Our Board
André du Plessis
CHAIRMAN, DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER
“I often wonder whether more of us should not just pack up our corporate lives to serve others, but organisations such as Community Keepers need assistance, advice and funding.
I believe we all have a specific calling to care and offer our assistance. To me it is very clear that if we start with the youth and education system, we can make a difference to the generations to come.”
André holds a B. Com (Hons) CA(SA) and has over 35 years of experience in business advisory, financial consulting and strategic financial management. André joined the Capitec Bank Group in 2000 as one of the founders and was appointed CFO and Financial Director, before retiring in July 2022. He was the Chief Executive of Financial Management of Boland PKS and NBS Boland from 1996 to 2000 and a partner at Arthur Andersen from 1986 to 1996.
Gerrit Laning
CEO & DIRECTOR
“If your dreams do not scare you they are not big enough…” is a quote by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf that embodies the work of Community Keepers for me. Working in impossibly difficult environments and situations, our staff intervene in the lives of children and young people. The rewarding part is seeing our clients believing again in the hope of possibility.
Gerrit holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Pastoral Care from the Stellenbosch University, he is a certified NLP Master Practitioner, a certified facilitator of the Organic Scorecard and has been involved in community development with children and youth from marginalised communities since 2000. He was at teacher at Kayamandi High School before joining Vision AfriKa in 2006. Gerrit joined Community Keepers as CEO in January 2018 and in 2023 he won the NSTF (National Science and Technology Forum) Innovation award (known as a Science Oscar).
Tracy-Lee Waullenbach
DIRECTOR
“I have always had a strong sense of responsibility to develop myself and contribute to the development of those around me. This has manifested in the involvement of various community outreach projects over the years. As a mental health professional, it has been a priority of mine to make mental health intervention (education, therapy, awareness) accessible to all. I believe that Community Keepers shares the same vision and does so with excellence.”
Tracy-Lee obtained her BA Humanities (cum laude), Psychology Honours and MA in Clinical Psychology and Community Counseling from Stellenbosch University. She worked for Community Keepers as a part time psychologist between 2016-2018. She currently works in private practice.
Anbann Chetti
DIRECTOR
“Stand out from the rest”
Anbann Chetti graduated with a Masters Degree in Commerce (International Accounting) and qualified as a CA (SA). He completed the Executive Development Programme at GIBS with a Distinction Pass.
Anbann is the Group Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director at African Bank, He is uniquely fortunate to have worked in CIB, Wealth and Retail banking in six South African banks.
Family and his faith are important to him and he serves on numerous committees and projects at his church.
Annetjie Louw
MEMBER
“My experience in education and Community Keepers gives me the opportunity to change the lives of individuals, and equip them with the necessary tools to enhance their future and social well-being, to develop independently.”
Annetjie obtained a Higher Education Diploma from the College of Pretoria in 1974 and continued her studies at Stellenbosch and subsequently started her career as an Educator in 1975. She has more than 40 years’ experience in school settings as an Educator, Deputy Principal and Principal.
Ernst Hertzog
MEMBER
“My involvement with Community Keepers stems from my passionate belief that healthy, productive and hopeful children are the surest route to the restoration of our families and society.”
Ernst graduated with a MEng (Industrial) from Stellenbosch University and an MBA at the University of Cape Town. He worked as a Solution Architect at Vodacom from 2004-2007 and as a Business Process Engineer at Mediclinic until 2013. Ernst is currently involved in creative and technology start-ups, business analysis consulting services and other entrepreneurial ventures. Ernst then started his own angel investment company and is currently full-time involved in funding and mentoring new businesses and entrepreneurs.