Evangelising the cities of Africa, through word and deed, in partnership with the Church.

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Connecting Hearts in South Africa: Explore African Enterprise’s Christian-Based Newsletter for a Journey of Faith and Unity!

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FROM THE TEAM LEADER

Dear friends,
 
I hope you are doing well, and experiencing the love, peace and joy of the Lord each and every day!
 
Another year is drawing to a close, and as I reflect on 2023, I am filled with gratitude at the powerful way the Lord has used our team across Southern Africa to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
 
Our super team registered 17,493 decisions for Christ this year, including a record number of youths choosing Jesus (in over 7 years)!
 
With Christmas around the corner, we are once again humbled as we contemplate our Heavenly Father sending His only begotten Son to live amongst us in the flesh, revealing the Father’s heart to us, and paying the penalty for all our sins on the cross.
 
According to theologian Wayne Grudem, “[The incarnation] is by far the most amazing miracle of the entire Bible – – far more amazing than the resurrection and more amazing even than the creation of the universe.  The fact that the infinite, omnipotent, eternal Son of God could become man and join himself to a human nature forever, so that infinite God became one person with finite man, will remain for eternity the most profound miracle and the most profound mystery in all the universe (Grudem, 563).”
 
In closing, I would like to draw your attention to our founder, Michael Cassidy’s, letter sent last week…we are indeed facing our biggest financial challenge yet, so please remember us in your Christmas giving or with a monthly donation, as we cannot continue our vital mission work without the help of faithful partners like you! Please also share this newsletter with a friend, and encourage them to subscribe.
 
From myself and all at African Enterprise South Africa, we wish you a very blessed Christmas and a fantastic new year!

Theuns Pauw
CEO | AE South Africa
t.pauw@aeint.org

About Us

Thank you for the opportunity to introduce African Enterprise (AE), a Christian non-profit organisation, founded by Dr Michael Cassidy in 1961.

AE has served millions across the continent of Africa, through word and deed, for over 60 years! But there is still much to do…

AE has grown into a partnership of over 600 staff, volunteers and friends representing national teams in eleven African countries.

African Enterprise has had a unique and spiritual ministry for many years. It is always a joy for me to recommend this ministry of evangelism, Christian leadership training and the many other facets of their organization.” – Billy Graham

Our strategic areas of focus include –

Stratified Evangelism

AE aims for a city-wide impact, taking the Good News to people wherever they are; from hospitals, schools and homes, to prisons, street corners, nightclubs and stadiums.

Through AE mission, local churches are awoken to their call to fulfil the Great Commission, and then continue the discipleship process as new members are added.

Love Cape Town CityFest mission 2019

Community Transformation

During our missions we bring hope and healing by demonstrating Christ’s love. We also have long-term projects including supporting early childhood development through our iThembalomntwana pre-school, and we also support vulnerable women through our skills development and job creation sewing project, called Ngezandla Zethu.

iThembalomntwana pre-school

iThembalomntwana pre-school

Community Transformation

During our missions we bring hope and healing by demonstrating Christ’s love. We also have long-term projects including supporting early childhood development through our iThembalomntwana pre-school, and we also support vulnerable women through our skills development and job creation sewing project, called Ngezandla Zethu.

Ngezandla Zethu sewing project

AE assisted the most needy with food hampers and masks during the Covid19-lockdown

Peace & Reconciliation

AE seeks to bring peace where there is conflict. We were instrumental in facilitating a peaceful transition to democracy in South Africa in 1994 (see Michael Cassidy’s book ‘A Witness Forever’).

AE continues to work at promoting inter-racial and inter-denominational unity.

AE on a mission to bring unity

Leadership Development

We actively engage with leaders at every level of society. From local chiefs to pastors and presidents, communities and nations have been impacted by our work!

We also provide training to pastors and lay ministers on various topics, helping to strengthen the church.

Theuns addressing MP’s at a luncheon in Parliament

Theuns addressing MP’s at a luncheon in Parliament

Leadership Development

We actively engage with leaders at every level of society. From local chiefs to pastors and presidents, communities and nations have been impacted by our work!

We also provide training to pastors and lay ministers on various topics, helping to strengthen the church.

Youth Empowerment / Foxfire

AE invests significantly in young people across South Africa, through life-skills, leadership training and discipleship.

Our Foxfire Youth Team (18-25 yrs), is a year-of-your-life program, with a focus on evangelising the youth and developing young leaders. After 2 months of intensive training, the new Foxfires are released into ministry where they visit schools, youth groups, churches, children’s homes and colleges. Using energetic and exciting dance and drama performances to connect with the youth, the Foxfire Teams bring hope and various life skills to young people across South Africa.

Contact Zweli on 083 795 1766 or zsokhela@ae.org.za for more info.

Applications for 2025 close on 31 Oct 2024.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM HERE

Foxfire youth ministry team

AE Centre

We have a beautiful campus at our offices in Pietermaritzburg, where we have a conference and training facility that can accomodate 100 overnight guests.

Contact centre@ae.org.za for bookings.

The AE Centre in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

The AE Centre in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

AE Centre

We have a beautiful campus at our offices in Pietermaritzburg, where we have a conference and training facility that can accomodate 100 overnight guests.

Contact centre@ae.org.za for bookings.

Please consider partnering with us through your giving, to help us fulfil our mission. We would be so grateful!

Yours sincerely,

________________________________

Theuns Pauw

AE South Africa – CEO

Partner with Us

Bank details:
African Enterprise (South Africa)
First National Bank (FNB)
Acc No: 50950005121
Branch Code: 22 13 25
Branch Name: Boom Str, Pietermaritzburg
Account Type: Cheque
Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ
Ref: your name

NPO Reg no: 007-107
PBO no: 130001616
BBBEE Level 1 Contributor

Please send payment advice to shind@ae.org.za as we would like to thank you.

God bless you for all your support and help in extending His Kingdom.

Meet our CEO

Theuns Pauw

Born on the 4th of July 1977, Theuns grew up in Stellenbosch, South Africa, where he also graduated in 1999 from the University of Stellenbosch with a degree in Management Accounting.

Theuns is passionate about sharing the gospel, having come to faith radically in a personal encounter with the Lord on 23 March 2003.

He left the finance sector to pursue ministry, and was ordained as a pastor in 2007. Theuns planted a church in Cape Town and pastored in two others. To date, he has ministered in 16 countries and on 4 continents.

In 2017, Theuns left a flourishing church in response to God’s call to join African Enterprise South Africa, as CEO. He is committed to advancing the Kingdom of God in the cities of Africa through equipping the saints, evangelism, and the Church uniting in mission.

Theuns is happily married to Charlene, and they have four amazing children, Christiaan, Esther, Reinhart and Amanda.

Meet our Board

Chairman: Robert Langley

Robert has the following qualifications, a BSc, BSc(Hons)(Microbiology/Plant Pathology), HDE, BEd, and MSc (Botany).

He is a retired Headmaster (Howick High School) after having taught for 40 years. He is currently an elder at Howick Community Church, and serves on their worship team and missions committee.

Robert is married to Bridget (44 years), and they have two daughters, two sons, and eight grandchildren! His hobbies include painting/drawing, travelling, pilates, and caring for and serving others.

Secretary: Linda Grant

Linda is married to Anthony, who is an attorney in Pietermaritzburg and they have 3 children: Stewart (22), Grace (20) and Mark (18).

Linda has a Master of Arts in Urban Geography but gave up her university career to be a full-time home-maker. In addition to this, she is involved in African Enterprise – her late father, Garnet Venn having come to personal faith through Michael’s first mission to Maritzburg in 1962 – her local church, her children’s schools and her neighbourhood.

Linda loves being in nature and is interested in current affairs, environmental issues and cares deeply about children and young people.

Founder: Michael Cassidy

Michael Cassidy founded African Enterprise in 1961 and built and served in this ministry for almost 60 years. 

He is an evangelist, a respected and loved Christian leader, statesman and author. He has conducted evangelistic missions all across Africa and overseas, and he is the author of numerous books, his latest being his memoirs, Footprints in the African Sand.  He is known as a reconciler and played a key “behind the scenes” role in South Africa’s miraculous first democratic election in 1994.  In 2012 he was made the Honorary Chairman of the Lausanne Movement for World Evangelisation, succeeding the late John Stott, and was also made the Distinguished Alumnus of the year at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. He holds an Honorary Doctorate from Azusa Pacific University.

Along with Evangelism, Michael and African Enterprise have sought to be a unifying force among Christians by spearheading the largest Christian interdenominational leadership gatherings in Africa over the last fifty years. Michael also led and chaired the Marriage Alliance of South Africa.

Michael and his devoted wife Carol celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Dec 2019. They have 3 grown up and married children and 8 grandchildren.

Finance chair: Gavin John

Gavin is married to Miranda and they have three children, Mathew (20) and Nicole (31) who were born to them and, following the recent marriage of their daughter, their son-in-law Kirsch(31). An accountant by profession, he joined the AESA Budget & Finance Committee in 2004 and has chaired this Committee since 2006; from which date he serves as an ex officio member of the AESA Board. Proudly Pietermaritzburg, having been born and raised in this city, Gavin worships in the same local church following four generations of his family before him. He continues to be actively involved in the life of this church, serving in areas of worship, ministry and administration. He has also recently taken up the position of Communications Officer at AE.

Deborah Kirsten

Deborah, daughter of AE founder Michael and Carol Cassidy, was born in KZN in 1974.
She graduated Cum Laude at UCT with a Bachelor in Primary Education and a Master’s degree in Theory and Philosophy of Education. Deborah is married to South African cricketer and coach, Gary Kirsten. Due to Gary’s extensive travelling schedule, Deborah opted for a more flexible career as a freelance journalist which has enabled her to travel with Gary. She has written for magazines such as Food & Home, Marie Claire and The Oprah Magazine. Deborah’s autobiography, Chai tea & Ginger beer, was released in South Africa in 2015 and reached bestseller status within a few weeks.

Deborah is a motivational speaker and engages with a variety of audiences, from schools, universities and churches, to the NGO and corporate sectors. Speaking locally and internationally, she is particularly passionate about inspiring women to realise their unique value and potential. Along with colleague, Jacqui Mol, Deborah has developed, and teaches a course entitled “Living your Strongest Story”, with the focus being to help women take very intentional steps towards maximizing their strengths and potential. They have also recently formulated “Growing your Strongest Story”, which is a workshop designed specifically for teenage girls.

Deborah strongly believes in adding value to her broader community and plays a key role in the community initiatives in both her boy’s schools. She is also actively involved with the township work of The Gary Kirsten Foundation. She and Gary live in Cape Town with their three children, Joshua (16 yrs), James (12 yrs) and Joanna (8 yrs).

Dr Xolie Jones

Dr Xolie Jones. A born-again child of God, totally sold out for the Kingdom of God, a gift to the body of Christ internationally, a medical doctor and a seasoned business women. Dr Xolie is a suitable help-mate to her husband Bishop D.B Jones (Global Justice Ministries), and they are blessed with 5 children. They serve in Christ Impact Church, and reside in the USA and South Africa.

Audrey Mbuyazi

Audrey is married to Phiwayinkosi and they have 4 children: Menziwokuhle, Tsungai, Nqubeko and Gqamile. She has worked extensively on business and technology implementations as well as training projects for large corporations and private enterprises for the past 20 years. Audrey is a results oriented, business solution focused, team player with international project and business management experience. She has identified and delivered sustainable improvements for global clients in the financial services, telecommunications, utilities, education, government and mining industries. Audrey is also a recording artist with 3 albums to her name, an author and board game designer. She is also an international speaker and singer who encourages and cheers others on to fulfil their God-given dreams. Audrey’s music blends African ballad, soul, jazz, classical even disco featuring songs of love, praise and worship, encouragement and the issues of life’s hard choices. Music that is truly for the heart and soul!

Ps Senzo Myeni

Ps Senzo Myeni is the founder and senior pastor of Esibusisweni Christ Tabernacle which is a church based in Pinetown. He is married to Ps Mpume Myeni and they have two boys.

Ps Senzo has been active in the ministry since 1995 when he received Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and has been ministering on different platforms to various audiences in South Africa and abroad.

Ps Senzo is a radio personality with 19 years experience in commercial and community radio, and recently he has ventured into television ministry. His passion is community development, social justice and youth empowerment. Over the years, he has been involved in a broad spectrum of civil society organisations, where he participates in different capacities to bring about change and empowerment.

In 2016, Ps Senzo was honoured with a doctorate by the Mount Horeb Bible Institute in Durban, in recognition of his contribution and impact in society through the preaching of the gospel and in leading community development programs.

Adv Nadene Badenhorst

Nadene is a founder member of Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) and Advocate of the High Court of South Africa. In this capacity, she serves as the full-time Legal Counsel of FOR SA and has represented religious freedom rights in multiple court cases, including before the Constitutional Court. Nadene is also a popular speaker, and has spoken on religious freedom issues on various international and local platforms.
Having obtained a BA LLB degree from Stellenbosch University, Nadene was awarded a scholarship to study an LLM degree in International Human Rights Law at the University of Essex, United Kingdom which she obtained cum laude. During her studies, she also held an internship at the United Nations Secretariat in New York.

Nhlanhla Khambule

Nhlanhla Khambule is the Pastor of House Of Christ Family Church in Pietermaritzburg. He is also the CEO of Edinvest which owns private schools, Canaan College eMlazi, Etham in Hilton, Stedin in PE and 3 Artisan Colleges.

Nhlanhla Khambule was on the board of Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA). He previously served in the boards of Ithala, KZN Growthfund and a JSE Listed Company. Pastor Khambule holds a Masters in Development Finance from Stellenbosch University, and he is a qualified Chartered Development Financier.

Lucky Kayalethu Mbiko

Lucky Kayalethu Mbiko is currently the Managing Director of TBN Africa and TBN Yetu. He Heads up the entire TV Channel with different sectors such as Programming. Marketing. Communications. Advertising. Stakeholder Management. Relations Management. Fund raising. etc.

TBN Africa and TBN Yetu is a premier Christian channel. with a selection of the best African and international Christian-based content consisting of ministry. lifestyle. music. youth shows. children’s entertainment. documentaries. and movies.

He was born and raised in the Eastern Cape town of Bizana. Lucky is the eldest of six children. He is a husband and a father to his children. He never expected to move away from Bizana but. the Holy Spirit said to him it was time for him to start seeking his purpose in life.

His parents play a big role in his life for him to be where he is now. They love the Lord and serve Him and His people in their community.

Before he joined TBN Africa. Lucky worked at Radio Pulpit as a Manager. Radio Pulpit is a Dynamic and powerful Christian radio station that strives to continuously add value to the South African Christian community.

He was responsible for writing for the AE newsletter. representing African Enterprise in media. He was a Presenter and compiled radio programs for nine Christian radio stations.

Lucky Mbiko holds BA in International Relations & Diplomacy and Journalism Broadcast Journalism. Political Science. And. he is the author of “Shades of life” an inspiring and motivational book.

Virmel Largo

Virmel Largo (“Virmz”), is a filipino and a missionary with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). He is based in South Africa since 2004 though much of his time is also spent traveling around the globe as his heart is to see more engagement in reaching the nations with the gospel. He is committed to develop more partnerships, especially between Africa and Asia. Virmz carries a few leadership responsibilities in YWAM as an IDTSC-Asia Pacific Coordinator and Program Monitor for the Discipleship Training School in YWAM’s University of the Nations.

He is also the Global Coordinator for Nations2Nations which is a ministry in YWAM that seeks to see the restoration of the Identity, Dignity and Destiny of individuals and nations. And Virmz also serves in the Core Leadership Team  of YWAM Muizenberg in Cape Town. He leads a mobile discipleship program called  Africa2Asia-Asia2Africa Backpackers DTS.

Virmz has travelled to more than 80 countries to mobilize and network the body of Christ to engage in global missions, especially amongst the unreached.

Meet our Team

Darryl Naidoo - Deputy Team Leader & Financial Manager

Sue Fuller - Centre Manager

Stuart Hind - Admin Manager

Gary Almeida - Training Manager

Gavin John - Communications Officer

Zwelihle Sokhela - Foxfire Manager

Rachel Mchunu - Foxfire Administrator

Siyanda Gumede - Foxfire Coordinator

Sthembiso Dladla - Centre Shift Supervisor & Teambuilding

Phindile Mchunu - Centre Housekeeping

Lilisha Chetty - Partnership Development Manager

Muziwenhlanhla Mhlungo - Maintenance Supervisor

Lang Harvey - Maintenance Assistant

Pinky Majola - Centre Housekeeping

Lindelani Zuma - Dining Room Co-ordinator

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