Governance
The Board of Cannons Creek Independent School, is responsible for the overall policy and strategy of the School, ensuring sound financial management, which will further the objectives of the school.
Mr Jan de Waal
Chairperson
Mr de Waal is currently retired and has served as Chairperson of the Cannons Creek Transitional Board from January 2022. Jan started teaching in 1979. He taught at Wynberg Boys’ High, Rhodes High, Simonstown School, Sweet Valley and Somerset College. Jan held the position of School Principal over 27 years at Simonstown, Sweet Valley, Somerset College and Wynberg Boys’ High.
Advocate Paul White
Adv White has been self-employed as an advocate and as a member of the Cape Bar since July 1998. Prior to joining the Bar he was employed by the Department of Justice as a Public Prosecutor and thereafter practised as an attorney with Herold Gie Attorneys. Last year Paul represented Cannons Creek in a litigation matter. Paul has lived in Pinelands for over 20 years. His elder son, James, is a past pupil of Cannons Creek.
![Dr Marietta Hopley ]Photo - Marietta Hopley2](https://cannonscreek.co.za/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/Dr-Marietta-Hopley-Photo-Marietta-Hopley2-square-6538a7caff586d06e32f08df722a030f-jcvdzqo6hti8.jpg "Dr Marietta Hopley ]Photo - Marietta Hopley2")
Dr Marietta Hopley
With a PhD in Christian Ethics, an MPhil in Executive Business Administration, International Public Relations and Politics, and certification as an International Accredited Public Relations Manager, Dr Hopley brings a wealth of qualifications and skills to the Cannons Creek Board. She has received prestigious awards, demonstrating her commitment to serving communities and the environment. Marietta holds leadership roles in national and international non-profit and non-governmental organisations. With over 36 years of entrepreneurial success, she possess a diverse skill set in strategic business management, fundraising development, marketing, and environmental affairs management. Marietta’s daughter is in Grade 8.
Ayesha Kaplen
Mrs Kaplen is a management consultant with more than 20 years’ experience, consulting on public sector transformation matters. Ayesha has volunteered her assistance to Cannons Creek since 2018 serving on the Strategic Committee, chairing the Interim Parents’ Association and driving the establishment of the Cannons Creek Parents’ Association. She has also served as a member of the Transitional Board. Ayesha’s daughters are currently in Grade 6 and Grade 11.
Rushdy Parker
Mr Parker is employed at Ruben Reddy Architects (Pty) Ltd. Rushdy is a professionaly registered architect with over 19 years Design and Construction Supervision experience in large scale building projects in the residential, commercial and education sectors. Until now, he has been assisting Cannons Creek in an ad hoc advisory capacity and assisting with local authority approvals. Rushdy has children currently in Grades 6 and 5.
Tajudin Parkar
Mr Parkar currently works at Old Mutual Life Assurance Company SA. Tajudin has held several positions in the retirement fund industry spanning actuarial and benefit consulting, investment marketing, the provision of life insurance retirement solutions and as a retirement fund Trustee. Tajudin holds post-graduate qualifications in actuarial science and financial planning from University of Cape Town and University of Stelenbosch respectively. He is a member of the Actuarial Society of South Africa and a Certified Financial Planner of the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa. Tajudin’s daughters both attended Cannons Creek throughout and were both Prefects. Currently, he has a son in Grade 5.
Gareth Collier
Mr Collier is an Independent Board Member at Cannons Creek Independent School and the first alumnus (Class of 2004) to be appointed to the School Board. A CFP® Professional with extensive experience in financial planning, investment strategy and corporate governance, Gareth brings this experience to the Board in support of the school's long-term sustainability and continued success. As a Cannons Creek alumnus, Gareth enjoys the opportunity to give back to the school community that helped shape his own journey. He lives in Cape Town with his wife, Cheryl, and their two daughters.
Georgie Borgstrӧm
Ms Borgstrӧm has a wealth of experience serving on boards and school governing bodies ranging from pre-schools to high schools in both independent and state schools. Her background is in architecture and project management and she has overseen many school projects in the schools where she served as a governor. These projects range from building extensions, new builds, sports facilities (including swimming pools and astro-turfs) and routine maintenance projects. Her passion is schooling and she is excited to be joining the Cannons Creek Board and sharing her vast experience and knowledge with us.
Jeanette Welgemoed
Ms Welgemoed is a deeply passionate and highly experienced primary school educator and leader, with a career spanning over four decades, including nearly two decades as the Headmistress of Micklefield School, an ISASA school in Cape Town (2004–2022). Her educational philosophy is rooted in social justice, values-driven decision- making, and the fervent belief in empowering children with the skills and ability to thrive in our exciting, challenging, and diverse global society. Throughout her career, and especially during her headship, she actively promoted and encouraged the development of crucial life skills in her students. Before her headship, she served at Wynberg Girls Junior School, rising to Deputy Principal. She is a dedicated professional mentor, having served on numerous educational committees, including leadership roles with SAHISA (Regional Chair, Council Member, and Small Schools Forum Co-ordinator) and the Western Cape Association of Girls Schools (WAGS Treasurer).
Tracy Wahl - Ex Officio
Mrs Wahl trained as a teacher in Foundation Phase and Pre-Primary Education. Tracy has been teaching since 1987 at both Public and Independent Schools, where she held management positions. Tracy was actively involved in the sports programme as well as music and productions in all her years of teaching. Tracy was appointed as a Grade 6 Class Teacher and Deputy Principal at Cannons Creek in 2014. In 2018 she took over the Headship from Mrs Booth on her retirement. Tracy is passionate about teaching through innovative and holistic methods. She stays abreast of current trends by attending educational conferences both online and in person. She is an avid reader and encourages our children to read daily. Tracy is a member of the ISASA SW regional committee and Chair of the Small Schools Forum for our region.
Jacques Soine - Ex Officio
Mr Soine is a Finance and Business Management professional with experience across diverse industries including construction, packaging, corporate education, and public health in the non-profit sector. He is a Master of Commerce graduate, experienced at adapting to and managing change through organisational phases of growth, restructuring and down-sizing. Jacques is a strategic thinker who is able to add value at the Executive Committee and Board level. He enjoys adding measurable value through advanced data analytics and modelling to support better decisions for organisational growth and sustainability, upholding effective internal controls to support operational outcomes, and facilitating integration across functional teams for strategic alignment and collaboration around shared objectives. Jacques joined Cannons Creek as the Finance Manager at the end of 2022, and also sits on the Employment Equity Committee.
Angus Morton - Ex Officio
Mr Morton has spent the largest part of his career in the independent school sector. Angus was a founding staff member of Somerset College in 1997. As a Deputy Head, he oversaw the academic and pastoral programmes of the High School. Angus left Somerset College at the end of 2006 and spent two years teaching at The Leys School in Cambridge, United Kingdom. On his return to South Africa in 2009, he joined Elkanah House High School as the Head of the Physical Sciences department. In 2020 he was appointed Head of Elkanah House High School. From 2022, Mr Morton was the Head of Physical Sciences at Somerset West Private School. Angus joined Cannons Creek as the Executive Principal in 2023.