Directors: Andre, Christa and Roald Cloete
The Cloete-family has been involved in community upliftment for more than 10 years. Their experience involves the Financial arena and banking; Leadership Training and Development; Operational Consulting; Occupational Therapy & Child development; Marketing; sports and recreational management; Media involvement; Hospitality; Community Services; Hosting family camps and serving full-time as a pastoral couple; House/Home Churches. We are the founders of Makarios Communities and “Jireh dream builder’s foundation” and had a Guesthouse that also served as a ministry to people in need of a ‘safe landing’ during a time of transition.
We have counseled countless individuals and couples over many years and share a passion for the restoration of families – crucial to the up-liftment and healthy moral fiber of the nation. Our combined talents and abilities – developed over the past 25 years, counts for a wealth of knowledge to make this venture a success. We have extensive networks in the Business-; Sport-; Farming- and Ministry environment.
We see our roles as facilitators and coordinators of various projects. We believe that we have a base for strong national- and international networking and coordination through our partners, as well as through many other individuals which we have networked with over the past years. We also believe that the establishment of these communities will multiply as people discover their calling and purpose and in seeing the fruit of this mission.
We believe that we are building another “ARK”, like in the days of Noah. We see the name ARK as: “Acts of Random Kindness” to the nations. Only true, practical love can destroy the evil on earth… This will catapult a fresh and new inspirational and national move in helping others to fulfill their purpose and dreams in life. In so doing, many people will be enabled to move to a new level of significance and quality of life – fulfilling their heart’s desire and passion – which will also contribute towards the well-being of the nation.
Jaco Barkhuizen: Director
Andre and I met on a missionary trip in 2007 while delivering Non-GMO seed to several Zimbabwean farmers. While there, we also visited ‘Farming Gods Way’ representatives and community farmers who didn’t have any seed left to plant for the season. Not long after that trip, we attended a conference where a pastor from Zimbabwe said that Father told him to turn his ‘Artificial wealth’ into ‘Natural wealth’ (maize, corn, meat, goats, sheep, cattle, silver & gold). So, to say that our connection started with FOOD SECURITY would be absolutely correct. Ever since then, the importance of food security has been instrumental in our way of thinking and planning for the future.
I worked for Clover from 1997-2001 and thereafter was involved with owner driver empowerment with (DTM) until now. It was there that the empowerment of people became an integral part of uplifting the workforce, not to only work for a salary, but being a business owner taking care of everyday financial needs, especially food production.
As a family (Anushka my wife, Abigail and Anuck our two daughters) we moved to Stanford in 2014 to pursue the dream of community living and self-sufficiency especially in the areas of:
- Water
- Electricity
- Fruit Forest (Fruits & Vegetables)
- Own milk and meat
- Education (Home Schooling)
We were fortunate to apply some of these principals at Paardenberg Farm from Jan 2019. With a broad network of people that included skills resources and finances we were able to put some of the theory and coffee meeting discussions into practice. We also started a farm ‘stokvel’ to try and empower the farm workers on a more practical level, for example, supplying all the firewood on the farm instead of buying in from other suppliers.
With Makarios communities we feel we are busy with the blueprints Father instilled into our hearts ever since that first Missionary trip in 2007 to Zimbabwe, and can’t wait for the bigger picture to be rolled out. Until then we are documenting and gathering and learning valuable lessons to share with the body of Christ.
Ria started her career trying to qualify for a nurse. I didn’t finish my nursing courses as I had to quit because my Mom became sick and bedridden. Survival and the lack of finances and provision led me to become involved with drugs when things didn’t work out for me and the family. I later became “drug lord” in the W Cape. Having finances gave me power and I could buy everything I ever wanted and even more.
I surrendered my life to God as my family were important to me, I gave everything away as I chose to walk in Righteousness.
I started to go back to things I used to do as a child; Artwork, dressmaking, crochet, jewelry making, embroidery, quilting, etc. I also became a missionary and started touring the world as I was invited to come and speak my testimony to unbelievers. My message of Hope…”Restoring the hearts of the fathers to the children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just to make ready a people for the Lord.”
I travelled all over the world learning skills, Returning home I started using the skills to bring families together. In that way they could have an income and the parents become the examples to their children again.
In Malawi I learned farming God’s Way and chambo (fish) breeding, beadwork, African attire and many more skills.
I used to acquire money in an illegal way and as I realized my mistake after my conversion, I turned that habit around to live an honest life. From this mistakes and bad examples and lifestyle, I turned my life around and learned integrity, loyalty, honesty, love, patience, kindness, longsuffering, but the greatest, LOVE for God, myself and my neighbor.
For all my wrongs, the Lord Redeemed me. Now I am returning the favor. Hallelujah!!!
Colin Bothma: Director
Colin and Lara have been walking together as a married couple with the King of kings since 2005. They have received two wonderful children from the Lord, Sharisma and Joshua. Starting out in Johannesburg, they moved to Cape Town by the guidance of Holy Spirit in 2009. Since their decision to walk together as a team, they have always desired for deeper intimacy with Father God and to live out that love first towards their family, and then to those He has called them to. Their greatest achievement would be to have lived out their Father’s heart for them and therefore bring Him all the glory: To make disciples of the nations, both in their own home and in the communities in their specific sphere of authority, to teach them to obey His voice, and even when they fall, to model a life of trust in His grace and love to sustain them through it all. 
As a family, they have an overwhelming passion to see people deeply connect to the Father and the evidence of communities and families transformed by His grace and love.
Colin has been working in the Lord’s vineyard since 2002. He has been involved in various missions and community projects involving many cultural groups and nations in Africa. He has pastored two different church plants in two major cities in South Africa, and has years of training experience in the marketplace as well.
Lara completed a degree in Health Psychology, and an honours degree in Industrial Sociology, and have worked closely with Colin in his various ministry projects since 2005. Her heart is to empower, equip and transform teams in different communities in order for them to reach their God-given vision with joy and efficiency. She has a special fondness for organizations that are focused on transforming communities to empower those who are in need of it. Furthermore, she loves to seek out Truth and walk daily with her Father Yahweh.
Both Colin and Lara have been involved in personal development and team development training. They are convinced that if we can help humans find their true identity, and help teams to understand and celebrate the different and unique identities of each team member, lives and communities will be transformed.
More specifically, Colin and Lara’s goal is to start up a community empowerment project in Mahikeng, and empower the local people with various skills and training, to ultimately change the lives of people and the communities they live in. We are focused in this project on putting various tools in the hands of the community members for them to actively and purposefully work towards being self-sustaining, both in hard skills and soft skills.
Colin has been doing groundwork in Mahikeng for the past seven years. He has various key relationships in the area, of which the most important for this project is with Million (a local and well-loved pastor and friend who owns the land for the proposed training center). The end goal would be to have this project completely owned and run by the community in Mahikeng.
Colin and Lara are covered by the support and grace of Brian and Janet Sauder, and Merle and Cheree Shenk, from DOVE International, a worldwide family of believers in Christ involved in churches and ministries located on six continents.
View more about DOVE International here: www.dcfi.org
