Staff Update
Welcoming New Faces, Celebrating Achievements
Welcome – Verishka Somchand, Executive Assistant to the Executive Head
We are delighted to welcome Verishka Somchand to St Mary’s DSG as Executive Assistant to Mrs Odelle Howard. With over 24 years’ experience in retail and auditing, Verishka has excelled in HR, finance, CSI, recruitment, training, events, and governance. She holds a master's in business administration and plans to pursue a PhD.
As a mother of two daughters, she is excited to join an institution dedicated to empowering young women and fostering leadership. This is her first role in education, and she is eager to contribute her expertise to support our mission. We look forward to the energy, insight, and professionalism she brings to our leadership team.
Welcome – Emese De Vries, English Teacher
As a mother to a girl child, empowering young women in the modern world is a passion close to Emese De Vries’s heart. She believes in equipping young women with the tools to build confidence, embrace leadership, and show compassion—both inside and beyond the classroom.
With over a decade of experience teaching English at girls’ schools, she has seen how much teachers can also learn from their students. A lover of literature and poetry, she delights in exploring fresh perspectives with her classes. Originally from KwaZulu-Natal, she is a nature enthusiast who enjoys beach walks as much as she enjoys cooking up a storm. She is excited to begin her journey at St Mary's DSG and looks forward to meeting the young ladies she will guide and inspire.
In the Spotlight – Inspiring Future Scientists
On 19 June 2025, Anant Somanchi was honoured to speak at the Genetics Career Showcase hosted by the University of Pretoria's Division of Genetics. Addressing Honours students, Anant shared insights from a career journey spanning science, leadership, and diverse industry roles, highlighting the importance of postgraduate study, continuous learning, and adaptability.
His contribution not only provided inspiration and guidance to the next generation of scientists but also sparked a new wave of enthusiasm for the field. A dynamic panel discussion followed, where students explored the realities and opportunities of careers in life sciences. Anant's contribution provided inspiration and guidance to the next generation of scientists.
Congratulations – Mrs Fortune Manyaka, Security Supervisor
We are proud to announce the well-deserved promotion of Mrs Fortune Manyaka to Security Supervisor. Joining St Mary's in 2021 as our first female security officer, Fortune quickly distinguished herself through professionalism, dedication, and leadership.
Her Grade A PSIRA certification reflects her expertise, and this promotion is a testament to her outstanding service and the trust she has earned from the school community. We celebrate her as a trailblazer within our school community.
