Meet our leadership
The Umdloti Village NPC (also known as Smart Village) was launched in April 2020 under the guidance of a Task Team that was mandated to transform the old Umdloti Improvement Project (UIP), from a “voluntary payment model” to a “subscription model. The Smart Village vision is “Estuary to Estuary & Green to Marine: Umdloti offers peace-of-mind and enhanced well-being for all residents and visitors through heightened security and community development, based on sustainable recreation and eco-tourism”.
The motivation for the project is:
The Umdloti community must protect its way of life and “community self-management” is the way of the future.
The Smart Village Model was intended to become a “virtual gated estate” using surveillance technology to monitor all public spaces, with rapid response (and medical care) deployed as required.
The outer security ring and hi-tech surveillance within the Village will improve the security of individual properties, reducing direct security costs.
Villagers will be protected no matter where they are in the Village and in addition, they get Marshall Security alarm response and access to the Marshall “In Case of Anything” number.
Over time, the focus of the Village Model will move beyond security to comprehensive Precinct Management, including improved beachfront maintenance and amenities, liaison with the Metro on the maintenance of utilities, forest, and marine conservation, pedestrianisation, and recycling.
Smart Village would be funded by membership subscriptions - R980 pm per household unit, or R399 pm per sectional title unit (whereas the old UIP had been limping along on voluntary donations).
A board of non-executive directors was elected at the Umdloti Village NPC AGM on 6 November 2020. They are: DebbieLee Gaines, Rick Hooper, Joy Brasler, Pat Bean, Rajesh Harie, Chris van Vuuren, George Elphick and Brad Winstanley (representing Devmco).
The team of volunteers that runs the Village (reporting to the board) are Pierre van Zyl, Brian Gibson, Sandra Wilson and Tracey Simkiss. Vicky Schnetler is the part-time paid Precinct Manager Simkiss. S J Wilson Financial Consultancy (Pty) Ltd is a firm of chartered accountants that takes care of the Village finances.
Introducing Our Board
Rick Hooper is an Umdloti resident, a professional account and the sole owner of Hooper Accountants, a small accounting firm based in Morningside: He been registered with South African Institute of Professional Accountants since Jan 2011, is a certified Independent Reviewer and a registered Tax Practitioner.
Joy Brasler has lived in Umdloti for the past four years on Bellamont Road. She is a registered architect and principal of Joy Brasler Architects and has been in practice since 2008 . She is passionate about a well-designed, secure environment and any opportunities to make Umdloti better.
Pat Bean has been an Umdloti resident for 44 years, including 30 years of service on the Ratepayers’ Association. As a keen surfer, ski boat fisherman and beach walker he played a key role in the establishment of the marine protected area and has consistently defended Umdloti against inappropriate developments.
Debbie-Lee Gaines has been a resident of Umdloti for 10 years. As a communication specialist she has assisted with building some of the country’s biggest brands and helped to put the city of Durban on the 2010 FIFA World Cup map. He interests include writing; the outdoors including hiking and wildlife; golf; and interior design.
Rajesh Harie has been a resident of the village for 14 years since moving back to Durban from London. He is an IT entrepreneur with strong roots in the area. He loves the vision of the Smart Village and what it can deliver.
Chris van Vuuren has been an Umdloti resident for the past 28 years. He believes the community self-management model is even more important now in the current local government environment.
Brad Winstanley works on the team that is bringing the Salta development to life: “My background is in Private Banking, having spent 14 years at Investec. I joined Devmco in early 2020 as a project manager.”
George Elphick is a founding director of Elphick Proome Architecture who has lived in Umdloti for four years: “I am a seasoned traveller and musician with a keen interest in cities, landscape, hiking, skiing, and the outdoors”.
Meet The Manco
Brian Gibson (Convenor)
Purchased a unit in Bahia Village 12 years ago.
Retired to Umdloti after a career in journalism, communications and crisis management
Became involved with civic affairs in response to community concerns about the Sibaya Development. Campaigned with the Umdloti Beach Ratepayers and Residents Association; and also with the Umdloti Improvement Project (UIP) that preceded Umdloti Village NPC (Smart Village).
Has been a member of the Smart Village Task Team since May 2019.
Believes that Umdloti Village has only one chance to take control of its destiny through community self-management, and that the recent alignment of interests between neighbouring developers and Umdloti Village is a golden opportunity.
Pierre van Zyl
Restaurateur by trade for the last 37 years.
Purchased a home in 1999 after renting at North Beach Road for three years.
Owns a commercial property in Umdloti. Has been involved with UIP and Smart Village for the past 10 years.
Has a big passion for the well-being of Umdloti and believes it is one of the jewels of South Africa.
TRACEY SIMKISS
Completed BSc degree in Biology and a HDE at university and taught high school for 5 years
Uthongathi (now Crawford North Coast).
My father, Dr. Pat Bean has served on the Umdloti committee in its various forms (UBRA, UIP and SV) for past 40 years. I am aware of the community history and its challenges. I have a passion for the unique natural environment of Umdloti. We are privileged to live nestled between the dune coastal forest and the beach with its unique rocky shores. Both these aspects need ongoing protection and management. This is the driving force of my commitment.
My holistic vision is to see Umdloti, Sibaya and Salta working together on protecting the forest and rocky shores and to have the forests and beaches connected by paths for residents and visitors to enjoy.
SANDRA WILSON
Sandra is Founder and Director of SJ Wilson Financial Consultancy. She is a Chartered Accountant (SA) and has completed the Master’s in Commerce (Taxation) coursework. Sandra has a keen interest in the sustainability and success of not-for-profit organisations and businesses, particularly with respect to complex international donor funder reporting. Her specialised tax background gives her a competitive advantage, specifically when dealing with VAT and Income Tax issues.
She is also registered with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority as a Financial Services Provider, with SARS as a Tax Practitioner, with the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority and has completed the UCT course in Sectional Title law and Paddocks Homeowner Association law course.
Sandra has lived in Umdloti since 2016.
VICKY SCHNETLER (PRECINCT MANAGER)
Vicky is the part time Precinct Manger in Umdloti.
She was born in Durban on 2 October 1984, but her Kellerman family originated from a small but notorious part of South called Die Hel!
She attended Port Natal School and later relocated to Werda High School.
She has 18 years’ experience in Facility Management, with a special focus on disaster management.
Vicky is proudly South African and currently loving her life experience in Umdloti Village.
UMDLOTI HONOURS BOARD
We salute you.