About Silvertree

Learn more About Silvertree

About Silvertree

Empowering the next generation of Christian leaders in tech.

Our Mission

At Silvertree, we believe that faith is not just a part of life but the foundation that shapes every aspect of it. Christianity isn’t meant to be confined to certain moments or spaces; rather, it should permeate our actions, relationships, and career paths. This belief drives us to build an education that integrates faith and vocation, preparing students to carry their values confidently into the workplace and beyond.

We recognize that landing a position at a reputable organization is a significant step in any career journey. Our mission is to empower students not only with the technical skills needed to excel in their fields but also with the character and confidence to thrive in professional environments. By connecting our students with leading industry partners, we ensure that their education is relevant, rigorous, and aligned with the real-world demands they will face.

Mentorship is central to our mission. We aim to equip students to be a “light in the world” — individuals who inspire and lead with integrity and compassion. Through hands-on guidance from experienced professionals, we mentor our students to embody Christ-like qualities in their careers, making a positive impact wherever they go. At Silvertree, we’re not just preparing students for jobs; we’re preparing them to transform the workplace, bringing faith, excellence, and hope into every role they undertake.

The Vision

We envision establishing a private, Christian, world-class higher education institution in Paarl, South Africa, to raise a generation of redemptive leaders who will shape culture and transform society. Our mission is to provide affordable, accessible, and holistic education through both online and in-person programs, grounded in industry and academic best practices.

Our approach focuses on developing the next generation of leaders by cultivating strong character, a biblical mindset, and mastery of skills needed to excel in their chosen fields.

As a first step toward this vision, we are launching our inaugural program in 2026: a 9-month software development program designed to equip students with in-demand technical skills and spiritual formation. While this program will initially be unaccredited, we are committed to pursuing full registration with the South African Department of Higher Education and Training under the Higher Education Act, 1997, to establish Silvertree as a leading institution for higher education in the years to come.

The Team

A diverse team, experienced in founding and scaling education and tech ventures, combined with research, policy and private equity experience

Dr Philip Geldenhuys

Current
Co-founder & CEO of Triga Ventures; Co-founder and Chair of Calling Education
Previous
Co-founder & CEO of Community Keepers
Education
Ph.D. (UCT); MA (Stellenbosch); Visiting researcher (UC Berkeley)

Laila Ncwana

Current
Independent Economist & Researcher
Previous
Deputy Director for the Youth Employment Accord (EDD); National Youth Policy Technical Reference Team (DTIC, Presidency)
Education
MCom Economics (Pretoria)

Renier Kriel

Current
Founder of Tech Media Co The Open Letter, Co-founder of Stream
Previous
Founder of software agency 4i, CEO of startup accelerator FSAT Labs.
Education
BEng Industrial (Stellenbosch)

Andrew Dunkin

Current
M&A; Guest Teacher; Micro-finance
Previous
Co-Founder: Brackenrig Capital Inc. M&A/Corporate Finance. Strategic Planning - Bulembu Ministries Swaziland

Jason George

Current
Director of Ministries
Previous
Senior Software Developer
Education
BEng Electronic (Stellenbosch)

Ready to start your journey?

Register your interest to join our programme in 2026 and we will keep you in the loop with developments and progress.

Advisory Board

Our advisory board includes leaders from both the tech industry and Christian education, providing strategic guidance to ensure our programs are relevant, impactful, and aligned with our mission

Prof John Volmink

Former Chairperson of the Umalusi Council; Former VC at CPUT & DUT

Helen Buhrs

CEO of Inscape private higher education in SA

Wendy Luhabe

Former Chancellor of UJ; Board of Pepkor & Richemont

Steve Nelson

Dean of Gordon Business School; Former ED of Harvard Business School MBA from 2000-2020 in Boston, USA