Jannie Nel – Community Lay Director

Jannie was born in Bulawayo, (then) Rhodesia in 1949, But was educated in Pretoria, South Africa with a BSc degree in agriculture, majoring in animal science.

Jannie spent many years in the 70’s and early 80’s in the agriculture industry working in livestock marketing, cattle breeding and Ranch management (Venezuela) before settling in the kzn Midlands.

Jannie further educated himself in the financial services industry where for the past 39 years he has specialised in independent financial planning and advisory services and creative wealth management.

Outside of his busy work schedule, Jannie’s recent exploits have been walking The Kruger Trail, a gruelling 650km walk, split over 2 walks per year, comprising 6 legs over 6 days of rough terrain, 20km to 30km per day. Really wild stuff considering these hikes are unsupported; so you carry all your provisions, sleep in the bush with no ablutions or campsites.

Jannie is also a well-travelled Emmaus community man.

He first walked in 2001 with walk #23 in the Drakensberg. For the next 17 years Jannie worked on walks #32 to #60 in many roles in the Drakensberg community; Table Leader, support, walk treasurer, chapel, music, ALD and Lay Director. Jannie also served on Walks #1 & #2 in Zambia as well as on the EMSA board as treasurer from 2011 to 2017.

Jannie took on the role of Community lay Director for the Kzn Emmaus Community in 2025.