Management Team

Gert Potgieter
Executive Director

Although one of the world’s top hurdlers throughout his brief career Gert Potgieter is also remembered as an athlete whose attempts to win an Olympic title were thwarted by ill luck. Potgieter emerged as a major talent in 1956 and reached the Olympic final whilst still a junior. In contention for the medals coming down the final straight he mistimed his leap at the final hurdle, lost momentum and slipped back to sixth. In the next four years he continued his improvement and, in addition to winning 440 y hurdles and relay gold medals at the 1958 British Empire Games. set three world records at 440 y hurdles. A potential meeting between Potgieter and a trio of high class Americans led by [Glenn Davis] shaped up to be one of the highlights of the 1960 Olympic track and field programme but it was never to take place. A few weeks before the Games began Potgieter was involved in a serious car crash whilst in Germany.

He lost the use of an eye in the accident and the vision in the other was also damaged. On the day of the 400 m hurdles final he was still recuperating in a Heidelberg hospital. He recovered well enough to compete in the decathlon and won the 1966 South African title in the event but even if he could have resumed his career at the highest level South Africa had by then been barred from the Olympic Games. Although from the Afrikaner heartland of Pietermaritzburg Potgieter became involved in attempts to desegregate sport in his country and in 1988 helped to found the South African Olympic Academy, a fully non-racial body. In 1995 he founded an organization called Altus Sport, devoted to “spreading knowledge in the true spirit of sport” throughout Africa., Potgieter was voted South Africa’s Athlete of the 20th Century.

Altus Sport Executive Director to the board and founder of Altus Sport was appointed by the International Olympic Academy Participants Committee (IOAPA) as South Africa’s coordinator for 2023

Liana Laubscher
Managing Director

Travelled widely internationally concerning sport and recreation including Sessions on the Olympic idea and its values in Olympia, Greece. She is a professional tennis coach and wrote several publications on sport coaching and Olympic Education. Currently she is an Executive Member of the Tshwane Sport Council and a member of the Gauteng Coaches Commission. She is a qualified sport facilitator, assessor and moderator at ETDP-SETA.

SAMANTHA PENNELLS-INGLE
PROJECTS AND MEL MANAGER

Has always had a passion for children and working in the outdoors. Not only has she excelled in sports like athletics, netball and cricket but she has also represented South Africa numerous times in Clay Target Shooting from the age of 16 years old. Through hard work and training she also received Tshwane University’s Sport Woman of the Year in 2009. She is also a registered facilitator, assessor and moderator that has a passion for training leadership and personal development of youth. Samantha is also a qualified ARA Facilitator (Outdoor & Recreation) and has focused a lot of her experience through leadership training, corporate teambuilding’s and workshops around Africa.

Zi Teffo
Programmes Manager

He studied Political Leadership and Citizenship and wanted to make a meaningful change in people’s lives. His motto in life is that if you have not helped a soul out of the goodness of your heart and expecting nothing in return, you have not yet lived.

Miranda Dlamini
EVENTS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP MANAGER

Miranda is one lady that worked herself up the ladder. She first started as an youth sport leader, then coordinator and now in management. She studied Basic Ambulance Assistance and is a qualified swimming instructor and lifeguard. She is very passionate about her work in the communities. Her inspiration in life is to be a good role model to the young orphan mothers out there , because optimism is faith that leads to achievement

Ronel Bekker
Financial Manager

Throughout most of my life, figures have been a constant presence. Growing up with a mother who was a bookkeeper, our dinner table often played host to her ledgers, large books, and a calculator adorned with long strips of paper. The world of numbers fascinated me from an early age. After completing my matriculation at a Commercial High School many years ago, I seamlessly continued along that path, gaining valuable lessons from the University of Life.

For over thirty years, I have served as a Bookkeeper and Financial Manager. My journey began in the corporate realm, where I steadily climbed the professional ladder. In 2013, I transitioned to the NGO sector, a move that exposed me to a new world of challenges and opportunities. This shift has instilled in me a profound sense of gratitude, knowing that I can contribute my expertise to a sector that truly needs and deserves it.

Board Members

Gert Potgieter

Gert is the co-founder of Altus Sport in 1994. His passion is Olympic Education and Values and was the founder of the first Olympic Academy of South Africa. He is a former Olympian, elected SA men’s athlete of the century in 2000, former world record holder and also played provincial rugby. Inaugurated in the SA Hall of Fame. He wrote several coaching publications and lectured internationally on sport and Olympic education. In 2016 he was awarded as ambassador of SSCN. Accredited sport facilitator, assessor and moderator at ETDP-SETA.

Liana Laubscher

Studied Phys Ed at Stellenbosch University and became a professional tennis coach. Liana is co-founder of Altus Sport and travelled widely internationally concerning sport and recreation including Sessions on the Olympic idea in Olympia, Greece. Wrote several publications on sport coaching and Olympic Education. Former member of the Gauteng Coaches Commission and a qualified sport facilitator, assessor and moderator at ETDP-SETA. Currently member of the Safeguarding and Football3 committees of the Common Goal Community.

Sarah Oeschger

She is a motivated, creative and responsible individual who is passionate about making a difference in the world that we live in, to make it better for each future generation to come. She is currently completing her Masters in Criminology and working a full-time job. In addition, she has a trauma counselling qualification which means she could help people on a more interpersonal level. She believes that the any opportunity to work with others, is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Dr Poppy Masinga

Dr Masinga holds a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Social Work. Currently she is the Head of the Faculty of Social Work and Community Development at the South African College of Applied Psychology. Her interest lies in community development, social policy, social development, immigration issues, green social work and sustainable development, advocating for social, economic and environmental justice and promoting youth development.

Prof Peet du Toit
Prof Peet is currently Group Head of the Exercise- and Neuroscience, University of Pretoria. Among his handful of highly academic qualifications, he also holds qualifications in: Higher Exercise Science, Advanced Neuroscience Coaching, Sport Management, Sports Vision Testing and Training and Outcomes Based Assessments. He is passionate about the link between physical and mental well- being and explores the fields of Research, Neuroscience, Exercise Science, Education, Brain Fitness and Performance.
Kgabo Motjane

Kgabo has been part of Altus Sport since its inauguration. She served as Chairperson of Gauteng Women and Sport, Member of Tshwane Women and Sport Desk, Member of the Advisory Committee to Minister on Women and Sport. Other portfolios held: Sport Manager- University of Pretoria; Project Manager – UK/SA sports initiative; Project Manager Sport – Gauteng Department of Education as well as 2010 World Cup. Director: administration and management at Sport and Recreation South Africa. Currently the same position at the department of transport.

Dr Engela vd Klashorst

Engela currently lives in Australia and teaches at Victoria University. She became involved with Altus Sport while lecturing at UP. Outreach projects are her passion and she specializes in research focusing on achieving development goals through sport. She completed her B(Mus) UP; BA(HMS) UP; Sport Science honours (cum laude) UP; BA(Psychology) honours (cum laude) UNISA; MA(HMS) UP and obtained D(Phil) Specialisation Sport and Recreation Management.

TANIA VAN WYK

Passionate about finance. I am a hard worker, enthusiastic and consistent. I have a fair and caring nature and thus believe to be a good team player.

I enjoy spending time collaborating on new ideas and am excited about the future as a South African and global citizen.

I wish to join an organization where I can build long-term relationships, progress within the firm and form part of the corporate culture.