Get To Know Us
About Us
In 2016, we partnered with the Western Cape Department of Social Development to develop, test and implement a ground-breaking therapeutic intervention that promotes holistic development in children aged 4 to 5 years.
In 2020 the Step Up programme was developed to target 5 to 6 year old children.
In 2022, we partnered with the Western Cape Department of Education, following the function shift. Our partnerships ensure that we can provide communities with access to quality learning intervention.
Trustees
Dr. Ingrid Ahlert
Founder & CEO
She has worked with multi-disciplinary teams at various schools, focusing on educational assessments, concessions and enhancing the resilience of children with learning barriers.
Hilton Calder
Chairman
Hilton (BA Communications, MA Clin Psy) is a Clinical Psychologist who works independently in the counselling, human resources and sport/health psychology fields.
He focuses on psychotherapy, executive coaching, psychometric assessments and business consulting. He has also owned and run his own franchise enterprise in the service industry.
Marius Oosthuizen
Vice-Chairman
Marius (B Comm, LLB, LLM) has been a practicing attorney for his own account, under the name MF Oosthuizen Attorneys, since 2004.
Marius specialises in commercial law, trusts, business risk and contracts, but also has a special interest in estate planning and administration of deceased estates.
Andrew Wium
Accountant
Andrew (B Comm, B Compt Hons, CA SA, H Dip Tax) is a practicing Chartered Accountant specialising in tax, especially tax investigations and tax planning. He serves[28] as trustee on numerous trusts.
David O’Brien
Fundraising
David has worked in financial services for over 25 years, including 20 years at Old Mutual in product design.
He is a qualified actuary and has a special interest in financial wellness. David currently heads up an innovative organisation which harnesses digital technology to foster a culture of saving.
Dr. Teresa Swart
Secretary
Dr. Teresa (MBChB, Mphill Pall Med) is a GP with 30 years’ experience in general practice.
She has a keen interest in early childhood development and palliative care[30]
Thuthula Mngenela
Marketing
A professional who has worked in both corporate and creative environments with a heart to serve people and their brands; to ultimately use communications as a tool to change peoples’ lives in a positive way.
Founders
The founders of The Learning Initiative, Drs. Ingrid Ahlert and Welma Wehmeyer were extensively involved in assessing and supporting children with learning barriers in, private practice. During this time, they saw the great demand for affordable, timeous support for children with learning barriers, from disadvantaged communities who were unable to afford private rates.
These children where put on a waiting list for months or even years, to receive support from goverment institutions. This led them to establish of TLI, aiming to provide professional support services to disadvantaged communities.
Dr. Ingrid Ahlert remains involved with The Learning Initiative as founder, director and CEO. She has a special interest in neurodevelopment, learning barriers and family resilience. She loves working with children and appreciates their innocence, inquisitiveness, strength and determination. Through the respective programmes, she hopes to inspire, empower and equip children, their parents and teachers to become their personal best. She is proud of the passionate team committed to making this dream a reality.
Contact Us
Suite 11, First Floor Kenridge Centre, Tygerberg Valley Rd, Kenridge, Cape Town, 7550
021 300 1464 | 067 085 8190
info@thelearninginitiative.org
