Meet The People

Meet the People Behind Retina South Africa

Retina South Africa is guided by a dedicated team of volunteers and professionals committed to supporting people living with retinal conditions. Many members of our leadership team have personal experience of vision loss, bringing both professional expertise and lived understanding to the organisation.

Together, the National Management Committee leads Retina South Africa’s advocacy, research partnerships, patient support services, and national outreach initiatives.

Woman holding one hand over her eye

Our People

National Management Committee

  • Caryl wearing a blue Retina SA Golf Shirt

    Caryl Baum

    Chairperson

    Caryl Baum is a retired attorney who practised law for more than 40 years. She has been living with age-related macular degeneration for over a decade and now volunteers her time supporting Retina South Africa’s work.

    Caryl currently serves as Chairperson and represents Retina South Africa on the Consumer Committee of the South African Council for the Blind.

  • Mariza wearing a blue retina sa golf shirt

    Mariza Jürgens

    Vice Chairperson

    Mariza Jurgens holds a BA (Hons) in International Politics from Nelson Mandela University and is a prominent advocate within South Africa’s disability community. She has played an active role in Retina South Africa for many years, serving as the former Chairperson of Retina South Africa Northern Gauteng and as National Chair and National Vice Chair.

    Her work extends into national advocacy and policy development. Mariza has contributed to initiatives such as the Working Group on Affordable and Accessible ICT for Persons with Disabilities and the Subcommittee on Taxation Matters for Persons with Disabilities.

    She currently serves on the Technical Committee on ICT Equipment for Persons with Disabilities of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and is a member of the Consumer Advisory Panel of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), where she represents persons with disabilities. Mariza lives with severe vision loss due to Cone- Rod Dystrophy.

  • Claudette wearing a blue Retina SA Golf Shirt

    Claudette Medefindt

    Secretary

    Claudette Medefindt has been a full-time volunteer with Retina South Africa since 1980. She serves as National Secretary and Head of Science.

    Claudette is a retired Deputy President of Retina International and lectures locally and internationally on retinal conditions. She provides information, support and peer mentorship to newly diagnosed patients. Claudette lives with Retinitis Pigmentosa.

  • Jean wearing a blue Retina SA Golf Shirt

    Jean Bowler

    Treasurer

    Jean Bowler has served as Treasurer of Retina South Africa since 1990. A financial director and financial manager of several companies, she has provided dedicated financial oversight to the organisation for more than three decades.

    Although neither Jean nor her family members have a retinal condition, her long-standing commitment to Retina South Africa and its mission has been invaluable.

  • Manny Moodley

    Chief Executive Officer

    Manny Moodley is an admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa and was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Retina South Africa in early 2025. He has been involved with the organisation for nearly three decades.

    Manny was diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease (a form of macular degeneration) at the age of nine and joined Retina South Africa soon afterwards. Over the years, he has served the organisation in various leadership roles, including Chairperson from 2021 to 2025.

    He is also Vice-Chairperson of the Cape Town Society for the Blind and Vice Chair of Retina International’s Board of Directors. Manny is passionate about human rights, disability inclusion and empowering people with vision loss to live independent and fulfilling lives.

  • Anton van Rooyen wearing Retina golf shirt

    Anton van Rooyen

    Member of the Management Committee and Governance Committee

    Anton is a long-standing member of the Management Committee of Retina South Africa and previously served as Vice Chair. He has contributed to various committees within Retina South Africa for over 40 years, demonstrating a deep and ongoing commitment to the organisation and its mission.

    A specialist in accessible technology, Anton is passionate about ensuring that assistive solutions are available to all South Africans living with low vision.

    Anton lives with advanced Stargardt disease.

  • Renesh Singh wearing a blue Retina Golf Shirt

    Renesh Singh

    Non-Executive Director

    Renesh Singh is a technologist with experience across several IT sectors, including architecture, development and security.

    Having lived with a retinal condition since the age of eight, Renesh is passionate about using technology to improve accessibility and independence for people with vision loss. He actively researches assistive technologies and works with organisations and employers to advocate for greater inclusion in the technology sector.

  • Ferdi Danzfuss wearing a blue Retina golf shirt

    Ferdi Danzfuss

    Management Committee member and Chairman of the IT Steering Committee

    Ferdie has been a member of Retina South Africa since 2000 and currently serves as Chairman of the IT Steering Committee. He holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Pretoria and has over 30 years of experience as a professional software developer.

    As the founder of Mobilica, he specialises in mobile application development and has a particular passion for accessibility technology. He is actively involved in developing AI-powered assistive solutions for blind and visually impaired South Africans.

    Ferdie lives with Stargardt disease, which informs and strengthens his commitment to advancing accessible technology.

  • A of Karla wearing a blue Retina SA golf shirt

    Karla Rossouw

    Management Committee Member

    Karla is a 24-year-old marketing graduate, law student, content creator, and fitness enthusiast from Cape Town.

    Living with Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), she uses her fitness journey and online platform to show that limitations don’t define potential, encouraging others to build confidence and resilience.

    She is also studying law, hoping to become a voice for greater inclusion and to help others access opportunities and protect their rights.

  • Shannon Pretorius wearing a blue Retina SA Golf shirt

    Shannon Pretorius

    Management Committee Member

    Shannon co-runs a Corporate Travel Agency with her business partner, offering round-the-clock service to clients since 2005.

    At a young age, Shannon was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa. RP runs in her family — her father, aunt, and two cousins all live with the condition too.

    Shannon has been elected to Retina South Africa’s Management Committee and looks forward to becoming more involved in the organisation’s work.

    She’s passionate about staying informed on the latest research, trials, and treatments, and about supporting fellow members navigating vision loss in their everyday lives.

  • Lauren Jonas wearing a blue retina sa golf shirt

    Lauren Jonas

    Management Committee Member

    Lauren is a Stakeholder Relations and Disability & Inclusion Consultant who envisions a world where inclusion is not an afterthought, but the foundation of every workplace and community. Through her work with both private companies and NGOs, she has helped create environments where every individual has the chance to thrive.

    Her mission is simple: give people the tools, remove the barriers, and watch them succeed. At the heart of everything she does is a desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

  • Denise Jacobs wearing a Blue Retina golf shirt

    Denise Jacobs

    Operations & Administrative Assistant

    Denise has been involved with Retina South Africa since the 1990s, when she and her family volunteered as marshals at the Ride for Sight and Run for Sight events. She officially joined the organisation in 2006, dividing her time between Retina SA and a busy legal practice.

    With her strong legal and administrative background, attention to detail, and interest in information and technology, Denise plays an important role in our work. In addition to supporting the governance sub-committee and contributing to fundraising efforts, her primary responsibility is managing our secure patient registry and guiding patients through the genetic counselling and testing process.

  • Linsay Engelbrecht

    Head of Special Events and Para Sport Development

    Linsay Engelbrecht leads Special Events and Para Sport Development at Retina South Africa, where she plays a key role in creating inclusive, empowering opportunities for people living with visual impairments.

    A dedicated South African paratriathlete, Linsay lives with Stargardt disease and brings both personal insight and professional passion to her work. She is deeply committed to breaking down barriers in sport, helping individuals who are blind or visually impaired take their first steps towards participation, confidence, and achievement.

    Linsay works closely with Retina members to support, encourage, and guide them onto the start line, whether they are new to sport or pursuing competitive goals. Her approach is rooted in inclusion, community, and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the physical and emotional benefits of sport.

    Achievements:

    • South African Paratriathlon Champion (2021)
    • African Champion (2021)

  • Karen Fitzwilliam

    Head of Education and Advocacy

    Karen Denton is Head of Education and Advocacy at Retina South Africa, where she leads national education programmes, webinars and outreach initiatives to improve understanding of retinal disease and vision health. She is also co-founder of the Low Vision Centre of Learning, a multidisciplinary platform providing training and resources for professionals, individuals with vision impairment, and their families.

    Karen’s path into vision health followed a 40-year career in Diabetes Education, sparked by her toddler’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Her qualifications span Nursing, Midwifery, Nursing Education, and Psychology, and she has held leadership roles including Chair of Diabetes South Africa and Chair of the South African Diabetes Educators. She later worked internationally in the Middle East before returning to South Africa to focus on vision health.

    Karen is committed to empowering people affected by vision impairment through accessible education, practical guidance, and advocacy.

  • Sandy Brown

    Social Media Manager

    Sandy is Retina South Africa’s Social Media Manager, a role she has held for the past six years. She leads the organisation’s digital communications, community engagement, and online awareness initiatives, helping to connect and support individuals affected by retinal conditions.

  • Natley Reddy

    Administrator

    Natley has been serving as Administrator at Retina South Africa since 2025. In this role, she oversees organisational operations and support of initiatives that advance the organisation’s mission.

  • Lindiwe Maredi

    Social Worker

    Lindiwe is a committed and compassionate Social Worker who obtained her Social Work degree from the University of Johannesburg in 2011. She has 13 years of experience in the field. Throughout her career, Lindiwe has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the well-being of individuals and communities. She has extensive experience working with both children and adults across diverse groups, particularly those affected by inherited retinal conditions. Her role is to provide psychosocial support to people living with inherited retinal conditions, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration.

    Her approach is grounded in a person-centred framework, ensuring that everyone living with retinal conditions receives support tailored to their unique circumstances. She achieves this by developing a meaningful understanding of each individual’s lived experiences, needs, challenges, and aspirations.

    Lindiwe believes that having low vision does not mark the end of one’s abilities. In today’s technologically advanced world, the growing availability of assistive devices empowers people with low vision to live more independently and pursue their full potential. Guided by this belief, she is deeply convinced that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to grow, thrive, and become the best version of themselves.

  • Victoria Musimbo

    Social Worker

    Victoria is a qualified Social Worker with 10 years of experience in the field. She has been working full-time with Retina South Africa since 2021, providing dedicated support to individuals and families affected by retinal conditions.

    Her role includes offering psychosocial counselling, education, and condition-specific information, as well as referring patients to relevant service providers. Victoria also assists with disability grant applications and advocates for equal access by engaging with schools, institutions of higher education, and workplaces, in line with constitutional and legislative rights.

  • Magda van der Merwe

    Fundraising and Marketing Assistant

    After retiring in 2018 following a 43‑year career in the financial industry, Magda embarked on a new journey in 2024 with Retina SA. As a fundraising and marketing assistant, she is dedicated to helping the organisation expand its reach and build the resources it needs to make a lasting impact.

  • Kaithlin King wearing Retina golf shirt

    Kaithlin King

    Events Personal Assistant

    Kaithlin is passionate about creativity, organisation and making a meaningful difference through the work she does. As part of the Retina SA team, she supports the Events Manager with the planning, coordination and marketing of events and fundraising initiatives. She enjoys bringing creative ideas to life, connecting with people and contributing to initiatives that support and empower people living with vision loss.