
Meet the about U Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
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Carina Strydom
Principal
Carina is a people person and thoroughly believes that all aspects of financial planning should make the lives of people easier, not more difficult. She uses her 38 years of experience in the financial services sector to lead and inspire the AboutU team to achieve even higher levels of service excellence and people-driven solutions.
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Chrissie Bothma
Office Manager
Chrismaré has been with the company since 2006 and her main responsibility is the smooth sailing and efficient front and back office operations. From answering the phones, directing clients to correct specialists, internal procedures and maintenance. She is known as an all-rounder.
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Xolani Xakaza
Senior Sales Consultant
Xolani is a Senior Insurance Sales Consultant at AboutU Financial Advisors, specializing in Discovery Insure . He joined AboutU in 2020 and brings over a decade of experience in the financial industry. Xolani holds qualifications in wealth management, highlighting his expertise in providing comprehensive financial solutions. He understands that insurance is about offering clients peace of mind and ensuring they receive prompt and effective support during unforeseen events. Xolani’s commitment to attentive client listening and delivering personalized advice enables him to craft strategies that perfectly align with each client’s unique needs.
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Vasti Howard
Financial Adviser
Vasti has been in the financial services industry for the past 18 years. She graduated with a BCom Marketing degree as well as her Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning. She has a passion for advice and walks the financial journey with each client to address all their financial needs, wants and dreams through each life stage of the financial cycle. She implements this approach by articulating each client’s financial journey and then implementing a strategy and solution to support the realization of each goal over time. Goal setting is integral to the success of any financial plan. Vasti specializes in estate planning and retirement planning as well as wealth creation and wealth management through sound investment strategies.
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Michelle Barnard
Financial Adviser
Michelle has been in the financial industry for over 19 years and began working in the medical scheme industry in 2004. She has acquired valuable knowledge over the years and firmly believes that exceptional service and extensive expertise are key to properly advising clients. She is driven by strong ethics and a passion to provide a personalized experience for every client.
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Nantes (Jacobus) Du Plessis
Financial Adviser Bank & Insure
Nantes is a dedicated professional with 5 years of experience in the Financial industry. He strives to meet our clients’ needs, whether over the phone or face to face. Serving other is his purpose in life. He firmly believes that building long lasting relationships is of utmost importance. He focuses on Discovery Bank, Servicing client needs on Discovery Insure and helping clients make the most of Vitality Drive.
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Anlé Rossouw
Health Claims Consultant
Anle brings a wealth of 20 years of experience to the Medical Scheme industry. She specializes in Medical Claims, Chronic Benefits/Queries, Oncology Benefits/Queries, and Prescribed Minimum Benefit/Queries. In addition to her expertise, she also plays a key role in handling Authorization requests and approvals, and she excels in providing top-notch client services. Anle has been a valuable part of our company for the past 8 years, consistently dedicated to meeting our clients' needs, whether through phone consultations or face-to-face interactions. Her passion for her work drives her to always go the extra mile for our clients, ensuring their utmost satisfaction.
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Melissa van der Westhuizen
Servicing Consultant
Melissa boasts an impressive 10-year background in the Financial services industry, starting in short-term insurance and gaining valuable insights through roles as a Sales Specialist and later a Claims Specialist. In 2023, she expanded her expertise to the long-term and health sectors, demonstrating her commitment to professional growth. Melissa's defining traits include a mature and responsible approach to work, taking ownership of responsibilities, fearlessly tackling challenges, and consistently delivering results that surpass expectations, all while maintaining composure under pressure for smooth project and task execution.

Kaylan van Wyk
Insure Consultant
Kaylan, a junior sales consultant, has been in the industry since 2023, specializing in Discovery Insure products, with a deep passion for delivering exceptional service. She takes pride in offering personalized solutions tailored to each client's needs, ensuring a seamless and positive experience. She is driven by a commitment to excellence, consistently going above and beyond to provide fantastic service. Her approachable, professional style allows her to connect with clients, building trust and lasting relationships. Her motto “you not fully dressed without a smile”

Kristin Jacobs
Servicing Consultant
Kris has two years of dedicated experience in the insurance industry, during which she has developed a well-rounded understanding of key areas within the field. Her journey has provided her with valuable insights into the legal, sales, and claims departments, each contributing to her broad perspective and expertise. Passionate about her work, Kris is currently focused on advancing her qualifications and is actively pursuing her RE certification. Her commitment to the industry drives her to continuously enhance her skills and make meaningful contributions. Currently, working in the claims department, Kris thrives on helping clients by delivering the service they need and ensuring they feel safe and supported during vulnerable times.
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Lizzy Blou
General Assistant
Lizzy Blou is a dedicated general assistant at AboutU. With her keen organisational skills and unwavering commitment, Lizzy plays a pivotal role in supporting the company's mission to provide top-notch financial guidance to its clients.