Small town girl Yolandé, grew up on a farm in the Limpopo province, Vaalwater. I attended the local primary school and thereafter went to boarding school in Pretoria where I attended the Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool (AHMP). I completed my matric with 8 distinctions and went on to the University of Pretoria to study Communication Pathology (Speech Therapy and Audiology).
It was during my 3rd year that I discovered Audiology is my passion and endeavored to enroll for my Master’s Degree during 2008. (You can read the published article of my research here). It was also in this year that I served as president of the student representative council (SRC) of the University of Pretoria. This was a tremendous honour, firstly because I was the fifth female SRC president in the history of the University of Pretoria, and secondly because it was the Universities 100th year of existence. I obtained my Masters degree (Cum Laude) in 2011.
I think back to my high school and University years with tremendous nostalgia and appreciation for 2 great institutions and wonderful people that crossed my path and shaped the person I am today.
After my community service year at 1 Military Hospital in 2009, I bought a small practice in Centurion and slowly started building this practice. During 2012, we opened another practice in Northmead Benoni. Since then, we have opened another branch in the Saxby Medicross centre in Centurion.
I have been married to my partner-in-crime-love-of-my-life, Charl since 2012, and have 2 wonderful children, Deané and Reghardt.
The journey of a person with hearing loss is a very unique journey, and requires the involvement of an audiologist and the commitment of the patient – a truly wonderful journey with potentially great outcomes. I enjoy being involved in many patient’s journeys!
Some of my career highlights so far includes a few projects in the audiology industry in the past few years which I would love to share with you!
Serving as President Elect of the South African Association of Audiologists
During 2021 I was elected at the President Elect of the South African Association of Audiologists (SAAA) where I will be serving as SAAA President Elect for 2 years and SAAA President for the 2 years thereafter. My involvement in SAAA dates back quite a few years and it is a privilege to serve audiology in South Africa to make a difference!
Guinness Book of World Record attempt 2017
During my first term on the South African Association of Audiologists (SAAA) management during which time I managed a project on behalf of SAAA to beat the World Record for the most hearing tests conducted in an 8 hour day. We managed to do so! Read my write-up on the day here and Watch the video here!
Listen to the sound of Mzansi – video project
I was, and still am – VERY excited to have done this project – A video, honoring the ‘SOUNDS OF MZANSI’ – a video that celebrates the sounds that we hear, and the sounds that are unique to our country:
![[[Listen]] to the sound of Mzansi](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cJijVD5uwCg/hqdefault.jpg)
Captain Hear’O
The latest project and brainchild was the CAPTAIN HEAR’O concept which I just LOVE! – Captain Hear’O is a mascot – superhero – EAR whose purpose is mainly to educate children about hearing care and prevention of hearing loss. Watch the video of our launch day here:
You can read more about this day here:
I have been privileged to receive a telecare champion award, and have also been invited to Budapest by the Sivantos Academy about the implementaion of Telecare in my practice. READ MORE HERE.
I was very honoured to receive an award: Exceptional Contribution to the Profession of Audiology 2017, awarded by the South African Association of Audiologists (SAAA).
One of my passions is public education of hearing and hearing loss and during my time served on SAAA Management, I had numerous opportunities to take part in radio talks as well as magazine & newspaper articles – including the following:
Television
SABC Raising Babies; CTNG; SABC Health Talk:
Radio
Groot FM, Unisa FM, Radio X-K, RSG, Radio Pretoria
Magazines
In the years in practice, there has been many highs and lows, many outstanding moments.
I enjoy every moment of this journey and thank everyone that has been a significant part in this journey!
MOST OF ALL, thank you to every single patient that has trusted me in their journey to better hearing and taking my hand to walk this journey with them!
Yolandé