Basier Dramat

(Acting Chief Executive Officer & Chief Operating Officer)

Abdul Basier Dramat is an accomplished South African professional accountant, financial executive, and community leader. Born and raised in Cape Town, Dramat embarked on his academic journey at Symphony Senior Secondary School in Belhar before pursuing a BCom accounting degree from the University of the Western Cape (UWC).

After completing his studies, Dramat honed his skills and expertise at Shrand and Ekermans Chartered Accountants, working under the guidance of Grant Ekermans. He quickly progressed in his career, serving as an audit manager at Shrand and Ekermans before joining HS Accounting as a junior partner. In 2002, he achieved a significant milestone by registering as a professional accountant with the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA). He founded his accounting practice, AB Dramat Professional Accountants, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit in 2004.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Dramat has consistently maintained a strong commitment to community involvement. He currently holds the position of Financial Director on Earthlife Africa, the Green Connection, and Darkroom Contemporary boards. He also showcases his interest in sports governance by serving as a member of the general council of the Western Province Rugby Football Union, where he actively contributes to the finance committee.

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Contact: basierd@cornerstone.ac.za

Dr Marianne Louw

The Executive Dean Deans department

Dr Marianne Louw serves as the acting Executive Dean at Cornerstone Institute, overseeing various responsibilities, including teaching and learning, scholarship, faculty operations, and academic quality assurance. With a career spanning 18 years in higher education institutions, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role.

As the editor of the African Journal of Non-Profit Higher Education (AJNPHE), Dr. Louw actively contributes to advancing scholarly research and publication within the institute. Additionally, she serves as the chairperson of the Senate and various subcommittees, playing a vital role in the governance and strategic direction of the organization.

Dr. Louw’s academic journey began with the University of the Free State (UFS), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication and later a BA Honours in Communication. Prior to entering academia, she worked as a journalist for a prominent daily newspaper in Johannesburg. Her passion for writing and Communication led her to become the copy editor and eventually the editor of a national lifestyle magazine for women.

Joining the Communication Department of the University of Johannesburg (UJ), Dr. Louw embarked on her academic career. During this time, she co-authored a groundbreaking South African textbook on interpersonal Communication, titled “Let’s Talk about interpersonal communication,” which has undergone multiple successful editions.

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Contact: exec-dean@cornerstone.ac.za

Blaine Lomberg, PhD in Physics

(Chief Technology Officer)

Dr Blaine Lomberg is a grassroots scientist who graduated from the University of the Western Cape with a B.Sc in Physics, a B.Sc (Hons) in Nuclear Physics, and an M.Sc. in Experimental Physics (2005-2012). His subsequent career took him to the University of Liverpool, where he worked as an EU Research Associate in sectors ranging from academia to industry and intergovernmental physical science organisations such as CERN in specialised accelerator design and optimization, as well as the development of underpinning technologies (2012-2015). He returned to South Africa from 2016 to 2018 to pursue a research fellowship in Astrophysics and Astronomy relating to big data applications, spaceborne and ground-based observations and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed journal publications. In 2019, he began his PhD in physics to gain a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles guiding the creation of next-generation technologies, with a special emphasis on computing and data processing for nuclear physical processes in the early cosmos. During this time, he liked lecturing and experimenting with new teaching techniques for B.Ed. undergraduates at the University of the Western Cape who were interested in STEM disciplines. Blaine has also worked with a number of South African aerospace and engineering firms in critical areas such as ICT, systems integration, renewable energy, supply chain management, procurement, and component manufacture since 2020.

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Contact: blainel@cornerstone.ac.za

Crystal Jannecke, PhD in Political Science

Registrar and Chairperson: Policy Review Committee (PRC)

The Registrar of Cornerstone Institute

Dr Crystal Jannecke has a diverse background and a passion for education and community development. She holds a Ph.D. in political studies from the University of Cape Town. Her doctoral thesis focused on contested historical land claims and constructed communal identities within the context of South Africa.

Throughout her career, Crystal has gained valuable experience in various areas. She has held post-doctoral fellowships at the University of the Western Cape and Stellenbosch University, where she further honed her research and academic skills. Her expertise extends beyond academia, as she has also delved into academic administration, institutional management, research management, higher education teaching, community development, the trade union, domestic work, and child care.

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Contact: crystalj@cornerstone.ac.za

Broad Management

Cornerstone Institute
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