Tag Archives: Marcel van der Heever

by | July 3, 2012 · 1:25 pm

PPI-SA welcomes New Operations Manager Debby van der Heever to the Family!

Debby has a natural ability to work with young people.

This month,  PPI-SA welcomes Debby van der Heever as the new operations manager. Debby brings a wealth of professional experience and knowledge to PPI-SA  and has an infectious enthusiasm and love for basketball and helping young people.  Get to know Debby below!

How will being a former teacher help you with your new position?

As a former teacher I think I have a deep insight into the pressures and obstacles facing teenagers in South Africa.  I have built up relationships with many of my students over the years who have sought help from me in having to deal with many difficult circumstances and am still in contact with some of them 7 years later.

Being an organized and highly motivated person who always strives for excellence I aimed to instill these values through a good work ethic with my students.

Describe the impact basketball has had on your life.

For many years I played competitive tennis.  One day in late 1979 my brother who played at the University of Natal invited me to play as their girl’s team was short of players and they did not want to default the game as they were top of the league.  The following week I gave up playing tennis and was registered as a basketball player. Five months later I made the Natal Provincial team.  In February of 1980 I met my knight in shining armor on the basketball court who became my husband in 1984 (Marcel van der Heever- new managing director of PPI-SA!)  I THINK BASKETBALL HAS HAD A HUGE IMPACT ON MY LIFE!

What are you most excited about? (Joining PPI) 

To be able to touch and make a difference in a young person’s life through basketball (I will still be teaching but through basketball) – MY DREAM CAREER!!!

What is your favorite PPI experience so far?

By far the Bridges of Hope training – I got to meet the PPI SA Family – what a wonderful bunch of young people.  I was inspired by their courage and determination to continue persevering even though many face hardships and significant obstacles in their lives.  My impression is that they give unselfishly and are determined to make a difference in whatever they do.

Why do you think basketball can create friendships and bring children together?

Sport is an integral part of young a person’s life.  As a baseball and softball Provincial coach and National Basketball coach I have had the opportunity to bond with my players in a different environment to teaching.  To be able to lead them towards a healthier and more holistic approach to life is a privilege that I cannot put into words.  The many memories and experiences I continue to share with my players on and off the sports field have created bonds that can never be broken and are invaluable in my life.  These experiences comprise an integral part of the person I am and the person I have become.

Favorite quote?

My favorite quotation by Unknown:

“A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, And touches a heart!”

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by | June 5, 2012 · 1:50 pm

A Letter from Nombuso Dlamini to her PPI-SA Family

Nombuso spent 5 years as a coach and office assistant with PPI-SA.

Recently we said goodbye to Nombuso Dlamini who was a member of the PPI family for five years as a coach, and also worked as our administrative assistant. Nombuso moved on to other opportunities but recently wrote PPI-SA a card in which she expressed her thanks and love for what the PPI-SA family has done for her. We hope that Nombuso’s card can give you an idea of how our PeacePlayers “family” works here in South Africa:

Thanks to PPI!

I’m not sure whether these words would be able to cover all I want to say, but if they don’t, I hope you can understand how full of meaning they are.

You have contributed so much value to my life. I really feel that I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the kind of people (family) that you are. I’ve never been inspired like this, and my attitude has changed for the better because of being around people like you. I can’t forget to thank Nasiphi and Douwie for their motivations. I think Sifiso C. was right when he said you guys should be motivational speakers. I know I have said this beore, but Ntobeko has been more like my uncle overall. Thobani taught me a lot of things about life and was like my mentor. I know that the four hours of life skills meetings we had were meant to prepare kids sessions, but honestly I think I benefitted way more than the kids from them!

Thobani, I’ve never seen such dedication and passion and I really feel that you should be treated like treasure to PPI. Please follow that passion of yours, you rock (ungamadwala). Mtu, I regret I was not on the City-Wide team now that my whole job is event planning! To Marcel, you’re the star. I was looking forward to working with you and learning from you, but I know everyone at PPI-SA will benefit from you joining our organization.

Just a lesson for everyone, especially the Area Coordinators, make sure you use these people and the opportunity you have to learn, all the things we learn at PPI help us in the future. As for everyone, keep that PPI flag up there. I’m proud of being a PPI product, and I know many more people will leave PeacePlayers as better people. “You have changed my perceptions.”

I really miss you guys. I’ve learned so much from all of you.

Love,

Nombuso D.

Nombuso’s ever-present smile and kindness will be missed.

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by | January 31, 2012 · 2:11 pm

Introducing PPI-SA’s New Interim Managing Director, Marcel van der Heever

New PPI-SA Interim Managing Director, Marcel van der Heever.

PPI-SA is pleased to announce that Marcel van der Heever has been appointed the organization’s Interim Managing Director by the PPI-SA Board of Directors, effective January 23rd, 2012. Marcel replaces former PPI-SA Managing Director S’bongiseni Vilakazi, who left the organization to become Managing Director at The Valley Trust in The Valley of 1000 Hills.

The entire PPI-SA staff is pleased to have Marcel on board, especially after he led a powerful and productive 2-day strategic planning workshop in June of 2011. His primary responsibilities over the coming months are to support the organization’s efforts in becoming locally sustainable and to find a suitable, long-term Managing Director to take the over the reins of the organization. Given Marcel’s vast knowledge and experiences in business consulting and the South African sporting landscape, we have no doubt that Marcel will add significant value. We’ve already begun to see results!

Marcel is also very excited about joining the organization. He says:

“Thanks to Mags Shapiro, the South African Board Chair, and the rest of the PPI-SA Board of Directors for their faith in entrusting me with this opportunity. I’m very passionate about the role sport plays in the lives of people, and I look forward to being able to help implement the PPI-SA programs. With the powerful content of the PPI-SA basketball and life skills curricula, we have the ability to impact many lives for the better in our target South African communities.”

Everyone, please join the PPI-SA team in welcoming Marcel van der Heever to the PPI Family!

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