national committee
Chairperson
Welly den Hollander
Welly den Hollander
Dr Welly den Hollander is the chair of the SAOSWF.
She is a medical social worker and obtained her Diploma in Paediatric Palliative Medicine at UCT in 2020.
She runs a private practice at the Hibiscus Hospital in Cato Ridge as well as at Hayfields Healthcare House in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal.
Welly worked as a supervisor, mentor and trainer at the UNISA Social Work Department and has designed and facilitated community-based counsellor training in HIV/AIDS and psycho-oncology.
She leads the training committee of the SAOSWF as well as the training and capacity building working group for the Cancer Alliance and organizes trauma based expressive arts retreats at her studio and smallholding in Cato Ridge, KZN.
She is a medical social worker and obtained her Diploma in Paediatric Palliative Medicine at UCT in 2020.
She runs a private practice at the Hibiscus Hospital in Cato Ridge as well as at Hayfields Healthcare House in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal.
Welly worked as a supervisor, mentor and trainer at the UNISA Social Work Department and has designed and facilitated community-based counsellor training in HIV/AIDS and psycho-oncology.
She leads the training committee of the SAOSWF as well as the training and capacity building working group for the Cancer Alliance and organizes trauma based expressive arts retreats at her studio and smallholding in Cato Ridge, KZN.
Secretary
Carin Schultz
Carin Schultz
Grown up in a small Karoo Town, Richmond, I completed my BA Social work at Maties and started my career in Child and Family protection services with the ACVV Oudtshoorn in 1989, moved to work at the ACVV in Stellenbosch. I continued my counselling services and community development work on farms and locum work at Pebbles Project in ECD and community development programs from 1995.
My journey venture into the medical field, supporting cancer patients in all areas from diagnoses to Palliative care, individual and group work, supported by my personal interest in the Elderly and Family dynamic.
In my spare time I like to invest time with my family, being in the outdoors, love music, attend theatre productions and crochet.
My journey venture into the medical field, supporting cancer patients in all areas from diagnoses to Palliative care, individual and group work, supported by my personal interest in the Elderly and Family dynamic.
In my spare time I like to invest time with my family, being in the outdoors, love music, attend theatre productions and crochet.
Treasurer
Elnette du Toit
Elnette du Toit
I completed my school career at Voortrekker High School in Kenilworth Cape Town after which I studied BA Social Work at the University of Stellenbosch.
I was employed as a social worker at Badisa for 14 years, focusing on Child and Family services in the district of Hermanus, Stanford and Gansbaai and for a short period of time in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town.
For a few years, I worked as a counselor and mentor at a Christian school in Hermanus and I had the opportunity to be part of the leadership.
From 2008-2018 I joined the Cancer Association of SA where I established sustainable structures in the Overberg, by recruiting, training and mentoring volunteers who supported patients, educated their communities and raised funds. I was able to develop and grow different skills, but it also prepared me to move into the Oncology field.
In 2009 I joined the Hermanus Oncology team, supporting patients and their families from diagnosis to end of life.
I enjoy physical activities and staying at the coast there are plenty of opportunities. Organic vegetable gardening is a big interest as well as living a natural lifestyle. Reading true stories and biographies fascinates me and taking trips to wildlife parks is the biggest form of relaxation and enjoyment for me.
For a few years, I worked as a counselor and mentor at a Christian school in Hermanus and I had the opportunity to be part of the leadership.
From 2008-2018 I joined the Cancer Association of SA where I established sustainable structures in the Overberg, by recruiting, training and mentoring volunteers who supported patients, educated their communities and raised funds. I was able to develop and grow different skills, but it also prepared me to move into the Oncology field.
In 2009 I joined the Hermanus Oncology team, supporting patients and their families from diagnosis to end of life.
I enjoy physical activities and staying at the coast there are plenty of opportunities. Organic vegetable gardening is a big interest as well as living a natural lifestyle. Reading true stories and biographies fascinates me and taking trips to wildlife parks is the biggest form of relaxation and enjoyment for me.
Communications
Public Sector Representative
Zama Maxhakana
Zama Maxhakana
Zama served as a member of South African Oncology Social Worker’s Forum (SAOSWF) since March 2017 and became a committee member in June 2022.
Zama began her Social Work career in January 2000 and in August 2002, she joined the Public health sector where she specializes with Medical Social work.
She is determined to make a significant contribution to the public health cancer patients through social work perspectives.
Zama began her Social Work career in January 2000 and in August 2002, she joined the Public health sector where she specializes with Medical Social work.
She is determined to make a significant contribution to the public health cancer patients through social work perspectives.
Private Sector Representative
Engela Van der Merwe
Engela Van der Merwe
I have been working as an oncology social worker at Cancercare Outeniqua Oncology in George since 2012. Prior to this from the end of 2008 up until mid 2012, I worked as a health programme coordinator and community mobiliser at CANSA (Cancer Association of South Africa) in George. When I joined CANSA I had no knowledge of Oncology having worked in a Child and Family welfare setting since 1994 when I graduated from the University of the Northwest in Potchefstroom. I became part of the oncology world after being recruited by an acquaintance.
In 2013, towards the end of my first year at Cancercare, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Today, I still can't believe the nature of the in-service training that provided.
In my role as an oncology social worker I offer support and counselling to cancer patients and their families from diagnosis and throughout their journey with cancer. My role often focuses on debriefing and normalising. I assist patients with adjusting to life with cancer and to life post cancer and cancer treatment. I am very involved with palliative care support including Advanced Directive discussions, discharge planning and planning towards the end of life. In the last 3 years grief and grief counselling has become more prominent in my work.
I have a great passion for working together and collaborating and not try to reinvent the wheel. Establishing relationships with role players and partners within my local community of patient care has been very important for me.
I also believe in the healing values of art and storytelling in creating hope and leaving a legacy.
I understand a cancer survivor to include not only those who lived through a diagnosis, treatment and the years thereafter, but also those whose lives have been affected by cancer and its impact on life as we knew it. This includes family, friends, colleagues and other members of the different communities we belong to. It also includes those who must stay behind when someone they love has moved on to the life hereafter.
I am the Project Coordinator for Footprints of Hope, a unit-based project focusing on Creating Hope and Leaving Footprints (www.footprintsofhope.co.za) through art and creativity.
Website and training committee
Ian Veary
Ian Veary
I am a social worker in Cape Town and have worked across many sectors over the years, community development, mental health, homeless communities in Cape Town and the elderly in community residence.
My practice allows me to do home visits, consult online or provide a safe and confidential therapeutic office space for clients. My scope of practice includes working with elderly people with issues of ageing that could include relocation options, Advanced Care Plans, Grief and Bereavement, health anxiety or managing difficult family dynamics. I am also able to provide psychosocial palliative care support within a multi-disciplinary team of doctors and nurses.
After having the chance to do a Locum stint as social worker in an Oncology Practice, I felt I had found an area that resonated with me and I started to do social work with palliative care patients.
training sub-committee
Welly den Hollander, Ian Veary
and additional members
Carina Fourie
“You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you’ll win, no matter what the outcome.” -Dr Patch Adams
When you’re diagnosed with a disease like cancer it is a life changing experience that will affect every aspect of your life. It is a privilege to walk this journey with our patients and their families and I learn so much from them.
Carina Fourie completed her B. Soc. Sc. Hon. (Social Work) degree in 1996 at the University of the Free State.
From 1997-2011 she worked in different NGOs in the Northern Cape and Gauteng focusing on statuary work, family perseverance, marriage counselling, supervision, community work, play therapy, research and management. In 2004 she was nominated for the National ACVV Johanna Potgieter Award for community development.
When you’re diagnosed with a disease like cancer it is a life changing experience that will affect every aspect of your life. It is a privilege to walk this journey with our patients and their families and I learn so much from them.
Carina Fourie completed her B. Soc. Sc. Hon. (Social Work) degree in 1996 at the University of the Free State.
From 1997-2011 she worked in different NGOs in the Northern Cape and Gauteng focusing on statuary work, family perseverance, marriage counselling, supervision, community work, play therapy, research and management. In 2004 she was nominated for the National ACVV Johanna Potgieter Award for community development.
Her oncology journey started in 2011 when she worked at Netcare Unitas hospital in the paediatric
Oncology Unit.
She was privilege to be awarded a scholarship in 2015 by the Association of Child life specialist in America, to attend the Annual Child Life Conference in Cincinnati and visit the Cincinnati children’s hospital. In 2018 she joined De Muelenaere Oncology where she is currently.
Emerentia Esterhuyse
I completed my studies at the University of Stellenbosch in 1998, after which I started working as a Psychiatric Social Worker at Stikland Hospital in Cape Town. In 1996 I accepted the position of Psychiatric Social Worker at a Netcare hospital in Cape Town and later became the coordinator of the Alcohol -and Substance rehabilitation program.
In 2000 I started my private practice in the Table View area, so that I could spend more time with my growing two daughters.
I started working at Cancercare Panorama in 2009. As an Oncology Social Worker, I offer support and counselling to the cancer patient from diagnosis throughout his journey with cancer. Debriefing, end-of-life care, trauma counselling, discharge planning for patients in hospital and especially supporting and guiding the caregivers are all roles I must currently manage with the patients and their families.
In 2000 I started my private practice in the Table View area, so that I could spend more time with my growing two daughters.
I completed my Masters Degree in Social Work in 2006, while working with new mothers suffering from Post Natal Depression. I wrote my thesis about the experience of the husband when his wife suffers from this disease. This thesis was
later converted into book form and available on Amazon. At this time I am also a member of the Post Natal Depression Support Group in South Africa and I often counsel patients from across the country on the emergency phone.