Mar 14, 2023
We are happy to welcome Rehgert and Vanessa van Zyl to The Hamilton Review Podcast! Rehgert discusses how and why he founded Aleph Surf International in 2007. Vanessa shares about her background in fashion design and how she has been working as a fashion designer, creating jobs for marginalized women in communities in Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, South Africa and Jordan.
Together, they live in Jeffrey's Bay South Africa and are using Aleph to assist people who lack opportunities in Africa, Mexico, the Middle East and beyond. Don't miss this delightful couple's story about helping those in need.
Enjoy the conversation!
Aleph Surf was founded by Rehgert van Zyl in August 2007 after completing his Bachelor Degree in Humanities and Anthropology. After college, he took a job as a community worker for a Dutch NGO in George, South Africa. This NGO focused on assisting children living on the streets. Through this experience, Rehgert quickly realized that his focus needed to be on prevention rather than rehabilitation. Knowing about the complexities of race and class systems in South Africa, he began to think of ways that he could connect to the multiracial youth that he wanted to serve and mentor.A common ground was needed through which to meet these street kids. Being an avid surfer, Rehgert used the foundations of learning to surf as a metaphor for teaching important life lessons. It was “learning by doing.” And so, Aleph Surf was founded in South Africa in 2007 and it has now expanded to assisting people who lack opportunities in life in Africa, Mexico, the Middle East and beyond. Rehgert met his Californian wife Vanessa in the US through mutual friends. They realized that their desires and interests aligned from the start, so the decision to get married came quickly. Vanessa had been living in Africa 3 years prior to meeting Rehgert in 2010. Over the past 15 years she has been working as a fashion designer, creating jobs for marginalized women in communities in Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, South Africa and Jordan. Using her experience in design and pattern making she has enabled hundreds of women to empower themselves to become a vital financial provider for their families.
Rehgert & Vanessa believe in the restoration of all things and that we are called as human beings to play a part in restoring the world back to the Creator’s original design through the giftings he has given us.
Restoration through Recreation
ALEPH SURF INTERNATIONAL
How to contact Rehgert and Vanessa van Zyl:
Aleph Surf International on Instgram
How to contact Dr. Bob:
Dr. Bob on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChztMVtPCLJkiXvv7H5tpDQ
Dr. Bob on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drroberthamilton/
Dr. Bob on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bob.hamilton.1656