Waldo Malan loves music. Because of this love he has been involved on all levels of music since he was a child. His interest in music led him to the Drakensberg Boys Choir School, of which he was a member from age 9 through 15. While there he not only toured the world, but sang and started composition lessons in serialism with the Australian composer David Worrall at age 11. Incidentally, this was also the year in which he started with his piano studies. After matriculating at a co-ed, pro-rugby school on the Witwatersrand, he continued his musical studies at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

It was here that he was to remain from 1983 until 1997, reading for his Bachelor and Master degrees, ending up in the School of Music as a lecturer in composition, jazz piano studies and vocal coaching. He completed his Doctorate in Music Composition in 2001.

Since the beginning of 1998 he has been with River Ministries in various roles and functions. He is currently the Media Director for The River Group where much of his efforts are focused on the a global satellite and digital television operations. As and when time allows he continues to be actively involved in performing, musical direction, arranging, music curriculum development, composition and leading worship.

Ron had the privilege of growing up in a Christian home and by the age of 7 gave his life to Jesus Christ. He was Holy Spirit filled, and water baptized by the age of 8. His parents, Bert and Linda went into full time ministry while he was still a teenager, and it was actually in one of their church services where he knew he would go into full-time ministry one day.

Ron matriculated in 1989.  He studied Electrical Engineering (light current) at the University of Technology Cape Town. After completing his degree he worked in the medical field installing, training & repairing HIV, pregnancy and decease-testing equipment all over South Africa. During this time he also completed 2 years of Bible School, which eventually propelled him to get his Masters of Christian Education in 2013.

In March 1998, Ron got married to Natasha whom he met through Bible school. 2 years later they answered the call of God to join the River Group in East London, South Africa, incorporating River Ministries and Faith Broadcasting Network as pastors. They served as pastors with many different responsibilities, including the developing of an evening Bible school and later the three year full-time degreed Bible School.

Ron’s passion to equip people has led him to become director of education.

Ron and Natasha have three boys, Reuel, Ronan and the youngest Raphael. He is a family man and loves playing squash with his boys.  Reuel has represented South Africa in squash and the other two boys their province at some point.