Meet the
Team

Laurence co-founded one of the first social circus school in the world with the intention to foster social change through the medium of circus arts. She holds a B.Sc. in Physical & Sports Activities and a Masters in Sports Management. She was Knighted of the National Order of Merit by the French President and was a runner up at the BBQ Award. In 2017 she was the president of the jury at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris, France. In 2019 she was finalist at the AWIEF (African Women Innovation Entrepreneurship Forum) award for her social work. Estève also received the Paul Harris fellowship from Rotary International. Her goal is for Zip Zap to become the circus hub of South Africa as well as bringing circus to the same level of recognition than other classical art forms such as music and dance.

Born in 1961 in Cape Town Brent van Rensburg started to learn daring aerial skills at the Circus school YMCA Observatory in 1973. For the next 15 years he performed in Italy, Holland, Denmark, Norway, France, Monte Carlo and America. After an accident he started as an acrobatic instructor at the Ringling Brothers Clown College in Florida, then he ran circus workshops for Club Med Holiday Resorts. There he met his future wife, Laurence Estève and in 1992 they returned to South Africa and started Zip Zap. Together they have trained, choreographed, and directed all Zip Zap shows. He was Men’s Health Best Man 2008, received the Mayor’s Medal for Youth Affairs and in 2012 Brent received the Western Cape Government prize for contribution towards the promotion of the performing arts. In 2016 Brent received the Paul Harris fellowship from the Rotary. Brent brings over 30 years of experience and passion for the circus to training young performers from all walks of life.

Victoria completed most of her schooling in Switzerland, finishing in Oxford with an International Baccalaureate. She completed her BS in business studies and biochemistry at Duke University, North Carolina in the United States. Victoria later went on to study African Sub-Saharan history and literature in Paris, where she met her husband. In 1996, she started a family business in socially responsible venture capital, focusing on clean technologies and grassroots business. 

In 2003, Victoria opened “Songololo Children” in Barcelona; a children’s shop concentrating on the sale of socially responsible and eco-friendly toys, accessories, and clothing. She moved to Cape Town in 2005 and became the director of a property company that owns the Heritage Square and subsequently M.D. of the Cape Heritage Hotel. She joined Zip Zap in 2007 becoming the chair in 2008. In 2012 she took on the chair of the Children’s Radio Foundation.  In 2017 she took on the position of CEO of the family farm in Spain and in 2018 opened a health and movement centre in Cape Town. Her goal is to overcome her fear of public speaking by speaking at many women events promoting women in business and philanthropy.

Beryl is currently the Chairperson of the South African Biodiversity Institute. She serves on the board of Sandown Motors MB – a subsidiary in the Daimler stable. Her role is both as Chair of the HR and Transformation Committee and Chair of the Social and Ethics Committee.

Beryl is a trustee on the Pioneer Foods Educational Trust that further enhances the development of youth through education. Beryl is committed to the development of youth and women in our communities. 

Michael earned a BA in Political Science and an LLB at Rhodes University and opened his own law practice specializing in labour law and industrial relations in 1986. He sits as a Trustee, Committee Member, Executive Member of various associations, societies and groupings and has since joined the Zip Zap board and provided a great deal of assistance around legal matters.

Michael is a regular contributor on industrial relations and labour law to radio, TV, newspapers, and magazines.  He was the recipient of the ‘Human Rights Attorney of the Year 2015’ award from the Law Society and received an award from the South African Medical Association “In the Spirit of Service to Medicine for Medicine 2015”.  Michael is also currently a member of Parliament and the Shadow Minister of Labour.

Clarence started at Haggie Rand 22 years ago and remained with the company throughout his career. His interest in the community is through his church, visiting the sick and serving on various bodies that care for the less fortunate.

His boy scout days already revolved around getting the young off the streets and teaching them life skills. Regulations regarding safety and risks have become fundamental in any operation and it is in this area where he is an active support to Zip Zap. Clarence recently retired and is looking forward to having the extra time to increase his active involvement at Zip Zap.

Zolani is well loved and respected by South Africans for unifying a country through music and bridging social, racial and language divides. As an artist, she explores themes of identity and belonging.

Brian met Brent and Laurence back in 2009, while serving with Doctors Without Borders. The rest is history. It was clear, back then already, that this would be a lifelong deal. A passionate HR Generalist and Training Specialist, he decided after several corporate years it was time to start his own HR Consultancy, Sakhile HR & Training Solutions (Pty) Ltd. He now services various businesses in his own time. Zip Zap will always be his home.

Mandisa is a shining example of the virtuous full circle that is testament to Zip Zap’s impact on the lives of South African youth. From a young 11-year-old student in a Zip Zap youth programme to a Zip Zap board member! The quintessential example of the power of inspiration to dream beyond one’s circumstances, and to dream big! Lorraine matriculated in 2011 at Camps Bay High School. She was awarded, ‘’The President’s Silver Award for young people”. She also excelled in dramatic arts.

In 2012 Lorraine travelled to Wales (first time abroad), to perform in ‘Torchbearers’. A spectacular culmination of 4 years work on the Mzansi Cymru Project, linking communities in South Wales & South Africa for the cultural event of the Olympic Games. In 2015, she graduated from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, in Dental Assisting. In 2016, she decided to redirect her career to Electrical Engineering specialising in Heavy Current at College of Cape Town, graduating in 2018. Lorraine then furthered her studies securing a National Diploma: in Electrical Engineering. Passionate about community work and volunteering, she is also an activist for civil society around the global issue of climate change.