CooperVision is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses and related products and services since 1980.
Our products are sold in over 100 countries around the world. From China to Europe, from Africa to the Americas, we’re there improving the way people see.
We appreciate that no two eyes, no two patients, and no two days are ever the same. We realize that people look to us to provide contact lenses that are best in class—whether it’s one of our mainstream lenses or one for our specialty market.
We’re also different. We feel that by collaborating and listening to others, we can accomplish far more. This is all part of our refreshing perspective to you—the people who wear our contacts and the eye care practitioners who work with us.
MEET THE TEAM
Liezel Kotze
Liezel has joined the CooperVision South Africa team 13 years ago starting out as a Sales Representative. In 2009 she was also given the additional responsibility of Marketing and Professional Services. Liezel was appointed in the role as the Country Manager 5 years ago.
Liezel always had a passion for the Optical industry and completed her B.Optom degree in 2000 from RAU. She practiced Optometry in private practice for 6 years before joining CooperVision. She also obtained a MBA in 2009 from Stellenbosch University.
Anton du Preez
Anton’s career started in the year 2000 at the young age of 16 where he worked weekends in a Laboratory for an upmarket practice based in the KZN region. After finishing his school career he was offered a permanent position at the practice where he moved thru the ranks in the next 6 years. In 2007 Anton joined SDM Optical as a frame sales representative based in the KZN where he excelled almost immediately. He had a great understanding of customer needs in selecting the right product for
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a practice. In 2013 he was approached by Arthur van Heerden to join the sales team in KZN. Anton worked for the next 5 years establishing himself not just in the KZN and Eastern Cape market, but developing the Coopervision footprint into Africa. His integrity, hard work and commitment to customer service lead to him being appointed as Key accounts manager and with the guidance of Liezel Kotze, Anton feels he can reach new heights in this position.
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Marike Claassens
Prior to her appointment at CooperVision, Marike was employed at Al Jaber Optical and Rivoli Eyezone in Dubai, United Arab Emirates as a senior optometrist. While in this position, Marike attended numerous training workshops and presentations on contact lenses, ophthalmic lenses and luxury eyewear brands from Luxottica, Safilo, Marcolin and Marchon. She also conducted presentations to colleagues on “Frequently Asked Questions” related to everyday optometry.
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Marike completed her B. Optom in 2008 whereafter she spent 18 months in Washington DC as an au pair. After relocating back to South Africa she has worked with two ophthalmologists, Dr. Pieter Odendaal at the Pretoria Eye Institute and Dr. Frikkie Potgieter at Optimed Clinic in Queenswood. These opportunities allowed Marike to broaden her knowledge on ocular pathology, optical surgical procedures as well as assisting during laser eye surgery procedures using state of the art equipment.
Marike worked at Torga Optical for approximately 4 years before moving to Dubai. Marike is an optometrist who is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
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Des Maistry
Des studied Optometry at Witwatersrand Technikon from 1999 and obtained a Degree in Optometry in 2003.
He moved from a Practicing Optometrist into the supplier industry 14 years ago and has never looked back. With 14 years of diverse Industry experience he has gained a wealth of knowledge in both the contact lens and spectacle lens business. Some of his key skills are business management, budget forecasting, problem solving and service delivery. He is tasked with building
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professional relationships with customers. One of the highlights of his career has been developing his skills in business development and training. This has now become his passion and strength. When he’s not working, he enjoys spending quality time with his family and friends, making each day count!
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Sandy Parsoo
Sandy’s start in the optical industry came early, as a part time job while studying. Promoting designer sunglasses for a major retail group helped develop her knowledge and flair for sales. Building on this, lead to a long and exciting career in retail. She was appointed as manager of a sunglass boutique in Umhlanga. This gave her insight into the day to day operations as well as administrative processes. Moving to a prestigious practice introduced her to the complex world of optometry, where she gained a wealth of knowledge. After nine years in retail she was approached by a wholesale frame company to be part of their sales team. Here, she was charged with driving sales for luxury
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eyewear including the company's flagship brand, in KZN and the Western Cape. The interaction with practices over eight years, resulted in strong relationships that helped cement her place in the industry. These relationships proved invaluable when she took the opportunity to manage the Flagship brand for another major wholesale frame distributor. The ability to interact with people drives her love for what she does and the success she’s been blessed with. The opportunity to merge the experience in the industry with the technical complexity of contact lenses is extremely exciting. She looks forward to being part of the Cooper Vision family and taking on the challenges ahead.
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Izane Bosch
Izane graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Optometry from the University of The Free State in 2005 after which she started working as an Optometrist in Cape Town. After 4 years in practice she relocated to Port Elizabeth and it is there that Izane got the opportunity to move out of clinical practice and then joined the contact lens sales industry. In 2012 after her second child was born, she returned to clinical optometry on a locum basis. In 2015 she once again relocated back to Cape Town and then joined the CooperVision team on contract basis which led to a permanent position. CooperVision is still the highlight of her career and she enjoys the interaction with her customers immensely. She is a
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wife and mother to three wonderful children and when she does have some spare time, she enjoys trail running and spending time with her family.
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Tarryn Lotz
Tarryn obtained her Bachelor of Optometry degree at the University of Johannesburg in 2008. After which she completed further studies in the field of Sports Vision. She has over 10 years’ experience in the Optometry industry. Before her employment at Cooper Vision she spent 6 years at a well-known Ophthalmology Practice. They specialised in anterior segment pathology and refractive surgery where she assisted with various laser procedures using the most innovative modern technology available. During this time, she was part of many international ophthalmology studies for medical research.
Johann Swart
Johann obtained his National Diploma of Dispensing at Cape Town University of Technology in 2009 after which he joined a specialist contact lens practice in Cape Town. After 6 years in practice, Johan changed industries and joined a frame supplier company where he was appointed as a frame sales representative for approximately 4 years. Johan joined CooperVision at the end of 2019 and is currently enjoying the contact lens side of Optometry again. He looks forward to being part of the CooperVision Team and taking on the new challenges ahead. When he is not working,
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he enjoys spending time next to the fishing water or on the golf courses. One of he’s other passions are to fiddle in the Garage with classic cars.
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