Amanda van der Merwe

Amanda van der Merwe

"As a dedicated breadwinner, businesswoman, mother, and grandmother, I am deeply proud of the journey that has shaped my life. My greatest accomplishments are my two remarkable daughters, who continue to inspire me every day. Since the age of 16, I have been driven by an unyielding resilience and a steadfast belief that quitting is never an option. This determination has been the foundation of my personal and professional growth, propelling me to overcome challenges and achieve success in every endeavor.

My career path began in nursing, driven by my deep desire to help people. While I cherished my six months as a nurse, God had other plans for me. My mother introduced me to the corporate world, where I quickly discovered my distaste for repetitive tasks like filing. The thought of becoming a secretary didn’t resonate with me—I wanted to have one. That vision fueled my drive to work hard and push through the red tape, biases, and glass ceilings that defined the workplace in those days.

I knew I had to crawl before I could walk, so I embraced every opportunity to learn. During the 1990s, I immersed myself in new and evolving technologies: Mainframe, DOS, the Internet, Intranet, Windows, and MS Office. I became a Novell Administrator and MS Office Professional Supporter, building a strong technical foundation that set me apart in the corporate world. After 16 years, however, I decided it was time to venture into the private sector.

I launched my first business, designing activewear for babies and children. While it was a creative and rewarding endeavor, I quickly realized I needed more challenges to stay fulfilled. My next chapter began with a deep dive into compliance with legislation, including the Skills Development Act, Employment Equity Act, and B-BBEE. I identified a critical gap between the government, businesses, and the complex legislative framework. This discovery led to the creation of my second business, where I became a trusted advisor to business owners, helping them navigate and comply with government regulations.

Over 25 years, I’ve faced many challenges, but none more significant than managing human resources. However, my commitment to bridging the gap between legislation and business operations has remained steadfast. Today, I continue to serve as a vital medium between the pillars of legislation, empowering business owners with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed.

My journey reflects my belief in resilience, lifelong learning, and the power of adaptation. Every challenge has been an opportunity to grow, and every success has reaffirmed my commitment to making a meaningful impact."

With over 20 years of experience, SDF Corp specialises in strategic business solutions that help companies navigate South Africa’s complex Skills Development and compliance legislation. We work alongside our clients to ensure they gain measurable value from their compliance efforts through meaningful Skills Development initiatives.

As a proud Exempted Micro Enterprise (EME), we understand the everyday challenges of running a business in South Africa. That’s why we offer practical, results-driven support that aligns with your goals and ensures long-term compliance and success.

Our vision is to provide a complete Skills Development solution built on service excellence, exceptional client satisfaction, and a 100% success rate in achieving outcomes. Whether you’re developing your workforce or improving your B-BBEE rating, we are here to guide you every step of the way.

At SDF Corp., we believe Skills Development is the key to a thriving business and a stronger economy. When our clients succeed, we succeed.

Client Testimonials