02 Feb 2016

The Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Mr Nonofo Molefhi has urged the church to play the role that it ought to perform in addressing the various challenges faced by society.

Mr Molefhi, who is also Selebi Phikwe East MP, said it was critical for the church to rise to the occasion and help the government to address challenges such as unemployment and the care of orphans to ensure that communities not only thrived, but that they were able to survive without total dependence on the government.

The minister, who was speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony of a worship centre for Head Mountain Apostolic Church in Nlapkhwane on Saturday, called on churches to devise strategies to help in finding lasting solutions to these concerns, saying failure to do so would mean they had abdicated their God-given role to ease suffering among people.

Mr Molefhi, who had earlier in the day been a chief walker in a 16 kilometre sponsored walk that preceded the groundbreaking ceremony, also commended the Head Mountain Church for having resolved to find the means of sourcing funds to construct the church building.

Appealing to them not to give up on their dream along the way, he noted that various communities had achieved a lot through upholding the spirit of self-reliance.

On other issues, he cautioned the church about the government’s concern regarding church splits; adding that as spiritual entities churches were supposed to be torch bearers on issues of reconciliation and peaceful co-existence. 

Giving an overview of the day’s activities, one of the church leaders, Reverend Farai Bonyongo explained that the sponsored walk was born out of the desire to construct an appropriate structure in which church services could be held.

He informed the minister that in trying to alleviate the glaring need for such a structure, the women in the church had raised funds and built a room, but stated, however, that that was not enough as the room was not large enough to cater for the number of members.

Rev. Bonyongo said the new structure that they had embarked to build was estimated to cost close to P150 000.

He said although the amount was huge for a small branch, they would do all in their power to attain their goal.

Kgosi Mukani Mudongo of Nlapkhwane had earlier in his welcome remarks highlighted the key role that the church was supposed to play in addressing societal challenges.

He said it was the role of the church to nurture peace at the family and community level, adding that it would in turn ensure that the nation also lived in peace.

Kgosi Mudongo also hailed the leadership of the Head Mountain Church for its pro-activeness.

He said for the church to have embarked on a project of such magnitude was evidence of the belief by its leadership that they had a desire to reach a milestone as a church. Ends