The Grahamstown Area Distress Relief Association (Gadra) has appointed Heidi Van Niekerk as executive director from 1 January 2015.
The Grahamstown Area Distress Relief Association (Gadra) has appointed Heidi Van Niekerk as executive director from 1 January 2015.
" 'm really excited to be getting this opportunity. For me, it's all about bringing the community together," she told Grocott's Mail. "As executive director I will be responsible for the general well-being of the community and the NGO."
The role of executive director Gadra Advice is also to approach local funders and raise funds.
"Community development is all about the community itself, and leading Gadra advice is an excellent platform to look into the strengths and weaknesses of the community and provide solutions for them," she said.
Gadra is a registered Non Profit and Public Benefit Organisation established in 1958 to assist the acutely poor and marginalised community of Grahamstown, including people with disabilities.
For more than 50 years the organisation's principal activities have been geared towards combating poverty, unemployment and inequality. Van Niekerk has been involved in community development for 13 years.
She has a BA in social work and has worked as community manager at Rhodes University's Centre for Social Development (CSD). "In 2013 I became a lecturer of the National Diploma in Early Childhood Development," she said. Van Niekerk prides herself on having a heart for social issues that plague the community.
"I am passionate about engaging with the Grahamstown community and finding out what the different areas need," she said, adding that for her it's all about giving back to the community.
She worked at CSD with children with disabilities and behavioural problems.
"I started as a social worker in 2005 and I haven't looked back since," she said. She hopes she will work well with everyone to get Grahamstown back on track.
