Alexis Townsley
Accountant
About
With a Diploma in Financial Accounting and years of hands-on experience across the full accounting spectrum, Alexis brings her remarkable skills coupled with a ‘wicked’ sense of humour to the ZDFin team. Responsible for maintaining the checks and balances for ZDFin‘s clients, Lexi has her finger on the pulse of everything from SARS compliance, to the management accounts for our Executive Managing Agent (EMA) clients and self-managed buildings. Her expertise is a vital element in the exceptional level of service and delivery ZDFin offers its clients.
When she is not working, you’ll find Lexi outdoors – gardening or hiking.
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Amdené Viljoen
Legal Attorney
About
Amdené is an admitted attorney, with an LLB from the Northwest University campus in Potchefstroom; Amdené is a dedicated attorney with in excess of 10 years’ experience in Community Scheme Management and Debt Collections.
Having represented Community Schemes in the court room, and later within a national property management company, Amdené has honed her skills and Specialised Debt Levy Collection, Property Management, and Dispute Resolution within community schemes.
Her meticulous attention to detail and deep understanding of Sectional Title Legislation has allowed her to effectively navigate complex legal frameworks and makes her an asset to the ZDFin team attending to both financed and non-financed levy collection matters.
Amdené also heads ZDFin’s Cape Town office which provides localised support and services to our Executive Managing Agent (EMA) clients in the Cape.
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Bianca Botha
Executive Managing Agent, Head of Group Marketing
About
Bianca is part of ZDFin’s Executive Managing Agent team and also serves as the Head of Group Marketing. With over 9 years of dedicated experience in property management, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our esteemed team.
Bianca is known for her positive attitude, strong work ethic, and keen eye for detail. These qualities have defined her successful career in the industry thus far.
Her dedication to excellence and commitment to delivering high-quality results make her a valuable addition to the team. With Bianca on board, we are confident that her skills, experience, and passion will further bolster our position in the industry and contribute to the continued success of ZDFin.
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Brett Whitby
Maintenance Manager
About
Brett Whitby began his career in 2009, gaining seven years of experience in customer service before transitioning to property management in 2016. With nine years of expertise in residential, maintenance, and sectional title management, Brett has become well-versed in the field.
Throughout his career, Brett has excelled in the roles of Maintenance Administrator and Community Schemes Administrator for community schemes. His passion for sharing knowledge and fostering a collaborative team environment has made him an invaluable asset.
Recently joining ZDFin, Brett is now part of the EMA Maintenance team, overseeing inspections, operations, coordinating with teams, and implementing strategies to minimise downtime and extend asset lifespan. His dedication, expertise, and passion for property management drive success and innovation within the organisation.
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Carlos Pinto
Executive Managing Agent
About
Carlos entered the property in 2008 and was appointed to Portfolio Manager in 2012. During his property career, Carlos has developed a passion for his clients and service delivery. He has managed over 25 schemes, which ranged from small to large estates and has been involved with large maintenance projects within community schemes where he has a natural tendency to take charge of a scheme whilst working collectively with trustees / homeowners and Directors to guide them in terms of the STSM Act and MOI.
Carlos has joined ZDFin’s Executive Managing Agent team.
Carlos is a family man who enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 children whilst being a huge sports fanatic.
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Charles Van Bergen
Maintenance Manager
About
Charles joined the ZDFin team as Building Maintenance Manager, following on from nearly two decades of direct involvement in the Sectional Title Management field as an Estate Manager.
He started his working career as an external credit controller for a large finance house, managing to combine that a career as a professional musician (Saxophone & Vocals) for various commercial bands and recordings at EMI South Africa.
His background in mainframe I.T. (COBOL Specialist, Systems Analyst, Project Manager) for some of the largest finance houses in South Africa, as well as his extensive experience in the Security Industry have served him well in his time as an Estate Manager and made “his” estates the safest of any in their immediate area.
Extensive remediation, refurbishment, and building projects successfully completed throughout his working life have equipped him for any and all possible challenges in his current role, and his appetite for problem-solving continues unabated.
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Cora Scheün
Client Relationship Manager
About
Cora joined the ZDFin team in December 2024 as a Finance Client Relationship Manager and has been an integral part of the company ever since.
Cora is known for her dedication to team progress, positive attitude and consistently going above and beyond to provide support and exceptional service to her co-workers, managing agents and trustees.
Cora has fast become a valuable asset to the team and is always willing to jump into anything where she can add value or assist the group. Cora values teamwork and believes that excellent communication is key to building strong relationships.
Cora holds a BCom in Business Science, which she earned from the University of Stellenbosch.
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David Hirshowitz
Financial Director
About
David joined ZDFin as Financial Director, bringing with him a wealth of financial knowledge and experience.
David is a chartered accountant with more than 10 years post articles experience, having completed his studies at the University of the Witwatersrand and articles at EY. Post articles, David spent three years in financial services and retail, following which he joined a Large Community Scheme Property Management Group of Companies in 2016 where he was the national operational head of accounting. During his seven year tenure, he managed the accounting teams nationally whilst implementing effective accounting principles and procedures.
David is known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to streamline financial processes; he excels in optimizing financial performance, be it for the ZDFIN Group or ZDFIN’s valued clients. His proactive approach to financial planning and his commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity set him apart as a leader in the field.
David’s collaborative spirit and strong leadership skills enable him to effectively oversee the financial operations of ZDFin, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and driving financial excellence across the organization. His dedication to fostering strong relationships with Executive Managing Agent clients underscores his commitment to providing tailored financial solutions that meet clients specific needs.
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Elwin Els
Legal Advisor, Executive Director
About
Elwin is no stranger to Collections and Sectional Title Management and has extensive experience in back-end administration, computer systems and legal matters. Elwin is skilled in negotiations, strategic planning, legal research, operations, management and contract negotiations.
Elwin has obtained his LLB, which he focused on Corporate, from the University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika.
Elwin Els is an appointed Director of ZDFin.
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Hannes Swanepoel
Client Relationship Manager
About
Appointed as the Client Relationship Manager, Hannes joins the team bringing a different pool of skills. With a strong financial background and a passion for sales and marketing, he brings a unique mix of analytical thinking and people skills to every opportunity.
As a former Business Development Manager for a leading software firm, Hannes honed his ability to build trusted relationships and drive strategic growth. He is a natural problem solver who thrives on simplifying complex challenges and delivering meaningful value—particularly within the property industry, where connecting people and solutions is what he does best.
Hannes is a task driven individual looking to make a difference within the ZDFin operations.
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Michael Schaefer
Managing Director
About
Michael founded ZDFin in 2020, after an eighteen-year career as executive director of a large national managing agent.
Since its inception, ZDFin has grown exponentially in terms of both its financial product offering(s) and executive managing agent capability, leveraging off both his and the teams’ “in the trenches” property management experience, unrivalled by any of their competitors.
Michael’s passion and enthusiasm for the industry is well known, and he brings a refreshing perspective to the industry as we know it.
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Milly Binha
Administrator
About
Milly Binha is the administrative secretary for Marina Roma at ZDFin, where she assists with administrative matters. With Milly’s welcoming smile and professional demeanor, she ensures that everyone she works with, feels valued and attended to.
Milly’s warm personality and dedication to providing excellent service, creates a positive and inviting atmosphere at ZDFin, setting the tone for a successful and productive work environment.
Milly’s professionalism and reliability make her an invaluable asset to both colleagues and clients alike.
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Nicola Schaefer
Head of Legal
About
Nicola is an admitted attorney with an LLB degree and over 13 years of experience in all aspects pertaining to Levy Collections and Legal Management.
Following seven years in the Sectional Title Industry as a legal adviser, she joined the ZDFin team in 2020 during its founding stages.
Nicola is ZDFin’s in-house legal advisor and oversees all legal matters, including those of our Levy Finance solutions, Executive Managing Agent (EMA) buildings, drafting of contracts and the management of our in-house property portfolio.
Nicola’s passion is to be involved in the rehabilitation of financially distressed schemes, and she happily gets involved wherever there is a need – from overseeing the legal matters to getting her hands dirty in maintenance and renovations.
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Portia Ndhlovu
About
Meet Portia Ndhlovu who is a multi-talented professional with a passion for empowering others and fulfils the role of receptionist at ZDFin.
Portia is responsible for welcoming and greeting guests, and carrying through the professional support which our clients expect from ZDFin. Portia oversees our office administration requirements and ensures there is a constant flow of communication between all parties.
Portia takes pride in creating a warm and welcoming environment for guests as well as providing superior support to the team.
Portia’s keen interest in developing skills as well as fostering growth is evident in her additional qualifications as a Skills Development Facilitator (SDF), Moderator and Facilitator registered with the QCTO. Included in her list of credentials are her Fire Mashall, SHE Rep and First Aid certifications from NOSA.
With a contagious smile and positive energy, we rely on Portia to spread joy and enthusiasm within the office.
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Roxzanne Budler
Administrator
About
Roxzanne joined the ZDFin team in July 2023 and is responsible for all the background administration and support on ZDFin’s EMA portfolio.
Roxzanne has close to 10 years’ active experience in the property management industry after obtaining her B.Com from the University of Johannesburg, and is a vital part of the operational team and a valued asset.
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Ruan van den Berg
Brokerage Manager
About
Ruan has over six years of experience in the insurance industry, with a specialised focus on Sectional Title. Throughout his career, he has honed his expertise in managing insurance policies tailored to the unique needs of sectional title properties.
Ruan possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies of this niche market, enabling him to offer valuable insights and solutions to clients. His commitment to providing high-quality service and his ability to navigate complex insurance requirements has made him a trusted professional in the industry.
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Shahiem Carr
Head of Operations
About
Shahiem has in excess of 30 years’ property management experience.
He has an incredible success story, his property journey started at the very grassroots level, in the mail and dispatch department of a national property management company and recently ending as its Operational Director, some 30 years later. Known for his contagious enthusiasm for the industry and electric energy, Shahiem brings invaluable experience and capacity to the team as an almost complete package.
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Shem Phiri
Maintenance Administrator
About
Shem is ZDFin’s Driver, Meter Reader, Maintenance Inspector.
Shem’s responsibilities extend to acting as a Personal Shopper for Executive Managing Agent clients, fulfilling their shopping needs and delivering items with care and efficiency.
His friendly demeanour and willingness to go above and beyond to meet client requirements make him a valuable asset in providing personalized service and fostering strong client relationships. He can often be seen on the ground in the buildings and estates we manage, meeting with contractors on-site, ensuring that all is running smoothly on the ground and actioning for attention, any problems or issues
Shem plays a crucial role in supporting the Executive Managing Agent clients and maintaining high standards of service delivery.
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Taylor Noble
Head of Property
About
As ZDFin’s Head of Property; Taylor brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Executive Managing Agent team and joined ZDFin in March 2021, as employee number five.
Taylor is a seasoned property professional with extensive experience in Community Scheme Property Management and is responsible for the management of all property-related operations within the Company.
In addition to her expertise in property management, she carefully evaluates potential projects and make allowances in Community Scheme budgets while maximizing returns on invested funds.
Taylor encourages her team members to think creatively and embrace new ideas, resulting in improved operational efficiencies and exceptional service delivery.
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Thando Nkabinde
Portfolio Administrator
About
Thando is a dedicated and detail-oriented professional with a background rooted in office administration, facilities coordination, managing property operations and coordinating with residents. She brings a unique blend of client-service excellence, managing sensitive information, resolving disputes, maintaining calm professionalism under pressure and interpersonal warmth to her role in debt collection and credit control.
Her keen organisational abilities, strong communication, emotional intelligence and unwavering commitment to fairness and professionalism have equipped her with the ability to approach debt collection with structure and humility.
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Katlego Phoshane
Administrator
About
Katlego Phoshane is a seasoned Debt Collector with over a decade of experience in levy and rental collections within the property sector. Skilled in managing arrears, legal collections, and CSOS disputes, Katlego ensures timely recovery of outstanding debts while maintaining compliance and professionalism. With strong analytical abilities and a hands-on approach, Katlego supports Body Corporates and property managers in achieving positive cash flow and financial stability.
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Amelia Slier
Insurance Consultant
About
Amelia Slier is a dedicated professional with over 23 years of experience in financial operations and technical support. Amelia began her career at a finance house on August 1, 2001 in the Data Capturing department, steadily expanding her expertise into system administration and desktop support. This journey built a strong foundation in analytical thinking and technical problem-solving.
In December 2024, Amelia joined ZDFin, where she quickly adapted to new responsibilities. By June 2025, she transitioned into the Insurance team, now assisting in insurance claims handling with precision and care. Her career reflects a deep commitment to adaptability, continuous learning, and delivering reliable support across evolving roles.
Amelia is known for her thoughtful approach, attention to detail, and ability to bridge technical knowledge with practical execution. She thrives in dynamic environments and brings a solutions-oriented mindset to every challenge.
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Marina Roma
Paralegal
About
Marina Roma is a dedicated paralegal and experienced levy collector, refining her skills since 2001.
Marina specializes in debt recovery, CSOS applications, and stakeholder communication, ensuring transparency and efficiency throughout the collection process. Her proactive legal approach and commitment to best practices make her a valuable asset to the ZDFin team.
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Nina Bulteel
Attorney, FICA Compliance
About
Nina holds both a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Master of Law (LLM) in Environmental Law. As an admitted attorney, she brings a strong foundation in civil and commercial law to her role at ZDFin, where she serves as Legal Advisor with a focus on FICA compliance.
Prior to joining ZDFin, Nina practised at a civil law firm, specialising in commercial contracts and rental collections. Her legal expertise is matched by a commitment to regulatory integrity and client-focused solutions.
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Carel Engelbrecht
Group Financial Manager
About
With 25 years in finance, Carel brings expertise in levy structuring, project funding, and managing Community Schemes. He holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science from UNISA and ensures smooth financial operations, compliance, and cross-department coordination.
His hands-on experience spans receipting, fund allocation, and reporting. A team player and problem solver, he’s committed to delivering reliable, efficient results.
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Moeneeba Jacobs
Bookkeeper
About
With a background in accounting and auditing, Moeneeba brings precision, reliability, and a passion for numbers. Known for her diligence and task-focused approach, she consistently meets deadlines and solves challenges with efficiency.
Her clear communication and collaborative spirit make her a trusted team member, while her commitment to inclusivity fosters a supportive workplace.
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Julia Everts
Legal Accounts Manager, Assistant Operations Manager
About
With 12+ years in the sectional title property industry, Julia brings operational excellence, team leadership, and client-focused problem-solving. She balances business needs with empathy, building trust and motivated teams. Known for her creative touch and relationship-driven approach, Julia uplifts those around her and fosters a supportive, high-performing environment.
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Jeanne Stander
Attorney
About
Jeanne holds an LLB from the University of the Free State and was admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa in 2022.
Jeanne brings experience in litigation and estate administration, assisting clients with care and precision. Committed to professional, solution-driven legal services, Jeanne guides clients with clarity and confidence through every step of the process.
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Hazel Poole
Transfers Administrator
About
With 12+ years in financial administration, Hazel brings expertise in reconciliations, reporting, and compliance. Now focused on transfers and clearances, she ensures smooth financial transitions with precision and professionalism.
Known for her adaptability and calm under pressure, Hazel builds strong client relationships and supports team success through dedication and collaboration.
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Danielle Binneman
Legal Accounts Manager
About
With 9+ years in levy finance, Danielle brings expertise in compliance, collections, and client support. Starting in compliance and transitioning into collections, she has built strong relationships with trustees and refined her operational skills.
As a Legal Accounts Manager, she provides hands-on support, resolves issues efficiently, and is committed to service excellence and continuous improvement.
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Derrick Dube
Estate Manager
About
Derrick Dube is a seasoned Building Manager with over 11 years of experience overseeing multi-unit and complex properties. He brings a robust background in property operations, facilities management, and team leadership, consistently driving operational excellence and elevating tenant satisfaction.
Before joining the ZDFin team, Derrick served as an Executive VIP Protection Officer and team leader, where he honed advanced driving, CPR, and crisis response skills. He also held previous roles in building management, further deepening his expertise in compliance, safety, and infrastructure oversight.
Derrick is skilled in capital planning, store control, risk mitigation, loss prevention, surveillance monitoring, and maintenance coordination. His strong interpersonal abilities and strategic mindset make him a trusted leader in maintaining property standards and enhancing operational efficiency.
Outside of work, Derrick is passionate about fitness and enjoys training at the gym. Above all, he is a devoted family man who values balance, discipline, and integrity in all aspects of life.
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Matthew Dean
Executive Managing Agent, Group Maintenance Manager
About
Matthew brings a diverse international background, having been born a British subject, raised in the Netherlands, and later settling in South Africa. He matriculated in 1998 from the Christelijk Lyceum Veenendaal and completed his Marketing Management studies at the University of Applied Sciences in Utrecht. Since relocating to South Africa in 2001, he has built a broad career spanning timeshare, travel, aviation, computing, financial software support, sales, and seven years in Sectional Title Maintenance Management before joining ZDFin.
Matthew engages and negotiates with contractors nationwide, ensuring they meet all legal and compliance requirements and securing quality workmanship at fair and transparent pricing. His oversight extends to key compliance areas such as fire prevention, lifts, and electric fencing, helping Schemes achieve and maintain regulatory standards. His analytical and troubleshooting strengths ensure that maintenance issues are approached from every relevant angle.
Matthew also conducts detailed site inspections to keep the EMA informed of on‑site conditions, verify that maintenance concerns are addressed, and identify any potential Health and Safety risks. Outside of work, he is a devoted husband and father of two sons, with personal interests in music and religious studies.
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