Linda Franklin Thorn, qualified at the University of Witwatersrand and has been practicing as a Speech Therapist / Audiologist for many years. Her qualifications include a B.A. in Speech and Hearing Therapy from the University of Witwatersrand; a B.A. Honours in Psychology from the University of the Western Cape (cum laude) and a M.A. in General Linguistics, from the University of Stellenbosch. Linda is registered with the Health Profession Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF).
In her capacity as a Speech Language Therapist, she has taught at the University of Cape Town, University of Western Cape, and at the University of Stellenbosch. She also taught English as a second language at the University of Namibia.
Linda acted as Head of the Speech Therapy Department at Groote Schuur Hospital and set up the Windhoek State Hospital Speech Therapy Department. She worked as a consultant for Rossing Uranium Mine, where she was involved in the Audiological Services for the Miners and offered Speech and Language Therapy services at Cottage Hospital in (Swakopmund) for Rossing employees and their dependents. Linda provided speech therapy private practice in Windhoek to people who came from all over Namibia, from the areas of Katima Mulilo to Oranjemund.
Linda is a founding member, and acted as Chairperson of an N.G.O. called C.L.a.S.H (Children with Language Speech and Hearing) which is a community development program directed at assisting children and their families with communication difficulties. For this work she was selected as a finalist for the Namibian Professional/Business Woman of the Year award in 1996.
Whilst in Namibia she was very involved in Jewish communal life. She taught cheder at Windhoek Hebrew Congregation and was a member of the synagogue committee. She was responsible for a newsletter sent to members of the Jewish community who lived in various towns in Namibia, raising awareness of Jewish community and identity.
Linda has been an active member of the South African Speech Language Hearing Association(SASLHA), having sat on various committees, including Chairperson of SASLHA Western Cape, SASLHA Ethics committee and the Coding Committee for SASLHA.
On her return to South Africa from Namibia, Linda established a private practice based in Milnerton in Cape Town, South Africa. This practice offers speech language and swallowing therapy to all, from neonatal infants to the geriatric population. Linda’s special interests include treatment of communication and swallowing difficulties linked to acquired and progressive neurological conditions, as well as voice disorders.
Linda is currently Vice President of Temple Israel Cape Town, and Vice Chairperson of West Coast Council. She represents Temple Israel on the Zionist Council (Cape Region). She represents the SAUPJ as regional chair of the Western Cape.
Linda is married to Brian, and has 3 children, Michael, Nadia and Jessica
