Written by Roly Snell Foundation
Article originally published in the November 2026 issue of JOY! Magazine
It all started in 1976, when Roly Snell, an excessively heavy drinker, took stock of his life. His father had just died of lung cancer, and drinking lost its attraction. Shortly after, an alcoholic uncle arrived in Pietermaritzburg. He found shelter in a small shed on the Snell property and, along with others struggling with alcohol abuse, attended counselling sessions that Roly conducted.
INVASION OF PRIVACY?
The leaders in his local church, however, felt it was an invasion of this young family’s privacy, and so they rented a very nondescript office in Bramhill Buildings, in the centre of town. The office of “ROLY SNELL – Room 27” became the safe space for individuals coming for counsel. It was at this time that Roly realised the need for a live-in rehabilitation facility.
Expanding the vision
In consultation with some businessmen and church leaders, an old German farmstead on seven acres of ground was purchased in New Hanover. Shekinah Care Centre was born! The teachings and counsel of Shekinah were established in Biblical principles based on a belief in the authority of the Scriptures and the power of the Holy Spirit. Shekinah initially treated only alcoholics, but with rising drug abuse, began to admit those with drug addiction for a short-term programme. Later, a one-year stay for both alcohol and drug dependants was introduced.
The centre was initially staffed by Dave and Jackie Wade and nursing sister Kate Tyson, who lived together with those admitted for rehabilitation. As staff numbers grew, accommodation was added and a neighbouring property was bought for staff quarters.
Registration and recognition
In the 1980s, many new rehabilitation facilities emerged, with most having good intentions. Despite this, inexperienced and unqualified staff led to dismal consequences at many of them, and government stepped in to regulate this sector. Roly invited Mike and Lorraine Harty, missionaries in White River who had been involved in registering a mission printing press, to join the work. Shekinah Care Centre subsequently became the first registered and accredited Christian alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility in South Africa, recognised by most medical aid schemes. Shortly after this, the centre became the officially preferred rehabilitation centre for the South African Police Service (SAPS), with many police service members treated. Counselling and care were very personalised for the 12 short-term “guests” accommodated at the facility. Roly, together with Mike, co-wrote an extended counselling course that has since been adapted for use on the Shekinah Road to Recovery online programme. But we are getting ahead of ourselves!
International influence
Shekinah Care Centre was invited to the United Nations “Beyond 2008” conference in Vienna. Mike, as one of four Sub-Saharan African delegates, represented non-governmental rehabilitation facilities. Over four days, 180 delegates developed recommendations for the UN General Assembly in response to rising global drug trafficking and abuse. Shekinah has since submitted further papers to the UN on the worldwide impact of addiction.
An evolving work
Sadly, Roly Snell passed away in 2008. The work, however, continued on the firm foundation he had established. By 2014, the centre’s limited capacity was placing financial strain on the ministry. The administrative board had to choose between expanding, which risked losing the personal nature of its care, or raising fees substantially, even though Shekinah had been the country’s most affordable live-in facility from the beginning. After weighing these and other factors, the board decided to close the centre. The property was given to another ministry, Benjamin Generation, which now uses the site and facilities for an AIDS orphanage and preschool. The board prayerfully considered the evolution of the ministry and adopted the idea of an online programme. “Just film our lectures and teachings and put it online!” That rolled off the tongue so easily!
A new online chapter
Three years and a sizeable investment later, a new company was registered – Roly Snell Foundation t/a Shekinah Road to Recovery – named as a tribute to a man who gave much of his life ministering to those caught up in substance abuse. This online offering was launched in 2022 as the first of its kind in the world, and remains unique today. All the material from the Shekinah Care Centre live-in facility has been converted into four modules of ten lectures each. There are additional sessions about eating habits with a qualified dietician; medical matters with a medical practitioner; and discussions with a clinical psychologist on social integration, as well as opportunity for personal counselling.
Recovery from anywhere
The programme can be completed from anywhere in the world by anyone with a basic understanding of English, internet access on a computer or smartphone, and a desire to overcome substance dependency. The online course avoids South Africanisms and uses timeless illustrations to reach an international audience. An accountability buddy system is recommended to support follow-through of the course. A sober family member or friend can work through the material alongside the person in recovery. The online programme is ideal for someone who has recently left a live-in rehabilitation facility, as it helps strengthen their recovery and supports reintegration into society. Where possible, participants who have completed the programme are referred to ongoing counselling and support in their local area.
This article appears in the October 2026 issue of JOY! Magazine. Read the digital version of this magazine here: joygifts.co.za
Click here to KEEP UPDATED on the latest news by subscribing to our FREE weekly newsletter.
> Please support Christian media and journalism in South Africa. Help us to spread the Word of God and take a stand for the truth by making a donation to our ministry. We appreciate your support. Click here to take hands with JOY! Magazine.
Date published: 16/10/2026
Feature image: Provided by Shekinah Recovery Centre; Sourced from original article published in the November 2026 issue of JOY! Magazine
DISCLAIMER
JOY! News is a Christian news portal that shares pre-published articles by writers around the world. Each article is sourced and linked to the origin, and each article is credited with the author’s name. Although we do publish many articles that have been written in-house by JOY! journalists, we do not exclusively create our own content. Any views or opinions presented on this website are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company.
