Our vision for
children

Judy-Marie holds a PhD in Sociology from Nelson Mandela University, a Master’s in Social Impact Assessment from the University of Johannesburg, and an Honours degree in Psychology from the University of Pretoria. She has over 20 years’ experience in programme design, monitoring and evaluation, and strategic communications, including senior leadership roles at DG Murray Trust and loveLife. Now serving as Managing Director of Knysna Education Trust, she leads strategy and systems strengthening to advance quality early childhood development in under-resourced communities.

Angelina holds a Master’s in Education and first engaged with KET while conducting DG Murray Trust-funded research. She was later selected for Vodacom’s Change the World Programme, through which she helped establish KET’s FET Training Centre offering SETA-accredited ECD qualifications. Since her appointment as General Manager in 2022, she has led the organisation’s growth and resilience, including through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nella brings over nine years of experience in the ECD sector, with a focus on registration compliance and stakeholder engagement. She leads a team of auxiliary social workers to help preschools meet Western Cape Department of Education standards. Her work ensures health, safety, and quality in early learning environments across the region.

Elizabeth is a qualified teacher with extensive classroom experience across all age groups, from birth to Grade 12. She has spent the last 14 years in ECD, including nine years as principal of SmartieZ Pre-School in Pretoria. At KET, she leads the Preschool Area Leads and facilitates teacher development training.

Ciara holds an Honours degree and has completed the AMC Digital Communications Programme and McKinsey & Company’s Forward leadership programme. She joined KET in 2021 and has built strong digital and operational capacity within the team. Her strengths lie in communications strategy, technical systems, and programme support.

Annelise is a qualified Occupational Therapist with deep expertise in child development and inclusive learning support. She joined KET in 2022 and now leads a multidisciplinary team addressing developmental challenges in young children. Her work combines therapeutic insight with team empowerment and family engagement.

Debbie is the Training Centre Coordinator at the Knysna Education Trust, where she overseas and facilitates Early Childhood Development (ECD) training programmes. With extensive experience in the ECD sector, including a strong background in the NGO environment, she brings a wealth of practical knowledge and expertise in her role. Debbie is passionate about empowering and developing the next generation of ECD practitioners through quality training, mentorship and support. 

Julie has led The Learning Tree since its founding in 2016, growing it into a high-quality preschool serving nearly 100 children in rural Knysna. She brings years of practical leadership experience and is known for her mentorship of other principals. Her holistic, learner-focused approach has made her a respected leader in the local ECD community.

Brenda has been KET’s accountant for over ten years and manages its annual audits. She ensures financial accountability in line with donor requirements and regulatory standards. Her longstanding service provides vital financial stability and oversight.