Calling Education believes in the inspirational and guiding influence of passionate teachers. We would rather have excellent teachers teaching in average facilities, than average teachers teaching in excellent facilities. It is one of our highest priorities to recruit outstanding teachers who understand “calling” and share our dreams for Calling Education.
TEACHERS & ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Martin Botha
Principal & Teacher of English HL
Martin Botha
Martin is a born-again Christian and an English teacher who is passionate about Literature. He has been involved in Education for more than two decades, first working as a psychologist at the Child Guidance Clinic in Kroonstad, supporting the primary and secondary schools in the community, and then as a primary and secondary school teacher for the past 20 years.
Martin completed his school career in 1993 at Staatspresident Swart High School in Brandfort. He studied at the University of the Free State where he obtained a BA Degree in Human Movement Science, an Honours Degree in Psychology, as well as a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology. He furthered his qualifications with a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from UNISA. Before accepting the position at Calling Academy Kroonstad, as founding Principal in 2022, he taught English and Afrikaans at Kroonstad High School for 16 years where he was also the acting HOD for English Home Language as well as the Director of Hockey. Martin is married to Megan and they have a counselling practice called M&M Counselling. In his free time Martin loves to read and is always on the lookout to learn something new.
Poloko Mosesi
Growth and Relations, SMT Member
Poloko Mosesi
Poloko was born in Maokeng, Kroonstad. She was part of the founding class of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls where she completed her high school career. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science Degree and a Master’s Degree in Industrial and Economic Sociology from Rhodes University. Poloko is a Mandela Rhodes Scholar, Class of 2017. In her role as a Social Development Practitioner, she worked as a Programme Manager for an International NGO whose aim was to develop rural communities through Education. For four years she led the recruitment, educational and psychosocial development programme of orphaned youth from rural communities in South Africa. Prior to her current post, Poloko worked behind-the-scenes with the board of Calling Education and other interested parties in Kroonstad to conceptualize and eventually establish the Kroonstad Campus. Currently, Poloko is working as the Fundraising/ Marketing Co-ordinator/ Administrator, as well as the Sesotho teacher at Calling Academy. She is enjoying living in Maokeng with her family for the first time since she was only 12 years old.
Carmen Whindus
Head of Academics, SMT Member & Teacher of EMS, Accounting and Mathematical Literacy
Carmen Whindus
Carmen grew up in Somerset West, in the Western Cape and completed her BCom LLB Degree at Stellenbosch University. She left South Africa to teach English in Honduras and Thailand but returned 2 years later to manage a website development company for her father. After a year in business, she missed the joy of seeing learners grow and develop in the classroom and applied for an internship at Calling Academy’s first Internship Programme in 2021. She completed her PGCE online through North-West University whilst gaining practical experience and guidance at Calling Academy, Stellenbosch. It was a busy year as she also married Josh in June. Towards the end of 2021, Carmen was offered the opportunity to be part of the team starting the new Calling Academy in Kroonstad. She and her husband prayed about it and felt that it was indeed where God wanted them to be for this season so they made the move to the Free State. Josh also assists with the Connect groups at the school. They are both enjoying being part of God’s plan for Calling Academy in Kroonstad.
Janette Relling
Head of Sport, SMT Member & Teacher of Afrikaans FAL and Tourism
Janette Relling
Janette, nee’ Van der Merwe, grew up and was schooled in Kroonstad. She studied at North-West University in Potchefstroom where she obtained a BEd Degree. In 2012, she met her soon-to-be husband, Werner, and moved back to her hometown where she began her career in Education. Janette and Werner were married in 2014 and had their first born, Jock, in 2015, followed by their second child, Liné, in 2018, and third, Werner, in 2023. With 9 years’ experience as an Educator behind her, Janette felt God’s calling and after much reflection and prayer, she moved to Calling Academy where she believes God has led her to be.
Hildegardt Bester
Head of Culture, SMT Member & Teacher of Physical Sciences, Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Mathematic Literacy
Hildegardt Bester
Hildegardt was born and raised in Kroonstad. She matriculated in 2005 and went on to study B. Ed degree at the CUT in Bloemfontein. She worked for two years at a school in Bloemfontein but decided to return home. She has taught Natural and Physical sciences for the past 15 years and has been a marker and moderator for the subject. Hildegardt is married and has 3 children. She is a Christian and loves to spend time with family
Petro Nel
SMT Member & Teacher of Afrikaans FAL, Business Studies and Life Orientation
Petro Nel
Mrs Petro Nel is a passionate and dedicated educator with nearly 19 years of teaching experience. At Calling Academy, she teaches Afrikaans First Additional Language and Business Studies to Grades 10 and 11, as well as Life Orientation to Grade 10 learners. She also plays a vital leadership role as a member of the School Management Team, serves as the Grade 8 Head of Grade, and is the proud coach of the netball team.
Driven by a love for the Afrikaans language and a deep commitment to helping learners succeed, Mrs Nel finds great joy in guiding students to overcome learning challenges and grow in confidence. Her warm, encouraging approach helps create a classroom environment where learners feel supported and inspired to reach their full potential.
Beyond the classroom, Mrs Nel is a devoted wife and proud mother of two children. She enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music, and capturing life’s special moments through photography.
Her dedication to her learners and her love for teaching make her an invaluable part of the Calling Academy family.
Lebohang Motaung
Teacher of English HL and Sesotho FAL
Lebohang Motaung
Lebohang Motaung born, raised and schooled in Kroonstad is a newly appointed passionate teacher at Calling Academy Kroonstad and is grateful for the opportunity she has been given to fulfil her calling.
She studied at the University of South Africa and obtained her B.Ed (Senior Phase and FET) in 2021 .She joined the Calling Academy family in January 2023 and hopes to bring value to the school and also to be more than just an ordinary teacher . The school has been relinquishing her potential and she loves that it keeps her focused and ready for new challenges.
Her favourite quote is by Muriel Spark; ‘To me education is a leading out of what is already there in the pupil’s soul.’
Melindi Hattingh
Teacher of Life Sciences, Natural Sciences, Tourism and Social Sciences
Melindi Hattingh
Melindi Hattingh, born and raised in Pretoria, is an individual driven by curiosity and passion for making a difference in learners’ lives. She matriculated from Hoёrskool Waterkloof and has a degree in Health Science specializing in Physiology and Psychology. With a background in being an assistant teacher in Pretoria, a teacher and principal.
She filled in at Calling Academy in Kroonstad in June of 2023 and knew this is where she wanted to be and that God led her there when they had to move to Kroonstad for her husband’s job. Whether she is engaging in specific activities or initiatives, like drama, athletics and cross country, Melindi brings a blend of creativity, determination, and empathy together with experience with writing and producing a short film, being part of other culture activities and sports at university and school.
Her favourite quote is from Bob Hoskins; “What we do does not define who we are. What defines us is how well we rise after falling.”
Janine Bouwer
Teacher of Mathematics
Janine Bouwer
Janine joined Calling Academy Kroonstad in 2025, believing it to be a calling from the
Lord.
She previously served as a lecturer at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) for three and a half years, where she completed her MEd in Mathematics Education. Her academic journey includes a BEd in FET & Senior Phase and a BEd Honours in STEM Education, both from UJ, with the latter completed with distinction and Ujenius Club recognition. Passionate about digital technology in mathematics education, her research focused on pre-service teachers’
use of GeoGebra to teach functions. Janine has presented her work internationally and took part in a collaborative mathematical modelling project with Hasselt University in Belgium.
She is committed to equipping learners with mathematical skills and values through engaging, technology-integrated teaching.
Alban Muzenya
Teacher of English Home Language
Alban Muzenya
Neo Ntsilo
Teacher of Computer Applications Technology (CAT) and Technology
Neo Ntsilo
Alejandra Da Silva
Teacher of Economics and Management Sciences (EMS), Business Studies and Life Orientation
Alejandra Da Silva
Born in Potchefstroom and raised in Kroonstad, Alejandra studied Business Management and Entrepreneurship at North-West University (NWU), later completing her honours degree in both Business Management and Marketing.
In 2019, while pursuing her master’s degree, she lectured first-year Business Management to over 1,000 students at NWU in both English and Afrikaans. It was during this time that her love for learning and teaching truly blossomed, leading her to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and transition into school-based education.
She began her teaching career in 2021, where she taught her first matric class. Since then, she has continued to grow as an educator, committed to helping learners understand the world of business in meaningful and engaging ways.
Beyond her academic background, she has a deep love for art, history, and all things weird and kooky.
She is passionate about inspiring young minds to love learning and to see education as a journey of exploration and self-discovery. One of her favourite quotes by Vincent van Gogh beautifully captures her teaching philosophy: “It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.”
Nomhle Majavu
Receptionist
Nomhle Mojavu
Queen Morake is a dedicated student teacher(Intern) and netball coach at Calling Academy Kroonstad. Born in Bloemfontein, she moved to Kroonstad at the age of 9 and have since developed a passion for netball. With a strong educational background in Business Management (N6) from Motheo TVET College Bloemfontein Campus, she is excited to inspire and empower young minds in the classroom and on the netball court. She is committed to make a positive impact in her community and fosters a love for learning and sports in those around her.
Queen Morake
Receptionist
Queen Morake
Queen Morake is a dedicated student teacher (Intern) and netball coach at Calling Academy Kroonstad. Born in Bloemfontein, she moved to Kroonstad at the age of 9 and have since developed a passion for netball. With a strong educational background in Business Management (N6) from Motheo TVET College Bloemfontein Campus, she is excited to inspire and empower young minds in the classroom and on the netball court. She is committed to making a positive impact in her community and fosters a love for learning and sports in those around her.
Abia Botha
Intern
Abia Botha
Abia Botha grew up and completed her schooling in Kroonstad. She is currently serving as an intern student teacher at Calling Academy, where she actively supports learning in module classes and teaches creative arts.
Before joining Calling Academy, Abia studied at a ministry and arts school in Bloemfontein, where she deepened her relationship with the Lord and His Word. During this time, she developed her skills in music, dance, and drama. She also went on missions trips across South Africa, where she shared the gospel of Jesus Christ, taught classes , and participated in outreaches and camps. It was through these experiences that her passion for education was ignited.
Abia is deeply passionate about the Lord and believes God led her to Calling Academy with a purpose, and she is committed to making a meaningful difference in the future generation.