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True North’s dynamic team combines scientific principles with hands-on training and experiential learning in order to deliver a uniquely tailored experience for the students at AEL.
True North’s homebase is situated in Durbanville, in the Western Cape. Their accumulative experience of over 40 years in the industry ensures that they provide the students and staff of AEL with valuable information and practical exposure. With lifestyle coaching that ranges from camps to leadership development, youth mentoring, psychometric testing and EQ development, True North has managed to establish themselves as a valuable leader in the world of lifestyle enhancement.
The True North team that visits AEL once every term consists of Henda, the clinical psychiatrist, Flip, a former teacher, and Eben, a seasoned veteran of the outdoors. They are responsible for the orientation of students at the beginning of each year at AEL, during which they aim to establish a lasting impression with their Personal Mastery module.Their passion for working with young people ensures that they are a valuable source of personal growth and development.

Annelie was born and raised in Upington and started working during 1984 at Standard Bank Upington as Clerk/Cashier. Her working career spanning 33 years includes administrative duties in the South African Police Services as well as Department of Education.

In 1990 she joined the Department of Mineral & Energy Affairs which later changed to the Council for Geoscience. Here she worked as Unit Administrator from 1990 – 2004 and as an Unit Manager, managing the Upington Unit from 2004 – 2008.

Before joining the AEL Team at their Uizip Campus outside of Upington as Administrative and Financial Officer she also worked at a local Travel Agency. Annelie has got a wealth of experience in the field of administration and bookkeeping as well as managing and overseeing administrative processes.

After graduating in 2009 at Stellenbosch University with a B.Sc. Hons. Degree, Cara van Heerden moved to Upington in the Northern Cape. Over the past 6 years she has gained valuable experience in the full scope of Environmental Impact Assessments (both BA and S&EIR), Environmental Management Plans, Environmental licence applications, Environmental Audits, 24G rectification processes and Environmental Control Officer work.

Her experience in environmental procedures and legislation has enabled her to provide accurate advice on environmental queries and guidance on required processes and management of environmental processes.

Cara was appointed in 2015 as an Environmental Assessment Practitioner at the Academy of Environmental Leadership’s Campus. She is also responsible for the ongoing water research division at the Campus.

Mr. Theron had a long and successful career in the South African National Defence Force. As part of his duties, he was responsible for the settlement of young recruits, military staff, logistics, financial and strategic planning. He has extensive knowledge in the management and support of young people. After his military career, Mr. Theron led several security-oriented assignments in Africa.

His extensive knowledge and experience as a leader, will serve him well as he fulfills the role of mentor and guardian for the young students at the academy.

Matthys Strydom is an enthusiastic and dedicated scientist with formal training in the field of Conservation Ecology and Entomology (B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D, Stellenbosch University). Over the past ten years he has taken part in several research projects which have included topics such as fynbos ecology and conservation, invasion biology, seed bank dynamics and alien plant management.

Besides conducting his own independent research he also has a passion for raising environmental awareness through teaching. He enjoys sharing his love of nature with students while training and assisting them in field work, laboratory work and data collection.