OUR TEAM
We are purpose driven, career women, wives and mothers. We strive to make children and parents alike equally aware of the importance of water safety. We are passionate about primarily saving precious lives and to help improve the quality of life of children disabled by non-fatal drowning.
Founder and Managing Director: Rina van Schalkwyk
I was born in Pretoria, matriculated at Hoërskool Alberton in 1991 & a Lancaster University graduate. I’m married for 21 years and we are Blessed with two daughters. I survived a non-fatal drowning incident at the age of two and growing up I lost a childhood friend to drowning. Little Reinhardt Drewel drowned in February 2015. Most people are related to or knows someone who has drowned or survived a Non-Fatal Drowning. The impact when a child drowns or is disabled due to non-fatal drowning is immense. Families are left with permanent emotional scars and hospitalisation can leave children with injuries so severe they need life-long care. After Reinhardt’s drowning I researched Drowning and Non-Fatal Drowning Injuries in our country I decided to register a NPO that will not only target childhood drowning awareness and education but it will also be South Africa’s first charity that support children disabled by non-fatal drowning. I launched the The Reinhardt Drewel Foundation SA (RDF SA) in October 2015.
According to WHO Statistics more than 370 000 families are affected by drowning annually worldwide. Drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death and disability in children and a serious and neglected Public Health problem.
Our message is simple: ’One child who dies or is hospitalised from drowning is one child too many.’
Director: Marie Drewel
I am a friendly, caring, hardworking and loyal person. I was born in Randfontein and matriculated in 2002 at Secunda Highschool. Started working as a cashier in 2003 and worked myself up to Management level. I met my Loving husband in 2005, got married 2010 got pregnant 2011 with our beautiful son Reinhardt. We moved to our first family dream house with a pool just before Reinhardt turned three. On the 25th of February 2015 he accidently drowned when he was only 3 years and 4 months old. And so out of his tragic death, this wonderful organisation was created. We were blessed with a beautiful daughter Nishka in March 2016. Looking forward to make this Organisation a big success with Rina and Julia.
Director: Julia Ramatsoga
I am the eldest daughter of the late Mr Phillip and Cecilia Mojela. I am married to Mr Samuel Ramatsoga. We are Blessed with 4 children (2 boys ans 2 girls). I matriculated in 1998 at Tlou-Matlala Seniour Secondary school. I attended various training namely: Training Academy, Nosa, Mokoro training academy, Haslac training institute. I like singing, reading and watching movies. I am a Christian.