ADSA Executive Committee
2021-2023
MARIA VAN DER MERWE
President
Directs, manages and guides the Association, oversees all its activities on a strategic level and builds strategic partnerships.
CINDY CHIN
Communications
Co-ordinates quarterly executive newsletters, manages ADSA’s website, provides inputs into the South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition and international dietetic newsletters, co-ordinates the ADSA bursary fund, and works closely with the PR portfolio holder.
PHILNA NEETHLING
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Manages the accreditation of CPD events and online activities to create opportunities for continued education and upskilling of dietitians.
JANKE DRAPER
Membership
Manages membership applications and coordinates member benefits. Liaises with members and non-members to establish needs to enhance membership benefits.
ESTELLE STRYDOM
ADSA Treasury
Responsible for managing ADSA's budget and overseeing the effective administration of the finances of the Association.
RETHA
HARMSE
Public Relations
Handles all aspects related to public relations, including planning and implementing nutrition and health-related awareness days, formulating and publicising statements based on evidence, acting as the official contact person for input into media content, monitoring of nutrition information communicated to the public and creating content to promote the profession in the public space, assisted by a team of spokespeople.
JANETTA HARBRON
ADSA Sponsorship
Recruits and manages suitable sponsors in line with ADSA’s updated rigorous sponsorship policy.
MICHELLE ZIETSMAN
Representation
Coordinates ADSA representatives on eight different official scientific or government groups or committees, as well as other interest groups, and manages the submission of comments to government on nutrition-related draft legislation.
ALTA
KLOPPERS
Private Practicing
Dietitians (PPDs)
Manages all professional issues relating PPDs, including the PPD database, addressing billing practices and providing assistance to PPDs on issues they may experience in private practice.
NIRESHNEE REDDY
Public Sector Dietitians (PSD)
Establishes a support network and line of communication between dietitians in the public sector and ADSA, and communicates relevant developments, such as employer/labour negotiations to ADSA members.
JESSICA
BYRNE
Chief Operating Officer
Part-time employed dietitian to assist with public relations, attend meetings on behalf of ADSA, coordinate all internal communication with members via the weekly bulletin, and assist with other executive portfolios as and when required.
DITOPE RABODIBA
Branch Liaison
Acts as the communication link between ADSA branch chairpersons and the national Executive Committee to ensure consistency in operations, and manages the mentorship programme.
CARLA
GERRYTS
Secretary
Assists with organisational tasks for the Executive Committee, such as taking meeting minutes and record keeping.