Liberty Team

BA & M.A. Sciences Economics [ULB – UGent]
Major Psychology [UCT]
BSocSc Hons Psychology [UCT]
PGDip Addiction Care (UCT)

With over nine years of sobriety, I am a passionate advocate for recovery and healing. My journey began in South Africa, where I sought help for multiple addictions, including an eating disorder, alcoholism, drug addiction, and intimacy disorder. This transformative experience ignited a deep commitment within me to support others who are still suffering.

At Liberty Home, I believe in the core values that have shaped my own recovery: the importance of home, the power of shared experience, individual care, and the vital process of reintegration into society. My mission is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for those on their path to recovery, ensuring that each individual feels seen, heard, and supported.

As the founder of Liberty Home, I consider this my greatest achievement in life. I am driven by a fervent desire to help others reclaim their lives, find their strength, and embrace the possibilities of a brighter future. Together, we can foster hope, healing, and the belief that recovery is not just possible but achievable.

Vincent is a recovering addict who has overcome substance abuse and left behind a life of misery and dysfunction, then leaped into a life of recovery and abundance. 

Now he looks to share his new outlook on life in the world and assist in reintegrating suffering addicts/ alcoholics into a new way of life. Being in recovery has given Vincent a second chance at life and he is not taking it for granted.

I am Mel.  I have a passion for helping people navigate life’s challenges and uncover their full potential. With my background in trauma & social sciences specializing in psychology, I bring a holistic view of what people need to thrive and help them uncover their best selves. I’m deeply passionate about making sure everyone feels valued, heard, and seen. My goal is to ensure that every person who walks through our doors feels welcomed and supported in a way that allows them to take the courageous steps toward healing and recovery. I understand how important it is to feel safe enough to share your story, creating a safe and compassionate space is at the heart of what we do.

Dr Imraan Tayob initially completed a commerce degree at the University of Cape Town. After a stint working in brand marketing in London, he returned to South Africa to study Medicine at the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine at the University of KwaZulu Natal. On completion of his medical internship and community service at Victoria Hospital in Cape Town, and Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Durban respectively, he trained as a Specialist Psychiatrist between Groote Schuur and Valkenberg Hospitals.

Currently he is in a joint appointment as head of psychiatric department at a district hospital in Cape Town, and an academic post in the department of psychiatry at the University of Cape town. He sits on the university Registrar Training Committee, and is involved in teaching and training of trainee Psychiatrists. He is a committee member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP)Western Cape Subgroub as well as the SASOP Early Career Psychiatrists committee. He has a an interest in General Adult Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry, in which he practices in private practice on a part time basis.

As a medical doctor at Cedrus Medical Practice, I provide comprehensive, patient-centered healthcare tailored to the needs of individuals in rehabilitation, recovery, and general wellness. I support addiction centers, sub-acute units, and halfway houses with medical assessments, ongoing health management, and outpatient care. I am also a student at Addiction Counsellor Certifications South Africa (ACCSA), where I am pursuing my certification in addiction counselling. With over 7 years of experience in the field, I have developed strong skills in medicine, medical facilities, and medical diagnostics. My goal is to ensure continuity of care, promote well-being, and bridge the gap between medical needs and recovery support in Cape Town.

I am a Registered Nurse with many years of experience in both Primary and Reintegration addiction care.My role is to provide the highest level of medical care which includes educating clients on making healthy lifestyle choices and supporting those coping with psychological and emotional issues associated with addiction. We achieve this as a team together with other physicians to obtain a diagnosis; conduct appropriate nursing interventions, such as education and nutritional counselling; identify acute related illnesses and refer clients to related specialists. This is maintained by continuing care in the forms of follow-up monitoring, health maintenance, or health care support during recovery.

I’m a compassionate registered nurse with over 25 years of experience, tending to the needs of a diverse client population. Due to my empathetic nature, I usually foster meaningful relationships with clients and their families. I have great ethical values and beliefs, and will always propagate justice among peers, colleagues and clients

I am too a recovering addict, I dedicate my time to assisting clients in their recovery with whatever they need to aid them on the process, I have found a new way of life and want to afford the same opportunity to those coming into our facility.My aim is to help through my own story and share the lessons I have learned.

Born and bred in Cape Town. Some highlights in my career are supervising other social workers and students to grow into professionals that will make a difference. I have worked at substance abuse treatment centres, an independent school, an NGO focusing on social crime prevention and offender reintegration. Self-care, professional development and family work are important to me.

Ian brings over 7 years of experience in addiction support and has been in recovery himself for over 8 years. His blend of professional training and experience combined with his personal journey allows him to offer compassionate and focused guidance to those seeking recovery from addiction.

Gideon is an experienced counsellor with a strong understanding of addiction dynamics. He is not afraid to ask difficult questions, tackles denial and defensiveness with skill, and navigates sensitive topics with empathy and directness. He appreciates a client’s vulnerability without compromising the confrontational conversations that need to be had. He is an inspiring companion for clients on their journey towards recovery.

As an Occupational Therapist, Nina works collaboratively with clients, using meaningful activity and Experiential Therapy to promote functional wellbeing,  engagement, connection, and dignity. With experience across various settings, she brings a personalized, environmentally considered, and purpose-driven approach shaped by this diverse exposure.

Last Machingura is a passionate mental health professional and faith-driven leader with over a decade of experience in psychiatric care and trauma recovery. As Director of S-Cape Organization, he supports survivors of human trafficking through holistic, faith-based care. His work blends compassion, clinical expertise, and advocacy to promote healing, dignity, and resilience in vulnerable communities.

Laurent De Greve serves as Head of Partnerships at Liberty Home Group, where he leverages his unique perspective and professional expertise to forge strategic alliances that advance the organization's mission. With a profound personal connection to Liberty Home's work, Laurent brings authentic insight to his role, having experienced the organization's treatment program firsthand during his own recovery journey.

Drawing from this distinctive combination of professional skills and lived experience, Laurent effectively bridges the gap between clinical understanding and personal empathy. His authentic approach to strategic development has proven invaluable as Liberty Home Group continues to expand its impact across the international recovery community.

I am a dedicated financial professional with a strong focus on maintaining the financial stability and growth of the Liberty Home Group. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for numbers, I am committed to enhancing our financial processes and ensuring the efficient management of our resources.

I am a detail-oriented and organised professional. By handling daily financial operations, processing invoices, and assisting with budget preparation, I bring accuracy and efficiency to every task.

I take pride in my ability to multitask, maintain confidentiality, and communicate effectively with both colleagues and residents. I approach every responsibility with professionalism, reliability and a proactive mindset.

I’m passionate about delivering exceptional service, crafting seamless experiences, and making every guest feel at home. With a warm smile and attentive approach, I strive to exceed expectations and create unforgettable memories for all who walk through our doors. I’m all about the little things that make a big difference – a warm smile, a friendly ear, and a willingness to go the extra mile.”

Born in the Netherlands & Home in South Africa. With my background in Law and a passion for family work, I feel very honored to work at Liberty Home. I am here to listen with compassion and without judgement, to gather and assess how we as Liberty Home can assist those in need of help on their journey to recovery.

I am a 57 year old who has been in recovery from active addiction for 15 years. My passion is to help to help those who suffers from addiction without any judgement. Since i have been clean and sober i have been working in treatment centres in order to stay close to my illness.

I’m passionate about my work and very hardworking dedicated and driven individual and I’m not afraid to face challenges open to learn more to become the better version of myself .My passion is to do selfless service to help another individual who is struggling with addiction and with that I’m also being of service to myself .

After years of substance abuse, I found recovery with the help of the 12 step program and the fellowship.  Through this process, my life has changed tremendously, and I am filled with joy and gratitude. 

I believe that selfless service, to others, is my way of showing gratitude. I hope to carry a message of recovery to others and to help them find what I have found.

Though never personally affected by substance use, my caregiving experience has shown me the importance of recovery when chance and resources are available. Supporting patients on their journey to independence and relapse prevention is deeply fulfilling. Witnessing their transformation into inspiring stories gives me purpose that no other field offers.

Romeo is our resident facilities manager. He fixes anything, makes beds, cleans, carries the guest’s bags, managers contractor and ensures our beloved Weltervreden Manor house built in 1765 is in top shape – always with a ready smile and willingness to help in any way he can. He has a lovely disposition that fits in perfectly with the energy we have in the house, and we are lucky to have him as part of the team.

I am an experienced handyman at Liberty Home, focused on keeping everything in top shape. From repairs to maintenance, I handle it all with care and attention. My goal is to ensure our residents feel comfortable and their homes stay in great condition. Always ready to help when needed!

I am a dedicated and detail-oriented housekeeper with so many years of experience in maintaining clean, comfortable, and organized homes. With a passion for creating warm and welcoming spaces, I take pride in my work and strive to exceed expectations.

I’m a seasoned security guard with years of experience in keeping people and property safe. I’m here to prevent incidents and respond quickly to emergencies. Friendly, alert, and always ready to assist, my goal is to ensure everyone feels secure and welcome in their environment.

I’m all about keeping things safe and secure. Vigilant and responsive, I’m always ready to help out. Whether it’s answering questions or handling incidents, I’m here to ensure everything runs smoothly and everyone feels at ease.

I am a passionate culinary artist with over 10 years of experience in the kitchen. I’m dedicated to creating innovative dishes that showcase the best of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. I believe that food should be a journey, not just a meal.

My passion for cooking is driven by a desire to bring people together and create memorable experiences. I’m always looking for ways to push the boundaries of culinary creativity and deliver dishes that are both delicious and visually stunning.

I am a passionate chef who loves making tasty food. I enjoy trying new recipes and using fresh ingredients. I work well with others in the kitchen and always aim to make people happy with my cooking. Cooking is not just my job, it’s something I genuinely enjoy.

Gigi is a special part of our team.  She brings calm and peace to the residents and loves going for walks.