About Us

National Team

Steve M Weaver - National Director and Conservation Science Director

Steve is an American born and South African trained conservationist with many years of conservation experience in both South Africa and the United States. In his most recent job as Parks Regional Manager for the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources he managed a very large national conservation concern. He also brings many years of experience in game ranch management on both continents. Steve has particularly enjoyed working with local communities around national protected areas and has a track record for successfully brokering the transfer of large tracts of private land for state conservation. He is married to Kathleen and they have two sons Matthew and Mark, and two daughters Becky and Carol. The Weavers live at Rietvlei, their farm in Groot Marico. Steve enjoys hiking, fishing, motor mechanics and studying eschatology, among many hobbies.

Joyann Goddard - Administrator

Joyann taught English before pioneering A Rocha with Allen and the ARZA initiating national committee. Besides being administrator at the national office Joyann has managed hospitality arrangements for many national team events, visiting guests and Time Out weekends. Joyann also teaches ballet and is setting up her own studio, Gracepointe School of Dance. She enjoys historical novels, crime fiction, Indian and Mediterranean cooking, Mahler symphonies and reading spiritual classics.

Leanne Seeliger - Vuya Endaweni Conservation Group Co-ordinator

Leanne Seeliger lives in Stellenbosch, South Africa with her two dogs Cino and Sam. She has a doctorate in philosophy with a specialization in environmental ethics.  She is passionate about Christ, community and creation. She has lectured environmental philosophy both at the Cape Peninsula University of  Technology and the University of Stellenbosch.  She is interested in researching how local environmental values are captured in local government development plans and budgets. She has a journalism background and enjoys reading, hiking, cycling and swimming.

Allen Goddard - Director for Theology & Citizenship

Allen was founder Team Leader of A Rocha in South Africa from 2003 to 2009 and now co-ordinates ARZA's theology & citizenship programmes. Before working for A Rocha Allen taught English in Johannesburg and London, studied theology in Canada, and served a four year contract in IFES campus ministry with the Student Christian Organization. Part of Allen's work in ARZA includes lecturing eco-theology, facilitating prayer retreats and leading ARZA's Created for Life! Course. He, Joyann and their two sons live in Hilton, KZN. Allen enjoys writing poetry, reading children's fiction, mountain walking, indigenous gardening and walking the family dogs.

Neil Dixon - Webmaster

Neil is A Rocha’s part time webmaster. He is from Pietermaritzburg and has a BSc degree in computer science and business information systems, and a diploma in Project Management. Neil works as a full time Java Developer at First National Bank in Johannesburg. He enjoys cricket, flying model aircraft and playing drums.

Joanna Epp - Friends Programme Administrator

Joanna is a recent high school graduate visiting A Rocha South Africa with the United States Mennonite Church Radical Journey volunteer programme, before going on to university. Along with volunteering at A Rocha South Africa. Joanna enjoys cycling, reading biographies, playing tennis and listening to a wide variety of music.

Nikki Chapman - Eco-Congregations Co-ordinator

Nikki has a Bsc in Environmental Management and over the past 12 years, has worked in the field of Environmental Education and conservation at various centres around South Africa and in the UK. Presently she works full time at Cheetah Outreach. Environmental education and the Eco-congregations programme are Nikki's particular career interests.  Her hobbies include scuba diving, hiking, cycling, swimming, kayaking, and reading.

John Roff - Words for Creation Project Coordinator

John is an environmental educator, poet and musician who encourages people to enjoy and care for creation in a wide variety of ways. He is particularly passionate about using poetry and music to encourage hope and delight in the whole of creation and the Creator. John and his wife homeschool their four energetic children in their home and large garden in Pietermaritzburg, where they are custodians of 3 enormous Plane Trees and numerous insects and flowers.

Angela Barberton - Cowie Catchment Conservation Project Leader

Angela lives in retirement in Grahamstown with her son Alex. She attends Grahamstown Baptist church and is involved in many environmental restoration projects around the city.

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A Rocha South Africa’s Board Of Trustees

Mandisa Sixabayi - Chairperson

Mandisa Sixabayi is currently working for CapeNature as Area Manager of the Cape Metro. She is also studying towards a Masters in Science degree with the University of the Western Cape and is passionate about People and Parks issues. She is married to Nkosinathi and has three beautiful children, Khazimla, Milani and Esona.

Steve Weaver  - National Team Representative

Ds. Carl Swart - Trustee Theologian

Myles Sinclair - Finance Trustee

Myles is a Chartered Accountant. He lives in KwaZuluNatal and enjoys cycling in the many forests that surround Hilton. He is involved in an organic and Fair Trade coffee company called BEAN THERE as well being as operating several other businesses. He is a founder director of Crown Financial Ministries in South Africa and is actively engaged in teaching Biblical financial principles  through seminars and studies around the African continent.

A Rocha South Africa’s Council of Reference

The Council of Reference comprises leaders who have attained national stature in their fields, who serve as a resource panel to the Board of Trustees on matters of policy direction: