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Born in 1985, Hein Prinsloo from Johannesburg had a simple childhood like many others. He is the second youngest of four brothers. Hein’s mother, Hannatjie Prinsloo raised her four boys to the best of her ability, while husband, Willie Prinsloo worked hard on the South African Gold Mines, to provide for his family.
The family moved to Pretoria, when Hein was 12, in search of a better life. Having matriculated in 2004, Hein started a career in Furniture Retail Operations. Excelling as Regional Operations Manager and having accomplished so much, at 31, it was time to shift goals, and have new dreams to champion.
In 2016 Hein met Richard Curson, Celebrity Publicist from London; they became life partners and eventually engaged. Their wedding took place on 09 June 2018 and was filmed for SABC TV show; Top Billing.
He resigned from retail in 2017 and began life with Richard with new exciting dreams and aspirations. Hein and Richard launched a Public Relations agency in South Africa in 2017. Richard with the Celebrity Publicist background, and Hein with the Retail Operations background, has perfected service delivery for clients, by closing the misunderstood gap between Public Relations and Retail, which now allows them to better cater for the vast market.
Having had a strong connection with his siblings since he came out as gay to his family in 2005, there were no more obstacles for this young determined Virgo, to accomplish his dreams, with the full support of his family. Hein’s business partner and husband Richard, both share the same dreams. Not only have they managed to accomplish so much in such a short space of time, but they have common goals and aspirations that they are working hard towards.
After the wedding in 2018, the Prinsloo Curson’s started expanding their rapidly growing business and flying the SA flag high around the world, and it’s not hard to see that this duo are strongly on their way to achieving what they set out to do.
Born 11 August 1980, in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, England to parents Ronald and Christine Curson. A large family of 3 brothers and 2 sisters he grew up in a rural busy farming household. He went to school at Upwell Primary and Junior School but failed to finish his secondary education due to falling victim to bullying, so was forced to start his college career early. He studied all aspects of Media.
At 16 years Richard published his first book, a poetry book Burst with Verse. He went on to broadcast for Magic AM in Yorkshire every day for 2 years. Richard moved to London and understudied with renowned publicist Jules Just where he learned his craft; how to make stars out of people and their brands. Richard Curson the publicist became a familiar face on the London social circuit hosting some of the most memorable celebrity parties in the capital including a series of Club4Climate parties for climate change awareness and worked with the most famous media brands in the country including OK! Magazine and ITV. Richard has worked with familiar faces and brands around the world, helping them make impacts and impressions through what they do in the media. He has assisted in sharing news and views, working with media brands on special assignments, helping produce content for audiences around the world.
Richard, who is deaf had an interesting encounter with Prince Phillip. The first time Richard met Prince Phillip at a reception in Wales, he was wearing the same suit and tie as the Royal protection officers, so His Royal Highness’s private secretary instructed Richard to prepare the cars for the prince who was ready to leave. Eventually both realised there was a misunderstanding because Richard’s security earpiece is in fact his hearing aid! Richard is deaf! The private secretary was greatly apologetic, and all enjoyed a joke about it afterwards. Richard could have travelled back to Windsor Castle with the Duke in the Royal Helicopter if he played along with it!
Richard first travelled to South Africa in 2011 to work with a client and found an adoration with the country which is why he kept returning every year since. Until in 2016 he met and fell in love with Hein Prinsloo and decided to make South Africa his home.
He is a true entrepreneur with an unquenched thirst for knowledge and a deep desire to surround himself with innovative thinkers and trendsetters.
He has a unique and innovative outlook on business in general and has always been enthusiastic for projects that are highly innovative and have the ability to stir mass appeal.
Brett possesses exceptional leadership qualities and plays a key role in each of his varied business activities. His creative mind and adaptable nature allow him to see and understand a broad spectrum, whilst never being afraid to learn or be taught something new.
He began his small event management and brand development business in 2000. The company Talentattack was instrumental in setting the standard in experiential event production and had worked with many of the top brands around South Africa. Talentattack further progressed into public television by launching Talentattack TV Productions, beginning with the conceptualizing and producing of the SABC1 flagship reality series about entrepreneurship – Rize Mzansi. Rize Mzansi has since become an international award-winning series and reached its third season. Talent Attack TV Productions has grown to incorporate numerous TV properties.
Brett then turned his attention to Black Robot Advertising; a go-to-market through-the-line advertising agency. With his experience and knowledge gained through launching and maintaining numerous brand strategies and implementation for corporate and start-up clients, he conceptualised and developed many of his own branded products and entered the wholesale and retail space – Dia Noche 100% African Agave and The Nutters Brittle – Artisan chocolate and nut Brittle. Both brands and products are steadily growing nationally and internationally.
Brett now sees himself as a brand director, culture hacker and outsourced professional consultant under the guise of Rebel Africa, Brand Manager and Head of Brand for his varied business ventures as well as Head of Operations for Kadima Digital Agency.
Brett is an ultimate people’s person and problem solver. Brand development and people management is his passion and has the ability and foresight to communicate each of his endeavours on a level that is meaningful, intimate and effective.
Eric, born 1968 in Calabria Italy, was former House Manager to music icons Sting and Madonna. Also known for his love of cooking has published a cook book and appeared on TV, presenting his recipes.
His family immigrated to Australia when he was 3. In 1998 Eric moved to London to work for Sting at his country home. He lived with and managed every aspect of the star’s life from paparazzi to dinner. In 2000 he moved in with Madonna in London and got to know the person behind the stage curtain. Eric claims working for the Multi-Grammy winning star was the most challenging and inspiring time of his life even though it cost him his marriage to his wife. Eric left Madonna’s employment not on happy terms which was famously reported in the media.
He went onto cook for celebrities from the entertainment world but says his most memorable moments were with Sir Elton John, Brad Pitt, Jodie Foster, Charlene Spiteri (band Texas), Sir Bob Geldof, Stella McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Dustin Hoffman, Edges Alba and Gary Barlow.
He lived in New York for a few months and met his life partner, American, LeMarr Williams. Eric and LeMarr married in London, 2006, where they currently live. Eric has since presented recipe demonstrations on Jade’s PA, Red TV, This Morning, 9am with David & Kim in Australia and a one-hour special on the Truth About Beauty hosted by Martine McCutcheon.
After years of feeding the rich and famous Eric decided to publish a book of all the recipes he cooked for them; Celeb’s Choice Cuisines (Author House 2007) highlights fresh and innovative recipes favourited by his employers and their friends.
Thobekile Ndlovu, known as Thobe, 39, founder and Managing Director of Thobethulani Trading; a construction company based in Cornubia, Durban. Honoured by KZN Master Builders Association with Best Woman in Construction 2016; then Excellence in Construction 2017. Thobe went on to become an Executive Board Member for K.Z.N Master Builders Association in 2018. She will be providing expert advice to the Noah’s Ark project over the next few years, appearing on the television programme to help the team and viewers better understand the construction challenges and solutions involved with the ground-breaking engineering of Noah’s Ark.
Thobekile Ndlovu is challenging a male-dominated world of construction. Not that she sees it as a challenge being a woman in construction – she finds that it motivates her to be the best in the field.
“People doubt women in whatever industry they are in that’s seen as not being for women. But when you know what you are doing, why worry about it? Let your work speak for itself, which is what I have done.”
“The true mark of an entrepreneur is one who finds a gap in their chosen field of business, and not only fills it, but makes sure that no one does it better than them.”
An interior design graduate from the former Natal Technikon now Durban University of Technology, Ndlovu was born and raised in Pietermaritzburg, and now lives in the Izinga Ridge Estate in uMhlanga with her husband and three children.
She started her first business, interior design, in 2025, aged 25. Impressing Designs started trading with a contract from uShaka Marine World. This followed by contracts from KwaZuluNatal legislature and the Department of Trade and Industry.
Her first contract in construction was to build the Small Enterprise Development Agency offices in KwaMashu. Ten years later, she has built Thobethulani’s reputation as one of the most reliable construction companies in the province. She has appeared on television and in magazines talking about what it takes to be a female leader in a male dominated industry, her character and personality has helped grow an enduring bond with viewers and readers who watch and read about her.
Polica Kgaugelo Sekhwela, 29, is from the north part of South Africa Limpopo Province in a village called Ga-Raphahlelo, Mahembeni.
He completed school in 2008 at Machepelele Secondary school in Limpopo then went to Johannesburg to further his studies at Vaal University of Technology and PC Training & Business Collage to achieve a Diploma in Information technology in 2012.
His first job was at Videx mining products, an engineering company which produce mining equipment. He was retrenched in April 2013.
He volunteered to work as an administrator at Local Government in Soweto Dobsonville Kopanong. During his spell he developed the passion for working with communities. He won a 4-month paid contract with DIBAGA TLHABANE INC, coordinating statistics of houses without title deed in Braamfischerville Soweto.
In August 2014 he was offered a permanent job with City of Entity consultant company responsible for community benefit management in Social Housing Projects. The job gave him an opportunity to meet with different government officials and politicians as part of the community development expect.
He is now committed to helping communities benefit from the Noah’s Ark project.
Hannatjie Prinsloo, was born June 1966 in Pretoria, South Africa. She finished school education in 1980, married husband Willie and raised 4 boys, Nelis, Andre, Nico and Hein. She was a working mother with a career she loved in finance and worked at Old Mutual, a bank in South Africa. She worked at ABSA brokers, another bank, for 8 years. Opting for a quieter role she took the helm at a firm of accountants in Pretoria as the receptionist for more than 11 years. She joined her son’s business, Prinsloo Curson Associates, in 2018 and is very much the mum of the Company, making sure the team is mothered, have a shoulder to cry on and of course the reception has a smiling face for visitors.
Born in the Northern Cape on 14 May 1991 Peta was raised by her mother and grandmother. Currently living in Johannesburg she has been working as an overland ranger for a tour operator.
As a child Peta immersed herself into nature, playing with insects, wild animals and reading books about the natural world around her. She had many funny encounters with nature including when she brought a caterpillar nest into her bedroom then thousands of fuzzy black creatures hatched over her bedroom.
Peta dropped out of school due to bullying so went to work and study hospitality eventually working as a bartender in Johannesburg at 18 but moved back to the Cape. There she visited a friend’s game farm which was her first experience on a guided game drive and she realised a sense of purpose.
The family sold off furniture and old jewellery to cover the deposit for the overland course. Peta was unable to pay the balance of the course fee; but a distant cousin offered to pay the remaining amount. She went on to achieve 98% in the exams and launched a career working with animals. After working a 6-month practical in Namibia Peta chose to guide another season in the Fish River Canyon for the Gondwana Collection. Since then she has worked for Drifters Adventours travelling to 9 different African countries living with nature. Currently Peta is home-based in a managerial role with her life partner Katherine. She joins the Noah’s Ark team to travel the animal kingdom worldwide to find the species for the ark; in the process she meets the poachers and hunters, talks to experts and uncovers the stories behind the conservation crisis.
Enterprising Women of the Year 2016 Champion (Enterprising Women Magazine, USA) Kirsten Drew Woolf is listed as one the most enterprising women in the world; she is the CEO of 3 leading diamond Companies in Africa. Described as a Super Mum for managing a pioneering career and a family; her daughter of 2 years and devoted husband sit at the epicenter of her world and is why she was a finalist in Mrs. South Africa 2018. Kirsten returned to work two weeks after her baby was born choosing to skip traditional maternity leave taking her new born into the office with her instead.
Educated at Crawford High School, Sandton, South Africa and Bond University; she achieved BSC Degree (Bachelor of Science). A life in the public eye, she has become a public figure in South Africa featuring recently on the covers of Business Woman Magazine, Living & Loving Magazine, FHM Magazine and Get It Johannesburg North Magazine. Not a fan of the limelight she has a reputation for turning down media opportunities and maintains she chooses what she does carefully.
Patron for Woodrock Animal Rescue (www.woodrockanimalrescue.com) she can indulge her love of animals and the environment.
Kirsten has taken a lead in a male run industry and has had phenomenal success in establishing an International name for herself and companies including KD Diamonds, ADH and Kirsten Drew. In her capacity as a jewellery entrepreneur Kirsten’s Companies have acquired the rights to manufacturer the official Noah’s Ark jewellery collection launching 2019 and aims to raise £200m for the charity.
Christine, 31, from Johannesburg is a mother of two daughters aged 5 and 7. Personal trainer, model and vocalist. She won various pageants including Miss Soweto and Miss SA Bikini in her teenage years and has recently appeared on SABC TV’s Top Billing show and The Naledi Theatre Awards broadcast on Kyknet South Africa. As a House music-vocalist she is signed to The Addicted Group Record Company.
She joins Noah’s Ark to investigate how women will help shape the project and looks at the roles women play now, during the development and when Noah’s Ark is open for business.