OUR TEAM
Our team is made up of passionate people who care deeply about education, community and creating opportunities for growth. Each person brings unique skills and life experience, but together we share one vision: to nurture a space where children, families, and individuals can learn, connect, and thrive.
With backgrounds ranging from education and business to health and wellness, we combine our vision with heart - practical knowledge to make a real difference in everyday life.
Rachael Köhne-Lau
Rachael brings 20 years helping people grow — from elite sport to corporate teams. She blends practical coaching in behaviour change, leadership and resilience with a warm, down‑to‑earth style that helps individuals and groups build lasting habits, stronger teams and more sustainable performance.
Co-founder & Director
Philip Raw
A legal expert with a heart for education, Phil brings a unique blend of legal acumen and financial planning expertise to Momentai.
Co-founder & Director
Charlotte Raw
Charlotte, our Head of Operations, offers a fresh perspective shaped by her diverse experiences. As a qualified attorney specialising in Civil Litigation and Family Law until 2020, she cultivated strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Director & Operations Manager
Paul Rencken
Advisor - School Management
& Goverance
After 16 years of successfully managing my own local business, I felt a calling to transition into the educational sector by joining an NGO focused on education. My commitment to educational development is reflected in my extensive experience as the Chairperson of the School Governing Body for both Howick Prep School and Howick High School for 16 years.
Sue Buchanan-Clarke
Sue specialises in enhancing operational resilience for businesses while cultivating a supportive and empowering workplace culture. With a diverse career primarily focused on legal operations, she has extensive experience in streamlining corporate law firms and Alternative Business Structures in the UK.
Advisor Legal & HR
Brigitte Köhne-Lau
Brigitte has 20 years of experience teaching and working with children ranging from pre-school to high school. Early in her career, she volunteered in the US, seeking opportunities to establish a youth center and work in a summer camp.
Head of Preschool
Diana Webb
Diana has 10 years of Pre-School experience with the last eight in Howick as teacher of the 'baby' class, children as young as 4 months old to the Turning 2's.
Head of Early Years
Ntombizonke Mlambo ‘Pretty’
Pretty is dedicated to providing exceptional care and support to infants in their crucial early years. She is a certified Early Childhood Development professional with an Ancillary Health Care certificate and has specialised training in PLAY (Powerful Learning Around You) for children aged 0-2.
Classroom Assistant
Emily Nortje
Emily is a Foundation Phase teacher bringing a diverse classroom and specialist experience to the Momentai Team. She completed a two-year internship at Cowan House — first as a Sports Department intern delivering PE to Grades RR–6. She holds a BA in Psychology, a PGCE in Foundation Phase and a Learn-to-Swim qualification
Grade RR Teacher
Breanne-Jane
Grade RRRR Teacher
COMING SOON!
Bre is an energetic educator completing her second year of an ECD Diploma. With Montessori experience managing a room of 25 children and First Aid certification, she creates warm, structured days through art, play and circle time. A former gold‑medal dancer and award recipient for perseverance, Bre brings enthusiasm, adaptability and care to our 2–3 year old class.
Carmen Levey
Community Events &
Education Coordinator
Carmen holds a BSc in Sport Science and a BSc in Physiotherapy from Stellenbosch University. With a decade of experience in private practice, and as someone who exercises for sanity and not swagger, she is passionate about movement as a foundation for wellness.
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.”