AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
THE HISTORY OF THE NINETEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT LAY ORGANISATION
The advent of the Lay Organization in South Africa
The advent of the Lay Movement in South Africa is highlighted through a particular emphasis on the role played by the Laity firstly, as part of the 15th Episcopal District, and later, in the 19th Episcopal District to date.
In South Africa, the Lay Organization started in the 15th Episcopal District, after the Miami General Conference in 1968. At that time the current 19th Episcopal District was part of the 15th Episcopal District.
On his return from the1984 General Conference, Bishop HB Senatle requested and encouraged Brother Wilfred Noel Nduna, who had been the President of the 15th Episcopal District Lay Organization since 1968, to organize the Lay Organization in the 19th District. Brother Nduna then started talking to members of the laity, requesting their support in fulfilling that task. On the 19th March 1985, at the joint meeting of the 15th and the 19th Episcopal Districts held at St Mary’s AME Church, Galeshewe, Kimberley, Bishop Senatle did a follow-up to his request. Brother Nduna had then already identified lay leaders who were interested in becoming Lay Organization members in the 19th Episcopal District.
The Nineteenth Episcopal District Lay Organization (NEDLO)
The establishment of the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization was initiated in 1984 and formally founded in 1985. On the 1st June 1985, Brother WN Nduna convened a meeting of the five Conferences of the newly established 19th Episcopal District. They were then the East Transvaal, Natal, North Transvaal, Orangia, and West Transvaal Conferences. The meeting was held at Jordan Temple, in Katlehong, Germiston, East Conference. It was at that meeting, where, after some deliberations, a resolution was made and adopted to establish the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization.
Conferences were represented by a total of 166 delegates as follows: East Transvaal 73, Natal 2, North Transvaal 9, Orangia 55 and West Transvaal 27.
The meeting was blessed by the presence of six pastors, Rev EF Mentor, Rev SD Modise, Rev AS Molefe, Rev AW Makhene, Rev D Dlamini and Rev REM Segwai (host pastor). Reverends Mentor, Makhene, Molefe and Modise addressed the meeting wishing the new District Lay Organization well and pledging their total support. Mothers, Letseleha, Machesa, Molefe, Modise, Dlamini, Masithela, Moleli and Motsabi were also present. At that meeting, the Organization adopted the theme:”Human Development, Service and Co-operation”
In line with the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church, a Nominations Committee was set up consisting of the following members: Brother TM Douglas from East Transvaal; Brother C Mpetsheni from Natal; Brother KJ Rapudi from North Transvaal; Brother T Letseleha from Orangia and Dr KP Mokhobo from the West Transvaal. Subsequently the very first Executive Committee for the 19th Episcopal District was elected as follows:
The advent of the Lay Movement in South Africa is highlighted through a particular emphasis on the role played by the Laity firstly, as part of the 15th Episcopal District, and later, in the 19th Episcopal District to date.
In South Africa, the Lay Organization started in the 15th Episcopal District, after the Miami General Conference in 1968. At that time the current 19th Episcopal District was part of the 15th Episcopal District.
On his return from the1984 General Conference, Bishop HB Senatle requested and encouraged Brother Wilfred Noel Nduna, who had been the President of the 15th Episcopal District Lay Organization since 1968, to organize the Lay Organization in the 19th District. Brother Nduna then started talking to members of the laity, requesting their support in fulfilling that task. On the 19th March 1985, at the joint meeting of the 15th and the 19th Episcopal Districts held at St Mary’s AME Church, Galeshewe, Kimberley, Bishop Senatle did a follow-up to his request. Brother Nduna had then already identified lay leaders who were interested in becoming Lay Organization members in the 19th Episcopal District.
The Nineteenth Episcopal District Lay Organization (NEDLO)
The establishment of the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization was initiated in 1984 and formally founded in 1985. On the 1st June 1985, Brother WN Nduna convened a meeting of the five Conferences of the newly established 19th Episcopal District. They were then the East Transvaal, Natal, North Transvaal, Orangia, and West Transvaal Conferences. The meeting was held at Jordan Temple, in Katlehong, Germiston, East Conference. It was at that meeting, where, after some deliberations, a resolution was made and adopted to establish the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization.
Conferences were represented by a total of 166 delegates as follows: East Transvaal 73, Natal 2, North Transvaal 9, Orangia 55 and West Transvaal 27.
The meeting was blessed by the presence of six pastors, Rev EF Mentor, Rev SD Modise, Rev AS Molefe, Rev AW Makhene, Rev D Dlamini and Rev REM Segwai (host pastor). Reverends Mentor, Makhene, Molefe and Modise addressed the meeting wishing the new District Lay Organization well and pledging their total support. Mothers, Letseleha, Machesa, Molefe, Modise, Dlamini, Masithela, Moleli and Motsabi were also present. At that meeting, the Organization adopted the theme:”Human Development, Service and Co-operation”
In line with the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church, a Nominations Committee was set up consisting of the following members: Brother TM Douglas from East Transvaal; Brother C Mpetsheni from Natal; Brother KJ Rapudi from North Transvaal; Brother T Letseleha from Orangia and Dr KP Mokhobo from the West Transvaal. Subsequently the very first Executive Committee for the 19th Episcopal District was elected as follows:
President: |
Bro W N Nduna |
1st Vice-President: |
Bro P R S Maphike |
2nd Vice-President: |
Bro Dr K P Mokhobo |
3rd Vice-President: |
Bro M B Khumalo |
Recording Secretary: |
Bro S S Manyane |
Assistant Recording Secretary: |
Sis B Kungoane |
Corresponding Secretary: |
Sis P Lerutoane |
Treasurer: |
Bro Z Lempe |
Financial Secretary: |
Bro D Leeba |
Chaplain: |
Bro K J Rapudi |
Historiographer: |
Bro Simon Sithole |
Parliamentarian: |
Bro D Z Tantsi |
Director of Lay Activities: |
Bro P Lesotho |
Director of Public Relations: |
Bro A Selogate |
Consultants: |
Bro M G Mahlo Sis C B Thetele |
Composition of the 19th Episcopal District and its Presiding Elders’ districts
The 19TH Episcopal District had five (5) Conferences, today known as East Annual Conference (Mpumalanga Province and part of Gauteng Province), MM Mokone Annual Conference (Limpopo Province and part of Gauteng Province), Natal Annual Conference, (Kwa-Zulu Natal Province and part of Eastern Cape Province), Orangia Annual Conference, (Free State Province) and West Annual Conference, (North West Province and part of Gauteng Province)
As at the 2016 Annual conventions, NEDLO was composed of members in twenty-seven (27) Presiding Elders Districts as follows:
East Conference:
DS Modisapodi, Highveld, Ilanga; Maxeke, Springs, and Wilberforce.
MM Mokone Memorial Conference:
Bela-Bela, Capital; Ga-Rankuwa, North-End, Polokwane, and Vhembe.
Natal Conference:
Bizana, Dundee, Durban and Mkhanyakude
Orangia Conference:
Bethlehem, Bloemfontein, Goldfields, Heilbron, Kroonstad, and Thaba Nchu.
West Conference:
Greater Johannesburg, Khunwana, Lichtenburg, Mmabatho, Potchefstroom.
Successive Presidents of NEDLO
Having served from 1985 to 1992 as President of the Nineteenth Episcopal District Lay Organization, Bro WN Nduna was succeeded in the Annual Convention of 1992 by Brother MM Phefadu. In 1996, at the Convention held in Mafikeng, Brother MJ Maiwashe was elected the third President. Like Brother Phefadu, Brother Maiwashe served for one term only, which however, in his case, lasted for five years because at the Convention held at Mt. Horeb AME Church, Welkom, in the year 2000, due to unavoidable circumstances, elections could not be held and the Convention resolved to extend the term of the Executive Committee by one year. At the Convention held at the SP Maarohanye AME Church, Klerksdorp, in 2001, Bro Matikane Abe Makiti, who had been serving as the Episcopal Director of Lay Activities, was elected the fourth President. He was re-elected as the fifth President at the Convention held at Agnes Hildebrand Chapel, Mabopane, from the 24th- 26th September 2004.
The sixth President of the Nineteenth Episcopal District Lay Organization, Bro KJ Monaisa, was elected at the 25th Annual Convention held at the Cousin-Senatle Convention Centre, Evaton from 18th-20th September 2009. In 2013, the seventh President, Bro SR Letsoko was elected at the 29th Convention Session hosted by the Bethel Memorial AME Church, in Bochabelo, Mangaung, Bloemfontein from the 20th -23rd September 2013. The eighth President, Bro Lesiba Amos Sekoala was elected at the 33rd Annual Convention hosted by the Umlazi Grace AME Church in Durban from the 22-24 September 2017.
Key Activities, Projects and Achievements (1984-2017)
Since its establishment in June 1985, NEDLO has been involved in a number of activities whose main focus was not only to improve the Organization, but also to contribute to the development of the entire church and Districts in the 19th Episcopal District. NEDLO has been very serious in developing strategies that enhanced its standards and image. Some of those systems and activities and projects are mentioned below not necessarily in any given order or priority.
➢ Formulation of the Vision and Mission in 1998, at St Francis AME Church, Potchefstroom.
➢ Formulation of objectives and Organization values in 2001, at HB Senatle Cathedral, Thohoyandou.
➢ A Think Tank Session was organized where members were consulted in an open forum to get their views on how best to achieve our Organization objectives in an efficient way.
➢ Intensive Training Program
➢ Establishment of an Episcopal District Development Fund
NEDLO was instrumental in the establishment of the 19th Episcopal District Development Fund which was used in 2001 to pay off the purchase of the Episcopal Residence in Glenvista, Johannesburg. In his letter to the Episcopal District dated the 29th March 2001, Bishop AJ Richardson stated “The Episcopal District Lay Organization proposed that the entire debt on the purchase of the Episcopal Residence, be paid off with the use of the Episcopal Development Fund” That proposal had been ratified by all the Annual Conferences during the 2000 sessions.
➢ Establishment of the skills bank
The project was established to keep a record of skills of skills in the church in the District. That project had not been an easy one to run but it has produced a database that can be used by the church in various forms. Although the latest figures are not available at this time, it can be reported that as at the last time it was administered, quite a sizeable number of contributions had been made.
➢ Highlights during Brother Matikane Abednego Makiti’s tenure as the West Conference President were:
Bishop James Levert Davies, had during his term of office, initiated the building of houses, as a social project for the 19th Episcopal District, built on one of the church properties in Evaton, is known as the Hope Village. At the 2006 Annual Convention held at Moses Reid AME Church, Mafikeng, NEDLO resolved to contribute money towards the erection of one house at the Hope Village. Although that process took quite some time to come to fruition, eventually NEDLO did contribute towards the finishing of the house. It must be pointed out that when the term of office for Bishop Davies came to an end, with the project not yet completed, it was difficult for NEDLO to just give money without a clear picture of what it would be used for. That, amongst others, was one of the reasons why it took NEDLO almost five years to transfer the money for the project.
➢ Staggering of Conference Conventions
In an effort to ensure that Conferences are able to visit and participate in one another’s Annual Conventions, and Episcopal Officers are also able to visit those conventions, a resolution was taken to stagger Annual Conventions. It has thus been one of the responsibilities of the 3rd Vice President to coordinate that activity. That has borne fruit in that while it is sometimes difficult for the process to go on smoothly, many officers have found time to visit various Conferences Annual Conventions and to support those conferences.
➢ When the church took a resolution to register as a Section 21 Company, NEDLO made a significant financial contribution towards the legal fees payable.
➢ District Strategy
A Strategic Planning Committee was appointed in 2001, at SP Maaroganye AME Church, Klerksdorp. That was introduced to guide the entire District Lay Organization in dealing with various activities such as education and training projects. The Strategy team, comprising of both Conference representatives and elected officers, has worked tirelessly to ensure that the strategy would be implemented. The Project Team, for example has kept various projects in the forefront and has been working very closely with Project Champions, especially in the 2009-2013 Quadrennium, to ensure that each gets completed.
➢ District Lay Handbook
A District Lay Handbook was compiled and presented to the 29th Convention held at Bethel Memorial, Bochabela, Mangaung, from the 20th-23rd September 2013. The Convention agreed that the handbook should be published as planned, via electronic medium, subject to members making copies to those who do not have access to technology.
➢ Election of District members to the CLO Executive Committee and other Committees
At the 35th Session of the CLO Biennial Convention held from the 4th to the 10th August 2017, in Down Town Columbus, Ohio, USA, the 19TH Episcopal District
Lay Director of Lay Activities, Bro Herbert Titus Mngadi, was offered the opportunity to be a panelist as well as a presenter, during the plenary sessions. The presentation was on the topic: “After 100+ Years in the Organized Laity, where are we, where do we want to be, and how are we planning to get there?” Two of our own leaders were elected to CLO Executive positions. Brother Matikane A Makiti, who has been serving as CLO 2nd Vice President since 2007, was elected as 1st Vice President for the period 2017-2021. Brother Simon R Letsoko, who has been the 19th Episcopal District Lay President from 2013 until 2017 was elected as the CLO 2nd Vice President also for the period 2017-2021. What an achievement!!!
The good work done by the Treasurer, Sister Tselane Junior Moloi and the Financial Secretary, Brother Sampson K Masuku resulted in Sister Moloi being nominated later in the year, to serve on the Connectional Lay Organization Budget and Finance Committee and Brother HT Mngadi as Chairperson of CLO Global Development.
➢ The 33rd Session of the NEDLO Annual Convention
The 33rd Session of the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization held at Umlazi Grace AME Church, Durban, during the week-end of 22-24 September 2017 was one of the best and well attended with a record of the highest number of delegates registered in the history of the Organization in the District. A total of 411 registered delegates attended.
The attendance of the newly elected CLO President, Sister Valerie Faith Gary Bell and her husband, Brother Donald, was a blessing to the convention. It was a blessing in that the CLO President began her Connectional tenure and duties on the African soil and the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization annual convention. She encouraged members and gave valuable advices. She also conducted elections of the new Executive Committee. She pointed out amongst others, that she was also impressed by the work done at all levels of the 19th District Lay Organization, especially the attendance. She said besides one or two others in the US, that was the convention with the largest attendance by Lay Organization members that she had attended. She further appreciated the support and attendance of the clergy. The President, Brother Letsoko was saluted for the good work.
Over and above resolutions adopted by the convention, special resolutions were also adopted, inter alia on review of pastors insurance; keeping and managing a register on church assets; non-elected delegates to General Conference; Episcopal and Conference financial statements not read at Annual Conference as well as authentic audited financial statements.
➢ On advice by the CLO President the newly elected Executive Board applied for the first time Article VII Section 7 of the Lay Organization Constitution and By-Laws to fill the positions of the Parliamentarian and Young Adult Representative. There were no persons running for those positions at the elective convention in September 2017. Subsequently the Executive Committee, at its first meeting in October, held a special election to fill the offices, instead of waiting for by-elections at a later stage.
➢ In 2013, the 19th District Lay President, Brother Simon R Letsoko had proposed a 5- point agenda for the period 2013-2017. That agenda was adopted accordingly. The plan was briefly on membership growth; spiritual growth; financial stability; targeted teaching and preserving the legacy. The 2nd Vice President, Sister Daphney Ntsako Chuma and her team had in their strategic priorities for the period in question, the 5-point agenda incorporated in the following seven (7) NEDLO organizational goals:
Working partnership with other Episcopal Districts Lay Organizations in Africa.
Brother Matikane Abednego Makiti, the current CLO 1st Vice President, even before he became the President of NEDLO, had an idea and desire to see Lay Organizations in different Episcopal Districts, especially on the African continent, working together. This is evidenced by the work he started to do while he was the Director of Lay Activities in the West Conference. In September of 1994, he visited the 15th Episcopal District convention at Pudumong, Taung. Here, he started to talk about the desire and then initiated discussions on the matter. In October 2002, he, then as the NEDLO President, with Brother Kgosi Juda Monaisa, the then NEDLO Director of Lay Activities, visited the 15th Episcopal District convention in Kimberley, where the establishment of the Memorandum of Understanding between the 15th and the 19th Episcopal Districts was further discussed.
The two brothers were so passionate about this and worked very hard to see to it that the project happened. Their endeavor and selfless work resulted in a joint workshop between the Lay Organizations of the 15th and the 19th Episcopal Districts, being held during the week-end of the 20th-21st March 2004 at St Mary’s AME Church, Kimberley. At that initial workshop, NEDLO was represented by forty-four (44) delegates. It was at this workshop where the Memorandum of Understanding between the two District Organizations was signed. That was an historic event as never before, as far as we can determine, had anything like that happened in the AME Church, connectionally. Brother Makiti’s dream had come true. To crown it all, a soccer match between the two Districts, was arranged and played in which the NEDLO taught the 15th a good lesson by winning the game by 7 goals to 4. That must have been a very good match ending in eleven goals! President Makiti must have been besides himself, first the MOU signed and then his team winning so convincingly. The two Episcopal Districts have since been working very closely on this and have so far had seven joint sessions. That partnership, started in 2004, has been operating in the form of joint workshops held and hosted by the respective Episcopal Districts on a rotation basis. The working partnership has since developed to what is known today as the Lay Organization of Africa Development Initiative (LOADI) It is very encouraging to see that NEDLO has always had a very good turnout in terms of delegates attending the LOADI workshops. This must be very pleasing to Bro Makiti.
The first joint workshop after the MOU was signed, was held at Mt Zion AME Church, Mangaung, Bloemfontein, the same church where, on the 1st of September 1968, the first Episcopal District Lay Organization in the 15th Episcopal District was founded. Remember that then, the 15th comprised of the current 15th and the current 19th Districts.
The other three African Districts, that is, the 17th, 18th and 20th also participated in the joint workshops. It was indeed a memorable occasion when all five were represented at the 6th session of the Joint Workshop and when the 17th and 18th also signed the MOU. That was a step closer to the envisaged dream of Brother Makiti, to see all Districts on the African continent joining hands and working together to strengthen the Church on the Continent. The first LOADI session composed of the 15th and 19th Districts was held during the period 20th-21st March 2004 at St Mary AME Church in Kimberley; the second from the 30th April till the 1st May 2005 at Mt Zion AME Church in Bloemfontein; the third from 28th-29th April 2007 at Coega Village in Port Elizabeth; the fourth, including the 17th, 18th and 20th Districts at St Francis AME Church, Chesterville, Durban; the fifth from 1st-3rd May 2009 at Saldanha Bay, Cape Town; the sixth from 27th-29th April 2012 at Cousin-Senatle Convention Centre, Evaton and the seventh from the 1st-4th May 2014 in Windhoek, Namibia. The attendance of the 19th District at these workshops had grown from 44 in 2004 to 157 in 2014.
Annual and Biennial Connectional Conventions
Brother WN Nduna was the first 15th Episcopal District Lay Organization President to attend the Biennial Connectional Session in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1981. He attended the Biennial Convention held in Nashville, Tennessee from 15th-19th July 1985. In those years, he was the only one attending Biennial conventions. Since then, members have shown great interest in attending. The number of delegates has grown from less than ten in 1991 to fifty-seven (57) in 2015. The number of delegates attending Annual conventions had also grown from year to year. An example thereof is the growth from 259 in 2013; 296 in 2014; 311 in 2015; 340 in 2016 and 441 in 2017.
The District has always succeeded in presenting Best Lay Person to the Biennial Convention. For example, the 2005 Best Lay Person was Brother Lindeni Archibald Pexly Zulu; in 2013 was Dr CT Ntsoane and in 2015 it was Professor Kubedi Patrick Mokhobo.
Connectional Lay Empowerment Summit
In March 2006, NEDLO hosted the Connectional Lay Empowerment summit at the Rosebank Convention Centre, Johannesburg. One hundred and forty-seven (147) delegates from all Episcopal Districts attended, of whom seventy-five (75) were from NEDLO. The Summit was honored by the presence of Judge Yvonne Mokgoro of the South African Constitution Court as well as the then, now late, South African Minister for Social Development, the Hon. Minister Zola Skweyiya. They were both guests of honor and addressed the summit on the theme “Lay Sowing Seeds Beyond the Walls: An Agenda of Ministry and Service”
While in South Africa, delegates from overseas Districts had the opportunity to attend the Sunday worship services at various local churches, that is, Bethel in Diepkloof, Soweto; AM Senatle Chapel, at the AME Centre, Philip Street, JHB; Simms Terbanacle, Alexander JHB; Mokone Memorial, Pimville, Soweto; Ndlazi Memorial, Diepkloof, Soweto; and Ebenezer Temple, Atteridgeville, Pretoria. They also visited the RR Wright Theological Seminary and the Wilberforce Community College, both in Evaton.
Having to host an activity of that magnitude for the first time was a challenge for the NEDLO, but the organizing team pulled it off.
Membership statistics
As at the 2016 Annual NEDLO convention, held in September 2016, the statistics were as follows: Twenty-seven (27) Districts; 236 churches; 193 Lay Organizations and 2387 members
The 30th Anniversary
The 30 year anniversary celebration was organized at the 2014 annual Convention held at the HB Senatle AME Cathedral AME Church, Makwarela, Thohoyandou from the 19th to 21st September 2014. The Saturday night was reserved for the 30th Anniversary and Heritage celebration with a Banquette. The following stalwarts and past Presidents gave a brief history of the NEDLO (down the memory lane): Professor KP Mokhobo; Professor PRS Maphike; Brother SS Manyane; Bro MA Makiti and Brother JK Monaisa.
The Chairperson of the Celebrations Organizing Committee, Sis DN Chuma, launched a Souvenir Journal, organized specially for the occasion. Promotional items such as T-shirts, caps and pins were also produced as part of the Convention package. The guest speaker of the night was Dr L Mafenya, PhD. Her address was based on “Waking up the Sleeping Giant”
The following awards were presented:
A total of 296 delegates registered for the Convention.
Over and above the normal resolutions adopted, the Convention adopted special resolutions calling for a full report of the financial position of the church and its different projects; the LOADI concept to be pursued as a vehicle to deepen and strengthen the development of Lay Leadership; and that all the levels of the church must ensure that the principles of good governance and accountability are upheld and that these are applied at all times.
Education and training
The 2012 General Conference adopted the Quadrennial theme, “Fulfilling the Great Commission” The Lay Organization embraced the theme and adopted it as “Laity fulfilling the Great Commission (2013-2017). NEDLO encouraged its members to use the theme in their literature, teachings and events. The theme was subdivided into four sub-themes addressed in workshops over a period of four years as follows: In 2013, “The goal of Discipleship” (Ref Matthew 28:18-20); in 2014, “The cost of Discipleship” (Ref Mark 8:34-36) ; in 2015, “The evidence of Discipleship” (Ref John 13:34-36) and in 2016 “The fruits/harvest of Discipleship” (Ref John 15:1-5)
The 3rd Vice President, Bro Thomas Matlabe Mahlatsi was assigned the new duties of Evangelism in his portfolio. He attended all Conference conventions and other church events per invitation, to preach the gospel on Evangelism, taking members through a provoking document on the subject.
An Episcopal Auxiliaries Training Lekgotla was organized by the Director of Lay Activities. Bro Herbert Titus Mngadi for the Lay Organization; Women’s Missionary Society; Richard Allen Young Adult Council; and Sons of Allen at the Cousin-Senatle Centre on the 21st March 2015. Training topics dealt with for the day were:
The second joint training Session was organized on the 4th June 2016 at the Wilberforce Community College. Training topics for the day were:
The 19TH Episcopal District had five (5) Conferences, today known as East Annual Conference (Mpumalanga Province and part of Gauteng Province), MM Mokone Annual Conference (Limpopo Province and part of Gauteng Province), Natal Annual Conference, (Kwa-Zulu Natal Province and part of Eastern Cape Province), Orangia Annual Conference, (Free State Province) and West Annual Conference, (North West Province and part of Gauteng Province)
As at the 2016 Annual conventions, NEDLO was composed of members in twenty-seven (27) Presiding Elders Districts as follows:
East Conference:
DS Modisapodi, Highveld, Ilanga; Maxeke, Springs, and Wilberforce.
MM Mokone Memorial Conference:
Bela-Bela, Capital; Ga-Rankuwa, North-End, Polokwane, and Vhembe.
Natal Conference:
Bizana, Dundee, Durban and Mkhanyakude
Orangia Conference:
Bethlehem, Bloemfontein, Goldfields, Heilbron, Kroonstad, and Thaba Nchu.
West Conference:
Greater Johannesburg, Khunwana, Lichtenburg, Mmabatho, Potchefstroom.
Successive Presidents of NEDLO
Having served from 1985 to 1992 as President of the Nineteenth Episcopal District Lay Organization, Bro WN Nduna was succeeded in the Annual Convention of 1992 by Brother MM Phefadu. In 1996, at the Convention held in Mafikeng, Brother MJ Maiwashe was elected the third President. Like Brother Phefadu, Brother Maiwashe served for one term only, which however, in his case, lasted for five years because at the Convention held at Mt. Horeb AME Church, Welkom, in the year 2000, due to unavoidable circumstances, elections could not be held and the Convention resolved to extend the term of the Executive Committee by one year. At the Convention held at the SP Maarohanye AME Church, Klerksdorp, in 2001, Bro Matikane Abe Makiti, who had been serving as the Episcopal Director of Lay Activities, was elected the fourth President. He was re-elected as the fifth President at the Convention held at Agnes Hildebrand Chapel, Mabopane, from the 24th- 26th September 2004.
The sixth President of the Nineteenth Episcopal District Lay Organization, Bro KJ Monaisa, was elected at the 25th Annual Convention held at the Cousin-Senatle Convention Centre, Evaton from 18th-20th September 2009. In 2013, the seventh President, Bro SR Letsoko was elected at the 29th Convention Session hosted by the Bethel Memorial AME Church, in Bochabelo, Mangaung, Bloemfontein from the 20th -23rd September 2013. The eighth President, Bro Lesiba Amos Sekoala was elected at the 33rd Annual Convention hosted by the Umlazi Grace AME Church in Durban from the 22-24 September 2017.
Key Activities, Projects and Achievements (1984-2017)
Since its establishment in June 1985, NEDLO has been involved in a number of activities whose main focus was not only to improve the Organization, but also to contribute to the development of the entire church and Districts in the 19th Episcopal District. NEDLO has been very serious in developing strategies that enhanced its standards and image. Some of those systems and activities and projects are mentioned below not necessarily in any given order or priority.
➢ Formulation of the Vision and Mission in 1998, at St Francis AME Church, Potchefstroom.
➢ Formulation of objectives and Organization values in 2001, at HB Senatle Cathedral, Thohoyandou.
➢ A Think Tank Session was organized where members were consulted in an open forum to get their views on how best to achieve our Organization objectives in an efficient way.
➢ Intensive Training Program
➢ Establishment of an Episcopal District Development Fund
NEDLO was instrumental in the establishment of the 19th Episcopal District Development Fund which was used in 2001 to pay off the purchase of the Episcopal Residence in Glenvista, Johannesburg. In his letter to the Episcopal District dated the 29th March 2001, Bishop AJ Richardson stated “The Episcopal District Lay Organization proposed that the entire debt on the purchase of the Episcopal Residence, be paid off with the use of the Episcopal Development Fund” That proposal had been ratified by all the Annual Conferences during the 2000 sessions.
➢ Establishment of the skills bank
The project was established to keep a record of skills of skills in the church in the District. That project had not been an easy one to run but it has produced a database that can be used by the church in various forms. Although the latest figures are not available at this time, it can be reported that as at the last time it was administered, quite a sizeable number of contributions had been made.
➢ Highlights during Brother Matikane Abednego Makiti’s tenure as the West Conference President were:
- Establishment of awards system, the first to be established in the 19th District.
- Establishment of a Conference news letter.
- Implementation of strategic planning.
- Amendment of the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization Constitution which had far reaching consequences like aligning all levels elections to coincide with Connectional Lay Organization.
- The establishment of the Audit Committee.
- Fostered working relations with the 15th District Lay Organization to deal with matters common to both districts. The body is now called LayOrganization Africa Development Initiative (LOADI)
Bishop James Levert Davies, had during his term of office, initiated the building of houses, as a social project for the 19th Episcopal District, built on one of the church properties in Evaton, is known as the Hope Village. At the 2006 Annual Convention held at Moses Reid AME Church, Mafikeng, NEDLO resolved to contribute money towards the erection of one house at the Hope Village. Although that process took quite some time to come to fruition, eventually NEDLO did contribute towards the finishing of the house. It must be pointed out that when the term of office for Bishop Davies came to an end, with the project not yet completed, it was difficult for NEDLO to just give money without a clear picture of what it would be used for. That, amongst others, was one of the reasons why it took NEDLO almost five years to transfer the money for the project.
➢ Staggering of Conference Conventions
In an effort to ensure that Conferences are able to visit and participate in one another’s Annual Conventions, and Episcopal Officers are also able to visit those conventions, a resolution was taken to stagger Annual Conventions. It has thus been one of the responsibilities of the 3rd Vice President to coordinate that activity. That has borne fruit in that while it is sometimes difficult for the process to go on smoothly, many officers have found time to visit various Conferences Annual Conventions and to support those conferences.
➢ When the church took a resolution to register as a Section 21 Company, NEDLO made a significant financial contribution towards the legal fees payable.
➢ District Strategy
A Strategic Planning Committee was appointed in 2001, at SP Maaroganye AME Church, Klerksdorp. That was introduced to guide the entire District Lay Organization in dealing with various activities such as education and training projects. The Strategy team, comprising of both Conference representatives and elected officers, has worked tirelessly to ensure that the strategy would be implemented. The Project Team, for example has kept various projects in the forefront and has been working very closely with Project Champions, especially in the 2009-2013 Quadrennium, to ensure that each gets completed.
➢ District Lay Handbook
A District Lay Handbook was compiled and presented to the 29th Convention held at Bethel Memorial, Bochabela, Mangaung, from the 20th-23rd September 2013. The Convention agreed that the handbook should be published as planned, via electronic medium, subject to members making copies to those who do not have access to technology.
➢ Election of District members to the CLO Executive Committee and other Committees
At the 35th Session of the CLO Biennial Convention held from the 4th to the 10th August 2017, in Down Town Columbus, Ohio, USA, the 19TH Episcopal District
Lay Director of Lay Activities, Bro Herbert Titus Mngadi, was offered the opportunity to be a panelist as well as a presenter, during the plenary sessions. The presentation was on the topic: “After 100+ Years in the Organized Laity, where are we, where do we want to be, and how are we planning to get there?” Two of our own leaders were elected to CLO Executive positions. Brother Matikane A Makiti, who has been serving as CLO 2nd Vice President since 2007, was elected as 1st Vice President for the period 2017-2021. Brother Simon R Letsoko, who has been the 19th Episcopal District Lay President from 2013 until 2017 was elected as the CLO 2nd Vice President also for the period 2017-2021. What an achievement!!!
The good work done by the Treasurer, Sister Tselane Junior Moloi and the Financial Secretary, Brother Sampson K Masuku resulted in Sister Moloi being nominated later in the year, to serve on the Connectional Lay Organization Budget and Finance Committee and Brother HT Mngadi as Chairperson of CLO Global Development.
➢ The 33rd Session of the NEDLO Annual Convention
The 33rd Session of the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization held at Umlazi Grace AME Church, Durban, during the week-end of 22-24 September 2017 was one of the best and well attended with a record of the highest number of delegates registered in the history of the Organization in the District. A total of 411 registered delegates attended.
The attendance of the newly elected CLO President, Sister Valerie Faith Gary Bell and her husband, Brother Donald, was a blessing to the convention. It was a blessing in that the CLO President began her Connectional tenure and duties on the African soil and the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization annual convention. She encouraged members and gave valuable advices. She also conducted elections of the new Executive Committee. She pointed out amongst others, that she was also impressed by the work done at all levels of the 19th District Lay Organization, especially the attendance. She said besides one or two others in the US, that was the convention with the largest attendance by Lay Organization members that she had attended. She further appreciated the support and attendance of the clergy. The President, Brother Letsoko was saluted for the good work.
Over and above resolutions adopted by the convention, special resolutions were also adopted, inter alia on review of pastors insurance; keeping and managing a register on church assets; non-elected delegates to General Conference; Episcopal and Conference financial statements not read at Annual Conference as well as authentic audited financial statements.
➢ On advice by the CLO President the newly elected Executive Board applied for the first time Article VII Section 7 of the Lay Organization Constitution and By-Laws to fill the positions of the Parliamentarian and Young Adult Representative. There were no persons running for those positions at the elective convention in September 2017. Subsequently the Executive Committee, at its first meeting in October, held a special election to fill the offices, instead of waiting for by-elections at a later stage.
➢ In 2013, the 19th District Lay President, Brother Simon R Letsoko had proposed a 5- point agenda for the period 2013-2017. That agenda was adopted accordingly. The plan was briefly on membership growth; spiritual growth; financial stability; targeted teaching and preserving the legacy. The 2nd Vice President, Sister Daphney Ntsako Chuma and her team had in their strategic priorities for the period in question, the 5-point agenda incorporated in the following seven (7) NEDLO organizational goals:
- Goal 1: Membership and Recruitment, Retention, especially of the young adults.
- Goal 2: Enhance teaching and training, spiritual growth and global inclusivity
- Goal 3: Leadership development and mentoring, as well as empowering young adults
- Goal 4: Enhancing communication processes and systems
- Goal 5: Embracing and utilizing technology to simplify and enhance organizational operational effectiveness
- Goal 6: Growing finances and supporting structures
- Goal 7: Increase social action activity.
Working partnership with other Episcopal Districts Lay Organizations in Africa.
Brother Matikane Abednego Makiti, the current CLO 1st Vice President, even before he became the President of NEDLO, had an idea and desire to see Lay Organizations in different Episcopal Districts, especially on the African continent, working together. This is evidenced by the work he started to do while he was the Director of Lay Activities in the West Conference. In September of 1994, he visited the 15th Episcopal District convention at Pudumong, Taung. Here, he started to talk about the desire and then initiated discussions on the matter. In October 2002, he, then as the NEDLO President, with Brother Kgosi Juda Monaisa, the then NEDLO Director of Lay Activities, visited the 15th Episcopal District convention in Kimberley, where the establishment of the Memorandum of Understanding between the 15th and the 19th Episcopal Districts was further discussed.
The two brothers were so passionate about this and worked very hard to see to it that the project happened. Their endeavor and selfless work resulted in a joint workshop between the Lay Organizations of the 15th and the 19th Episcopal Districts, being held during the week-end of the 20th-21st March 2004 at St Mary’s AME Church, Kimberley. At that initial workshop, NEDLO was represented by forty-four (44) delegates. It was at this workshop where the Memorandum of Understanding between the two District Organizations was signed. That was an historic event as never before, as far as we can determine, had anything like that happened in the AME Church, connectionally. Brother Makiti’s dream had come true. To crown it all, a soccer match between the two Districts, was arranged and played in which the NEDLO taught the 15th a good lesson by winning the game by 7 goals to 4. That must have been a very good match ending in eleven goals! President Makiti must have been besides himself, first the MOU signed and then his team winning so convincingly. The two Episcopal Districts have since been working very closely on this and have so far had seven joint sessions. That partnership, started in 2004, has been operating in the form of joint workshops held and hosted by the respective Episcopal Districts on a rotation basis. The working partnership has since developed to what is known today as the Lay Organization of Africa Development Initiative (LOADI) It is very encouraging to see that NEDLO has always had a very good turnout in terms of delegates attending the LOADI workshops. This must be very pleasing to Bro Makiti.
The first joint workshop after the MOU was signed, was held at Mt Zion AME Church, Mangaung, Bloemfontein, the same church where, on the 1st of September 1968, the first Episcopal District Lay Organization in the 15th Episcopal District was founded. Remember that then, the 15th comprised of the current 15th and the current 19th Districts.
The other three African Districts, that is, the 17th, 18th and 20th also participated in the joint workshops. It was indeed a memorable occasion when all five were represented at the 6th session of the Joint Workshop and when the 17th and 18th also signed the MOU. That was a step closer to the envisaged dream of Brother Makiti, to see all Districts on the African continent joining hands and working together to strengthen the Church on the Continent. The first LOADI session composed of the 15th and 19th Districts was held during the period 20th-21st March 2004 at St Mary AME Church in Kimberley; the second from the 30th April till the 1st May 2005 at Mt Zion AME Church in Bloemfontein; the third from 28th-29th April 2007 at Coega Village in Port Elizabeth; the fourth, including the 17th, 18th and 20th Districts at St Francis AME Church, Chesterville, Durban; the fifth from 1st-3rd May 2009 at Saldanha Bay, Cape Town; the sixth from 27th-29th April 2012 at Cousin-Senatle Convention Centre, Evaton and the seventh from the 1st-4th May 2014 in Windhoek, Namibia. The attendance of the 19th District at these workshops had grown from 44 in 2004 to 157 in 2014.
Annual and Biennial Connectional Conventions
Brother WN Nduna was the first 15th Episcopal District Lay Organization President to attend the Biennial Connectional Session in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1981. He attended the Biennial Convention held in Nashville, Tennessee from 15th-19th July 1985. In those years, he was the only one attending Biennial conventions. Since then, members have shown great interest in attending. The number of delegates has grown from less than ten in 1991 to fifty-seven (57) in 2015. The number of delegates attending Annual conventions had also grown from year to year. An example thereof is the growth from 259 in 2013; 296 in 2014; 311 in 2015; 340 in 2016 and 441 in 2017.
The District has always succeeded in presenting Best Lay Person to the Biennial Convention. For example, the 2005 Best Lay Person was Brother Lindeni Archibald Pexly Zulu; in 2013 was Dr CT Ntsoane and in 2015 it was Professor Kubedi Patrick Mokhobo.
Connectional Lay Empowerment Summit
In March 2006, NEDLO hosted the Connectional Lay Empowerment summit at the Rosebank Convention Centre, Johannesburg. One hundred and forty-seven (147) delegates from all Episcopal Districts attended, of whom seventy-five (75) were from NEDLO. The Summit was honored by the presence of Judge Yvonne Mokgoro of the South African Constitution Court as well as the then, now late, South African Minister for Social Development, the Hon. Minister Zola Skweyiya. They were both guests of honor and addressed the summit on the theme “Lay Sowing Seeds Beyond the Walls: An Agenda of Ministry and Service”
While in South Africa, delegates from overseas Districts had the opportunity to attend the Sunday worship services at various local churches, that is, Bethel in Diepkloof, Soweto; AM Senatle Chapel, at the AME Centre, Philip Street, JHB; Simms Terbanacle, Alexander JHB; Mokone Memorial, Pimville, Soweto; Ndlazi Memorial, Diepkloof, Soweto; and Ebenezer Temple, Atteridgeville, Pretoria. They also visited the RR Wright Theological Seminary and the Wilberforce Community College, both in Evaton.
Having to host an activity of that magnitude for the first time was a challenge for the NEDLO, but the organizing team pulled it off.
Membership statistics
As at the 2016 Annual NEDLO convention, held in September 2016, the statistics were as follows: Twenty-seven (27) Districts; 236 churches; 193 Lay Organizations and 2387 members
The 30th Anniversary
The 30 year anniversary celebration was organized at the 2014 annual Convention held at the HB Senatle AME Cathedral AME Church, Makwarela, Thohoyandou from the 19th to 21st September 2014. The Saturday night was reserved for the 30th Anniversary and Heritage celebration with a Banquette. The following stalwarts and past Presidents gave a brief history of the NEDLO (down the memory lane): Professor KP Mokhobo; Professor PRS Maphike; Brother SS Manyane; Bro MA Makiti and Brother JK Monaisa.
The Chairperson of the Celebrations Organizing Committee, Sis DN Chuma, launched a Souvenir Journal, organized specially for the occasion. Promotional items such as T-shirts, caps and pins were also produced as part of the Convention package. The guest speaker of the night was Dr L Mafenya, PhD. Her address was based on “Waking up the Sleeping Giant”
The following awards were presented:
- Outstanding Young Adult Representative: Sister L Sibiya of the Natal Conference (she also received a Samsung Galaxy iPad)
- Best Conference trophy: Orangia Conference
- Presidential awards in recognition of their selfless contribution and sacrifice to the NEDLO: Brother LA Sekoala; Sister DN Chuma; Sister TJ Moloi and Sister Seipati More.
- President’s Best Performing Lay Person: Sister NV Nkolonzi.
- Episcopal Lay person of the year: Professor KP Mokhobo for the 2015 CLO Biennial Convention.
A total of 296 delegates registered for the Convention.
Over and above the normal resolutions adopted, the Convention adopted special resolutions calling for a full report of the financial position of the church and its different projects; the LOADI concept to be pursued as a vehicle to deepen and strengthen the development of Lay Leadership; and that all the levels of the church must ensure that the principles of good governance and accountability are upheld and that these are applied at all times.
Education and training
The 2012 General Conference adopted the Quadrennial theme, “Fulfilling the Great Commission” The Lay Organization embraced the theme and adopted it as “Laity fulfilling the Great Commission (2013-2017). NEDLO encouraged its members to use the theme in their literature, teachings and events. The theme was subdivided into four sub-themes addressed in workshops over a period of four years as follows: In 2013, “The goal of Discipleship” (Ref Matthew 28:18-20); in 2014, “The cost of Discipleship” (Ref Mark 8:34-36) ; in 2015, “The evidence of Discipleship” (Ref John 13:34-36) and in 2016 “The fruits/harvest of Discipleship” (Ref John 15:1-5)
The 3rd Vice President, Bro Thomas Matlabe Mahlatsi was assigned the new duties of Evangelism in his portfolio. He attended all Conference conventions and other church events per invitation, to preach the gospel on Evangelism, taking members through a provoking document on the subject.
An Episcopal Auxiliaries Training Lekgotla was organized by the Director of Lay Activities. Bro Herbert Titus Mngadi for the Lay Organization; Women’s Missionary Society; Richard Allen Young Adult Council; and Sons of Allen at the Cousin-Senatle Centre on the 21st March 2015. Training topics dealt with for the day were:
- Evidence of Discipleship
- Progressive Parliamentary Procedures • Convention Rules and
- Electoral College
The second joint training Session was organized on the 4th June 2016 at the Wilberforce Community College. Training topics for the day were:
- The Fruits/Harvest of Discipleship
- Preservation of our History-Writing and Capturing our Stories
- Constitution-Nominations and Election Procedures
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE
BROTHER MASALA MOLOKO PHEFADU (1992-1996)
Early years
Baptized on the 10th May 1933 at Bethel AME Church in Pietersburg by Rev S Mabulelong and confirmed on the 10th May 1954 at Simms Tabernacle AME Church, Alexander, Johannesburg, by Rev DS Modisapodi. In 1954, under the leadership of Rev W Ndlazi, became a local lay preacher at the Simms Tabernacle.
Local church activities- Simms Tabernacle
Has been a local lay preacher; a member of the local Board of Stewards and Secretary of the local Lay Organization.
Conference and Episcopal Lay Organization
Was the Secretary of the East Transvaal Lay Organization for four years, assisted by Bro EM Ramashala as Assistant Secretary. From 1960 to 1962 was the President of the East Transvaal Lay Organization and again President from 1989 to 1993.
Served as President of the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization from 1992 to 1996.
Other activities of importance
Recognition
Conference. That resulted in the formation of the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization. This honour was endorsed by Bishop Richardson. That was after he had served as President for the 19TH Episcopal District Lay Organization.
Baptized on the 10th May 1933 at Bethel AME Church in Pietersburg by Rev S Mabulelong and confirmed on the 10th May 1954 at Simms Tabernacle AME Church, Alexander, Johannesburg, by Rev DS Modisapodi. In 1954, under the leadership of Rev W Ndlazi, became a local lay preacher at the Simms Tabernacle.
Local church activities- Simms Tabernacle
Has been a local lay preacher; a member of the local Board of Stewards and Secretary of the local Lay Organization.
Conference and Episcopal Lay Organization
Was the Secretary of the East Transvaal Lay Organization for four years, assisted by Bro EM Ramashala as Assistant Secretary. From 1960 to 1962 was the President of the East Transvaal Lay Organization and again President from 1989 to 1993.
Served as President of the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization from 1992 to 1996.
Other activities of importance
- Was presiding over a lay meeting at the time of the “Orlando Seige”, when lay people from all conferences were besieged at the FH Gow AME Church in Orlando West, Soweto on the 12th May 1958. Lay people who held a meeting at the church were locked inside the church yard for four hours. The gates were only opened at 9’o clock in the evening.
- Defended the Connectivity of the church for Bishop DG Ming at the first Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia, in June 1979.
- Led the commission for the creation of the 19th Episcopal District, at Columbia South Carolina, to the General Board, which in turn recommended the matter to the General
Recognition
Conference. That resulted in the formation of the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization. This honour was endorsed by Bishop Richardson. That was after he had served as President for the 19TH Episcopal District Lay Organization.
- Grateful Appreciation: 1987- 19th Episcopal District
- Award: 1991,Ndlazi Memorial- Rev SB Dire
- Outstanding Lay person: 1993, in Cincinnati
- Meritorious Service: 1994- East Conference Lay Organization
- Faithful Christian:1997- 19TH Episcopal District
- Certificate of Appreciation: 2009- Rev CMF Mayekiso • NEDLO President Emeritus
BROTHER MATAMELA JOSEPH MAIWASHE (1996-2001)
Matamela Joseph Maiwashe affectionately known as “MJ” is the second born child of the Late Maemu Andries Maiwashe and Muofhe Esther Maiwashe. Born in 1942 into a big family characterized amongst others by poverty, he grew up struggling. Poverty and hardship molded him into a hardworking and compassionate son of the soil. His maternal side of his family was associated with the AME church since long before his birth. His father though he did not affiliate to any Christian church, strictly encouraged his children to attend church. Brother Maiwashe attended the church when he was young, but there came a time in his adult life where he did not. Him and his friend, the late Brother M.M. Sinoamadi preferred to go fishing on Sundays instead of attending church services.
His cousin Rev. Dr R.M. Ndou encouraged him to come back to church and he did so and ever since he is in the church. He travelled this path with his friend Brother. MM Sinoamadi and together they achieved a lot for the AME church.
Brother. MJ is conceived as an intelligent, harsh, strict, tough and no-nonsense person. His other visible side is that of the person full of compassion, love, humility, respect and generosity. He is very selfless and not judgmental. He is also a perfectionist.
He relates to small children, youth and senior citizens with respect. He is very vocal and he speaks his mind without fear and reservations. He is a family man who has raised his children to fear and respect God. His love for his family extends to the church and community.
Brother Maiwashe’ s role in the Lay Organization in the Vhembe District and beyond is remarkable. He started with the Lay Organization locally around 1977. He himself says that was drooping in the dark as their understanding of the organization was sketchy.
Venda was still a Circuit under Pietersburg District. He met Prof. P.R.S Maphike in Bochum. Brother Maphike took him under his wing and mentored him.
Brother MJ then served as a third Vice President in his Executive Committee. This opportunity exposed him to a lot of issues which he was not satisfied with, but could not put his finger on. When the then Northern Transvaal Conference was born on 1985, Brother Maiwashe was the first Vice President under Bro. R.G. Mahlo. His eyes were gradually opening and the running of the organization to him left much room for improvement.
Being president of the Northern Transvaal Lay Organization made him to realize how much can be done to improve this organization. He emerged from the rural area, completely unknown and his ability to run the organization was met with skepticism from some quarters. He got involved in the Lay Organization at our circuit level because the circuit had eight (8) points and he felt the only auxiliary that could string them together for a singular purpose at that stage was Lay Organization. They used this auxiliary to build churches in Venda. He was elected as the Nineteenth Episcopal District Lay Organization 1st Vice President under Bro. Phefadu, and in 1996 elected as President until 2001.
When the opportunity to serve as Conference President and later as Episcopal President came, he took it. He had a lot of confidence in his ability because he was very successful as an administrator in various portfolios in the then Venda Government; it was easy to transfer skills.
He gave the organizations shape and order by insisting on record keeping.
He ensured that a full house computer system was purchased for the Bishop’s office.
Conferences started presenting typed reports during his tenure unlike in the past when they gave oral reports Maiwashe was the first NEDLO President to attend the Connectional Biennial with his DLA and Conference Presidents Banquets as fundraising occasions were introduced by Maiwashe
His cousin Rev. Dr R.M. Ndou encouraged him to come back to church and he did so and ever since he is in the church. He travelled this path with his friend Brother. MM Sinoamadi and together they achieved a lot for the AME church.
Brother. MJ is conceived as an intelligent, harsh, strict, tough and no-nonsense person. His other visible side is that of the person full of compassion, love, humility, respect and generosity. He is very selfless and not judgmental. He is also a perfectionist.
He relates to small children, youth and senior citizens with respect. He is very vocal and he speaks his mind without fear and reservations. He is a family man who has raised his children to fear and respect God. His love for his family extends to the church and community.
Brother Maiwashe’ s role in the Lay Organization in the Vhembe District and beyond is remarkable. He started with the Lay Organization locally around 1977. He himself says that was drooping in the dark as their understanding of the organization was sketchy.
Venda was still a Circuit under Pietersburg District. He met Prof. P.R.S Maphike in Bochum. Brother Maphike took him under his wing and mentored him.
Brother MJ then served as a third Vice President in his Executive Committee. This opportunity exposed him to a lot of issues which he was not satisfied with, but could not put his finger on. When the then Northern Transvaal Conference was born on 1985, Brother Maiwashe was the first Vice President under Bro. R.G. Mahlo. His eyes were gradually opening and the running of the organization to him left much room for improvement.
Being president of the Northern Transvaal Lay Organization made him to realize how much can be done to improve this organization. He emerged from the rural area, completely unknown and his ability to run the organization was met with skepticism from some quarters. He got involved in the Lay Organization at our circuit level because the circuit had eight (8) points and he felt the only auxiliary that could string them together for a singular purpose at that stage was Lay Organization. They used this auxiliary to build churches in Venda. He was elected as the Nineteenth Episcopal District Lay Organization 1st Vice President under Bro. Phefadu, and in 1996 elected as President until 2001.
When the opportunity to serve as Conference President and later as Episcopal President came, he took it. He had a lot of confidence in his ability because he was very successful as an administrator in various portfolios in the then Venda Government; it was easy to transfer skills.
He gave the organizations shape and order by insisting on record keeping.
He ensured that a full house computer system was purchased for the Bishop’s office.
Conferences started presenting typed reports during his tenure unlike in the past when they gave oral reports Maiwashe was the first NEDLO President to attend the Connectional Biennial with his DLA and Conference Presidents Banquets as fundraising occasions were introduced by Maiwashe
BROTHER MATIKANE ABEDNEGO (“ABE”) MAKITI (2001-2009)
I am a third generation AME. Having been born in Wolmaransstad in the then Western Transvaal and now known as the North West. I was baptized at Mabote Memorial AME Church, 66 years ago.
My journey in the Lay Organization began in 1983 when my pastor Rev MJ Maboe encouraged and got me elected to participate at the Electoral College. From that time on, I never looked back but continued to serve the church through this ministry. I was elected the West Conference Director of Lay Activities in 1989. I served in the position until October 1995. We were able to establish the following during that term:
The awards system
My local church, SP Maaroganye Chapel, honored me by electing me to serve as President. The election took place on 19th January 1992 a day after my father’s burial. This position prepared me for the challenges that would follow me in my career in church leadership.
I am indebted Brother MA Selogate who provided mentorship to me during that period. After the death of Brother G Mahlo, the 19th Episcopal Director of Lay Activities, in 1994, I was elected to succeed him. That is the position that I came to occupy for 7 years. There were serious challenges along the way, but the Lord gave us strength to soldier on in His vineyard. Through that position the development of the strategy for the District was realized.
In October 1995 at Ebenezer Chapel in Randfontein, I was elected President of the West Conference. I had the pleasure of working with one of the best Directors of Lay Activities in the person of Brother Kgosi Monaisa. Our partnership in this ministry lasted for a record fourteen years. To God be the glory.
Highlights of Conference Presidency:
I was blessed to be at the helm of the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization after being elected its President in October 2001 at SP Maaroganye Chapel, Klerksdorp, West Conference. In my eight years as the 19th District President we achieved the following:
Connectional Lay Organization
I also had the pleasure of serving as the 2nd Vice President of the Connectional Lay Organization having been co-opted to succeed the late Brother Weldon Schuman in July 2007. I served in that position until 2017, having been elected in 2009 and re-elected in 2013.
I take this opportunity to thank my wife Cynthia and my children for allowing me to serve. I thank my SP Maaroganye for their support and encouragement. To all the Lay people and pastors for their support throughout the Connection. Most importantly, I would like to thank the Lord for having provided me with the space to serve.
Respectfully yours,
Matikane Makiti
ACADEMIC AND EMPLOYMENT RECORD
POSITIONS HELD WITHIN THE AME CHURCH
Circuit Level
My journey in the Lay Organization began in 1983 when my pastor Rev MJ Maboe encouraged and got me elected to participate at the Electoral College. From that time on, I never looked back but continued to serve the church through this ministry. I was elected the West Conference Director of Lay Activities in 1989. I served in the position until October 1995. We were able to establish the following during that term:
The awards system
My local church, SP Maaroganye Chapel, honored me by electing me to serve as President. The election took place on 19th January 1992 a day after my father’s burial. This position prepared me for the challenges that would follow me in my career in church leadership.
I am indebted Brother MA Selogate who provided mentorship to me during that period. After the death of Brother G Mahlo, the 19th Episcopal Director of Lay Activities, in 1994, I was elected to succeed him. That is the position that I came to occupy for 7 years. There were serious challenges along the way, but the Lord gave us strength to soldier on in His vineyard. Through that position the development of the strategy for the District was realized.
In October 1995 at Ebenezer Chapel in Randfontein, I was elected President of the West Conference. I had the pleasure of working with one of the best Directors of Lay Activities in the person of Brother Kgosi Monaisa. Our partnership in this ministry lasted for a record fourteen years. To God be the glory.
Highlights of Conference Presidency:
- Establishment of awards system. The first to be established in the 19th District.
- Establishment of Conference newsletter.
- Implementation of strategic planning.
I was blessed to be at the helm of the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization after being elected its President in October 2001 at SP Maaroganye Chapel, Klerksdorp, West Conference. In my eight years as the 19th District President we achieved the following:
- Amendment of the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization Constitution which had far reaching consequences like:
- Aligning all levels’ elections to coincide with Connectional Lay Organization
- Establishment of the Audit Committee
- Foster working relations with the 15th District Lay Organization to deal with matters common to both districts. The body is now called Lay Organization Africa Development Initiative (LOADI)
Connectional Lay Organization
I also had the pleasure of serving as the 2nd Vice President of the Connectional Lay Organization having been co-opted to succeed the late Brother Weldon Schuman in July 2007. I served in that position until 2017, having been elected in 2009 and re-elected in 2013.
I take this opportunity to thank my wife Cynthia and my children for allowing me to serve. I thank my SP Maaroganye for their support and encouragement. To all the Lay people and pastors for their support throughout the Connection. Most importantly, I would like to thank the Lord for having provided me with the space to serve.
Respectfully yours,
Matikane Makiti
ACADEMIC AND EMPLOYMENT RECORD
- Bro Abe Makiti holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of the North, popularly known as Turfloop and now called the University of Limpopo
- He worked as Manager for Old Mutual Insurance from 1985 until 2000
- He held a position of Provincial Development Manager for six years in nine (9) provinces of South Africa at Sanlam Insurance from 2000
- He worked as Executive Director for the AVBOB and Doves Funeral Homes
- He is currently the Founder, Executive Director and Owner of Makiti Funerals which was recently established
POSITIONS HELD WITHIN THE AME CHURCH
Circuit Level
- Served as the Local Lay Organization President (SP Maarohanye Chapel) for the period 1992 – 1995
- Served as the 1st Vice President of the Potchefstroom District Lay Organization from 1993 to 1995
- Served as Director of Lay activities of the West Annual Conference Lay Organization for the period 1989 – 1995
- Served as President of Lay activities of the West Annual Conference Lay Organization from 1996 to 2001
- Served as Director of Lay Activities of the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization (NEDLO) from 1994 to 2001
- Served as President of the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization (NEDLO) from 2001 to 2009.
- Served as 2nd Vice President of the Connectional Lay Organization (CLO) from 2007 to 2009, having replaced the late Bro Weldon Schuman
- Elected as the 2ndVice President of the Connectional Lay Organization (CLO) from 2009 to 2017
- Served as Chair of the Connectional Lay Organization (CLO) Time and Place Committee from 2007 – 2009
- Serving as chair of the Connectional Lay Organization (CLO) Strategic Planning Committee from 2009 to date
- In 2017 Bro Makiti was elected as the ECLO 1ST Vice President
- Bro Makiti attended the following Biennial Conventions: 1995, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017
BROTHER JUDA KGOSI MONAISA (2009-2013)
Former President, 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization
Kgosi is originally a member of the Baber-Ming Temple in the Lichtenburg District and currently a member of the A M Senatle Chapel in the Johannesburg District – West Conference. He has served in many leadership positions within the Church. He was the Lay President of Baber-Ming Temple for a period of 4 years during the 90s. During his tenure, he worked tirelessly with his leadership team and as a result, garnered a number of accolades for Baber-Ming Lay Organization, including being declared the best and second best Circuit in the West Conference in two consecutive years.
He also served as a conductor of the Baber-Ming Temple Adult Choir, for a short period though. He was an active member of the Lichtenburg District Lay Organization and was instrumental towards the effective functioning of the North Wing of this District Lay Organization (Bodibe, Itsoseng, Boikhutso and Coligny circuits) during the late 90s.
He also served as the Director of the Lay Activities of the West Conference for a period of 6 years, at the same time, driving the strategy of this Organization, which saw the West Conference Lay Organization being one of the viable conferences in the 19th Episcopal District. Kgosi previously served as the Director of Lay Activities of the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization for two quadrenniums, and also as the Episcopal Lay President for one term, until September 2013. He also served as a member of the Strategic Planning and Disaster Relief Committees of the Connectional Lay Organisation until 2017.
Currently Kgosi serves on the Advisory Council member of the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Cousin-Senatle Convention Centre in the 19th Episcopal District.
During his time as Episcopal Director of Lay Activities and later President, Kgosi played a pivotal role in assisting to craft the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), between the 15th and 19th Episcopal District Lay Organizations (MOU), which saw the 17th and 18th Episcopal District Lay Organizations joining in 2012. Also, he played a critical role in arranging several workshops with his peers, pursuant to this MOU. Overall, he has been a helpful resource towards the operations of what is currently known as the Lay Organization Africa Development Initiative (LOADI), which is a product of the above MOU.
On a professional level, he is a member of the Black Management Forum, a member of the Executive Committee of the Old Mutual National Choir Festival, providing law and governance advisory services to this Institution on a part-time basis. A few years back, Kgosi served as General Legal Counsel for Junior Chamber International at national level, which is a global Organization of young entrepreneurs, operating in many countries.
Kgosi is an admitted Advocate of the High Court of South Africa and a corporate lawyer specializing in Corporate Governance. He was Vice President: Company Secretarial Services at Sasol until October 2017, after working for the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and Cadbury South Africa for 6 and 2 years respectively. He is now the Group Company Secretary for Tiger Brands, an FMCG company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. He holds a Masters Degree in Company Law from the University of Witwatersrand and a Diploma in Corporate Governance from Graduate Institute of Management and Technology, as well as Grade 5, theory of Music from Trinity College of Music in London, through the Mmabana cultural Centre in Mahikeng.
He dedicates much time preparing his two sons for the future, teaching them the values of life and how to face challenges head-on.
Jeremiah 60:1 – Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
Kgosi is originally a member of the Baber-Ming Temple in the Lichtenburg District and currently a member of the A M Senatle Chapel in the Johannesburg District – West Conference. He has served in many leadership positions within the Church. He was the Lay President of Baber-Ming Temple for a period of 4 years during the 90s. During his tenure, he worked tirelessly with his leadership team and as a result, garnered a number of accolades for Baber-Ming Lay Organization, including being declared the best and second best Circuit in the West Conference in two consecutive years.
He also served as a conductor of the Baber-Ming Temple Adult Choir, for a short period though. He was an active member of the Lichtenburg District Lay Organization and was instrumental towards the effective functioning of the North Wing of this District Lay Organization (Bodibe, Itsoseng, Boikhutso and Coligny circuits) during the late 90s.
He also served as the Director of the Lay Activities of the West Conference for a period of 6 years, at the same time, driving the strategy of this Organization, which saw the West Conference Lay Organization being one of the viable conferences in the 19th Episcopal District. Kgosi previously served as the Director of Lay Activities of the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization for two quadrenniums, and also as the Episcopal Lay President for one term, until September 2013. He also served as a member of the Strategic Planning and Disaster Relief Committees of the Connectional Lay Organisation until 2017.
Currently Kgosi serves on the Advisory Council member of the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Cousin-Senatle Convention Centre in the 19th Episcopal District.
During his time as Episcopal Director of Lay Activities and later President, Kgosi played a pivotal role in assisting to craft the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), between the 15th and 19th Episcopal District Lay Organizations (MOU), which saw the 17th and 18th Episcopal District Lay Organizations joining in 2012. Also, he played a critical role in arranging several workshops with his peers, pursuant to this MOU. Overall, he has been a helpful resource towards the operations of what is currently known as the Lay Organization Africa Development Initiative (LOADI), which is a product of the above MOU.
On a professional level, he is a member of the Black Management Forum, a member of the Executive Committee of the Old Mutual National Choir Festival, providing law and governance advisory services to this Institution on a part-time basis. A few years back, Kgosi served as General Legal Counsel for Junior Chamber International at national level, which is a global Organization of young entrepreneurs, operating in many countries.
Kgosi is an admitted Advocate of the High Court of South Africa and a corporate lawyer specializing in Corporate Governance. He was Vice President: Company Secretarial Services at Sasol until October 2017, after working for the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and Cadbury South Africa for 6 and 2 years respectively. He is now the Group Company Secretary for Tiger Brands, an FMCG company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. He holds a Masters Degree in Company Law from the University of Witwatersrand and a Diploma in Corporate Governance from Graduate Institute of Management and Technology, as well as Grade 5, theory of Music from Trinity College of Music in London, through the Mmabana cultural Centre in Mahikeng.
He dedicates much time preparing his two sons for the future, teaching them the values of life and how to face challenges head-on.
Jeremiah 60:1 – Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
BROTHER SIMON RAKHOMO LETSOKO (2013-2017)
Brother SR Letsoko, “City” is an active member of the FC James Chapel AME Church, Rocklands in Bloemfontein, Orangia Conference. A member of the local Steward Board and also the New members Class Leader; an avid and dedicated member of the local Lay Organization and an advisor to the Presiding Elder District and Conference Lay Presidents.
Brother Letsoko has been involved on all levels of the church; including various positions at the Presiding Elder District:
ACADEMIC AND EMPLOYMENT RECORD
Brother Letsoko is a qualified Educator (Teacher) and a Banker by qualification. He obtained a Diploma in Banking; a Bachelor Degree in Commerce (B Com) and Bachelor Degree in Commerce with Honors (B Com Hons) from the University of South Africa (UNISA)
He is currently employed by the Department of Social Development in Bloemfontein, as a Senior Manager: Institutional Capacity Building and Support for Non- Profit-making Organizations (NPO’s)
“Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve…. You don’t have to know Einstein’s theory of relativity to serve…. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love – AND YOU CAN BE THAT SERVANT – Dr Martin Luther King Jr, “The Drum Major Instinct Sermon” at Ebenezer Baptist Church: 4 February 1968.
Brother Letsoko has been involved on all levels of the church; including various positions at the Presiding Elder District:
- Conference Level
- He served as President of the Orangia Conference Lay Organization.
- He has been Advisor to the Orangia Conference Lay Organization President.
- Episcopal Level
- He served as 1st Vice President of the 19th Episcopal District Lay Organization.
- In September 2013 Brother Letsoko was elected as the seventh President of the 19th
- Episcopal District Lay Organization. 3. Connectional
- He was a delegate to the 1997; 1999; 2003; 2005; 2007; 2009; 2013; 2015 and 2017 CLO Biennial Conventions.
- In August 2017 Brother Letsoko was elected to the position of the ECLO 2nd Vice President.
- General Conference
- Brother Letsoko was elected a General Conference delegate in 1992; 1996; 2000; 2004 (However, could not attend in 2004 due to ill-health); 2008; 2012; and in 2016 he attended in the capacity of the Episcopal District Lay President.
- For the quadrennium 2008-2012, Brother Letsoko served as a member to the General
- Board
- At the 2016 General Conference, he served on the General Conference Episcopal Committee.
ACADEMIC AND EMPLOYMENT RECORD
Brother Letsoko is a qualified Educator (Teacher) and a Banker by qualification. He obtained a Diploma in Banking; a Bachelor Degree in Commerce (B Com) and Bachelor Degree in Commerce with Honors (B Com Hons) from the University of South Africa (UNISA)
He is currently employed by the Department of Social Development in Bloemfontein, as a Senior Manager: Institutional Capacity Building and Support for Non- Profit-making Organizations (NPO’s)
“Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve…. You don’t have to know Einstein’s theory of relativity to serve…. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love – AND YOU CAN BE THAT SERVANT – Dr Martin Luther King Jr, “The Drum Major Instinct Sermon” at Ebenezer Baptist Church: 4 February 1968.
CURRENT PRESIDENT: BROTHER LESIBA A SEKOALA (2017-2021)
Bro. LA Sekoala is a member of MH Malaka Memorial in Polokwane District. He has served in different portfolios in the Lay Organization from circuit level as a Circuit President to the Episcopal Level as the Corresponding Secretary, Second Vice president and First Vice President. He is a committed member and always walks the extra mile in doing his Father’s business. The history of MM Mokone would be incomplete without him. He served under the late Bro. Mahlo, Bro. Maiwashe, Bro. Manyane and Bro. Mfundisi at the Conference level.
Bro LA Sekoala was elected the fifth President of the MM Mokone Lay Organisation on the 15thAugust 2004 at Mac Camel Temple in Venda District. In August 2006 he was re-elected at the convention held from 13 – 14 August at Mount Sinai Chapel, Pretoria District. He served an additional year at the request of a Convention held from 14 – 16 August 2009 at Agnes Hildebrand Chapel, Mabopane.
Bro Sekoala represented an emergence of young leaders in the lay Organization.
He established effective partnerships with other components of the church which saw the birth of Lay and Women’s Missionary Society Social Action. The WN Nduna Church which was initiated by Bro Maiwashe, constructed during Bro SS Manyane and Bro IS Mfundisi’s terms was completed and dedicated by Bishop Davis on 05 April 2008, during his term of office.
Bro. Sekoala devised a strategic plan for the Conference and it was cascaded down to districts and circuits. The Conference election period was realigned to NEDLO and PE Districts. He won the best Conference award twice at the NEDLO Convention.
He was elected as the eighth President of the 19TH Episcopal District Lay Organization at the 33rd Session held during the week-end of 22-24 September 2017, hosted by the Umlazi Grace AME Church in Durban.
Bro LA Sekoala was elected the fifth President of the MM Mokone Lay Organisation on the 15thAugust 2004 at Mac Camel Temple in Venda District. In August 2006 he was re-elected at the convention held from 13 – 14 August at Mount Sinai Chapel, Pretoria District. He served an additional year at the request of a Convention held from 14 – 16 August 2009 at Agnes Hildebrand Chapel, Mabopane.
Bro Sekoala represented an emergence of young leaders in the lay Organization.
He established effective partnerships with other components of the church which saw the birth of Lay and Women’s Missionary Society Social Action. The WN Nduna Church which was initiated by Bro Maiwashe, constructed during Bro SS Manyane and Bro IS Mfundisi’s terms was completed and dedicated by Bishop Davis on 05 April 2008, during his term of office.
Bro. Sekoala devised a strategic plan for the Conference and it was cascaded down to districts and circuits. The Conference election period was realigned to NEDLO and PE Districts. He won the best Conference award twice at the NEDLO Convention.
He was elected as the eighth President of the 19TH Episcopal District Lay Organization at the 33rd Session held during the week-end of 22-24 September 2017, hosted by the Umlazi Grace AME Church in Durban.