Dr Michelle Meiring is a Palliative Care Paediatrician who has worked in this field for 20 years. She is the founder and CEO of Paedspal and works 20 hours a week for the organisation. Michelle’s other job is to convene the Post-Graduate Diploma in Paediatric Palliative Care at the University of Cape Town. She is an accomplished speaker and has presented at several local and international conferences.

She was also one of four editors of the latest edition of the Oxford Textbook on Palliative Care for Children. A long-standing child health and palliative care advocate since her “Paeds HIV-days”, Michelle chairs the national network for Children’s Palliative care known as PatchSA and has been involved at provincial and national levels in policy making in palliative care in South Africa.

Adelah Ederies (BComm) has over 10 years’ experience working in the corporate sector as a HR professional. She joined Paedspal in February 2016 as a HR and Financial Consultant and her main task then was to set up Paedspal’s HR, administrative and financial management systems.

Today, Adelah is our COO and oversees, manages and controls Paedspal’s ongoing business operations. She also ensures that there are effective admin procedures and reporting controls in place as well as sound financial and HR management. Adelah is the Paedspal Board Secretary. Always compassionate and thoughtful, Adelah has a difficult job, but manages to steer us beautifully with kindness.

Dr Tracey Nupen is a Paediatrician with a postgraduate diploma in Paediatric Palliative Medicine from the University of Cape Town. She was drawn to the Paedspal family-centred approach and has been part of the Paedspal team since 2015. She is a strong advocate for the integration of the holistic palliative care approach at all healthcare levels.

She is part of the multidisciplinary out-patient clinic team at Paedspal and the Paedspal Outreach Team. She is a strong believer in the power of communication and human connection. And likes children a lot!

Dr Lyndal Gibbs qualified as a paediatrician in 2017 and did her postgraduate diploma in paediatric palliative care through the University of Cape Town in 2018. She has worked for Paedspal for the past 5 years, heading up the hospital-based and private practice services. She is also a lecturer at UCT, teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate students. She is an active member of PatchSA, Palprac and PainSA, doing her bit for palliative care advocacy in South Africa.

She is passionate about integrating palliative care into daily practice, especially in the critical care, cardiology, and oncology disciplines. In her spare time, Lyndal can be found climbing mountains with her family, going on adventures, and eating too much.

Dr Teresa Jennings has been at Paedspal since the start of Paedspal but was working in Paediatric Palliative Care for a few years before that in the community. She completed the Palliative Care Diploma in 2015 and is currently a lecturer and marker on the Diploma.

She loves working at Paedspal for many reasons, but the main reason is that it just makes sense… the holistic care of children and their families is so important. She was practicing in a palliative care manner before she had even learnt anything about it. She loves that our NGO can give this kind of care within the context of a multidisciplinary team. Self-care is an important aspect of our job and that is something she is very good at! She loves being outdoors, trail running on the mountain or running around a hockey pitch or a touch rugby field with her friends.

Manda Kanka is a Professional nurse, with a Diploma in general, midwifery, community and psychiatry nursing at what was then known as Nico Malan Nursing College. She proceeded to work at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital from 1993 until 2013. After 20 years of service, she moved to Sarah Fox Convalescent hospital, where she shifted her focus towards palliative and intermediate care.

Manda joined Paedspal in 2018, and completed a Diploma in Palliative Medicine (Paediatrics) at UCT the same year. She is involved in Paedspal’s outreach and education programmes.

Manda likes to dance and enjoys nature walks in her spare time.

Fiona McLennan is an Aromatherapist, Reflexologist, Counsellor, and Social Media Coordinator. Fiona upgraded from a law degree to a Diploma in Therapeutic Aromatherapy, a Diploma in Therapeutic Reflexology and did the Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Medicine in 2015.

Fiona has been with Paedspal since 2015. Working as Paedspal is her dream job, combining her complementary therapies with palliative care. Fiona is passionate about animals, swimming in the sea, and a fan of ‘earthing’ (walking barefoot on the earth).

Di Burger is a Family Counsellor and prior to this was a Medical Laboratory Technologist. Di is a Registered Counsellor with the Council for Counsellors in SA. Di has over 30 years of experience in Palliative care and has been with Paedspal since 2015. Before then she started with Big Shoes (2010 – 2012).

She likes working at Paedspal for three reasons: Firstly, she feels grateful to be working in PPC, especially at her age, where she feels she can make a difference however small. Secondly, she learns so much from our patients & families. Thirdly, the people in the team with whom she works: young professionals, enthusiastic with a mutual aim of respect and acceptance as well as a commitment to ongoing education. She does like a good laugh and enjoys the opportunity to travel as well as good food and wine.

Crystal Kleinhans, qualified BSW, PG Dip Palliative Care (Paediatric) in 2017. She completed the PG Dip in Palliative care in 2019 and joined Paedspal in 2023. She is a Part-time lecturer on the PG Dip in Palliative Care (UCT).

During her free time, she enjoys being outdoors – running, swimming, hiking

Nompi joined Paedspal in July 2016 and has become an integral part of the team. In her capacity as office administrator, she ensured that our patients, and their families were well received at our outpatient unit. She effortlessly supported the entire team with administrative duties and making sure that the clinic ran smoothly.

Nompi has also completed a qualification as a Social Auxiliary Worker in early 2020. Since 2023, she has successfully moved into a Social Auxiliary Worker role and is serving our patients and their families with grace and compassion and is an integral part of our clinical team.

Nompi has over 15 years’ experience in the digital printing industry and took the courageous leap to join the NGO sector.  During her free time, Nompi likes to view interesting articles around the country as well as what’s going to happen in the future.

Angela Rackstraw is a practicing artist, was once upon a time a registered nurse, a neonatal nurse and midwife, and is now a trained and HPCSA registered Art Psychotherapist, having trained at the University of Hertfordshire, England, 27 years ago.

Angela currently works at the UCT Department of Psychiatry (TLC), is a senior Art Therapy lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, has a private practice, and works with patients and their mothers at Paedspal in Rondebosch, Cape Town. 

She finds solace and strength through her own artmaking and stitching, being with her loved ones and creatures, and being in her garden, in nature, or near the sea.

Mari Stevens is a registered Music Therapist (MA Music Therapy) from Cape Town. A diverse private therapy practice and NGO involvement offers her extensive experience in working with complex trauma, psychiatry, and special needs, working with both adult and Paediatric clients. With a post graduate diploma in Paediatric palliative medicine, Mari has been part of the psychotherapy team at Paedspal, since 2021. Along with the privilege of direct client work, Mari enjoys collaborating with other practitioners in teaching, presenting, and advocating around palliative care, mental health and psychotherapy service and have presented on both local and international platforms. 

Besides enjoying family life with her husband and two busy boys, Mari is a performing cellist, music teacher and fitness enthusiast.

Terika Steenkamp is a medical social worker with a Master degree in Social Work (2016) and an Honours degree in Psychology (2022). Her experience in the private sector has made her well versed in counselling, educating, and coordinating holistic care, discharge planning, survivorship counselling, and bereavement support.

Before joining Paedspal in 2024, she worked as a medical social worker in a Haematology Unit and at Cancer Care providing psychosocial support and counselling, and also has experience in private practice offering palliative care and end-of-life counselling for oncology patients and their families.

Terika has her own private practice specialising in providing psychosocial support and counselling to patients with blood related cancers/diseases and patients with solid tumour cancers, and their families, from diagnosis to survivorship and end-of-life care.

She loves the ocean, walking along the beach, being active, doing Pilates and especially dancing. She also loves cooking, and spending time with family is very precious to her.

Shetil Nana is a qualified paediatrician and paediatric critical care consultant. She completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Paediatric Palliative Care in 2021. She has 9 years experience in neonatal and paediatric critical care in both the state and private sector and currently works at Mowbray Maternity Hospital. Shetil joined the Paedspal family in 2022 in a locum capacity. She is excited and passionate to be part of the team broadening neonatal palliative care services.

She loves baking and spending time in the forest with her labradors.

Robbie joined Paedspal in May 2018 and has over 20 years administrative experience in the customer service industry and joined the NGO sector to allow for more time with her family and to find a more meaningful position. She supports the Paedspal team with a wide range of organisational duties, from Facilities management, HR, Finance and Fundraising administration. She also supports the Footprints 4 Sam organization with some administrative duties.

She loves spending time with her family, watching movies, knitting, and spending time in nature.

Nazli wears multiple hats at Paedspal, contributing as the Fundraising and Project Manager. She has a BSc in Consumer Science degree from Stellenbosch University, including marketing and business management diplomas. She plays a pivotal role in helping to achieve organisational goals by ensuring financial stability and maintaining good governance practices.

A lifelong learner, Nazli is passionate about education, mentorship, and serving vulnerable communities. After 16 years in corporate product development, sales and marketing, she found her calling in the Paediatric Healthcare NGO sector in 2020. She is also pursuing her third year Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

During her free time, you will find her exploring forests and mountains.