Executive Committee

Sonya Lee Mahabeer (Chairperson)

Sonya Lee has been a member of Retina South Africa since 2015. Sonya has an LLB Degree, she has also completed a Conveyancing Course and a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning. Sonya has Macular Dystrophy.

Caryl Baum (Vice Chairperson)

Caryl Baum is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother with a deep passion for family and community. She is now retired after practicing law as an attorney for more than 40 years. For over a decade, she has been living with age-related macular degeneration, which has led to the loss of most of her central vision — yet she retains enough peripheral vision to enjoy life and embrace every moment.

Her journey led her to Retina SA, where she has found inspiration, guidance, and unwavering support from its experts, staff, and volunteers. She is deeply grateful for the connections she has made through this network.

She proudly serves as a volunteer and currently holds the position of Vice Chairperson, representing Retina SA on the Consumer Committee of the South African Council for the Blind.

Jean Bowler (National Treasurer)

Jean has been involved with the Foundation since it’s inception.  Her fiscal control is total and this has ensured sound financial management over the past 36 years. Neither Jean or her family have IRD and her contribution to furthering the aims of the Foundation mark her as a very special person.

Claudette Medefindt (Secretary)

National Secretary and Head of Science at Retina South Africa

Claudette is a volunteer with a passion for the science of retinal degeneration. She is a past RSA representative to Retina International, and served as Deputy President of this global organisation for 10 years. She is a trained peer counsellor and gives support and advice to patients of genetic retinal conditions. Claudette is a yoga teacher and aspirant water colourist. She has a dominant form of Retinitis Pigmentosa.