34 Degrees South is a South African-based ‘Personal Care Assistant Introduction and Management Agency’. The company was founded in 1997 by Katinka Hugo, who spent two life-changing years in the United Kingdom as a personal care assistant to a tetraplegic. On her return to South Africa, she saw an opportunity to offer like-minded South Africans the same enriching experience that she had had in the United Kingdom.

Ten years on, 34 Degrees South remains a small and personal agency that is passionate about individual client attention and quality service. Katinka has been joined by Carrin Nel, who also benefits from first hand experience of personal care assistance. They share the same skills and dedication that allows them to successfully initiate and manage the relationships between clients and their personal care assistants.

34 Degrees South helps clients to employ their own permanent personal care assistants by introducing possible candidates, by setting up interviews, by providing the necessary contracts and by helping the client to manage his/her personal care assistance.

Although 34 Degrees South specialises in the needs of tetraplegics, the agency is willing to assist anyone who needs personal care assistance.

dedicated to mark rothery

34 Degrees South is dedicated to Mark Rothery, a dear friend and inspiring example of a tetraplegic who lives life to the full. During my time as his personal care assistant, I had the privilege of experiencing his strength of character and integrity.

He has been instrumental in showing me that an independent, fulfilling life is within the reach of every person, no matter what challenges they face.

Katinka Hugo

mission statement

34 Degrees South strives to empower and assist any person with a disability to live his or her life as independantly as possible. We strive to provide top quality Personal Care Assistants and the best interpersonal service possible. To give clients further independence, 34 Degrees South implements a flexible operational system. We work with each client individually, adapting to his/her requirements, way of operating and management of his/her care- and assistance needs.

Furtermore we want to provide South African Personal Care Assistants with the opportunity to go and work in the UK, to experience the English Culture and to broaden their experience of life. The personal- and work satisfaction, happiness and contentment of both our Clients and our Personal Care Assistants are of equal importance. Without either, we are not able to manage a successful Agency.

Our mission is thus to empower ‘physically challenged individuals’ to live life independantly by providing them with the best Personal Care Assistants possible. And furthermore, to provide the best possible service and support to both these Clients and Personal Care Assistants.