Our Board
Neels is married to Denise. They have five children and three grandchildren. They live in Somerset West and worship God at Every Nation Church. They previously lived in Durbanville for 17 years where Neels got involved at FCD as a volunteer in 2010. He was invited to join the Board in 2011 and has been Chairperson since 2017.
Neels retired from a corporate career in 2007, having been in executive and management roles in Transnet Ltd (25 years) and the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) where he was the CEO for 11 years.
He considers the current season of his life, the “significant season” during which time one can invest back into the next generation from your own experiences. As graduate in Transport & Logistics and ex commercial pilot, he believes God has put Matt 6:33 on his “dashboard” for his current season…: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
His passion is to serve, coach and encourage people and to offer his gifts, talents, and experience to the community of FCD to glorify God.
Chris grew up in Durbanville, matriculating at Durbanville High School. He studied at the University of Stellenbosch and has worked in various industries, primarily in the accounting and financial fields. At present he is a Director of AL&A – a prominent Project Management company in the property industry. Chris is a registered Professional Accountant (SA).
AL&A became involved with FCD during the planning of FCD’s building project. It was at this time that Chris experienced FCD and their operations for the first time. In May 2014 an opportunity to become a board member was offered to Chris, which he accepted with great enthusiasm.
Chris is passionate about the future of our country, and believes that the most important element to a sustainable future is increased and continued education. After spending 18+ years in Durbanville, he has a strong tie with the area. Both these factors, as well as the Christian-based operation of FCD, led to Chris’s association with FCD. He kindly acts as the Treasurer.
His hobbies include all types of outdoor sports & adventure activities, culinary probing, Information Technology and traveling.
Jane grew up in Durbanville, and studied at the University of Stellenbosch, after which she spent close to 13 years working for Unilever in various roles from marketing to sales. After a very demanding corporate career she took a 2 year sabbatical to be full time mother for her 2 young kids. During this time Jane decided to pursue her life long dream to work in a NPO environment where she could use her skills and experience to make a meaningful impact in the community, especially struggling communities. She is delighted that God brought this opportunity about and excited about the future of FCD. This role allows her to give expression to her God given purpose and passion to uplift the lives of those who are in need. In her spare time she enjoys quality time with her family, reading, running and camping.
Louis is married to Cecilia. They have two children and have been living in Durbanville since 2002 and are part of the Bergsig Dutch Reformed Church congregation. “Professionally I have an accounting background and have international experience in various financial disciplines. My family and I follow in the footsteps of Jesus and we have been blessed. Therefore we want to share these blessings with God’s children and not keep it just for ourselves. My contribution at FCD is in answer to a calling from our heavenly Father. I believe that people are God’s masterpieces and I want them to flourish as it was intended by God. Poverty robs one of your dignity and makes you lose hope. Unemployment goes hand in hand with poverty, therefore if one can provide employment the problem of poverty also gets addressed. FCD’s foundation is God. The solution to many of our countries problems lies with educating people and providing employment. FCD does exactly that, thus we have a common ideology. There is a common feeling between FCD and myself, of putting dignity back in the hands of individuals, and the means of achieving it is by way of education.
Linda has a background in Actuarial Science. She has always felt strongly that people had to realise their value and purpose in God.
Whilst working in consulting and the investment field, she got involved with various community projects. She was helping the creches in Fisantekraal with their registration process when Roche invited people involved in Fisantekraal to join the Learn to Earn (LtE) Durbanville initiative. Linda already knew LtE and was very impressed with their professionalism and integrity. LtE’s philosophy is that only God can truly transform a person and that the unemployed need holistic development. She joined the group and FCD was born shortly after.
She was appointed as the first manager of FCD in 2010. Before the birth of her second son, she resigned to become a stay-at-home mother, but remained on the board. After a period of absence from the board, she returned as a member in February 2014 and served as Chair Person from Aug2014 to Aug2016.
In her spare time she enjoys sleeping (if only!), reading and building LEGO with her boys.
Desmond is married to Michell. They have 4 children. He is originally from Scottsdene, Kraaifontein where he grew up, finished matric and started working. He worked for about 5 years in the retail industry until he got saved, and felt led by God to fulltime ministry. He is celebrating 12 years in the pastoral ministry this year, pastoring the same church he started in Fisantekraal that many years ago. A graduate of Lofdal International school of ministry with counselling certification from Phillipi Trust, Desmond is a minister of the gospel with a great passion for counselling. He says “I have a passion to help people that are struggling to overcome,and help them to live victoriously. My passion became my life-mission. At the end of last year I started a ministry, called Winning Ways,which is about counselling, coaching and conferences. At Winning Ways I use counselling and coaching principles to help people to overcome and become victorious in their everyday life. My dream is to open my own counselling practice one day.”
In his spare time, Desmond enjoys reading, nature and spending time with family and friends. He recently started his own vegetable garden and is looking forward to enjoying the harvest of his labour. In summary Desmond says “I love life, and see it as an adventure.”
Johannes was born in the Eastern Cape and live has taken him throughout South Africa. He has been living in the Western Cape for a number of years and has a heart to minister to the people of Fisantekraal. With his kind and wise approach, he is loved and respected.
Danielle is the eldest of three children born to hard-working parents Daniel and Loëta Thomas. Born and reared in Cape Town she refused to pursue job opportunities elsewhere in SA and abroad due to her passion for the Cape. Married to Troy for the past 8 years. They have no children but are very involved in the lives of Danielle’s niece and nephew, Skye and Cullan. Danielle works as a Legal Services Manager in the International Business Division of Engen Petroleum. She supports the legal requirements of 15 Sub-Sahara African countries outside of South Africa. This includes countries such as Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Reunion, Mauritius, Ghana, Gabon, DRC and Burundi. Prior work experience includes stints working as an attorney in law firms (Bornman & Hayward and later Gunstons Inc) also as legal consultant and director at Nosa and Implex Compliance Solutions respectively.
Danielle says “I believe that we are all born with a special purpose to be fulfilled. I also believe that as we are all part of the body of Christ we have an obligation to contribute where we can. I have previously contributed to good causes on a very ad-hoc basis and have over the last few years prayed for more guidance in this. Last year I was introduced to FCD and was very excited about the work they do. From the testimonies of learners, I realised the real difference this organisation makes in the lives of the community and knew that this was where God has lead me to, to do my bit on a more structured basis. I feel absolutely blessed to be part of this amazing organisation!”