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Rosemary Dickinson - Schools Fund & Treasurer

 

Rosemary Dickinson works as a bookkeeper for a small business a couple of days a week and has administered the school programme for theHillcrest Advice Bureau  and Bursary Fund since the end of 2003.

 

Having been involved in Service Clubs for many years and in the Social Responsibilities portfolio in her church she is passionate about trying to improve the lot of those who have little and believes that education is a right for every child. 

 

She has three children, 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren – all true loyal South Africans. 

 

 

 

 

Heather Maybery - Tertiary Fund & Secretary

 
Heather Maybery taught Commercial Subjects in the 1970's for 3 years, but gave up working when she had her first baby (as one did in those days!).  She returned to work once her 2 daughters were grown up and was a Training Manager for a Publishing Company.    She loved being involved in the young people’s lives and seeing them gain confidence through knowledge – and make a success of their careers and their lives.  
 
She is now retired and has been working with HABandBF since 2006 within the Tertiary Fund and as Secretary.
 
Heather firmly believes that Education is vital to create a better South Africa.  And that the learners we support and mentor will contribute towards this.
 
She and her husband Dave have 2 daughters (both married) and 3 grandchildren.
 
 

 

Wiseman Bonginkosi Mabaso - Tertiary Fund, CAO Project & Advice Bureau

 
Wiseman joined HABandBF after retiring from his role as Principal of Kwabazothini High School from 1998 – 2017.  KwaBazothini is a Quintile 3 High School.  The Quintile system is used to designate the levels of poverty and lack of infrastructure experienced within the community which the school serves.   He was inspired to volunteer for HABandBF due to the school benefitting from substantial renovation works following intervention by the School Fund (which included Kearsney outreach boys digging land drains and installing new windows alongside the Learners at KwaBasothini).
 
Before becoming Principle of KwaBasothini High School Wiseman worked as an educator, choir master, music organizer and Christian center leader.   His specialization is in educational management.  Wiseman is a practising Pastor and president of the church, marriage officer and counselor, general secretary of the church and chairperson.
 
Upon retirement he wanted to work with young people and improve their quality of education in the belief that Education is the route out of inequality. 
He is involved in almost every aspect of the Fund:   Tertiary Fund, Advice Bureau and is currently running the revamped CAO project alongside Ann Braine. 
 
 

Ann Braine - CAO Project

 
Ann joined HABandBF in 2021 when she replaced Joe Mthembu as lead for the CAO Project.  
 
Ann is the retired CEO of the Central Applications Office (CAO) which is the organisation which enables a one stop tertiary education application centre for all NSFAS accredited institutions within KwaZulu Natal (KZN).  As the creator and CEO of the CAO she is the  ideal person to run HABandBF's CAO project and is ably assisted by Wiseman Mabaso and occasionally, some HABandBF alumni.
 
Ann has 2 children and 3 step children and is married to Bill. They have 6 grandchildren between them.
 
 
 
 

 

Marijke Merson - Tertiary Fund

 

 
 
Marijke joined Haband BF in January 2018 after retiring from 43 years in education and moving into the Highway area.
 
Although trained in the Netherlands for the Pre Primary sector, after immigrating to SA she studied further and obtained her HDE and attended Leadership and Management courses, Special Needs, Counselling and Computer courses.  She was a Principal/Teacher for 24 years at a PrePrimary School  and was instrumental  in the fundraising and the building of a new school.  After entering the Primary Phase she became the teacher representative on the school board. She also  became a committee member of her Teacher Union and designed and presented a course for educators. With her family she facilitated overseas Teacher training students for over 10 years.
 
Her husband Keith also assists the HAB students where there is a need.
 
Marijke is passionate about Education and Life Skills and believes a good solid foundation in these areas is the key to success.
 

 

Winnie Mtakwende - Advice Bureau Paralegal

 
 
Winnie has worked with the Hillcrest Advice Bureau and Bursary Fund since shortly after it began in the 1970’s, when she started working as an interpreter on a part time basis.  Winnie’s potential was soon identified by Mary Grice and her colleagues who supported Winnie through her Paralegal training at the University of Natal. 
 
Since completing her Paralegal Diploma in 1982 Winnie has run the Advice Bureau, representing clients in their claims with Companies and Organisations such as due benefits and grants, pension funds, road traffic accident claims. 
 
Winnie is the third daughter of eleven children.  She has a daughter, and a deceased son as well as 3 grandchildren who she has raised. 
 
Winnie enjoys going to church, music and growing her own fruit and veg.  She is very happy working to help people obtain what is due to them, so helping families out of dire poverty and to be able to be self respecting, contributing members of society.
 
 
 
 
 

 

Nokuthula Sokhela - Advice Bureau Paralegal


 
Nokuthula joined HABandBF Advice Bureau on a voluntary basis in 2015 and the Tertiary Fund then supported her paralegal studies. 
 
Nokuthula is now an invaluable member of the team and accompanies clients to SASSA and Home Affairs where she advocates on 
their behalf.
 
Nokuthula lives in KwaNyuswa with her two daughters and nephew.  
 
 

 

Nicky Sibaya - Marketing Consultant and Tertiary Liaison

After many years of various roles including runnning her own restaurant, organising events and living the life of an international

footballer's wife, Nicky joined HABandBF in 2020.
 
Nicky is married to Macbeth Sibaya, retired Bafana Bafana player, and has 4 children.  She 'parents' the tertiary students with
a fist of iron and a heart of gold. and is also working hard to develop new funding sources.

 

Siyabonga Sishi - Tertiary Fund, Alumni, Advice Bureau and CAO Project

 

Siyabonga joined as a volunteer in September 2024 and has embraced almost all of the funds with a passion for working to uplift the community.

 His background in research for the Valley Trust has enabled him to slip almost seamlessly into the majority of our work.

Siya lives in KwaNyuswa and has two children.

 

Laura Chesterton - Book-keeper

 

Laura works in accountancy and is working on obtaining her Associate General Accountant (SA).  She is an avid cat lover, baker and enjoys the gum.  Laura is excited to help HABandBF in managing our Xero online accounting system.  Laura joined the team in October 2024.

 

Wiseman is a practising Pastor and president of the church, marriage officer and counselor, general secretary of the church and chairperson.
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