HEIN’S JOURNEY OF JOY WITH US - A Farewell to HEIN BARNARD
It's not easy to imagine Methodist Homes without Hein
Barnard at the helm. For nearly fourteen years, Hein has been our leader, our
steady hand, and often our quiet voice of reason. Now, as he retires, we look
back on a journey that was truly one of joy – for him, for his staff and for
the residents.
Hein joined MHA at a time of change, following the retirement of Andries van Westenbrugge. The early months were, as Hein himself recalls, “an absolute nightmare” with him trying to find his direction in unfamiliar territory. Yet it was during those trying days that he showed us who he really is: a leader who knew that the way through any storm was to deal with the problem, not the person. That approach became his compass, guiding MHA through some seemingly impossible challenges.
Hein didn't come from a corporate background. He was first a teacher—at Framesby Hoërskool and later at Technikon—before dabbling in short-term insurance. But at MHA, he found his true calling. And what a calling it turned out to be. Although his predecessors had built a solid foundation, Hein found on his arrival that our financial systems were still being done by hand, technology was practically non-existent, and several of our facilities were crying out for renewal. Slowly but surely, Hein rolled up his sleeves and began to transform the way that MHA had worked.
It wasn't just about numbers and systems. Hein cared deeply about people's safety and wellbeing.
He was the one who pushed for stronger security measures at our villages—first introducing fencing, then cameras, and upgraded systems—always with residents' best interests at heart. Change is never easy, and Hein knew it often made him unpopular at first. But in time, residents understood that his heart was always in the right place, and their gratitude spoke louder than their initial resistance.
If you ask Hein what he believes in most, he'll tell you: love always wins. And he lived that out every day. He led with respect, with empathy, and with a genuine desire to include people in the journey.
One of the best examples of this was his decision to appoint not only men, but also women as Village Managers. Hein recognised that empathy was just as important as efficiency in these roles—and he was right. His decision changed the culture of MHA for the better.
Perhaps the hardest chapter of Hein's leadership came during COVID times. He, Sr Sanet Marx and a dedicated team carried the heavy responsibility of keeping residents safe while enforcing onerous restrictions that were sometimes extremely unpopular. Families needed reassurance, and Hein was often the one to give it. He never grew tired of explaining again and again that everything was done only with the residents' and the staff’s best interests at heart. Looking back now, with only four COVID-related deaths across MHA, it's clear he made the right calls, even if they came at a personal cost.
There have, of course, been sad moments along the way. Hein has admitted that the hardest part of his job was saying goodbye to residents who passed on. But through it all, he remained steadfast in his belief that his work here was not just a career, but a calling. And as he leaves, Hein says without hesitation that these past almost fourteen years have been the happiest of his life.
We couldn't agree more that he is a legend. Hein Barnard didn't just manage Methodist Homes—he shaped it, renewed it, and filled it with heart. His mark will be felt here for years to come.
Hein, thank you for everything. You led us with your strength, you cared for us with your love, and you leave us richer for having known you. May the next chapter of your journey be filled with the same joy you've given so generously to us.
____________________________________