Heavenly Foretaste is a Seventh-day Adventist self-supporting health ministry rooted in Nontshinga Village, Kentani, in the Eastern Cape.
We bring together health education, natural treatments, whole-food meals and spiritual care in an atmosphere of love. Our purpose is simple: to help people experience a little of heaven’s peace as they care for body, mind and spirit.
Our retreat centre is being established, while our ministry continues through retreats, education and community outreach.
A restorative end-of-year gathering for adults — combining natural health treatments, spiritual enrichment, plant-based meals, and deep rest in nature.
A faith-rooted ministry born from a vision to transform lives across Africa through God's natural principles of healing and wholeness.
Who We Are
Healing Lives, God's Way
Heavenly Foretaste Lifestyle Retreat is a Seventh-day Adventist self-supporting health ministry rooted in Nontshinga Village, Kentani, Eastern Cape. Founded by Zezethu Vellem, the ministry exists to bridge the gap between disease and wholeness — offering people God's natural path to healing rather than dependence on pharmaceuticals.
We holistically heal and transform people's lives in Africa by providing comprehensive health education, addressing physical wellbeing, nurturing spiritual renewal, and emotionally revitalising guests through nature's beauty in our social atmosphere of love.
Vision
We holistically heal and transform people's lives in Africa by providing comprehensive health education, addressing physical wellbeing, nurturing spiritual renewal while emotionally vitalized by nature's beauty in our social atmosphere of love.
Mission
To be the best health retreat that offers restorative natural health treatments, education, and healthy whole food meals to start or continue the journey of healthful living — while enjoying the recreational tranquility of nature and a deeper connection with God, your Maker.
Our Healing Framework
The NEWSTART Approach
Eight natural laws of health that form the foundation of every treatment, meal, and program at Heavenly Foretaste.
N
Nutrition
Whole plant-based foods that nourish and restore vitality from within.
E
Exercise
Invigorating movement to strengthen the body and elevate mood naturally.
W
Water
Hydrotherapy and pure water for cleansing and healing the body inside out.
S
Sunlight
The healing power of sunlight for vitamin D, energy, and mental clarity.
T
Temperance
Embracing the good and abstaining from all that harms body or mind.
A
Air
Fresh clean air — vital to oxygenate the blood and revitalize the mind.
R
Rest
Complete rest — physical, mental, and spiritual — to renew every aspect of life.
T
Trust in God
Faith and connection with your Maker as the ultimate source of all healing.
What We Stand For
Our Core Values
Wellness
Fostering physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing for every guest and staff member.
Community
Building connections, a sense of belonging, and lasting godly relationships.
Personal Growth
Supporting every person in their journey of self-discovery and development.
Responsibility
Teaching accountability for complete wellbeing and continuation of the journey after leaving us.
Nature Connection
Offering the most enjoyable moments in God's creation and a deeper connection with its Maker.
Authenticity
Creating a safe environment of genuine love, care, and truthful communication without judgment.
Our Home Base
Rooted in Kentani
Heavenly Foretaste is prayerfully established in Nontshinga Village, Kentani, Eastern Cape — nestled in the rolling green hills of the region. A place of quiet, community, closeness to God's creation, and deep Xhosa heritage.
Retreat Centre Currently Being Established
What We Offer
Our Services
Seven focused ministries — each one designed to restore your body, renew your spirit, and equip you for a life of wholeness. Click any service to learn more.
Tap to expand each service
Choose a Service
01
Health Education
⌄
Our health education service brings life-changing knowledge directly to communities, schools, corporate workplaces, hospitals, and churches. We believe that knowledge is the first step to transformation — and we are committed to making sound health education accessible to all, regardless of background or income.
Our youth retreat programs are purposeful, faith-filled short-term experiences designed for young people aged 12–25. Combining Bible study, health training, nature activities, and godly fellowship, these retreats build the next generation of health missionaries and community leaders grounded in God's Word.
Mountain camping and nature immersion
Bible study, devotions & discipleship training
Health & lifestyle education sessions
Plant-based cooking skills workshops
Team-building challenges & jungle hikes
Industrial skills training (sewing, baking, crafts)
True healing is not complete without spiritual renewal. Our spiritual services provide guests and community members with a deep, meaningful encounter with God — through His Word, through prayer, and through the beauty of His creation. Every program at Heavenly Foretaste is undergirded by prayer and Scripture.
This is the heartbeat of our ministry. We offer personalised consultations and natural, God-designed treatments for those living with non-communicable diseases — helping the body heal itself through NEWSTART principles rather than pharmaceutical dependency. We treat the root, not just the symptom.
Hydrotherapy (hot & cold water treatments)
Massage therapy for pain & circulation
Detox programs & cleansing protocols
Personalised nutrition & diet plans
Health screening & lifestyle assessments
Conditions treated: hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cancer, depression, hormonal imbalance, and more
Recreation at Heavenly Foretaste is not idle leisure — it is intentional, restorative, and God-centred. Our recreational events are designed to reconnect guests with nature, with each other, and with their Maker — bringing joy, refreshment, and restoration to every part of the person.
Nature trail hikes through the Kentani hills
Team-building challenges & adventure activities
Reading retreats by water — books from spiritual library
We believe that practical skills empower young people to be self-sustaining, dignified, and useful for God's kingdom. Our industrial skills training integrates hands-on learning into retreats and programs — giving youth something tangible to take home and build a livelihood from.
Our elderly program is offered with the utmost gentleness, dignity, and love. We recognise that many senior community members carry years of untreated health conditions and deserve personalised, compassionate care. This program is both in-retreat and mobile — we bring care directly to those who cannot travel.
Gentle massage therapy & pain relief treatments
Health screenings (blood pressure, glucose, weight)
Two unique, transformative experiences each year — each one a full immersion in healing, growth, God's Word, and the beauty of Kentani's hills.
Choose Your Retreat
Two Retreats, One Mission
Every retreat at Heavenly Foretaste is a curated experience — not just a camp or holiday, but a life-transforming encounter with God, nature, and community. Both are hosted each year at our base in Nontshinga Village, Kentani.
Mid-Year · Retreat One
Girls RESTART Retreat
A powerful, faith-filled mountain camping experience designed exclusively for young women aged 12–25. Girls come away from this retreat reignited in faith, equipped with practical skills, and deeply renewed in body, mind, and spirit.
A restorative end-of-year retreat for adults, couples, families, and workers — offering deep rest, natural health treatments, spiritual nourishment, and the renewing power of God's creation in the peaceful hills of Kentani.
Planning, registration, and preparation for the mid-year Girls RESTART Retreat. Applications open, program developed, and team mobilised in prayer.
June / July
Girls RESTART Retreat — 5 to 7 days of mountain camping, faith, skills, and healing in Kentani.
August – October
Community outreach programs, health expos, and preparation for the end-of-year retreat. Registration opens for Healing in the Hills.
November / December
Healing in the Hills Retreat — restorative end-of-year experience for adults, couples, and families.
Secure Your Spot
Ready to Join Us?
Both retreats have limited spaces available. Send us an enquiry to register your interest and we'll confirm your place and share all the details you need to prepare.
Our ministry magazine — packed with health wisdom, spiritual insights, NEWSTART principles, community stories, and nourishing recipes. One edition released so far.
Our very first edition — a beautifully curated collection of health education, spiritual inspiration, plant-based recipes, NEWSTART teaching, and stories from the Kentani community. This magazine was born from our heart to take the health message beyond the retreat and into every home.
Inside this issue you will find articles on natural healing, testimony from the Girls RESTART Retreat, health nuggets, a plant-based recipe section, devotional readings, and a message from our founder Zezethu Vellem.
A small, dedicated, and prayerful team — each one called to this work by God, serving with their whole heart for the transformation of lives across Africa.
Zezethu Vellem
Founder / CEO
The visionary behind Heavenly Foretaste — a health missionary, Seventh-day Adventist minister, and qualified accountant who surrendered her life to building this ministry from the ground up for God's glory. Zezethu is the heart, the driving force, and the spiritual anchor of everything HFLR does.
Cleo Brass
Chief Editor / Lead Designer
The creative force of the ministry — shaping the voice, visual identity, and written materials of Heavenly Foretaste with excellence, beauty, and intentionality. Cleo leads the production of the Foretaste Journal and all ministry communications, ensuring every word and image reflects the mission with grace.
Tebogo Shaun Mokwena
IT Specialist / Media Lead
The technical and media backbone of the ministry — building the digital infrastructure, managing platforms, and amplifying the Heavenly Foretaste message across every screen and channel. Shaun ensures the ministry's online presence reflects its excellence and reach with the same standard as its in-person work.
More to Come
The Team Is Growing
As Heavenly Foretaste grows, God is adding more hands to this work — health missionaries, therapists, cooks, chaplains, and more. All in His perfect time.
How We Work
Our Team Values
God First
Every decision, every program, every step is bathed in prayer and submitted to God's guidance.
Genuine Love
We serve not as employees but as missionaries — with hearts that genuinely love the people we serve.
Excellence
Whatever we do — whether cooking, designing, coding or teaching — we do it with the highest standard we can offer.
Unity
We are a small team bound by a shared vision, shared faith, and a shared commitment to this calling.
Volunteer & Collaborate
Feel Called to Join Us?
If you are a health missionary, therapist, cook, counsellor, chaplain, teacher, or skilled worker who shares our faith and vision — we would love to hear from you. This ministry was built on God's providence and the willing hands of those He calls.
Whether you're seeking health recovery, spiritual renewal, a retreat space, or want to partner with the ministry — we would love to hear from you.
Contact Information
We'd Love to Hear From You
Reach out to our team to enquire about a stay, ask about our services, apply for a retreat, or learn how you can support the ministry. Every message is received with love and prayer.
