Executive Committee
The Executive Committee comprises of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. These are all voluntary positions. They are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting of Retina South Africa and are eligible for re-election. The EXCO is responsible for the daily administration of the Foundation.
Mariza Jurgens (Chairperson)
Mariza Jurgens, BA (Hons) International Politics from Nelson Mandela University in 1991, is a prominent figure in the disability community of South Africa. She has held various leadership roles, including being the past chairperson of Retina South Africa Northern Gauteng and a former National Vice-Chairperson of Retina South Africa. Her contributions extend to advocacy and policy work, such as serving as Chairperson of the Working Group on Affordable and Accessible ICT for Persons with Disabilities and convening the Subcommittee on Taxation Matters for Persons with Disabilities.
Currently, Mrs. Jurgens is actively involved in several committees and panels related to disability rights:
She serves on the Technical Committee on ICT Equipment for Persons with Disabilities of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS).
She is a member of the Consumer Advisory Panel of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), where she represents persons with disabilities.
Sonya Lee Mahabeer (Vice 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.
Claudette Medefindt, National Secretary and Head of Science
Claudette has been involved with the Retina Patient Movement since 1980. She heads the patient support division and is a trained peer counsellor. She lectures on IRD extensively and is the Deputy President of Retina International. Claudette has Dominant RP.
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.
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