MANAGERIAL STAFF

Bruce was born in Durban, educated in the Midlands, and graduated from the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg. After being admitted as an attorney he practiced in partnership and for his own account, during which time he gained considerable experience as a general practitioner.

After matriculating in 1984, our Conference Co-Ordinator Debbie Gowar studied a 3 year National Diploma in Hotel Management. Debbie achieved the Excellent Service award and also won the best Thesis award, as well as obtaining a distinction in Hotel Law and Hotel Practice.

Our divisional Health & Safety Advisor was born, raised and educated in Pietermaritzburg and matriculated at Maritzburg College in 1993. Gareth spent the next 8 years working for On Tap, a local plumbing and sanitaryware supply in Pietermaritzburg and gained excellent experience from his time there.

Gary Amstutz was born in Cape Town and spent much of his childhood travelling the world, as his father was a Civil Engineer with a large International Firm. Gary studied law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and completed his LLB in 1993. He then spent two years working and travelling overseas.

After having completed National Service, Greg started out his career in the Deeds Office where he worked for 3 years. While serving as a Title Deed Examiner, he attended university part time. He then worked as a Railway Stoker for a year in order to complete university and thereafter joined Byron & Jooste where as an Audit clerk, completed his articles and qualified as a chartered accountant. Greg spent 8 years at Byron & Jooste before joining DS&T.

Hans grew up in Klerksdorp before his family relocated to Harrismith when he was 13. After matriculating, he began his career in the nearby town of Bethlehem, where worked for the South African Railways. Hans displayed a natural enthusiasm for learning and completed several courses. He quickly rose through the ranks, resigning 13 years later as a district track manager.

Jannie was born and educated in Cape Town. He was employed by Transnet and as he progressed within the company was transferred to Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban and then Richards Bay. His last posting saw him appointed as Labour Relations Manager and his responsibilities included, the implementation of the new Labour Relations Act and managing the Labour relations for the Coallink Business Unit.

Neels is the Association's Health and Safety Manager, he has served the Association in this position for more than 12 years. He started his working career with ESKOM in 1981 where he qualified as a Draughtsman. In 1986 he changed his focus to Safety Risk Management and later qualified as an Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Officer. He currently holds a National Diploma in Safety Management and have been practicing Occupational Health and Safety for the past 25 years.

Paula grew up in Richards Bay and began her working career with a small local construction company called General Plant Services. From 1992 she worked as a marketing consultant for stationery supplier Waltons, before in 1999, joining security company Chubb Guarding as their Richards Bay branch manager. In 2005 she moved over to labour hire firm New Adventure Hire, where she headed up their Human Recourses department.

Rob came onboard as Benefits Manager in November 2001, at the time, Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal was administering the Provident Fund as well as running the Stamp Scheme. A few months later the Association started administering two additional funds, KZN and Midlands Retirement Fund. Rob played an intricate role in managing and implementing the administering of these new portfolios.

Upon Completion of high school, Shelly achieved a National Secretarial Certificate as well as a Fitness & Nutrition Diploma. She began work life as a tracing agent at ASAP Tracing in Newcastle, before Joining Hudson & Knight Unilever, where she worked as a personal assistant for three years, before leaving to travel the USA.

Victor Smith was educated in Durban and after completing his teacher education, he taught at schools in both Johannesburg and Durban. After sixteen years as an educator, Victor joined a private training provider, where his functions included:

Vikashnee Harbhajan has held senior positions in both the public and private sector. She holds a Master’s degree in law and is an admitted Attorney and Conveyancer of the High Court of South Africa. She commenced her career at the University of Durban–Westville and Technikon Mangosuthu in the faculties of Law and served her articles with the Legal Aid Board.