Beverley Dankers
(Student Services: Director)
Beverley Dankers has experienced diverse cultures and significantly contributed to the United States and Swaziland. With a passion for education and community development, she has actively engaged with tertiary institutions for the past decade, bringing her expertise and commitment to various roles.
Beverley’s educational journey began in 2009 at Cornerstone Institute, where she laid the foundation for her future endeavors. In 2010, she graduated with a BTh in Community Development, equipping her with the necessary skills to positively impact society. Her thirst for knowledge led her to pursue a BSocSc Honours degree in Development Studies at the prestigious University of Cape Town, which she completed in 2012. She sought further growth and expertise and obtained an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University in 2016.
While at the African Christian College (NPO) in Swaziland, Beverley taught women, youth, and children as an educator. She imparted knowledge and managed the college cafeteria, ensuring a conducive learning environment for all. Her commitment to serving people extended to The Luke Commission (NPO), where she held the administrator position. In this role, she managed the office and provided leadership to the staff, contributing to the organization’s overall success.
Before joining the Student Services Department at Cornerstone Institute, Beverley gained valuable experience at UWC in the alum relations office. Her role involved fostering relationships with alums, highlighting their achievements, and strengthening connections within the university community.
Family holds a special place in Beverley’s life. She is a proud mother to a civil engineer son who resides in Secunda, South Africa. Her daughter and son-in-law are graphic designers showcasing their creative talents. However, it is her granddaughters who bring her immense joy and pride.
Contact: beverleyd@cornerstone.ac.za
Geraldine Franciscus
(Psychology: Head of Department)
Ms. Geraldine Franciscus is a Counselling Psychologist, a Senior Lecturer, and the Head of the Psychology Department at Cornerstone Institute. She has been a Psychology lecturer for over 20 years. She has a special interest in Brain Working Recursive Therapy and Solution Focussed Brief Therapy and its application in South Africa.
Geraldine has been involved in collaborative research. Some of this research has resulted in a publication in the International Journal of Higher Education and Democracy and conference presentations at the Psychological Society of South Africa’s (PsySSA’s) Annual Congress. Her Master’s thesis examined the ‘Attitudes and Responses of Teachers to Child Sexual Abuse Disclosure.’
She is passionate about promoting community mental health and emotional well-being. Geraldine is an executive member of the South African Association of Counselling Psychology and Division of PsySSA. She was the Chair of the division from 2019-2021 and the Vice Chair from 2017-2019. She has done several radio interviews addressing Mental Health and well-being.
Geraldine completed a BA of Arts degree in Psychology (1994), Psychology Honours (1996), and a Masters in Counselling Psychology at UWC. She has also completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Education and an HR Certificate through the University of Technology and completed Assessor training with the Council on Higher Education (CHE). Geraldine is currently pursuing PhD studies. She has a part-time counselling practice and enjoys the therapeutic space and facilitating training & workshops.
Contact: geraldinef@cornerstone.ac.za
Eugene Brandt
(Facilities: Manager)
Eugene Brandt has more than a decade of experience in corporate South Africa.
Contact: eugeneb@cornerstone.ac.za
Dr. Martin Khoaseb
(Head of the Centre for Teaching and Learning)
Dr. Martin Khoaseb joined Cornerstone Institute in 2022 as the Head of the Centre for Teaching and Learning. This CTL ensures that Cornerstone integrates teaching, learning, and scholarship, emphasizing social justice education, integrated work program, and related academic initiatives.
The life experiences and growing up as a young man during turbulent political unrest in the 80s and 90s have significantly shaped Martin’s life and worldview. The quest for self-actualization and self-identity has been his driving force, personal faith encounters, and inspirational leadership of liberation stalwarts greatly influenced these.
Martin’s educational journey began with a Diploma in Primary Education, which led to him working as an educator at the primary school level for over eight years. Building upon his foundation, he pursued further qualifications, including a Licentiate in Theology from the Bible Institute of South Africa, a Bachelor of Honours from UNISA, a Master of Theology from the University of Free State, and a Ph.D. in Practical Theology from the University of Stellenbosch in 2014.
Martin has worked in various administrative and managerial capacities for non-profit organizations (NPOs). He was the Director of Scripture Union Namibia from 1997-1999 and Provost/ Principal of Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary from 2003-2007. As Director and Principal, he was responsible for oversight of all operations. Some key performance areas were recruiting, retaining, and developing lecturers and staff and ensuring quality teaching and learning.
Since completing his Ph.D. in 2014, he has held adjunct positions at different institutions with diverse levels of responsibility, but all engaged in teaching and learning. At the African Leadership University of Southern Africa (ALUSA) from 2016-2021, he was responsible for teaching and learning direction, lecturer engagement, student support, and academic administration.
At Cape Town Biblical College (2016-2021), the responsibilities were for the program, course coordination, and lecturing, including designing and developing courses. As facilitator (2018-2020) of Bachelor of Theology Degree students of Northwest University, he was involved in contact and distance mode with students and lecturers. Martin has 12 years of lecturing experience at higher education institutions.
Martin is a catalyst for alleviating social and structural injustices and causes of human degradation. He believes that the main challenge in Africa is the need for more credible and selfless leadership. His vision for the continent centers around nurturing value-based leaders who are dedicated to a transformative educational agenda, upholding human dignity, and championing social justice.
Contact: martink@cornerstone.ac.za
Elana Van Zyl
(Deputy Registrar)
Elana van Zyl has worked in various work settings throughout her multifaceted career, from the production floor to the boardroom. Her work experience includes production planning, various administrative roles, human resources management, and working in various roles in higher education for 10 years. She has a hands-on approach to working and loves the challenge of mastering a new skill. Elana, therefore, has a wide ‘toolbox’ of skills to utilize in her current roles, of which teaching, administration, and analytical and strategic thinking are only a few.
For Elana, inspiration is sometimes found in the beauty of nature, a good book, a serendipitous conversation, or a song – she oftentimes finds it in the most unlikely places. Elana’s biggest inspiration is the ability to witness how a person finds themselves and their purpose and unfurls and bloom.
Elana believes that a person is always in the process of becoming and that in finding themselves, people impact the world and find ways of being that impact the world.
Contact: elanaz@cornerstone.ac.za
Adeliah Jacobs
(General Manager)
Adeliah is a seasoned professional with a remarkable 12-year track record of serving individuals and groups in both workplace and community-based settings. Drawing from her diverse range of experiences, including roles as an HR Manager, Quality Management Representative, and Project Manager, as well as insights gained from executive coaching sessions, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to all her engagements.
Adeliah possesses a unique talent for connecting dots, simplifying complex themes, and fostering enabling environments that empower individuals to leverage their strengths. Her extensive background includes working and volunteering at non-governmental organizations in the primary healthcare sector and in production and engineering companies within the private sector.
Additionally, she has gained valuable experience at a manufacturing and distribution company in the corporate sector. One of Adeliah’s defining qualities is her commitment to active listening and her ability to help individuals and teams unlock their potential. Her passion for social entrepreneurship led her to launch two businesses between 2016 and 2020. Through these ventures, she has demonstrated her resilience and embraced the concept of failing forward, using setbacks as valuable learning opportunities.
Contact: adeliahj@cornerstone.ac.za
Geoff Schreiner
(Head of Department: Business Studies)
Geoff Schreiner holds a Master’s degree in the Sociology of Work from Warwick University (UK), which he completed in 1987 following his studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. Throughout his career, Geoff has been deeply involved in the labour movement and played a significant role in the National Peace Accord, for which he was honored with the Martin Luther King Peace Prize.
Geoff’s expertise extends to manufacturing and supply chain best practices and digital transformation in business. As an APICS Senior Supply Chain Professional, he has continually expanded his knowledge in these areas, staying at the forefront of industry trends.
In 1996, Geoff established Performance Solutions Africa (PSA), focusing on management development and operational efficiency. PSA, which remains operational today, primarily caters to the educational and small business sectors. Additionally, Geoff spent 12 years at Competitive Capabilities International, where he held the position of Global Products Director. In this role, he was responsible for developing and distributing operations and supply chain best practices on a digital platform, catering to leading global corporations.
In late 2021, Geoff joined Cornerstone Institute, assuming leadership in developing the Business Studies unit. His primary objective is to provide globally relevant teaching and learning experiences that prepare students for the rapidly changing landscape of the new world of work.
Contact: geoffs@cornerstone.ac.za
Thulani Dube
(Head of Innovation and Advancement)
Thulani Dube serves as the Head of Innovation and Advancement at Cornerstone Institute. With a diverse background in academia and leadership roles, Thulani has made significant contributions to the field of entrepreneurship and economic transformation.
Previously, Thulani was Faculty Programmes Coordinator for the Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Economic Transformation, where he played a pivotal role in developing and coordinating various academic programs. Additionally, he served as the Department Lead for the Business Studies Department, showcasing his expertise in business management and industrial psychology.
Thulani’s educational achievements include a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nicosia, further enhancing his organizational management knowledge and skills. He also holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management from the University of South Africa (UNISA), where he initially earned his Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Human Resources Management. Thulani pursued a Higher National Certificate in Skills Development Facilitation through UNISA to fuel his passion for human capital development.
Throughout his career, Thulani has been dedicated to driving managerial leadership development and fostering organizational efficiency through innovative solutions. He is particularly enthusiastic about empowering and developing the youth, recognizing the importance of nurturing the next generation of leaders.
Thulani’s professional expertise extends beyond academia, as he holds a Six Sigma Black Belt Certification, showcasing his proficiency in process improvement methodologies. Furthermore, he serves as a valuable member of the Board of Directors of Sign Language Education and Development (SLED), contributing to the advancement of sign language education.
At Cornerstone Institute, Thulani has actively participated in numerous committees, including the Faculty Management Committee, the Senate Executive Committee, the Critical Dialogue Committee, the Exam and Assessment Committee, and the Recognition of Prior Learning Committee. These engagements demonstrate his commitment to the institute’s success and dedication to collaborative decision-making processes.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Thulani generously volunteers at Autism Western Cape, leading special projects like the Artists on a Spectrum Exhibitions. He has previously served on the Black Management Forum (BMF) Western Cape Provincial Executive Committee and held the role of Treasurer at the Cape Town Branch. Additionally, he played an instrumental role in the National BMF Editorial Committee, overseeing the publication of notable works like the African Leader.
Contact: thulanid@cornerstone.ac.za
Henrietta Settler
(Sociology: Programme Co-ordinator)
Henrietta Settler worked as a Development Practitioner for more than 20 years in the community and youth development sector. Her dedication to education and freedom, stem from her desire to contribute positively to the lives of marginal constituencies and with this has a deep understanding of issues affecting the most vulnerable. As a black feminist, she also has a keen interest in gender migration in particular black, female migrants and agency.
Her academic experience spans several disciplines which add significantly to the richness of her abilities. She obtained a Diploma in Education from Dower College of Education; BPhil (ed) degree in Community and Youth Studies from the University of Birmingham and completed the Mphil in Social Science Methods (Research) with the University of Stellenbosch. Her Masters’ thesis focussed on the ethical considerations and power dynamics within the research setting and she explored these dimensions within hair salons managed and owned by black female African migrants.
Henrietta’s expertise and research interests include youth development, research ethics and gender and migration. Her immediate future plans include embarking on doctoral studies with a focus on gender, migration and economics.
Contact: henriettas@cornerstone.ac.za
Zizipho Dyubeni
(Marketing Manager)
Zizipho is an accomplished professional with noticeable skills in digital marketing, business development, strategic partnerships, digital strategy, and digital content creation. Zizipho knows her way around the digital content space.
Zizipho started her career as a freelancer for a PR company specializing in high-end Luxury brands. She went on to work at digital advertising and publisher network provider Volt Africa as Learning and Development Manager and Brand Ambassador. Zizipho continued to endeavor in her enterprising journey through her digital boutique agency Iqhayiya Digital working with social entrepreneurship organizations designing and facilitating social media workshops. She served as the Head of Growth (SA) for African Fintech ImaliPay before joining Cornerstone Institute as the Head of Marketing.
It is through her experience across industries, namely in the: media, advertising, property development, and financial sector, where she has honed critical skills in new business development, entrepreneurial support programs through digital education, and marketing management with dotted lines to digital strategy development.
As an MC and Moderator, her diverse expertise and experiences in different roles and business sectors make her a great candidate to lead panel discussions and be a blended learning facilitator. Zizipho has an insatiable passion for driving consumer-centric agendas while upholding organizational values and brand promise.
Contact: ziziphod@cornerstone.ac.za
Stephen Langtry
(Department Lead: General Education and Media Studies)
Stephen Langtry holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial & Organisational Psychology and Religious Tradition and a Master of Arts in Creative Writing, both earned from the University of Cape Town.
Stephen is the Department Lead for General Education and Media Studies at Cornerstone Institute. Additionally, he serves as the Chairperson of the Board of the Camissa Museum, an institution dedicated to restorative justice and education, emphasizing the narratives of the people of the Cape.
Before assuming his current roles, Stephen worked as an independent consultant, catering to various clients, including the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business and the Western Cape Department of Local Government.
His previous positions include serving as the Campus Registrar at North-West University, Executive Manager to the Vice-Chancellor at the University of North-West, and holding various positions at the University of Cape Town. During his tenure at the Electoral Commission from 2005 to 2016, Stephen played a pivotal role in organizing South Africa’s democratic elections and providing technical electoral assistance to other countries.
Stephen is also an accomplished writer, with his work featured in notable publications such as Agbowó, the Mail & Guardian, and The Johannesburg Review of Books. He is a regular contributor to the UCT News website.
Contact: stephenl@cornerstone.ac.za
Anlene Teljaard
(Faculty Office: Theology and Ethics)
Anlene has an interest in classical and contemporary approaches to theology that account for relevant responses to societal issues, especially in Africa. They strive to work towards a more just and humane society has been part of her career path in the areas of formal theological education, as a lecturer, community worker in local South African communities, as well as, volunteering and providing service in the church (Uniting Reformed Church of Southern Africa) as a part-time minister.
Anlene holds a Masters in Divinity Studies from Stellenbosch University and a Research Masters from Vrije University, Netherlands.
Contact: anlenet@cornerstone.ac.za
Dr. Susan Gredley
(Department Lead: BA Alternative Education)
Dr. Susan Gredley is the primary lecturer and departmental lead for Cornerstone’s BA Alternative Education program. She holds a Master’s in Adult Education from the University of Cape Town and a Ph.D. from the University of the Western Cape. Her doctoral research explored socially just pedagogies in higher education through the lens of participatory parity.
Before joining Cornerstone in 2022, Susan worked at UCT and UWC in a range of convening, lecturing, and research roles, including, at UCT, in the Writing Centre, Disabilities Studies Unit, English Department, Language Development Group, Global Citizenship Programme, and Cases of Open Learning project and, at UWC, in the Women’s and Gender Studies department, convening and lecturing on two undergraduate gender studies courses.
Her published research spans students’ teaching and learning experiences in higher education, open learning to promote access to higher education, and socially just teaching and assessment practices. Susan’s teaching and research continue to reinforce her interest in exploring socially just ways of teaching, learning, and engaging with students who are, in turn, motivated to contribute to social transformation in South Africa today. When not involved in academic pursuits, she loves running, reading, exploring local spaces, hanging out with her dogs, and quality time with family and friends.
Contact: susang@cornerstone.ac.za
Sharon Brand
(Deputy Dean: Business Studies)
Sharon Brand has a diverse business and supply chain management background. She holds a BPharm degree from UCT and a BCom degree from Unisa. Additionally, she has earned BBA Hons and MBA degrees from the University of Stellenbosch Business School, both with Cum Laude honors. Sharon is pursuing a Ph.D. in new product forecasting, demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning and research.
With over 16 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Sharon has held various positions at Warner-Lambert and Pfizer, ultimately reaching the senior National Supply Chain Manager role. She then transitioned to the provincial government as Deputy Director, overseeing the supply chain of medicines. Sharon later joined Afrox, a local affiliate of the Linde Group, as the regional supply chain manager, SAP business coach, and Six Sigma Black Belt. In this capacity, she led and enhanced supply chain processes.
For the past 12 years, Sharon has been associated with Competitive Capabilities International, where she conducted extensive research and developed best practices in supply chain management. Her work has contributed to continuous improvements in value chains for multinational corporations.
In 2023, Sharon joined Cornerstone Institute, bringing her expertise to various areas, including business management, operations and supply chain management, business analytics, economics, and finance.
Contact: sharonb@cornerstone.ac.za