our lecturers
Join Starway Academy as a guest lecturer.
nadine van der wateren
Nadine is a long-range vision, mentor, author, systems thinker, and strategist. She is determined, has an original mind, and quickly finds meaningful patterns in external events.
She has 20 years of experience in cross-function, cross-African regions alliance pharmaceutical development. Nadine holds a BA in Political Science, and HDip in Organisational Management and Strategic Development (Cum Laude).
She perceives her leadership positions in corporate as a mandate to live out her passion for connecting with people in meaningful relationships and inspiring others to create their own solutions to problems by finding the strategy in God’s presence.
She writes stories for children and adults with meaningful messages about the impact of identity that carries purpose and destiny. Nadine also has an online clothing and natural skincare range and lives to see people set free and understand their purpose in life.
She lives with the mandate that there is no such thing as a hopeless situation, only people who are left hopeless. Her purpose is to remind them what it will look like if He steps in.
Daleen vos
Daleen has over 30 years of work experience in various roles, including salon manager, office administration, operations management, sales, sales management, bookkeeping, payroll, HR, and training. Ongoing personal development is very important to her. Daleen found her true passion to touch the hearts of the people she connects with, believing that the only truth in life is to love like Jesus. Daleen completed Bible School through CRC Church and completed an HR Diploma.
guest lecturers
Rebecca Sibiya – Presentation Skills
Dr Anette Degenaar – Communications Expert
Johnny Potsanyane - Acting
Johnny is a highly experienced actor with over 10 years in the film industry, known for notable roles in Diepe Waters, Reënboogrant, and Getroud met Rugby. With years in the film industry, Johnny has gathered a lot of information and understands the fundamentals of acting on screen. He has also been a part of a few theatre productions.
Johnny has a passion for what he does and would not see himself doing anything else. “There is no business like show business.”
Molebo Fynn – Merchandising Expert
Molebo is passionate about sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ through the arts. She is a dancer, musical theatre performer, writer, director, MC, and mentor. She is skilled in fashion design, as well as hair and beauty. Molebo has diplomas in Language Practice (CUT), Musical Theatre, and a BTech in Musical Theatre (TUT).
She also completed a TEFL course, which qualified her to teach English in foreign countries. Molebo currently runs a fashion and costume designing business and designs merchandise. Molebo continues in her journey to learn, impact, inspire, educate, and change lives, sharing the gospel through entertainment.
Boipelo Kekana - Alpha
Boipelo has an undergraduate in BCom Financial Management from the University of Pretoria, a Certificate IV in Ministry from Hillsong College, a Bachelor of Theology Honours from the South African Theological Seminary and is currently an MTh Candidate at Stellenbosch University in Practical Theology. Boipelo has recently joined the team at Alpha Sub-Saharan Africa as the regional product coordinator. The key focus of her role is to contextualise and develop Alpha products that are best suited for the African church. Boipelo loves Jesus, is passionate about the local church, and thrives in creative spaces.
Norm Wakefield – Live to Love with Jesus
Norm Wakefield graduated from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri and received a Master’s of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Norm is the founder of The Spirit of Elijah Ministries International. He has a shepherd’s heart and a vision to be an instrument in God’s hands to call the body of Christ to rise to their calling to live to love with Jesus. Norm’s messages build up the body of Christ by giving practical, biblical teaching on how to apply the gospel to the most important relationships and life circumstances.
You will find Norm’s messages to be encouraging because they are based soundly on the gospel and rely on the Holy Spirit to give understanding and application to his listeners. He has served the body of Christ faithfully and brings experience, inspiration, spiritual depth, and practical, simple, profound insight into the scriptures as he presents the Live to Love conferences.
Rianette Leibowitz - Cyber Wellness and Security
Rianette Leibowitz focuses on cyber wellness and is on a mission to save lives by taking a more holistic view of our digital habits. Rianette founded SaveTNet Cyber Safety. She is also a Brand South Africa Play Your Part Ambassador, author, TV and podcast presenter, and digital parenting expert.
She has spoken to global audiences like TEDx, the Global Leadership Summit, and Campus Party International and was featured in the international documentary film, ‘Public Figure’. In her book, ‘Raising a Screen Savvy Child’, Rianette empowers families to become responsible digital citizens. She has won numerous awards, such as the Women of Wonder Award 2020.
Shaun and Ariena Oosthuysen - Cherry on Top Productions
Cherry on Top is a professional full-service video production company specialising in the power of visual storytelling to deliver impactful messages to audiences worldwide. Based in Gauteng, South Africa, Cherry on Top works with clients nationwide and internationally. Their team is a vibrant community of creatives, including directors, cinematographers, photographers, editors, voice-over artists, and more. Cherry on Top is dedicated to bringing a vision to life through innovative and collaborative storytelling.
Anna-Lize Menssink - Social Media and Design
Anna-Lize is an Avant-garde designer and forward thinker who derives immense satisfaction from crafting compelling narratives through design. She is not just an advocate for brilliant design but believes in the potential of individuals equipped with the art of design.
Over many years of study, Anna-Lize engaged in diverse projects spanning corporate identity and communications, visual branding, editorial design, advertising and promotion, multi-media design, environmental graphics, design for development, illustration, information architecture, and broadcast design.
Stian Veldman - Personal Development
Stian studied BCom Marketing Management at the University of Pretoria and an MBA degree at Potchefstroom Business School. He also completed a diploma at Damelin in Fundamentals of Project Management. He is the chairperson of an NPO called The Butterfly Foundation and manages all various elements of the organisation.
He exists to organise a space where individuals and organisations are guided to identify and understand their allocation of resources. He comes alive when teaching and coaching individuals and organisations to steward these resources so that relationships are grounded in peace and contentment, creating a world where we accept one another as is. He does this by establishing rhythms, building structures on values, driving godly excellence to reach a more sustainable outcome, and allowing organic growth to occur.
Regardt Taljaard - Student Mentor and Film and Content Creation
Regardt is passionate about mentoring and film and loves combining the two to care for and create with creatives. He studied Film and TV Production at TUT, Pretoria. He has been a freelance videographer and editor in the corporate and private video production space for several years. His main strengths are his extensive experience in stage and video production, editing, and creative conceptualising. Regardt has produced multiple online videos during this period, and he prides himself on fast and excellent delivery. He holds the title of creative director and Imagineer and is Taljaard Films’ main director for all its film projects.
Esther Taljaard – Founder of Starway Academy, Social Media Marketing, and Digital Communication
Esther acquired her BA Drama and Theatre Arts Degree (Cum Laude) in 2005 and subsequently created and produced more than 60 multi-media productions. Being a P.K. (Pastor’s Kid) and growing up in a ministry environment, Esther’s heart is for the church – to see people equipped for effective ministry. She has volunteered in ministry all her life and has worked more than 11 years in full time ministry, serving as the Head of Creative Arts and Media department, and assisting her husband, Regardt Taljaard as Youth Pastor and then went on to work for various non-profits as Operations Manager and Fundraiser.
Esther has worked actively in the Film & Television Industry for several years, mainly focusing on screenwriting, presenting, and producing programming. She then went on to discover her love for Social Media Marketing and Digital Communication where she has actively trained more than 1 500 people and manages various companies’ social media accounts on a weekly basis. She is also Taljaard Film’s Producer, Writer, Co-Director with her husband and a Social Media expert.