PROFESSIONAL TEAM

Yolandé Steyn is a mediator, admitted attorney, Notary Public and a founding member of the splitting up initiative. She holds a LLM degree in International aspects of the law with a specific focus on applying mediation strategies in family law matters. Yolandé specialises in all family law matters but has a specific interest in helping couples split up in the best interest of their children. She loves spending her free time reading, in nature with her dogs and family.

Frikkie Groenewald is an attorney, admitted in 2002. He is director of VHI Attorneys Menlyn. He deals with a wide variety of legal matters including family law. He is an active sportsman, with a particular love for cycling.

Mercy Mashilo is a second year candidate attorney at VHI Attorneys Menlyn who holds a LLB degree with a passion for Family Law. He strives to promote the best interest of the child as well as the parties in family law related matters. He is a poet and motivational speaker with specific focus on uplifting his surrounding community. He has travelled through Africa for his poetry and recently received an award for one of his poems.

Wiets Botes is an admitted Advocate of the High Court of South Africa. He was admitted on the 28 th of November 2008 in the Pretoria High Court. He completed Pupillage under Adv Salme Maritz at the Pretoria Society of Advocates and he was admitted as a member of the Pretoria Society of Advocates since 2009. Advocate Botes continues to practise under the Legal Practice Council as an Independent Advocate of the High Court of South Africa. Prior to starting his articles, he worked and served as a Judges Clerk since 1999 until 2001 for various Acting Judges. He has taken part in various mediations as well as various children’s Court and divorce Court matters. Mr Botes is also experienced in Arbitrations and completed various arbitration matters. He enjoys playing chess, fishing or cycling in his free time.

Bianca Myburgh is a Mediator currently working for a Law Firm specializing in Family Law and General Litigation. She did her Mediation course through L.E.A.D Law Society of South Africa. She has exceptional communication and negotiation skills, and the ability to think critically to solve problems. She is a mother of two and enjoys spending time with her family.

One of Kyli’s special interests is working with divorcees in rediscovering and reshaping identity. A marriage can become an intricate part of one’s identity and the loss that goes along with divorce can be significant no matter how ready you feel for divorce. She also has a special interest in training and helping parents to understand and manage their children’s wellbeing during and after divorce. Children’s behavioural changes after divorce can leave parents feeling helpless and powerless. Adapting after divorce is not something that you have to do alone.

Our team of highly qualified social workers and psychologists will guide you and your family through difficult times. We specialise in marital/couple counselling, family counselling, adapting after separation/divorce, reconstructed families, parental guidance, conflict management, trauma and grief counselling, anxiety and depression. You can find more information on our Individual & Family Counselling by visiting our website here.

I completed my B. Com Economics and Econometrics at RAU and B. Com Honours in Econometrics and Investment management at University of Johannesburg. After completing my studies, I started my career at Momentum in 2007 as a financial planner. After 3 years I then moved on as an independent financial advisor at Scientia Optimate (SOFS) in 2009.

At Scientia Optimate (SOFS) I have built long term relationships with my clients, some of which have been for almost 15 years. My experience and knowledge cover but are not limited to investment & retirement planning for individuals as well as for corporates. It also includes Wills, Risk & Estate planning, Short-term insurance, Medical aid products. I proud myself in my high ethical standards towards all my clients and the good relationships built over the years is evidence of that.

Mitzie has more than 20 years experience in the financial service industry and obtained her CFP in both Employee Benefits as well as Healthcare. She started her own business in 2009. She is an independent financial advisor that looks at a client’s financial needs in a holistic manner. Our company assists with estate planning, financial planning, retirement planning as well as your short term insurance. She is a widow and mother of 2 sons.