30 Aug 2017

The word moruti means many things amongst them teacher, instructor and leader, but most of all somebody who interprets the word of God in simpler and more meaningful ways. 

Reverend Hauanga Meundju of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sehithwa, is a true epitome and resemblance of meekness.

His gifted hands has touched the lives of many not just in the spiritual realm but in a wellness and physical sense. 

In an interview recently, the 39-year-old father of one re-counted how his calling came about over a hot cup of Joko tea with a dash of full cream milk.

“I started my primary education at Sehithwa primary in 1986 from Standard One to Four, then Standard Five to Seven at Qangwa Primary School and later Sekgoma Junior Secondary School in Tsau, and Ghanzi senior became my final stop in 1996. 

Since I acquired aggregate 35, I qualified for Tirelo Sechaba and started my service as a teacher at Dyline Primary School in Mahalapye,” said Rev. Meundju.

Throughout the years of schooling, Rev. Meundju was a keen footballer and also got involved in karate.

Students at Dyline primary were coming of age hence they intimidated most of the teachers with their ill-behaviour.

However, that was not the case with Rev. Meundju, as he used his karate skills to intimidate them. 

He recalls that karate instilled self-restraint and control hence he became a disciplinarian.

He noted that the key to get through to a naughty child was to converse with them as if you were their age mates. 

He remembers when he accidentally fell on his face and the whole class laughed and made fun of him.

He acted as if it was a joke, but it was painful.

The class resumed as if nothing had happened. 

Being a teacher from 1999-2000 changed his life.

He interacted with the Mahalapye community and served them as one of their own.

The love to aid and assist the less fortunate was born from that year. 

After successfully completing his Tirelo Sechaba, he said “the school of life” began.

He started seeing life in a whole new dimension. One had to hustle hard to put food on the table. 

With no financial means nor a job to his name, life became tough  everyday.

He applied for various teaching posts and was called for interviews but to no avail.

Neither did the calamities overwhelm nor daunt his spirit.

After acquiring his driver’s license in 2000, he worked as a driver at Cosmos retail in Maun. 

That is the year he accepted Christ as his Lord and personal savior.

The following year, he relocated to Gaborone and worked as a driver in an organisation called “Kgothatso” which was under the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

It was a home based care programme for people living with HIV. 

“My duties were to transport them to their destinations like the hospital in Gaborone as well as surrounding areas. This type of work requires somebody with a heart of gold. One who can withstand situations and react to them in a calm and modest manner. During that time, it started dawning on me that this is indeed my calling and I should embrace it. My destiny was to take care of those in need and I prayed with them, motivated them, gave them a sense of hope because that was during the time stigma was rife for people living with HIV. My job description was beyond being a mere driver, I was an educator, a friend, a shoulder to cry on,” said Rev. Meundju. 

In 2003, Rev. Meundju finally made a life altering decision when he decided to enroll into bible school. He signed up for a diploma in theology at Kgolagano College of Education. He wanted to spread his wings but did not want to be Lutheran inclined. He wanted to learn about other churches. He paid his tuition in installments with the little he earned from his drivers’ job. 

However, the P1 200 he earned was not enough to sustain him and his siblings as well as his tuition fees, but he prevailed and successfully completed his three year diploma.

He called all these trials and tribulations as the work of God, saying he wanted to test his strength and faith.

Finally he triumphed with flying colours. 

Back in society, the self-proclaimed comic took a life damning decision.

He did not rush to resume his calling but rather went on an escapade.

He wanted to interact with the community in a more personal note.

He sought first hand-experience and decided to test the waters. 

In 2008, he was hired as a driver at the Department of Information Services in Gaborone.

However, he humorously described that he carried his duties with lightness and wit.

His urge to know more than his duties usually placed him in hot water with journalists he was transporting. 

He remembers that a driver’s duty was to transport reporters from one event to another and patiently wait for them in the car.

He heartily explained that he did none of that and went ahead and interacted with others and joined in conversations.

That did not go down well with his superiors.

He remembers one time joining in a question and answer session led by the then president Festus Mogae. 

Later on they danced the night away with the president on the dance floor with no care in the world.

He said that was the best night of his life. His superior simply laughed it off and gave him a pat in the back. 

He resumed his ministerial hood at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Maun.

After five years he was transferred to Sehithwa on request since it was his home village. 

He sighted his paternal grandfather as one of his role models.

He was a pastor in the Africa Church.

His biological father was also a leader of one of the leading opposition parties in Namibia. 

Hence he is proud to say two types of blood flows through his veins; political as well as spiritual ordainment. 

Other influences include the then Zambian president, Dr Fredrick Chiluba for his humility as well as the current president of Botswana, Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama for his modesty and humble nature as well as the ability to interact with those beneath him. 

Rev. Meundju encouraged Batswana to respect and take care of the needs of their ministries.

Like any other calling, being a minister itself has challenges.

He acknowledged that their church was endorsed by the German missionaries, and that since they now have solitary confinement it was hard to make ends meet and recompense for the pastor’s needs and other church commitments. 

However, he said the situation was under control as they were doing all they could by raising funds.

Despite the challenges, he explained God’s will has to be done whether the capital was there or not. He said souls have to be saved and that he was duty-bound help. 

The English-speaking minister concluded that in life you could have your own knowledge and beliefs and that it does not mean they were the best.

“There is still somebody out there who knows better than you do. Never despise the knowledge of anybody whether good or bad, walk with them and reveal the truth,” said Rev. Meundju. ENDS