Leaders of Ligstad
Meet The Team
Meet the team that brings Ligstad’s services to our community, enriching lives and fostering a strong sense of community through care and support.
Our Diverse Team Members are
Ligstad Board of Directors
Dir. John van Straten
I am a founding member of Ligstad who views my biggest task to assure that the focus maintain on the vision and mission of Ligstad. My dreams for Ligstad is to include more children and parents from the community. I also have a heart for destitute women and children and see the need in our community for a night shelter for the homeless.
Dir. Linda Botha
Board Director since 2014. Ligstad is a warm and welcoming place to everyone. The absolute dedication of the management, staff and volunteers are impacting hundreds of lives positively on a daily basis. It is a privilege to serve at Ligstad, actively pursuing our vision and mission through God’s loving grace.
Dir. Willie Badenhorst
I am a founding member of Ligstad. I view my biggest task to do whatever I can to to realise God’s plan for Ligstad and dream that Ligstad be a true beacon of light where people can experience Christ’s love, grace and hope.
Dir. Hannetjie Turner
Om kleuters by Ligstad te hep en onderrig om hul volle potensiaal te ontwikkel. Om Christelike norme en waardes te vestig. My visie ( droom) is om te Sien dat die getal kleuters sal groei sodat al die klasse weer ten volle benut kan word.
Dir. Pieter Theron
Dir. Ernst Viljoen
Ligstad Management
Mr. Daniel Viljoen
I started out as a volunteer at Ligstad 9 years ago and gradually worked my way to the CEO position. I love children and although it can be very challenging to work with them at times, I really miss them when we haven’t seen each other for a while. The position I’ve been placed in is a gift from God. I get to sing songs with the learners and do Bible study with them. We learn about God, His mercy and love together. I also get the opportunity to be part of various charity projects hosted by Ligstad and its partners. I believe that a big part of a Christian’s life, should be to improve the lives of those in need. The good things we do, we do as if we are doing them to Jesus himself. Matthew 25v40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Ms. Alida Jooste
As a founding member of Ligstad I was one of the dreamers envisioning and witnessing the establishment of Ligstad in 2012. I had the privilege to see Ligstad grow at God’s hand and saw God’s victories during the challenging times in our history. As social worker I am involved with most of the community members we serve. My heart is for people and I enjoy working with the community in its entirety. Seeing people empowered and gaining hope as a result of the empowerment they received at Ligstad, energises me. My dream for our community is that they receive the grace God is granting them here at Ligstad and that they are enabled to pay it forward to the next person who crosses their path. Spreading the light in a sometimes dark and daunting world. I totally live by the Bible verse Ligstad was founded on: Matthew 5v14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill, cannot be hidden.” But learned that Psalm 46v11 “Be still and know that I am God”, is what I need to remember when life sometimes gets chaotic around me.
Mrs. Suretha Van Straten
Ligstad Support Staff
Mr. Peter Rossouw
I joined the Ligstad team in 2017. I was instantly impressed with not only the Ligstad staff but also the facilities used to accommodate children and the elderly, in a professional and dignified manner. Ligstad and its staff are always willing to go the extra mile for the people we serve. We are more than a team, we are family. Our community is crying out for spiritual and physical nourishment and Ligstad provides the training and tools to bring relief in this regard. We want to be a force for good and help people to turn away from crime in order to see to their needs. In Matthew 5v7 it states: ”Blessed are the merciful, for they wil be shown mercy.” God shows us so much mercy every day, let us do the same for our fellow man.
Ms. Danielle Kennedy
Starting my journey at Ligstad has been nothing short of incredible. In just a few days, I already feel like a true part of the Ligstad family, and I’m thrilled by how well we collaborate as a team. Being a Grade R teacher brings me immense joy, especially knowing the positive influence I have on each child I interact with every day. It fills my heart with love and happiness. I strive to give my all in the classroom, going the extra mile to ensure these little ones are well-prepared for their next big adventure in school. My goal is to make a significant, positive impact on each child, using the talents that God has blessed me with, confident that He is proud of my efforts. Isaiah 41:10 reminds me, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Ms. Tebogo Mogapi
I’ve started out at Ligstad as a volunteer. Later I was employed as a Grade RRR educator and I have been loving it ever since. Working with children so young can be challenging at times, but I love all the children I come into contact with. Ligstad has been home for more than 9 years and I hope it continues to grow and help as many people as possible. Acts 26v22 “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day.”
Ms. Carol Guest
I started as a volunteer at Ligstad at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. God placed it on my heart to apply my talents where they would help the most. He placed me at Ligstad, where I take great care to provide our youngsters and families with wholesome food, prepared with the greatest love. While I can prepare food for the body, only God can truly feed our souls. With the bread He provides, no one will ever go hungry again. As
Scripture reminds us: “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.’” — John 6:35
Ms. Jeanne-Lee Fleuriot
I start my education career in 2021 at Ligstad. I love my learners and the fact that the staff members work together in an effort to make our leaner’s wishes come true. Our learners are my pride and joy and I want them to achieve all their academic, social, emotional and developmental goals. I believe that Ligstad is place in the unique position to help uplift the Alberton North community. In the end we are all family and part of the body of Christ. Romans 12v5 says: “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one, members one of another.”
Mr. Abram Nkopane
I’ve been working at Ligstad since 2014. I started out as a gardener, but I later acquired my code 10 licence and started to transport learners and the elderly to and from Ligstad. I love my time in the garden to create a grounds to be proud of. I love working with children and playing games with them, even though it can be a challenge at times. Ligstad, the people and the work we do is very near and dear to me. It has been my life for many years and I hope we can continue to do our much needed work for year to come. Psalm 23v1 : “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Ms. Sindiswa Mbatha
I’ve been working for Ligstad since 2019 and have a real passion for them. I love their energy and love seeing them grow and develop. I also have an immense amount for respect for the elderly and the wisdom they carry with them, the stories they tell as well as their unique perspectives. I believe in the strength that lays in teamwork. We make up for each other’s weakness and support each other when in need. I’m happy to see that Ligstad places itself in the thick of things when it comes to charity events and I’m happy to make myself a part of it. I’m hoping for more resources for issues like mental health, education and skills training, in order to help the Alberton North community thrive. Exodus 14:14: “The Lord will fight for you, while you keep silent.”
Words from Our Community
Testimonials
Dit het van krag tot krag gegaan en lede het weekliks bygekom. Selfs ten spyte van Covid vir twee jaar het lede graag byeengekom omdat ieder en elk daaraan behoefte gehad het aan die gesellige atmosfeer en opbouende inhoud daarvan. Deelname is die kern van elke byeenkoms. Die krag van gedeelde gebed kan nie onderskat word nie.
Corrie Ras
I was introduced to GIG through a friend. What a warm welcome I received at my first meeting. Folk were friendly & made me feel very at home. I find that starting our time together with scripture & a message is so important. We have fun at our meetings & I have made some very special friends. What a wonderful ministry.
Penny Enslin
What sets Ligstad apart is its dedication to the whole child – nurturing their social, emotional and physical growth. Seeing children thrive is truly fulfilling. I’m proud to be part of a team that makes a positive impact on our community a difference every day.
Emily White
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