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GET TO KNOW US
Veronica Turner
Founder and Chairperson
I was born in South Africa where I worked as Banking Branch Manager. I have been in New Zealand for the past 22 years, with my husband and 3 children. Here, I was a Teacher Aide, Caregiver, and Child Support Officer, followed by my entrepreneurial projects. My business is called Ladies Who Thrive and the purpose is to support women in business as well as those wanting to connect with other like-minded women.
I started the Charity (CC53706), called South Africans Fostering Empowerment (S.A.F.E.) which has now been renamed OneAfrica, with a few other kind and caring people, handing out food parcels to families in need (mainly South Africans but other ethnic communities as well).
We discovered that there were far greater needs to be met among the wider Southern African communities and that we had to rethink our focus. This was the beginning of a transformational journey to what OneAfrica represents today.
I started the Charity (CC53706), called South Africans Fostering Empowerment (S.A.F.E.) which has now been renamed OneAfrica, with a few other kind and caring people, handing out food parcels to families in need (mainly South Africans but other ethnic communities as well).
We discovered that there were far greater needs to be met among the wider Southern African communities and that we had to rethink our focus. This was the beginning of a transformational journey to what OneAfrica represents today.
Andrea Albertyn
Secretary
I was born in South Africa, have two children and New Zealand has been home for over 18 years. Most of my family is in South Africa, so I still have very strong ties with my homeland and have visited multiple times over the years.
My background includes customer service, training, event management and marketing. When I met Veronica, I was inspired by her vision for OneAfrica and her passion for helping others, so I joined the team. I am extremely excited about the journey ahead for OneAfrica, the prospects of what we can achieve with other community groups and the positive difference we can make. I also look forward to my own personal growth as I enter this new chapter.
My background includes customer service, training, event management and marketing. When I met Veronica, I was inspired by her vision for OneAfrica and her passion for helping others, so I joined the team. I am extremely excited about the journey ahead for OneAfrica, the prospects of what we can achieve with other community groups and the positive difference we can make. I also look forward to my own personal growth as I enter this new chapter.
Farouk Essop
Treasurer
I was born in South Africa and am passionate about helping people achieve their true potential. I am a strong believer in second chances and not judging people by their negative behaviour - experience has shown me what people can achieve when someone else believes in them.
Through the community work I was involved in back home, I saw first-hand how small gestures can have a lasting, positive impact.
I moved to NZ in March 2020 with my wife and three sons; and have joined OneAfrica to help make a lasting difference.
I live by the motto 'give enough to deserving people of what they want, and you will get more of what you want.'
I moved to NZ in March 2020 with my wife and three sons; and have joined OneAfrica to help make a lasting difference.
I live by the motto 'give enough to deserving people of what they want, and you will get more of what you want.'
Volunteer base
OneAfrica also has a volunteer base consisting of friends, family and community members who have offered their help when needed.