Rondebosch, Cape Town. Dr Viljoen is the founder member of FARR and became Chief Executive Officer after retiring as Professor and Head of Department of Human Genetics, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Other appointments and involvements: Deputy Chairman of the South African National Task Group for Genetic Services, Chairperson of the South African Society of Human Genetics (*SASHG), Advisor to South African Department of Health on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Scientific Committee Member of Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum (PXE) International, Scientific Advisory Committee Member of the Retinal Preservation Foundation

Chief Executive Officer

Ms. Leana Olivier

Background:

Board Member/National Manager: Leana Olivier has a background in nursing and psychology. She is the National Manager of the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR) since 2006. In her previous position as a senior Provincial Health Manager at the Department of Health she was actively involved in the field of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome since the first work in this regard started in South Africa.

Leana manages the Fetal Alcohol research, awareness, prevention and intervention projects and centres in De Aar (since 2002), Upington (since 2003), Ceres (since 2006) and various other smaller initiatives.

Board member

Prof. J.P. van Niekerk

Background:

Board Member: J P van Niekerk: Emeritus professor ‘JP’ is Managing Editor of the HMPG that publishes the South African Medical Journal and several specialist medical journals. He is a former Dean of the UCT Faculty of Health Sciences where he first became involved with FARR.

Other appointments include: Past President of the South African Medical Association; Health Professions Council (1990-2004); President of the Association of Medical Schools of Africa; Executive Council of the World Federation for Medical Education, and Chairman of the Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa (1993-2006).

He represented the Free State and Western Province, and in the veteran category South Africa, at squash.

Board member

Adrian Botha

Background:

Board Member: Adrian Botha is currently a consultant to the Industry Association for Responsible Alcohol Use (ARA) and carries the title of Director of the association. He was a founder member of ARA and has been associated with ARA since its inception. Adrian was part of the team that agreed to fund the establishment of FARR in 1996 and has been a great supporter of the Foundation’s work ever since.

Board member

Dr. L. Bhengu

Background:

Board Member: Dr Louisa Bhengu: Academics - Louisa is a specialist paediatrician and a clinical geneticist. At present she is employed by NHLS Central (NGO), School of Pathology, Wits, Johannesburg, Department of Human Genetics as a senior consultant in the Clinical Unit. She joined FARR last year as a new board member. Previously worked with Prof Viljoen whilst he was the Head of Department at NHLS from 2000 until 2006 when he retired. During that time she was actively involved in partaking in FASD research done in the GAUTENG and Northern Cape (De Aar and Upington). As part of a study, for her Masters Degree in Genetic Counselling she assessed the photogrammetric (videometric) method and clinical method for diagnosing/screening FAS/FASD in children.

Other academic activities: She was employed by Wits University as a senior lecturer for undergraduate medical students, masters students, registrars and counsellors in the Department of Human Genetics. She participated as an examiner in the undergraduate and College exams for Certificate of Medical Genetics (SA).

Interests: A staunch Christian, actively involved in preaching, teaching and motivational speaking. she is also a member of a Christian Tourist Club for church members and organiser of holiday getaways.

Board member

Dr. M. Urban

Background:

Board member

Ms. A. Sheik

Background:

Asyia Sheik Asyia Sheik is currently Head of Public Policy and Strategy at Brandhouse Beverages Pty (Ltd). She is a lawyer by training and has worked in various corporate organizations and for the Canadian International Development Agency

Staff Members Cape Town

Financial Manager

Ms Angelique Rossouw

Background:

Completed my BCOMPT through UNISA and then worked for 6 years at an auditing firm. I completed my articles and stayed on permanently as a Senior Manager with experience in all aspects of business ranging from bookkeeping, auditing and tax.

Been the Financial Manager at FARR since January 2008.

Project Manager

Ms Yumna Martin

Background:

Yumma completed her studies at the University of Cape Town with an Honours degree in Social Work specialising in psychology, social policy and management.

Substance abuse field is her area of specialisation. Yumna has extensive training in individual, group and family therapy, community work, training and policy development.

Previously worked for Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre and the Provincial Department of Social Development before joining the FARR team in 2008

Administrative Assistant

Ms. Safia Abrahams

Background:

I previously came from a banking background. My last position held in 2005 was a Fleet Management Business Development officer.

I successfully completed the certificates/ diplomas in the following fields: Finance Institute - New Business Assistant, Islamic Family Law Paralegal, Fleet - Business Development Officer, Fleet Management, Accredited NCR Agent

Data Capturer

Lebo Khusu

General Assistant

Ms Zola Japhta

Background:

Born in the Eastern Cape, Zola decided to relocate and has been in the Western Cape for over 15years. Zola has been working for FARR for the past 5 years and enjoys keeping the office manageable and workable for all the staff. Also, a very busy mother of 5 children, which is challenging on its own.

De Aar Staff Members

Area Manager

Ms. Lian Drotsky

Background:

Lian Drotsky, De Aar: Centre. Lian is qualified as an Occupational Therapist. She ran her own private occupational therapy practice, specializing in children in Fish Hoek, Cape Town from 2004 – 2009. Lian has a heart for the under priviledged child in South Africa and in her previous work as a community Occupational Therapist in the Southern Cape / Karoo, she was actively involved in work with FAS.

Lian is the area coordinator for FARR in the Northern Cape and apart from her networking role she also works clinically with the children at the JW Centre in the afternoons. She is passionate about the stimulation groups with mothers who went through the Healthy Mother Healthy Baby Program and their new babies. She believes that early intervention

Community Worker

Ms Magdalena Rooi

Background:

Lena was born in the Gordonia District, Upington, on a farm as part of a family of 14 children. She obtained her Senior Certificate at the Carlton van Heerden High School in 1975. She completed a training course in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in 2002 and was appointed as community worker in 2003. Lena enjoys speaking to groups at the clinics, churches, schools or the community at large.

Lena is excited about what she learnt while working on the Healthy Mother Healthy Baby project. She is fascinated by the development of the fetus over the different weeks and the strong bond between mother and baby (via the umbilical cord) so that everything the mother eats, drinks or even feels has an impact on the unborn baby. She strongly believes in the cord (of the FAS knot) connecting mother and baby but also the cord of caring connecting all of us together.

She is in awe of the wonder of creation. Although the baby was ‘made’ by a mother and father through conception, the baby was perfectly formed by our Father in Heaven.

Community Worker

Ms. Annelize Esau

Background:

Annelize was born in Upington and matriculated in Louisevaleweg, Upington during 1999. She attended Upington college and qualified in computer literacy. She is the mother of one child who is growing up with her grandmother in Upington.

She volunteered for the Department of Health after completing training in HIV/Aids, TB, caring for the elderly.

Annelize joined FARR during 2003 as a community worker. During 2008 she moved to De Aar and currently she works on the Healthy Mother Healthy baby project, supporting mothers not to drink during pregnancy. She enjoys the strong relationship with the pregnant ladies and maintaining this relationship even after the birth of the baby. She feels very involved with these women and carries their burdens with them

Annelize has a heart for the community and community development. She hopes to further develop her skills in community development through studies. She dearly misses her family in Upington and hope to return to her home town soon, continuing her work for FARR there.

Community Worker

Ms Agnes Pidja

Agnes was born and went to school in Polokwane, Limpopo. She married and has five children. As a married woman, she moved to Johannesburg where she started her own business, selling clothes and food door to door. Later she started a tuck shop from her home and she ran this business from 2001 to 2005.

Agnes moved to De Aar in 2006 and started working for FARR as community worker in 2008. She prepares mid day meals for children at the Joan Wertheim Centre and takes pride in feeding children in need and providing a safe place for children to play.