Our Story
Built For Safety,
Backed By Trust
Dela wasn't built in a boardroom. It was born from stories we lived. Scammed parcels, ghosted payments, and the feeling that no matter how careful you are, things can still go wrong. We were tired of hearing, "that's just how it is." So we built something better.
A platform where both sides are seen, protected, and never left hanging.
The People Behind It
Why did you start Dela?
I did my masters in finance, worked at one of the Big 4, so I'd like to think I'm careful. Then I got scammed selling my own laptop on a second-hand marketplace, and it turned out careful wasn't enough. That's what stuck with me: if it can happen to me, it's happening to people everywhere, every day. And there was a real gap for it. No platform where both the buyer and the seller actually feel protected, with payments, protection and shipping all in one app. So Dela was born.
What do you want Dela to be for people?
Your protection bestie. The bodyguard in your pocket when you're buying or selling online, so you can just do the deal and not lie awake wondering if your thrifted Gucci handbag from Sheryl is actually going to get delivered.
You've got $1,000 of Dela credit. What are you buying?
I'm obsessed with books. I'd buy a whole shelf's worth, chosen for both the aesthetics and the actual read. And I'd probably end up needing an extra shelf to hold them all, so I'd get that too.
What experience are you bringing to Dela?
I've spent most of my career in commercial roles, building partnerships, opening new markets, and helping products find their footing with customers. I also built my own startup, from an idea into a real business, so I know firsthand what it takes to get something off the ground. I enjoy the puzzle of figuring out what makes something land.
Why did you join the Dela board?
I liked the simplicity of what Dela does, it makes C2C transactions safe and easy. The team's sharp, the market's wide open, and it felt like something worth being part of.
You've got $1,000 of Dela credit. What are you buying?
I'd put it toward a vintage P-Bass I've been hunting for online. Anyone who's bought gear online knows the gamble, you're trusting a listing photo and a stranger's description. Dela takes the risk out of that.
What experience are you bringing to Dela?
Over thirty years leading teams as a CEO, across South Africa, the UAE, Australia and Asia. I've led prominent global brands and I'm a big believer in excellent service and innovation.
Why did you join the Dela board?
I believe Australia needs this service. C2C exchanges are on the increase and people need peace of mind that they won't be scammed.
You've got $1,000 of Dela credit. What are you buying?
Some accessories for my Landcruiser and a bit of outdoor gear.
What experience are you bringing to Dela?
I bring a quarter century of technology and operations experience across startups, scaleups and large enterprises. More importantly, I enjoy solving challenges. That's the part of the work I find most rewarding.
Why did you join the Dela board?
Dela solves a practical problem in the peer-to-peer space, and it does it with technology and operations that can genuinely scale. A real problem solved in a scalable way is what drew me in.
You've got $1,000 of Dela credit. What are you buying?
A vintage amplifier and a CD player.
Where The Name Comes From
Dela is named after three kinds of love:
- Delilah, our co-founder's niece, bold, curious and brand new to the world. She reminds us why safety and fairness matter, we want her generation to grow up with platforms that protect them.
- "Dela", the song by Johnny Clegg, about love, connection, and trust that runs deeper than words, the kind of energy we wanted in every deal made on our platform.
- And Nelson Mandela, a name that changed the world, whose legacy of justice, equality and shared responsibility shapes how we think about trust: it should be earned, shared, and protected.
Dela is rooted in family, in freedom, and in the belief that people are better when they look out for each other.
