Academic Staff

Dr. Wouter Hensens - Academic Dean

Dr. Hensens is the Academic Dean & General Manager of Stenden South Africa. He holds a bachelors degree in International Hospitality Management, a Masters Degree in Leisure and Tourism Studies, and a PhD in Business Management. 

Dr. Leon van Achterbergh - Academic Head, Hospitality Management

Leon van Achterbergh has been with Stenden South Africa for approximately nine years. He is currently the Academic Head of Hospitality Management. He has a PhD (Business Management) from NMMU, and a Master’s degree in Hospitality Administration from the world-renowned Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland.

Dr. Des Pyle - Academic Head: Disaster Management

Des Pyle holds a PhD in climatology, natural hazards and disaster management from Rhodes University. His primary research focuses on severe storm hazard and risk in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

Mrs. Juliet Chipumuro - Senior Lecturer, 2nd Year Coordinator

Juliet has been involved with business administration and education for over 13 years both in Zimbabwe and South Africa including roles with Women’s University in Africa (WUA), CACC learning Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC),The ministry of Education sports and culture – Zimbabwe, Macmain College of Computing and Business Studies, and Educon Business College, as a Faculty chairperson (faculty coordinator), National examiner, College manager and administrat

Miss Megan Walwyn - Senior Lecturer Year 1, Module co-ordinator of Lodge management & Events Management

After studying Law and Psychology for 2 years at UCT, she decided that she was pursuing the wrong career and in 2004, became a restaurant and bar manager at Billy the Bum’s in Cape Town. In 2005, she enrolled at the Cape Town Hotel School (Granger Bay), where she completed a 3-year National Diploma in Accommodation Management.

Mrs. Rene Oosthuizen - Lecturer

Academic and Policy analysis/development researcher with experience in: conducting interviews, report writing, policy analysis, social and economic research and development monitoring. Have designed and implemented the above in the academic, non-governmental and governmental sectors, specialising in social and economic development issues.

Miss Karen Hecht - Lecturer

In 2003 she enrolled to study at Stenden South Africa (then EISS) to study her BCOMM hospitality management degree. She completed her internship as a hostess in a lodge in the lower Zambezi valley (Zambia). For two years after this she was manager/chef at a bush Restaurant near Port Alfred. She was appointed by Stenden South Africa in 2008 and has since developed a vast expertise in wine, obtaining a Diploma from the Cape Wine Academy. Karen is the module coordinator of the prestigious Adv

Mr. Jacques de Klerk - Lecturer, Wildlife

Jacques has always had a passion for nature and wildlife and from a young age knew he wanted to pursue a career in this field. He completed a Bachelors Degree in Nature Conservation in 2007 from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University; a 3 year theoretical and 1 year practical degree. He completed his internship working for Game Capture National Parks in 2005. After completing his Bachelors he worked as a Volunteer Co-coordinator at Kariega Game Reserve from 2008 to end of 2010. Here he wor

Miss Pumza Sixaba - Junior Lecturer

Pumza was introduced to the hospitality industry in year 2002 when she enrolled for a three year National Diploma in Food and Beverage management at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s Hotel School situated in Granger Bay, Cape Town.  

Mr. Kevin Aitcheson - Junior Lecturer

Mr Aitcheson completed his studies at Rhodes University 2011 with BA (Hons) in History and obtained a Post-Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurial Management. Kevin currently administrates the Stenden South Africa Industrial Placement program and lectures 1st year Business Communication and Research, 2nd year Business Communication and 3rd year Strategic Hospitality Management.

Mr. Dayallan Naidoo - Practical Kitchen Instructor

Dayallan has a passion for catering and working with food, and has been in the industry since matriculating in 2003. He started with Western Cape Catering at the Knysna Private Hospital, where he obtained all his certificates in catering. In 2005 he worked as Head Chef at the Red Rock Restaurant, in George and in 2006 moved to become End of Day (Food Market) Supervisor with Woolworths.

Mr. Bongani Bavuma - Assistant Lecturer, Wildlife

Bongani joined the Wildlife industry in 2004, working for African Global Academy, a volunteer program that was based in Shamwari Game Reserve. He worked there for two years and then went on to work with Dr. Wayne Vos as assistant lecturer and camp manager for the Conservation Academy in the same area. He also worked as a Field guide at Shamwari game reserve and as assistant head ranger at the Bushman Sands game reserve.

Miss Nelisa Mbutuma-Zigana - Junior Lecturer

Nelisa joined the hospitality industry in 2002 when she enrolled at the Granger Bay Hotel School, Cape Peninsula University of Technology. She completed her studies in 2006 acquiring a BTech degree in Food and Beverage Management.

Mr. Alroy Taai - Deputy General Manager

Alroy Taai schooled at John Walton in Uitenhage and later graduated with a BA degree and teachers diploma from the University of the Western Cape.

Mrs. Ronel Bartlett - Academic Administrator

Ronel Bartlett joined Stenden (then EISS) in November 2002 and has been the Academic Administrator at the Institution for the past nine years. Ronel is an alumnus of the Durban University of Technology obtaining a National Diploma Executive Secretary, now known as Office Administration.

Mrs. Kathy Ord - Librarian

Kathy’s first qualifications were in the field of nursing. After achieving her 3-year National Diploma of Nursing she completed three 1-year post-graduate qualifications in Midwifery, Paediatrics and Public Health.