Liesl Smith - Facility Manager

Born and educated in South Africa, Liesl qualified with a BSc in Animal Physiology and Zoology and an Honours Degree in Wildlife Management. She spent some years as a High School biology and physical science teacher up country before moving down to Cape Town. Shortly after the move, Liesl started volunteering five days a week at Cheetah Outreach.  In 2001 she joined the staff and in 2003, took over management of the Cheetah Outreach facility.  Besides managing the daily operation, she has assisted in the implementation of the Anatolian Guarding Dog Programme in South Africa and helped develop the foundation-phase education resource.

Tholakele ‘Jackie’ Dlamini

Jackie has joined the Cheetah Outreach staff as the new kitchen manager.  He quickly took charge of the kitchen, keeping it tidy and organized, and preparing all the animal meals on time.   Friendly and eager to learn, Jackie is a welcome addition to the Cheetah Outreach team.

Elizabeth Dube

Elizabeth has been working at Cheetah Outreach since 2002. She can be found running the shop and greeting visitors in her welcoming and professional manner. Cheetah Outreach wouldn’t be the same without her warm smile and ready laughter.

Pretty Cebibokwe

Pretty became a permanent member of the staff in 2003. Due to her commitment and rapport with the cats, she was trained to be a handler and can often be found working with the cubs.

Christo van Niekerk

After several years away, Christo has returned to Cheetah Outreach. Born and educated in South Africa, he was involved in animal care for several years as a cruelty inspector for the SPCA before joining the Cheetah Outreach staff in 2003 where he remained for 7 years. His knowledge of animals and their care is a great asset to Cheetah Outreach, and he has resumed responsibility for the maintenance of the facility.

Cyril Stannard, Anatolian Project Coordinator

Cyril joined the Cheetah Outreach team in February 2008 as project coordinator of the Anatolian Guarding Dog Programme. He worked with Anatolian shepherd dogs for 10 years, beginning with the Department of Agriculture, before coming to Cheetah Outreach. A big part of his job is visiting and monitoring the Anatolians placed on South African farms on a monthly basis to ensure they are working and being cared for properly. Passionate about Anatolians, he enjoys his work immensely, and brings a great deal of experience to this important programme.  

Mary Maphori Possa

Mary, a qualified teacher with 20 years experience working in Primary Schools in the Western Cape, joined Cheetah Outreach in May 2009 to assist in the expansion of the education programme.  Mary was offered the position based on her previous relationship with Cheetah Outreach in designing resources, presenting at workshops, and her incredible passion and energy for education.  Mary speaks four local languages, which together with her knowledge of the school curriculum, is a valuable asset to Cheetah Outreach. 

Yogi Nanny

Yogi started volunteering at Cheetah Outreach in December 2008.  He became a temporary staff member a year later and in February joined the staff permanently.  He has taken over responsibility for the Cheetah Outreach volunteer programme.  In his spare time, Yogi is continuing his studies and working toward a degree in Socio-informatics.  Yogi loves sharing his passion for cheetahs with visitors and new volunteers.

Katherine (Kat) Whitehouse-Tedd

Kat started volunteering at Cheetah Outreach in January 2000 as a handler and in the education programme.  As a veterinary nurse, Kat also assisted with the health care of the cheetahs.  In 2004 she set up the cub-rearing project at Cheetah Outreach and was project leader until 2007.  During that time, Kat completed her PhD in cheetah nutrition and has written a number of scientific papers on cheetah and cat nutrition; she is currently publishing a book about the nutritional management of captive cheetahs.  Kat is currently based in the UK where she works as a Scientific Researcher in the Gastrointestinal Health of Companion Animals, but she continues to volunteer as the Research Officer for Cheetah Outreach