Vasco Special Needs Centre was born out of love, understanding, and a deep commitment to young adults with special needs. Established in 2016 in Vasco Estate, Cape Town, our Centre was founded by parents of children on the autism spectrum who knew firsthand the challenges and joys of this journey.
To be a caring, inclusive space that empowers young adults with special needs — primarily those on the autism spectrum — to develop their skills, gain independence, and build meaningful connections, while showcasing their abilities to the wider community.
To be the preferred sheltered work environment for schools, parents, and guardians seeking a place where special needs young adults can flourish. We aim to provide not just opportunities for personal growth, but a sanctuary of respect, compassion, and celebration of each individual’s abilities.
Our mission is personal. As parents and caregivers ourselves, we understand the trust it takes to place your young adult in someone else’s care. We work hard to earn that trust every day — through compassion, professionalism, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every person we serve.
Secretary, Vasco Special Needs Centre Attorney | Conveyancer | Notary Public Director at Tyandela Nobaza Attorneys
We value the partnerships we’ve built with special needs schools, parents, caregivers, and the broader community. Together, we create a network of support that amplifies the impact of our work.
We empower our special needs young adults to unlock their full potential through skill development, meaningful daily activities, and a supportive environment. We celebrate their achievements, both big and small, and believe that progress is a journey worth celebrating.
I started to work with Intellectual disability in 2015 at Special Olympics South Africa, while I was doing research on special needs centre`s and schools in Western Cape to join the organisation, I found Vasco Special Needs Centre late 2018 and started a full-time job in 2019. I`m working with different abilities for 9 years to date. No matter how difficult the challenge, when we spread our wings of faith and allow the winds of God`s spirit to lift us, no obstacle is too great to overcome.
“IF THEY CAN’T LEARN THE WAY WE TEACH, WE TEACH THE WAY THEY LEARN.”
I have been employed at Vasco Special Needs Centre for the past six years. During the same time my daughter was diagnosed with schizophrenia, this however created daily challenges and equipping myself with the knowledge and skills to assist her daily.
I realized that through that I can provide a better service to VSNC clients. The realization was that each client needs a different approach. By the power invested in me, I`m very pleased to be at VSNC.
I`ve worked in the ECD sector for 17 years and had the privilege of working with young kids on the ASD.
A 6 month contract was offered to me to look after a young client at VSNC, whereafter I was offered a permanent position. Working with special needs is tough, it’s an environment that requires one to be alert, composed, and flexible to manage crises. My inner compass gets stronger each time I interact with them because in the moment in the here and now.
Pieter Schoeman has been the chairman of Vasco Special Needs Centre (VSNC) since 2017. With a career in the Human Resources industry, he currently serves as the General Manager for the Cape Region of a national company.
Pieter’s involvement with VSNC is deeply personal. Together with his wife, Rosalie, and close family friend, Roshina Krishnaswamy, he helped drive the establishment of the Centre. Their motivation was inspired by their sons—Jared Schoeman and Vivash Krishnaswamy—who are both on the autism spectrum and shared a class at Vera School for Autistic Learners as far back as 2007.
In his role as chairman, Pieter is closely involved in the day-to-day running of the Centre. He represents VSNC at markets, raising awareness and showcasing the products created by the young adults attending the Centre. He is also the main contributor to the Centre’s social media presence, managing content for both Facebook and LinkedIn.
Pieter is passionate about growing VSNC into a sustainable organisation that can serve more families and one day acquire its own dedicated premises. He is committed to using all available platforms to create awareness and advocate for the rights and recognition of people with special needs.
His values are deeply rooted in respect, understanding, and protection. Pieter believes that every individual should be seen for their abilities rather than their differences, and he strives to ensure that those with special needs are safeguarded from physical and emotional harm. He describes his bond with the VSNC young adults as that of a parent, seeing them all as “his children” and connecting with their families in a way that only another parent of a special needs young adult can understand.
Despite a busy professional life, Pieter dedicates most of his free time to VSNC, though he humbly feels it’s never enough. He and Rosalie face their own challenges raising Jared, but they remain grateful, often reminded of the need to celebrate every achievement, no matter how small, and to focus on the positives rather than the setbacks.
Vuyokazi Tyandela is an admitted attorney, conveyancer, and notary public with extensive experience in delivering precise and client-focused legal services. As the Director of Tyandela Nobaza Attorneys, she brings a strong background in property law, commercial transactions, and notarial practice, offering practical and results-driven advice to her clients.
With over eight years in legal practice, Vuyokazi has earned a reputation for her attention to detail and dedication to protecting her clients’ interests. Her expertise includes:
Vuyokazi holds an LLB degree from the University of the Western Cape and a Compliance Management Certificate from the University of Cape Town. She is a member in good standing of the Legal Practice Council.
In her role as Secretary of Vasco Special Needs Centre, Vuyokazi combines her legal expertise with a passion for supporting the Centre’s mission of empowering young adults with special needs.
As a single mother to two sons on the autism spectrum, Vivash and Kirav, my journey has been one of profound transformation. Through them, I have learned humility, extraordinary patience, and unwavering resilience. Every small victory is a celebration, and each day reminds me to count my blessings.
My eldest son, Vivash, attended the Vasco Special Needs Centre, while my younger son, Kirav, is thriving at the Alpha School for Autistic Learners. Both continue to inspire me daily, reminding me that with love and support, every challenge can be met with courage and grace.
My search for suitable post-schooling opportunities for Vivash began when he was 14. It was during this journey that fate brought me together with Rosalie Schoeman. United by shared experiences—our sons both attended the Vera School for Autistic Learners, and our families relocated to the Western Cape for their education—we became close friends and eventually co-founders of the Vasco Special Needs Centre. Together, we sought to create a safe, empowering space for young adults with special needs after school life.
Over the years, I have grown into a passionate advocate for the rights, inclusion, and acceptance of individuals with special needs. I firmly believe in their immense value to society and in creating opportunities for them to live with purpose and dignity.
Professionally, I am a pharmacist and Pharmacy Manager with an MBA, and at VSNC I serve as a Director and Vice Chairperson. In this role, I provide support to the staff and assist in management functions, always guided by the vision of growth and sustainability for the Centre.
My dream is to see the success of the Vasco Special Needs Centre replicated in other communities, so that more families and young adults can benefit. Together, as parents, we hope to build a lasting legacy—a brighter future where our children are equipped to flourish, contribute, and live fulfilling lives.
Anthony Meyer is a dedicated advocate for special needs education and has played key roles in various institutions over the years. Since July 2023, he has served as the Acting Principal of Herbert Street Special Needs School, focusing on providing specialized education and support to learners with autism.
Before his current position, Anthony served as Deputy Principal of Filia Special School, a role he held from April 2004 to June 2024. During his tenure at Filia, he made significant contributions to the education and care of learners with severe intellectual disabilities and autism.
Anthony’s commitment to the special needs community goes beyond his professional career. As a parent, he has a personal connection to the challenges and triumphs of individuals with autism. His adult son, Adam, who has autism, became a part of Vasco Special Needs Centre in March 2018.
Currently, Anthony continues to make a difference as a Director at Vasco Special Needs Centre, where his expertise and dedication contribute to the center’s mission of providing comprehensive support and opportunities for individuals with special needs.
Rosalie Schoeman, a dedicated co-founder of Vasco Special Needs Centre, hails from East London, Eastern Cape, and grew up on a farm in a small town. Her profound journey into the world of special needs advocacy was inspired by her son, Jared, who is on the autism spectrum. Recognizing the pressing need to support young special needs adults post-schooling at age 18, Rosalie played a pivotal role in founding Vasco Special Needs Centre.
In her co-founder role, Rosalie brings creativity to the forefront by developing innovative product ideas at the centre. Her creations have not only enriched the lives of the centre’s attendees but have also resonated with the wider public.
Rosalie’s dedication extends to fundraising efforts that sustain the centre’s mission and impact. Her approach is characterized by directness and an uncompromising commitment to efficiency.
She envisions Vasco Special Needs Centre as a safe haven for special needs adults, aiming to acquire dedicated premises for its growth. Rosalie passionately raises awareness about the unique challenges faced by parents and special needs adults.
Central to Rosalie’s philosophy is the belief in the abilities of all individuals. She encourages others to shift their focus from disability to ability, embodying the essence of inclusivity, empathy, and empowerment.
In Rosalie Schoeman, Vasco Special Needs Centre has found a co-founder whose dedication, creativity, and unwavering belief in the potential of every individual continue to shape the organization’s remarkable journey.
