THE TEAM

We are here to make your stay as fruitful and comfortable as possible. From left to right

  • Nonto Mhlongo (facilities & Ignatian direction)
  • Promise Mdlala (housekeeping)
  • Pam Paton Mills (spirituality & retreat oversight)
  • Rob Mills (operations)
  • Vusi Qwabe (maintenance)
  • Owyn Spengler (catering assistant)
  • Anthea Spengler (catering)

 

 

 

Pam Paton-Mills Head of Retreats.

Formerly Director of Ethos at Sacred Heart Marist Observatory in Johannesburg, Pam has extensive experience in working with children, youth and adults. She integrates the creative and performing arts in facilitating personal and spiritual  growth. She translated and implemented the Marist Interiority Programme, ‘Heart Zone’. She has worked in teacher formation in South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. She is actively involved with Marists around the world through Marist Vocational programmes, the Champagnat Global Network and Marist Volunteering International.

Nonto Mhlongo: Facility Manager and Spiritual Director

Nonto hails from the St Lucia community, and as such brings a wealth of local knowledge which is invaluable to the community projects. After excelling in the Echoing the Word course in 2016, she went on to being trained in Ignatian Spirituality, spiritual accompaniment, and giving The Exercises. She has been with the Centre since 2021and takes care of the day to day running of the centre, as well as offering retreats and accompaniment.

Br. Neil McGurk: On Site Marist Director

Br Neil is a legend in Marist and Catholic Education Circles. He has pioneered transformation in education in a variety of areas – from inter-cultural and inter-racial integration, to inter-faith dialogue and bridging gender divides. He facilitated rich curriculum development and innovation, and has made a deep mark on enriching teaching and learning in rural areas, particularly in ECD. He was instrumental in the formation of the Culture of Learning Trust which underpins the running of the Centre and its projects. He remains passionate about education and the upliftment of those on the margins of society.

 

Rob Mills: Head of Operations.

Formerly an electronic engineer, Rob has worked as an artist, management consultant and electronic media systems specialist over the last 20 years. He has worked in psychometric assessment and the Deep Democracy process (Mindell) and is passionate about the environment and alternative energy. Rob has extensive management experience in multi national projects, media production, product design and people development.