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.
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 has been a dedicated member of Retina South Africa since 2020 and currently serves on our Advocacy Sub-Committee.
A retired Legal Advisor with over 40 years of experience in the legal field, Caryl brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her role. She is living with late-onset dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), which has progressively impacted her central vision over the past eight years.
Caryl is married and the proud mother of two children and their spouses, as well as a loving grandmother to three grandchildren who live in Australia. She enjoys a variety of creative hobbies, including collecting antique and miniature perfume bottles, painting, drawing, scrapbooking, and has a keen interest in crystals. Caryl also finds joy in baking, listening to audiobooks, and staying active with daily exercise.
In addition to her work with Retina South Africa, Caryl volunteers her time to connect with elderly residents in care homes—especially those without family in South Africa—offering them companionship and support.
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.
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