Dr Kim Wallmach is the head of the school’s newest unit, Translation and Interpreting. She has over 15 years experience in teaching translation and interpreting at university level, as well as over ten years practical experience in running a translation and interpreting agency. She obtained her BA at the University of the Witwatersrand, majoring in German and French and also holds an MA and PhD in Translation Studies. Her aim is to partner with translation and interpreting professionals to provide experts in industry with the language facilitation the need.
Dr. Olivier Fléchais, a member of AIIC (International Association of Conference Interpreters) and SATI (South African Translators’ Institute), holds a PhD in Language Didactics & Sociolinguistics and has lectured at various universities in the US, Europe and South Africa, the latest of which was the University of Cape Town where he was a Senior Lecturer in French. Interpretation has been part of his professional life since 1987, first as a business and liaison interpreter and later, from 1994, as a conference interpreter working for international organisations such as the United Nations, the African Union, COMESA etc. His career as both a language didactician and a practitioner has enabled him to link language skills acquisition with interpretation skills acquisition. In this context and from his long experience of the African interpretation market, Dr Fléchais has undertaken to convene suitable high-level interpretation instructors to teach Africa-based practising interpreters or those who would like to become interpreters in Africa in the near future. This year, he has decided to join forces with Wits Language School and Dr Kim Wallmach as a consultant and course convenor to create a dynamic, adaptable interpretation programme at the University of the Witwatersrand which can benefit the most talented students and the most talented instructors. Dr Fléchais has invited Dr James Nolan and Michèle Bo-Bramsen, both highly regarded international instructors, to teach interpreting at Wits Language School this year.
Anne Rametsi obtained an MA in English Civilisation from the University of Nantes in 2002 as well as a postgraduate Diploma in the field of translation and interpreting from Wits. She has taught French in England and South Africa for the Alliance Française and Wits Language School. Anne acts as course administrator and facilitator, and is also responsible for providing online tutoring and support during the distance teaching component of our courses.
Lazelle Burgess recently completed an Honours degree in Translation Studies at Wits and now works as a project manager for the Translation and Interpreting Unit. Lazelle also obtained an MA (Français Langue Etrangère) from the University of Paul Valéry III, in Montpellier in 1996 which has equipped her to teach French as a foreign language. She has taught French at university level and also served as an examiner for the DELF and DALF examinations for the Alliance Française in Durban.
Anelda Hofsajer recently completed her Masters in Translation Studies at Wits. She obtained her BA Language Practitioner degree, majoring in English and Linguistics and Literary Theory, in 2006 at the University of Johannesburg.