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.

Adelah is currently serving as COO. She 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 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.

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!

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.

Dr. Krishna Thottekkat is a Palliative Care Paediatrician. She completed her MBChB at the University of Pretoria, earned her Diploma in Child Health (DCH) while working in KwaZulu-Natal, and later obtained her FCPaed (SA) and MMed from the University of the Free State

She strongly advocates for children, using palliative care to protect patients’ dignity and humanity in tough cases. Dr. Thottekkat believes being a good person is the basis for being a good doctor, which helps her stay empathetic in emotional situations. She focuses on ethical challenges, aiming to bring clarity, compassion and integrity to every decision.

During her spare time she loves fantasy books and is a big Lord of the rings fan. She loves spending time with family and her beloved dogs.

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, and Counsellor.. 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 is a social worker who joined Paedspal in 2023. She holds a postgraduate diploma in Paediatric Palliative Medicine and a master’s degree in Public Health (MPH) from the University of Cape Town. She also serves as a part-time lecturer on the undergraduate MBChB programme and on the postgraduate diploma in Paediatric Palliative Medicine (UCT).

She has a keen interest in the integration of paediatric palliative care in the public health system and empowering young patients, families and healthcare workers, as they navigate resource-constrained healthcare settings and home environments. 

Outside of her clinical work she finds balance in hiking and swimming in the ocean.

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.

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.

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.

Lesley is an HPCSA registered Drama and Movement Therapist, Play Therapist, Family Constellations Therapist and Clinical Supervisor.  Lesley has practised in various settings for 27 years with a special focus on grief, loss, death and dying. She is passionate about the efficacy of creative and embodied techniques as essential aspects of therapy. 

Lesley joined the Paedspal team in 2024 as a Creative Arts Therapist. She enjoys theatrical improvisation, art making, movement and spending time communing with nature.

Caron worked in the field of social work for the past 30 years and completed her honours degree from the University of Stellenbosch in 1995.
Her passion for children and their families started when she worked for non-profit organisations: Lifeline/Children; Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentorship program and RAPCAN (assisting and assessing children’s readiness to testify in court)
For the past 12 years she worked in a medical setting with Oncology patients and their families.

Caron joined the Paedspal Team as locum social worker and is excited to be part of our dynamic and passionate holistic team.

She is married for 28 years, has 2 sons, and enjoys spending time with family and friends on weekends.

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 has qualifications in Human Resource Management and Executive Support. 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.

Wendy pursued an advanced course in Data Management, gaining expertise in various Health Information Systems and Data management. With a career spanning 8 years, she had the privilege of working with the Western Cape Department of Health in multiple institutions, focusing on measuring compliance with Information Management policies and prescripts. Additionally, she spent 3 years working for a non-profit organization. She firmly believes that she was called to serve, and finds joy and fulfilment in her work.

Outside her professional life, Wendy cherish quality time with her children and family. In her free time, she enjoys socializing with friends and exploring new restaurants.

Vuyiseka is an Office Administrator at Paedspal. She brings strong administrative experience and a Management Assistant qualification from the College of Cape Town. We are fortunate to have her, with her  skills and positive attitude that she brings to our team.

During her free time, she loves spending time with her family and being outdoors.

Michelle Peters has 10 year experience in the Printing industry and Dry Cleaning industry. She made a career change, and we are so privileged to have her as a dedicated Office Assistant, who has a passion for supporting children with special needs, and helping others. Michelle excels in teamwork, and creative problem-solving, with a strong commitment to making a positive impact every day and in every possible way. Her hard work provides much needed support to our patient administrator on a daily basis. 

In her spare time she spends quality time with family and friends, and with her 5 grandchildren.