Pieter van Pletzen

born 10th of December 1974

A very talented Fire dancer and creative percussionist. Has travelled through Southern Africa performing and spent many years in England, Scottland, Wales, Cornwall, Ireland and Switzerland. Has been performing professionaly with Fire since 1997. He’s one of the founder members of The Zennor Project in Cornwall. Pieter’s a dedicated performer and self-taught musician. He plays the harp- the love of his life- , the didgeridoo, the guitar.
His other passions in life are surfing, horse riding and martial arts.

And he says: “I am blessed with my son Rubén and my wife Cati who came into my life a while ago”.

Cati Malek-Mansour

born 21st of June 1971

Born and raised in Zürich, Switzerland. Daughter of Norwegian mother and Persian father, has always been part of a very international surrounding. She has lived in Dallas, Seville (Spain), NYC, Ecuador and since 2005 in South Africa.
Speaks Norwegian, German, English, Spanish, French and a bit of Brazilian. Presently studying Afrikaans and isiXhosa. First education: Swiss Hotel Management School. Later Drama education at Schauspiel Gemeinschaft Zürich. Various performances and projects in Zürich during school. Acting Diploma in 2004. Contract with Teatro Paravento, Locarno. Tours Germany and Switzerland. Works in Oliver Kühn’s Company ‘Theater Jetzt!’ in Thurgau. Children’s Theatre Projects in Zürich. Other passions are Capoeira, swimming and good wine. Meets Pieter in 2004. Love at first sight (coup de foudre), marries Pieter and they move to South Africa, giving birth to their son Rubén, on Sept 11th 2005.

Hendrik van der Merwe

Hendrik's mother taught him Yoga postures and Zen meditation techniques before he went travelling at the age of 20. A year later, in 1985, he joined the Ananda Kutir Ashrama in Cape Town to receive formal training. In 2001 he enrolled for the teacher's course at Ananda Kutir, and started teaching at the Wilderness Hydro in December 2002.
Hendrik, also known as Zendrik, has also received extensive training in Buddhism, meditation and esoteric studies, and conducts the yoga classes incorporating this knowledge.

He is also working as a sculptor, videographer and musician.

zendrik@absamail.co.za

Zanele Kuqosa

born in Gugulethu, Cape Town, in 1981

Her roots are traced back to the Transkei in a village of uQumbu. Growing up in Gugulethu led to her involvement in traditional dance from the age of 8 years old. She later received a scholarship to study in Wynberg Girls High School, where her abilities to be a bridge between the cultures were identified. She is currently a photographer, graphic designer, poet, singer and writer, and continues to share in all these mediums her desire to be a bridge and have fun while we learn (edutainment).

Derek Damant

born 28th of November 1933

Trained for the ministry in England (Kelham Theological College), Ordained 1956 - educational work in Lesotho, Headmaster St Stephen's High School  1963-1969, Dean of Pretoria, Dean of George, Bishop of George 1985-1999, now retired, Degrees  MA, D Lit et Phil UNISA

Leanette (Lee) Botha

Born 1963 in Bethlehem, Eastern Free State, South Africa.

After completion of her BA Fine Art degree at the Natal University she moves to Johannesburg, where she continues her studies in Education (PG) at Wits University. Drawn to Photography as a medium she completes a post graduate photographic study at Rhodes University.
Travels Europe and Southern Africa, establishes the Khamaileon Art Gallery in the Eastern Free State and then settles in the Wilderness area. She works as an artist, curates travelling exhibitions and tutors art privately. Brief Move to Cape Town to head the Photographic Department of the Ruth Prowse Art School. But the Wilderness calls her back, where she lives happily ever after and works as an artist and continues to give art lessons. Her work is shown at the Strydom Art Gallery in George.

Riaan van Pletzen

Born in 1978.

One of Pieter’s brothers.
Makes drums.

Rubén Gilles van Pletzen

born 11th of September 2005

teaches you spontaneity, patience and love. Very small teacher, who demands full attention at all times. He mostly offers the intensive courses, they vary from movement to psychology. A true master of the moment he will teach you what it means to be in the present 100%.

Maximus

born 29th of April 2005

He teaches you how to remain calm in very exciting and stressful situations, to enjoy every newcomer with an open heart and have fun & party all day. He will teach you to be creative: Use your imagination and somehow, you will get out of the situation you don’t want yourself to be in.

Reina de la Arena

born 19th of March 2005

A very loyal and patient teacher, she will help you train your throw-muscle.
She is a reliable watch dog and offers other valuable services, such as bone-hunting, tail-wagging, and helps out when Max gets out of hand.