1. PO Box 5545
Tygervalley, 7536 RACHÉ HANEKOM
Masters in Technology Consumer Science: Food and Nutrition (CPUT)
Postgraduate Certificate in Dyslexia and Literacy (United Kingdom)
Bachelor of Consumer Science (Educationis) Cum Laude (US)
rachevdv@gmail.com
0799016520 mobile
PERSONAL DETAILS
Date of Birth 2 April, 1980
Nationality South African
Interests Running and cycling; Travel
Gender Female
Relationship status Married (Maiden name: Van der Vyver)
CAREER HISTORY
Lecturer | Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) 01.2009 – present
Faculty of Applied Sciences
Department of Biotechnology and Consumer Science
Programme Consumer Science: Food and Nutrition
Lecturing subjects:
Theory subjects:
Nutrition I (mainstream and extended curriculum programme)
• Macronutrients: Carbohydrates, lipids, protein, energy and energy balance
Chemical structure and nature, metabolism, physiological functions and food sources;
interactions to maintain and promote a healthy body and how deficiencies, excesses and imbalances
may bring on disease
• Micronutrients and water: Minerals, vitamins, water and water balance
Physiological functions and food sources of each nutrient; interactions to maintain and promote a
healthy body and how deficiencies, excesses and imbalances may bring on disease
• Concepts and Guides: Food composition tables, nutrition tools
Understand, explain and use the various nutrition tools (e.g. Daily Food Guide, South African FBDG’s,
MyPlate), standards and guidelines available for balanced food selection and meal/menu planning to
promote wellness and prevent disease
Nutrition II
• Nutritional assessment
• Lifecycle nutrition: Pre-pregnancy and pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, adolescence (including
eating disorders), adulthood, old age
Nutritional needs, feeding practices and nutrition-related concerns at each developmental stage of the
lifecycle
• Allergies and intolerances
• Internal/external factors influencing food choice, eating habits and wellness, e.g. vegetarianism and
religion
• Introduction to meal- and menu planning
• Non-communicable diseases: Diabetes Mellitus, osteoporosis, weight management, cancer,
cardiovascular disease and hypertension
How nutrients (and phytochemicals) in food and their interactions maintain and promote wellness and
prevent disease, and how deficiencies, excesses and imbalances of nutrients may bring on disease
Nutrition III
• Food habits, nutrient intakes and health problems
World nutrition problems that adversely affect the food selection, eating habits, dietary adequacy,
nutritional status and/or health of consumers; South African eating habits in comparison to nutrition
guidelines
• Therapeutic diets: Diabetic, low sodium, renal, low fat/cholesterol, clear fluid, fluid, soft, bland, light,
low residue, high fibre, high protein, low protein
Aim, characteristics, indications, precautions, specific menu guidelines
• Labelling legislation
Page 1

2. • Nutrition misinformation: Misconception, faddism, quackery
• Nutritional disorders: Lactose intolerance, milk allergy, gluten intolerance, rheumatoid- and
osteoarthritis, gout, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, kidney stones
Etiology, risk factor(s), physiological problems, nutritional treatment/prevention
Physiology: Food I
• Human anatomy and physiology (cells and tissues); blood; cardiovascular system; digestive system,
endocrine system, lymphatic system, respiratory system; urinary system
Practical subjects:
• Food and Food Science I and II
• Food Production Management I (large scale)
Other responsibilities:
• Academic tutoring
• Tracking of academically at-risk students with appropriate intervention strategies
• General administration and organisation, i.e. record keeping, assessment and moderation
• Develop teaching material for Blackboard/My Classroom (LMS)
• Marketing of the programme (Facebook)
Teacher | DF Malan High School 01.2008 - 12.2008
Teaching subjects:
• Consumer Studies (Grade 10 – 12)
• Technology (Grade 8)
• Arts & Culture (Grade 8)
• Lesson preparation in accordance with subject curriculum
• General administration and record keeping
Teacher | Strand High School 08.2007 - 12.2007
Teaching subjects:
• Consumer Studies (Grade 10 – 12)
• Technology (Grade 8 & 9)
Teacher | The Moat School (Specialist Independent School for Dyslexia and Dyspraxia – United Kingdom) 01.2003 - 08.2007
Teaching subjects:
• Food Technology (Key Stage 3 & 4)
• Study Skills (Key Stage 3)
• PSHE/Life Skills (Key Stage 3)
• Work with pupils who have severe Speech and Language difficulties
• Write Individual Education Plans and monitor pupil progress in accordance with these
• Write Programmes of Study (Key Stages 3 & 4)
• Development of Fine and Gross Motor Skills through the skills-based practical activities in Food Technology
Managing holiday activity weeks | Sports Galore 2004 - 2007
• Managing sports and activity weeks during school holidays for learners aged 4 – 13 years
• Managing weekend football clubs for learners aged 4 – 13 years
• Coaching sports, arts and crafts and music activities
EDUCATIONAL DETAILS
Masters in Technology Consumer Science: Food and Nutrition Cum Laude | Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2014
Publication:
Hanekom, R., Venter, I. & Du Toit, L.D. 2014. Development of a food knowledge test for first-year students at a university of technology
in the Western Cape, South Africa. Journal of Family Ecology and Consumer Sciences, 42: 1-6.
Page 2

3. Postgraduate Certificate in Dyslexia and Literacy (Approved Teacher Status) The Dyslexia Institute | Validated by the
University of York (United Kingdom), 2005
Bachelor of Consumer Science (Educationis) Cum Laude | University of Stellenbosch, 1999 – 2002
Matric | Bellville High School, 1998
Short Courses | Assistant Examiner: GCSE Design & Technology (Textiles), 2004 - 2007
Edexcel Examinations Board (United Kingdom)
Level 3 Award: Implementing Food Safety Management Procedures (HACCP), November 2006
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (United Kingdom)
ACHIEVEMENTS
Programme Teaching Award, 2014: Consumer Science: Food and Nutrition
REFERENCES
Prof Irma Venter
Senior Lecturer & Researcher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Applied Sciences: Consumer Science: Food & Nutrition
Telephone: 021 460 3428
E-mail: venteri@cput.ac.za
Prof Maretha Opperman
Senior Lecturer & Researcher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Applied Sciences: Consumer Science: Food & Nutrition
Functional Foods Research Unit (FFRU)
Telephone: 021 953 8677
Cellphone: 0832277578
Email: oppermanm@cput.ac.za
Mrs Joh Dorfling
Headmaster
DF Malan High School
Telephone: 021 948 8781
E-mail: skoolfhoof@dfmalan.com
Page 3