Sandra Pretorius who has worked at SANCA Horizon Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Centre for 26 years said she wouldn’t swap her job for any other work.
According to Pretorius, who is the director of the centre, her journey began in 1996. At that time she left her job as a social worker at the Department of Social Development offices in Springs.
“I was dealing with alcohol and drug addicts even at that social development department. But I left that job because it wasn’t challenging for me. We only dealt with referring addicts to organisations that can help them.
“I was not involved in the intervention and recovery process of an addict. As a professional social worker, I was always interested in being part of the healing process of the addicts. That interest stems from my love for people.
“I then enquired to the director of the centre, Cathy Vos, about a vacancy. She gave me the opportunity to work at the centre in 1996 and from there I never looked back, because I was doing what I love,” explained Pretorius.
She added that she had always wanted to be a teacher because she loved to work with people.
“I think teaching has always been part of me and that’s why I managed to stay here at the centre all these years. I give people a chance to follow their dreams and transform their lives.
“I would also like to thank my husband Peter Pretorius because he also played a pivotal role in my career. I couldn’t have worked here at the clinic for this long if it wasn’t for his support. We have two sons. My eldest Waldo is doing a teaching course and my other son Divan is doing a different course at tertiary level.
“I’m always learning here at the centre and I love it. I’m working here by the grace of God and I don’t know how long I will work here. I do have thoughts of retiring but it won’t happen any time soon. I learned a lot from my mentor Vos, especially when I became a deputy director in 2004,” said Pretorius.
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