Frank Rousseau – Chairman, and founder member of “Faces and Voices of Recovery-South Africa”

In long term recovery for more than a decade, Frank realized the ignorance and stigma of most South Africans about the disease of addiction, and set about with a passion to create the unique concept of a “one stop” portal about Alcohol and Drug Misuse, and the increase risk of contracting HIV/AIDS through drug abuse, particularly among our youth. He is actively involved in keeping our website up to date with evidence based information from both local and international links. Frank is dedicated to the prevention work of FAVOR and sees education as the tool to transform the minds and lives of our youth. Frank and Jenny have been married for 45 years.  They are blessed with 2 children, Anton and Maria and 3 grandchildren.

“My recovery includes standing up and speaking out to put a face on the realities and benefits of long term recovery.”

Frank serves on the Board of SANCA Western Cape as Hon. Treasurer.

Click here to read Frank's story

Lawrence Sims - Vice Chairman

Lawrence, by the Grace of God, has been in long term recovery for more than two decades.  He is very active in promoting the movement of FAVORSA, and the awareness of the power of long term recovery.  Lawrence is an excellent public speaker on the positive benefits of the “Power of Recovery” and has given numerous, and humorous talks on this topic.

Lawrence is employed by one of the most prominent firms in the Building Fraternity in Cape Town.

Click here to read Lawrence's story

Jurgens Smit, Executive Director

Jurgens is enjoying long-term recovery and is the Executive Director of FAVOR (SA). His previous experience in the retail world brings focus and energy to the Board of Favor. Jurgens is a qualified counselor, NLP Practioner, and Eriksonian Hypnotherapist. He is a Registered Natural Healer and an Advanced EFT practitioner. He continuously improves his knowledge in the Recovery field and has recently completed intensive training on the Matrix Model of Addiction Treatment and Motivational Interviewing. He has previously worked as an Addiction Counselor and is currently in private practice as a Recovery Coach.

Jurgens defines recovery as ‘Abstinence PLUS Change’, and sees recovery as the pursuit and achievement of physical, emotional, intellectual, relational and spiritual health. His positive approach empowers his clients and enriches their recovery lives. Jurgens works with clients individually, runs support groups and works with families in recovery. He is actively involved in prevention work in the business sector and local communities.

Jurgens is dedicated in changing the public’s perception of recovery and lives a life that proves that ‘Recovery is a Reality’. He describes his own recovery as a Journey of possibility, of discovery and is deeply grateful to experience on a daily basis the miracles of Recovery.

Click here to read Jurgen's story

Christine Gordon, Director

Christine is a founder member of FAVOR South Africa. Christine has been in long term recovery for more than a decade. She brings to the Board of FAVOR a wealth of experience in the corporate world, and describes her strenths as Training and Developing Proprammes.  Over the past 5 years Christine has channeled her energy into doing presentations to more than 100,000 youth in the Western Cape. Christine is the CEO of "Drug Free Africa", Executive Director of "MAMA-Africa" (Mother's Against Methampetamine) and Chair Person of the "Drug Action Committee in Somerst West. 

Click here to read Christine's story

Adv. Jacques Joubert - Director

Jacques Joubert is a founder member of FAVORSA. Actively involved lobbying for the introduction of  "Drug Courts" in South Africa as the founder member of the "Drug Court Advocacy Group."   In 2004 he attended a Drug Court Conference in Boston, USA ('click' to see report). Jacques believes that South Africans still view ' addiction ' as a character weakness, and not as the disease which research has proved. "It is a chronic disease like diabetes, yet discrimination and stigma persists."

Jacques is married and is currently living in Canada.   His passion for Faces and Voices of Recovery beyond doubt, and he continues to be an invaluable Advocate that 'long term recovery is a reality

Click here to read Jacques's story

Boris van Apeldoorn, Director

Boris demonstrates that there are many paths to recovery from addiction.  Despite physical setbacks, his courage and optimism is living proof to all out there who  are still struggling with addiction, that recovery is a reality. The Serenity he contributes to the Board of FAVORSA is invaluable.

Boris carries on his own business as an IT Consultant.

“Addiction is a preventable, treatable medical condition from which people can and do recover”  - Merlyn Karst, Chairman, FAVOR. USA

Click here to read Boris's story

Gavin Taylor, Director

Today I am embracing the gift of recovery, using my daily challenges to grow and enjoy life to the full.

Recovery is the greatest gift I have. I am proud to be an active ‘face’ and ‘voice’ of recovery. Today I have no need to hide – I live in my Truth and show by example that there is life after addiction – a life filled with abundance and serenity. Today I take responsibility for life and the choices I make.

I am passionate about giving back to individuals and to communities. I am grateful to be part of FAVOR(SA) and know that together we can make a positive difference in the lives of others still suffering from the disease of addiction.

Gavin is the Technical & Entertainment Manager for one of the largest Hotel Groups in South Africa.

Neels Blaauw, Director

I commenced my career as student on the Mines Hospitals, qualified and stayed on for a further four years as Hospital Superintendent.  I excelled and gained experience as Healthcare Business Manager/ Private Hospital Manager in several private hospitals, and was active as service provider in the private health care and NPO’s sector where I held the positions of Head Medical Services and Provincial Director. I was further involved on the medical insurance/medical aids arena with Managed Health Care as National Co-ordinator. Further valuable experience was added to this portfolio when I was allocated by the European Union as a Technical assistant to a Provincial office of the Minister and Head of the Department of Health. I had to take charge of the Provincial hospital revitalisation programme.  

I attended many International and National seminars/conferences on healthcare business management, rehabilitation, corporate governance and related subjects. . Served on many committees and boards and participated in developing and compiling business strategies, operational and regulatory direction and documentation in these fields

I am multi skilled and trained in a number of areas. 

I hold Diplomas in Business Management, Financial Management, Human Resources Management development, industrial relations and politics, strategic development and I am RGN.    I further holds a BA and MBA degrees from Newport University California.

"MY life philosophy is; “never forget your creator, treat others the way you would like to be treated, keep the basics in tact and adhere to the principle “adapt or die”. I believe that the only stability is change."

External Consultants

Janet Keegans - Communications Consultant

Stephen Grundlingh - Financial Advisor Fundraising
- (Director: Franklin Templeton - Singapore)