Background in Education
Mac van den Berg completed his school years in 1972 at Riebeeck in Randfontein. He studied a 4 year Higher National Education Diploma at Potchefstroom University. His main subjects were Bible and Physical Education. Further studies included a BA and an Education Management Degree through UNISA. Mac has completed a Masters in Educational Leadership through Morling College in Australia.
He taught PT and Geography as well as Biology at various schools in South Africa and in the then Rhodesia (Zimbabwe today). After teaching for 12 years as HOD at a primary school in Polokwane, the Lord put a desire in their hearts to establish a multicultural, Christ-centred school.
Eagle’s Nest Christian School
Consequently a group of people started praying every Friday. Dr. Herkie Sandenberg was one of the group. He introduced Mac and Elsa to Neels de Jager (director of FCE). As a result, they completed the Discipleship Mission Training Course at FCE in 1994. After praying every Friday for a year, the Van den Bergs, with a group of Christian families, started Eagle’s Nest Christian School in Polokwane in 1995. They started with 30 learners .
Mac’s Heart for Christian Schooling
Psalm 119:9 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your Word.”
“Christian Schools are the training ground where we can equip and enable learners to develop their full potential and to live a lifestyle of being disciples of Jesus Christ. It is an internal investment in soldiers for the Lord.”
Desire for Christian Higher education
Through the years of venturing into Christian Education, the need for Christian teachers grew. ENCS appointed a number of teachers who had completed the DMT at FCE or the BEd through UFCE due to Mac and Elsa’s relationship with them. A desire started to have teachers educated so that they will teach from a Biblical worldview. They must have a passion for sound, Christlike integrated lessons and so equip and enable learners to live their live to glorify God in all walks of life. Therefore all the ENCS staff go through a Discipleship Mission Training of a few weeks with FCE to equip them. SAHCET developed out of this desire in their and their friends’ hearts.
By God’s grace, Mac and Elsa, his wife, have taught together for most of their professional careers, he for 42 years and she for 35 years.
Visit Our Team page for information about the rest of the SAHCET team.