Leadership

Kurt was born in South Africa and grew up in Cape Town, obtaining a degree in Chemical Engineering. He worked for both Sasol and Sappi, before being recruited by an Augusta, GA based company in 1994. Kurt worked for Fulghum Fibres for 21 years and helped grow the company in the USA and international markets, before retiring at the end of 2014. He has now started up a new biomass platform company that specializes in the production of “green” energy.

Kurt and Roger Henderson shared a passion for missions and founded the Khayamandi Foundation a few years back, as a means to collect and channel funding for the various projects that they had been involved in – particularly in South Africa’s Knysna and Cape Town areas. As others have caught the vision and come on board, the foundation has grown in vision and scope, allowing for expanded and targeted projects – including sponsoring promising students to gain an education in an increasingly difficult environment.

“Coop” lives with his wife, Tracy, in Richmond Virginia. His three boys and his daughter have all graduated from college and have left the nest. He and Tracy travel and serve together in South Africa and at home.

Coop is a retired mechanical and civil engineer practicing for over 30 years, primarily as a registered professional engineer in the areas of land development, municipal water and wastewater, and renewable energy development. While researching how he might give back and use his time in retirement, a close friend introduced him to the Khayamandi Foundation founder and current president Kurt Malzer. Coop accepted Kurt’s invitation to serve on a construction team to Knysna, South Africa in the role of project manager to plan and construct a Sunday school room at My Father’s House Baptist Church in the economically challenged “Township” area of Knysna.  God did awesome things on that trip that solidified amazing friendships within the team and with the people of Knysna. They were both hooked.

Since that trip in the fall of 2014 Coop has returned several times to Knysna for various mission opportunities. Several years in a row, he and Tracy stayed in Knysna for three months at a time. During that time Kurt tutored, mentored, built relationships in Town and in the Township, presented the gospel and taught carpentry at Hands and Heart (A Hope HQ skills center).

Kurt works closely with our projects in South Africa.

Mark and his wife Allison live in Augusta, Georgia with their two daughters, Madeline and Emma.

In the summer of 2008, the Lord interrupted their lives and introduced them to Swaziland, Africa. They didn’t know what the future held at that time, but knew change was coming. In 2009 during their second short term trip to Swaziland, God confirmed that Mark and Allison were called to serve full time in Swaziland. In 2010 they moved their family 8,000 miles away to serve the orphaned and vulnerable kids of Swaziland. Thinking they would live there for the rest of their lives, they were surprised when the Lord called them back to the States 5 years later to serve the ministry of Swaziland at the home office of Adventures in Missions.

Mark now works with Warren Baptist Church as Global Missions Pastor. It was here that he was introduced to Khaymandi Foundation. “I realize there is a lot of alignment with their vision and ours.  I am grateful to be a part of this team to help it move forward in ministry to those around the world,” says Mark.

Ken and his wife Cathy live in Wilmington, NC. They have two grown children, a son and a daughter.

Ken is a forester and a financier. He spent most of his career at John Hancock financing timber and forest products companies, where he met Kurt Malzer. Ken now works as a consultant and an educator at the intersection of the environment and finance, focused on sustainability and global economic development.

Ken’s first trip to Africa with the Khayamandi Foundation was in 2013. Since then, he has returned to Africa several times. He is passionate about spreading the word of Christ, and the journey of personal recovery. He is committed to demonstrating Christ’s love through helping impoverished people get better educated and equipped to prosper on their own.

Ken works closely with our projects in Uganda.

Bob was born and raised in Akron, Ohio. He holds Accounting and Finance degrees from the University of Akron and an MBA from Radford University in Virginia. Over the course of his 49-year career, primarily in the field of purchasing, Bob worked with seven different companies, eventually retiring from Rolls-Royce in 2023.

Bob was part of one of the first mission teams to visit Knysna, South Africa in 2012. He was so impressed with the dedication and commitment of those involved in the Knysna ministry that he, his wife Barbara and their son have made several trips to Knysna to volunteer. Bob has felt God’s hand in the work that is being done in Knysna. He believes the Khayamandi Foundation is using resources effectively and efficiently to provide young people with basic needs and with the opportunity to know Jesus Christ. Bob is passionate about this cause, and he believes his involvement is a way in which he can praise God by helping others.

Bob and Barbara live in Augusta, Georgia. And have two grown children.

Tracy lives in Richmond, VA with her husband Kurt. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications.

Having worked in advertising and public relations over the years, Tracy’s final job before retirement was as Director of a preschool.

In 2014, Tracy and Kurt went on their first trip to South Africa to work on a mission project with Khayamandi Foundation. Tracy handled logistics, housing, meals, etc for the trip. While there, God tugged on her heart to find a way to help the girls in the township.

She was able to work alongside a local woman to create and help sustain a program for girls that teaches dignity, self esteem, and life skills. Since 2014, Tracy has returned to South Africa many times.

Tracy and Kurt have 4 grown children and 3 grandchildren.

Chris Newsome is a highly respected entrepreneur and the owner of Newsome Electrical Construction, a thriving business he founded in 2009. Specializing in industrial and commercial electrical services, Chris has built a reputation for delivering top-notch solutions to clients across multiple states. His company is known for its commitment to quality, reliability, and innovation.

Beyond his business success, Chris is deeply passionate about supporting aspiring entrepreneurs. He actively mentors and invests in individuals seeking to launch and grow their own ventures, sharing his knowledge and experience to help them succeed.

A dedicated member of his community, Chris consistently gives back through his involvement with local charities and church organizations. His generosity includes regular donations that support various causes in Augusta, Georgia, and beyond.

Chris has been happily married to his wife, Terra, for 26 years. Together, they have two adult children, Hailey and Hunter, both of whom are married, and they cherish the time spent with their three grandchildren. In his spare time, Chris enjoys traveling, scuba diving, and hunting, always seeking new adventures with his family.

Danny’s mission work involves a 42 career as a YMCA Executive in North Carolina and Georgia and has served as President/CEO of the Family Y in Augusta for the past 22 years. In his role as President of The Family Y, his accomplishments include the development of the newly formed YMCA of Greater Augusta Foundation, and he currently serves in a dual role as its CEO.

Danny very much enjoys fundraising. During his role as CEO, his fundraising efforts have been used to open eight new branches, a childcare center, and develop a 100-acre property serving as a Residence Camp in partnership with The Children’s Hospital of Georgia called Camp Lakeside.

In addition to his YMCA career, Danny along with three partners formed a software company called Reclique, and served as its CEO until it sold in 2022 to an investment group.

On a personal note, Danny is married and has two great kids, and seven grandchildren.

Roger is the retired Global Missions Pastor after 23 years at Warren Baptist Church. During his ministry he developed and led mission teams all over the world. He was also honored to serve 8 years as a Trustee for the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and focused much of his work in Sub Saharan Africa. Roger has also served on various boards dealing with Homelessness, Poverty and Humanitarian Aid.

Along with his friend Kurt Malzer, Roger helped found the Khayamandi Foundation as a practical way to effect change in the cycle of poverty found in much of Sub Saharan Africa.

Roger and his wife Margo live in the Augusta area and have two grown daughters and 7 grandchildren.

Maria lives in Midlothian, VA with her husband Mike. She graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Psychology, a minor in Criminal Justice, and an emphasis in Religion.

Prior to working with the Khayamandi Foundation, Maria was the Coordinator for Church Revitalization and Leadership Development for United Methodist Congregations in the Richmond and Charlottesville areas. She helped churches develop leadership and simplified structures, as well as help them in areas of hospitality, discipleship, and service.

In 2014, Maria had the opportunity to work as the Imagine No Malaria Field Coordinator with the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Her work gave her the opportunity to travel to Mozambique to see how grants given out by the United Methodist Church were making an impact on local communities as they navigated the challenges around Malaria prevention and treatment. For Maria, it was a wonderful trip and grew in her heart a love for Africa!

She enjoys singing with her church Worship Team, and serving on various other teams. She loves being with her family and catching up on the latest Hallmark movie.

Maria and Mike have 2 young adults in college and special pup named Banditt.

“Coop” lives with his wife, Tracy, in Richmond Virginia. His three boys and his daughter have all graduated from college and have left the nest. He and Tracy travel and serve together in South Africa and at home.

Coop is a retired mechanical and civil engineer practicing for over 30 years, primarily as a registered professional engineer in the areas of land development, municipal water and wastewater, and renewable energy development. While researching how he might give back and use his time in retirement, a close friend introduced him to the Khayamandi Foundation founder and current president Kurt Malzer. Coop accepted Kurt’s invitation to serve on a construction team to Knysna, South Africa in the role of project manager to plan and construct a Sunday school room at My Father’s House Baptist Church in the economically challenged “Township” area of Knysna.  God did awesome things on that trip that solidified amazing friendships within the team and with the people of Knysna. They were both hooked.

Since that trip in the fall of 2014 Coop has returned several times to Knysna for various mission opportunities. Several years in a row, he and Tracy stayed in Knysna for three months at a time. During that time Kurt tutored, mentored, built relationships in Town and in the Township, presented the gospel and taught carpentry at Hands and Heart (A Hope HQ skills center).

Kurt works closely with our projects in South Africa.

Philip was born in the Southern Cape of South Africa and grew up living all over the country.

After graduating from High School, Philip completed  his National Service in the South African Defence Force and then went to college and received BA and BCOM degrees in Industrial Psychology and Clinical Psychology

For many years Philip worked in the field of Human Resources until he felt called to go into full time ministry. It was then that he pioneered Youth For Christ in Knysna and worked as the Center Director for 23 years.

He now works as the Director of Hope HQ, helping give young people the hope and skills training needed to change their lives. Philip also serves as the Managing Director for Khayamandi South Africa.

Philip and his wife Elize live in Knysna and have 2 adult sons and 3 grandchildren.

Roger is the retired Global Missions Pastor after 23 years at Warren Baptist Church. During his ministry he developed and led mission teams all over the world. He was also honored to serve 8 years as a Trustee for the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and focused much of his work in Sub Saharan Africa. Roger has also served on various boards dealing with Homelessness, Poverty and Humanitarian Aid.

Along with his friend Kurt Malzer, Roger helped found the Khayamandi Foundation as a practical way to effect change in the cycle of poverty found in much of Sub Saharan Africa.

Roger and his wife Margo live in the Augusta area and have two grown daughters and 7 grandchildren.

Penny was born in Wankie, Zimbabwe, near Victoria Falls. After graduating high school, she trained and worked in IT and Graphic Design for years.

In 1982, Penny moved to Johannesburg, South Africa and then down to Knysna, South Africa in 1999. It was there that she met her friend Ella at church. Within a couple of years, Penny and Ella decided to go into business together. They both received their tourism badges and started Emzini Tours.

Penny and Ella now own Lukhanyiso Safe House, which has been home to many of the children orphaned in the Concordia township. Emzini Tours, Khayamandi Foundation and other private donations help to fund the needs of these children.

Penny has a passion to help make a better life for the children and youth in South Africa.

Kurt was born in South Africa and grew up in Cape Town, obtaining a degree in Chemical Engineering. He worked for both Sasol and Sappi, before being recruited by an Augusta, GA based company in 1994. Kurt worked for Fulghum Fibres for 21 years and helped grow the company in the USA and international markets, before retiring at the end of 2014. He has now started up a new biomass platform company that specializes in the production of “green” energy.

Kurt and Roger Henderson shared a passion for missions and founded the Khayamandi Foundation a few years back, as a means to collect and channel funding for the various projects that they had been involved in – particularly in South Africa’s Knysna and Cape Town areas. As others have caught the vision and come on board, the foundation has grown in vision and scope, allowing for expanded and targeted projects – including sponsoring promising students to gain an education in an increasingly difficult environment.

Ghila is a South African Professional Registered Counsellor. She and her husband, Jerome, serve together in YFC -Knysna, South Africa. Ghila has been part of the ministry for 13 years. She has a deep passion to serve young people in the community, bring the hope of Christ to them, see them live a transformed life in and through Jesus Christ. Her desire is to see those young people become the future leaders of our world with strong Christian values.

Ghila also serves in and manages the Options Program and has done so for 9 years, dealing with issues like crisis pregnancy, abuse, and prevention programs in schools. She has also served within her local church’s youth ministry as the youth leader/pastor where she had the opportunity to speak to young people both in and outside of her church.

Ghila’s current role as Centre Director has been both rewarding and challenging, as it raises awareness even more on the importance of safeguarding the children in her care while ensuring the safety and protection of her own staff and volunteers throughout the process.

Herbert was born in Entebbe, a suburb of Kampala (capital city of Uganda). He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.

Herbert is an entrepreneur in the travel and hospitality sector in Uganda. Since Khayamandi’s partnerships in Uganda began, he has been involved in Khayamandi Foundation’s efforts, helping to coordinate travel and mission trips.

Herbert is passionate about bringing meaningful impact and sustainable transformation to the communities around him using business as a tool.

He now lives in Arua and manages Missions café. Herbert is also the Managing Director for Khayamandi Foundation Uganda.

Chris grew up in Augusta, GA and graduated from Augusta State University in 2003 with a BBA in Management. He also has an MA in Intercultural Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

He married his wife, Casey, in 2004 and together they have 6 children.

After working for 16 years as a claims representative for the Social Security Administration, Chris and Casey both felt a call from the Lord to work in international missions.

In 2018, Chris, Casey and their children moved to Northwest Uganda to work with refugees coming from South Sudan. Together, Chris and Casey direct a nursery school and Child Friendly Space inside a refugee settlement while also operating various other ministries alongside refugee, national and international partners.

Ken and his wife Cathy live in Wilmington, NC. They have two grown children, a son and a daughter.

Ken is a forester and a financier. He spent most of his career at John Hancock financing timber and forest products companies, where he met Kurt Malzer. Ken now works as a consultant and an educator at the intersection of the environment and finance, focused on sustainability and global economic development.

Ken’s first trip to Africa with the Khayamandi Foundation was in 2013. Since then, he has returned to Africa several times. He is passionate about spreading the word of Christ, and the journey of personal recovery. He is committed to demonstrating Christ’s love through helping impoverished people get better educated and equipped to prosper on their own.

Ken works closely with our projects in Uganda.

Mark and his wife Allison live in Augusta, Georgia with their two daughters, Madeline and Emma.

In the summer of 2008, the Lord interrupted their lives and introduced them to Swaziland, Africa. They didn’t know what the future held at that time, but knew change was coming. In 2009 during their second short term trip to Swaziland, God confirmed that Mark and Allison were called to serve full time in Swaziland. In 2010 they moved their family 8,000 miles away to serve the orphaned and vulnerable kids of Swaziland. Thinking they would live there for the rest of their lives, they were surprised when the Lord called them back to the States 5 years later to serve the ministry of Swaziland at the home office of Adventures in Missions.

Mark now works with Warren Baptist Church as Global Missions Pastor. It was here that he was introduced to Khaymandi Foundation. “I realize there is a lot of alignment with their vision and ours.  I am grateful to be a part of this team to help it move forward in ministry to those around the world,” says Mark.

Tracy lives in Richmond, VA with her husband Kurt. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications.

Having worked in advertising and public relations over the years, Tracy’s final job before retirement was as Director of a preschool.

In 2014, Tracy and Kurt went on their first trip to South Africa to work on a mission project with Khayamandi Foundation. Tracy handled logistics, housing, meals, etc for the trip. While there, God tugged on her heart to find a way to help the girls in the township.

She was able to work alongside a local woman to create and help sustain a program for girls that teaches dignity, self esteem, and life skills. Since 2014, Tracy has returned to South Africa many times.

Tracy and Kurt have 4 grown children and 3 grandchildren.