Management
The management of Heartlands is committed to create an environment that empowers employees to work efficiently and productively. A solid organizational structure is implemented which guides employees and establishes the tone and focus of their work. Each employee plays a vital role in the caring for children in need of care and protection, and commit to nurturing their fractured lives and in giving them a second change in life.
Monica Buitendag
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Monica holds a BA Human Science Honours degree in Industrial Sociology. She has worked for 28 years in Child Care and has previously headed up a paediatric AIDS hospice for a national NGO in Child Care which after it closed down started Heartlands Baby Sanctuary in 2015. Monica hopes that for some more years she will be able to reach out to a cry for help, to little children in distress and in need of urgent care and that she together with a wonderful dedicated team, will continue to contribute to their current mission: “it is every child’s birth right to belong”.
Ulen Afrika
Social Worker and Residential and Volunteer Coordinator
Ulen Afrika is a qualified and registered Social Worker with the South African Council for Social Service Professions. She holds a BA Hons degree in Social Work from Stellenbosch University and has been employed at Heartlands Baby Sanctuary since April 2020. Her passion lies in helping vulnerable children, and at Heartlands, she is responsible for providing psychosocial services to the children in Heartlands care. Additionally, she oversees the organization’s volunteer program, screening and recruiting suitable individuals to volunteer at Heartlands. She also coordinates the residential project, including the developmental and healthcare programs.
Magrieta Erasmus
Health Care Manager
Magrieta Erasmus completed a Diploma course as a Staff nurse in 1986 at Tygerberg Hospital.
She then worked in different wards such as Medical, Pediatric, Dermatology, Orthopedic, the Heart – Unit, Burn wounds, Gynaecology, Surgical and Emergencies. She has worked in two different provincial hospitals for 24 years after which she was employed by a NPO working with sick children. This was a dream come true, as her greatest passion has always been to work with children. In 2015 she was employed by Heartlands as a Staff Nurse and in 2021 she was promoted to Health Care Manager of the Child Care Centre. She thoroughly enjoys her work and is grateful in making a difference in the lives of the children we care for.
Runika Miles
Stimulation Coordinator
Runika studied in Kendal (UK) and has a CACHE Diploma in Child Care and Education. Runika Miles is passionate about early learning in young children. She has 23 years of experience working with disadvantaged children and children with learning difficulties. Within Heartlands it is her responsibility to provide an early learning program (0-6yrs) and educational resources that develops children holistically. Runika also coordinates specialised therapy e.g. occupational therapy, physiotherapy and kinetics provided to children on a needs basis who have developmental delays.
Sylvia Kotze
Housekeeping Supervisor
With a rich background in office administration, spanning over 20 years, her journey has taken her from administration and stock clerking to creditors clerking, and later, to the realm of caregiving.
Currently, as Supervisor of Housekeeping at Heartlands, she oversees the daily needs of the children, ensuring they savor nutritious meals, have the proper seasonal attire, and experience a sense of warmth and care. As the backbone of Heartlands, she takes pride in being the linchpin that holds everything together, from petty cash to cash handling, and beyond. Her love for God is the foundation of her life, and her dedication to serving others is truly inspiring.
Nikki Bower
Sustainability, Marketing and Events
Nikki has a long history of working in the NGO arena, and amongst working with other NGO’s, she started the first non-profit film school in South Africa. At Heartlands, she just loves seeing the significant change Heartlands makes in the little fractured souls that come to us. Nikki feels that it is truly a privilege to be part of the team, and the most motivating feeling is when she sees the children leave to go to their forever homes, happy, smiley and confident.
Abegail Witbooi
Sustainability Coordinator
Abegail Witbooi was in a management position at Woolworths for over 10 years, overseeing 30 staff members, in addition to being involved with the decor and florist departments. Overall, in the past 20 years, she has gone from being a cashier, shop floor supervisor, and Interactive supervisor at the tills until she was appointed as a Manager at Woolworths. She believes that her customer service and retail experience, along with her décor experience, brings value to the Heartlands sustainability projects.