Having my own child forced me to learn lessons of patience, acceptance and respect for personality traits different than my own, unselfish and unconditional love, ability to say out loud I love you, to appreciate the little things of self-control and managing anxiety, which could have been taught in no other way, I believe I still have many lessons to learn.

I passionately believe that even if we can make a positive difference in one child’s life through Matt’s foundation it would be worthwhile.

We had the privilege of travelling the world extensively. I now have 2 businesses, based in the Vaal Triangle. I currently hold a Professional Certificate in Management from the Open University in London, am a PRINCE2 Practitioner and 1st year BCOM (Financial Management) Student.

It is my belief that all children should have the basic necessities in life. Food, clothing, shelter and love. Unfortunately, this is not the case for many children in the Vaal Triangle. The saddest part to this reality is that they did not have a choice in ending up in their current situation; this decision was made for them. It is therefore up to all of us, who are lucky enough to enjoy the basics in life, to reach out and comfort these children so they too can have a future.

Santie left her corporate career early 2008 to focus on her family and getting involved in community work. In early 2010 Santie accepted a position as Group Financial Manager, at a well known Vanderbijlpark company, a role where she can balance a corporate career and being a mother and wife.

Santie is passionate about people, wants to make a difference in the community, hence her involvement in various initiatives within her church.

She is currently working as a lecturer at the Vaal University of Technology and has spent her last couple of years being actively involved with Family Rights, focussing specifically on the rights of children.

“My two daughters are my inspiration, and every single day I am reminded how special children are and our huge responsibility towards them”.

My career started off working for my dad as a receptionist, from there I moved on to Ernst & Young in Vereeniging where I worked for 5 years before deciding to move to London with my boyfriend (now husband) to work and travel the world. In London I worked for an engineering company as a helpdesk supervisor and there I stayed for 6 years while we travelled the world.

We got engaged in Las Vegas while still living in London and then decided to move back to our routes in sunny South Africa to get married and live a happy life together. We were back a month when I applied for the job as PA to the MD at Riviera on Vaal Hotel and Country Club and got the position where I am still currently working 3 years later and loving every minute of it.

The reason I decided to become part of Matt’s Foundation is that having a child of your own so close to your heart just makes you want to help needy children even more. I was “born and bred” in Vereeniging – another reason why I feel very passionate about helping children in the Vaal Triangle and knowing that I can make a difference in their lives somehow.

When I look at them I get an overwhelming feeling of love as a mother. I cannot imagine how it must feel for children who are less fortunate and do not have the same advantages my boys have. This is why I’m involved in Matt’s Foundation, because I want to extend that feeling of love to the children within the charities we support

I applied for a position as marketing coordinator at MV Communications in 2008, and have been working there ever since. After my first visit to an HIV AIDS orphans centre in Sonlandpark, Matt’s Foundation and the children climbed into my heart. I could not believe that so many children in our own community are being abused, neglected and orphaned. I have been actively involved in the Foundation since then, giving me the opportunity to make a small difference in the lives of these underprivileged children.

I have two beautiful daughters who are both in High School and I have over the years gained a growing passion for the wellbeing of children. I am very excited to be part of Matt’s Foundation and am looking forward to making a difference in the lives of the youth and in the community.

My two daughters made me realise the importance of having a family and how fortunate they are, this made me decide to be a part of initiatives like Matt’s Foundation to make a difference in the lives of those children who are less fortunate.