Marine Dynamics Academy: Meet the Team
Our team comprises experienced specialists who love the marine wildlife of Gansbaai, South Africa and are dedicated to it's ongoing conservation.
Marine Dynamics Academy - Your Choice Makes A Difference
Scientists, Guides and Conservationists
Alison Towner Senior White Shark Biologist
My name is Alison Towner, I am the lead White Shark Biologist for Marine Dynamics and have been studying these incredible animals for over ten years.
About Alison
Kelly Baker Marine Biologist and Guide
My name is Kelly Baker, I have been a Marine Biologist and guide for Marine Dynamics since 2014 and I love working with great white sharks!
About Kelly
Ralph Watson Marine Biologist and Guide
My name is Ralph Watson, I have worked in the marine biology field for seven years and a PhD Candidate at Rhodes University.
About Ralph
Grant Hine Guide Training Manager
I run the Marine Dynamics Academy Guide Training aspect of Marine Dynamics, am passionate about environmental interpretation and people development.
About Grant
Pinkey Ngewu DICT Manager
My name is Pinkey Ngewu, I am the manager of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust and collaborate often with students of the Marine Dynamics Academy.
About Pinkey
Xolani Lawo Senior Bird Rehabilitator
My name is Xolani Lawo and I love African Penguins! I help look after the many incredible marine birds who come through APSS.
About Xolani
Mervin Visagie Bird Rehabilitator
My name is Mervin Visagie, I work with Xolani and Theanette at APSS, making sure our local seabirds and african penguins are well looked after.
About Mervin
Skippers and boat crew
Dickie Chivell Skipper, guide and TV personality
My name is Dickie Chivell, you might have seen me on Discovery Channel's Shark Week, I also skipper many of our research and tourism vessels.
About Dickie
Jan Du Toit Skipper, Dive Instructor
My name is Jan Du Toit, I skipper many of Marine Dynamics ecotourism boats and am one of our dive instructors.
About Jan
Shaun van Tonder Skipper
Shaun is one of the skippers for Slashfin, the custom built cage diving boat for Marine Dynamics Shark Tours.
About Shaun
Francois Swart Skipper
Francois is one of the many skippers at Marine Dynamics, mainly responsible for our whale watching boat Dreamcatcher.
About Francois
Khwezi Baleni Boat Manager and Guide
My name is Khwezi Baleni, I am a shark Boat Manager and have been guiding for Marine Dynamics for over twelve years.
About Khwezi
Kira Matiwane Boat Manager and Guide
My name is Kira, I have worked as a Boat Manager and Marine Guide for the company for over seventeen years - I love my whales!
About Kira
Mawethu Phalamahashe Chum master
My name is Mawethu Phalamahashe, I am the chum master for Marine Dynamics Shark Tours, which means I am responsible for bringing sharks to our boat!
About Mawethu
Clarence Ngcwembe Videographer
My name is Clarence Ngcwembe, I have been videoing great white sharks for Marine Dynamics for over five years.
About Clarence
Thando Mpini Crew
My name is Thando Mpini, I am a crew member on Marine Dynamics' custom-built cage diving vessel Slashfin. Come and meet our incredible sharks!
About Thando
Direction and Management
Wilfred Chivell CEO
Wilfred Chivell is the CEO of Marine Dynamics, having grown up in the Gansbaai area with a unique passion for the South African marine environment.
About Wilfred
Susan Visagie Operations Manager
Susan Visagie oversees operations and financial management across Marine Dynamics businesses, while also managing The Great White House restaurant.
About Susan
Brenda Walters CEO Assistant and PR Officer
Passionate about community engagement and wildlife conservation, Brenda works alongside Wilfred and has a direct role in all our various PR materials.
About Brenda
Hennie Otto Chief Marine Operations Officer
My name is Hennie, I direct all sea-based operations and concerns for Marine Dynamics and Skipper across our various tourism boats.
About Hennie
Support and logistics
Ettiene Roets Technical Lead, Coordinator
My name is Ettiene Roets, I am Technical Lead for Marine Dynamics Academy and focus most of my attention on developing the practical modules.
About Ettiene
Hennie Odendal Coordinator
My name is Hennie Odendal, I am a coordinator for Marine Dynamics Academy and am heavily involved with organising students across our programs.
About Hennie
Administration, Sales and Marketing
Zile De Kock Executive Marketing Manager
My name is Zile De Kock, I am responsible for overseeing all marketing concerns across the Marine Dynamics brand.
About Zile
Natasha Hamdy Recruitment Lead
My name is Natasha Hamdy, I am the Lead Recruiter and I feel very blessed to be, as it means I get to speak with almost every one of our students.
About Natasha
Cari Roets Sales and Marketing
My name is Cari Roets, I am involved with Sales and Marketing for Marine Dynamics and am responsible for maintaining brand consistency.
About Cari
Aletta Van Bosch Reservations Manager
My name is Aletta van Bosch, I am the Reservations Manager for Marine Dynamics Shark Tours, overseeing all of the company's bookings.
About Aletta
David ‘Ed’ Edwards Program Manager
I am the Program Manager for Marine Dynamics Academy. I oversee the development of our Scientific Internship and design most marketing materials.
About Ed