25 Feb 2019

The United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) has been challenged to urgently  formalise relations with the United Church of Zambia.

  The challenge was issued by President Mokgweetsi Masisi who February 24 had joined UCCSA members from Zambia, South Africa and Botswana to bid farewell outgoing Moshupa Reverend Derik Silwenga, a Zambian national. 

“We in government are a little ahead of you, open your religious, church diplomatic relations, exchange letters of credence and formalise the sending of people to serve others by way of preaching as missionaries,” he advised.

Dr Masisi pledged to provide technical assistance to the church to facilitate the agreement adding that Rev. Silwenga’s familial contact with Batswana would aid the process. Government, he said, attached enormous importance to people-to-people, institution-to-institution contacts, which he described as foundations for peace building.

“Rev. Silwenga may not be a government official in Zambia, but it is these little things that make a difference,” he said.

About Rev. Silwenga, the President said his “stewardship, which was punctuated by love, humility and dedication, was not only a lesson but remained the way Moshupa congregation would do its day to day business going forward. 

“My family and I were blessed to have you here with us. I wish to join the chorus of adulation to the people of Zambia for having found it in your heart to come and serve us here,“ he said.

Dr Masisi also challenged congregationalists to document events as they occurred.

Explaining that the church was steeped in history, the President said the failure to record documentable events was of great concern. “But I’m delighted to see many young members of this church documenting this event today using modern technology,” he said.

The President however said there were other things that would not be said at the event and others that could be picked up over time, books, journals to be written, Rev. Silwenga’s diary in which he captured his impressions about Mogoditshane where he started as well as about Moshupa.

President Masisi further said he once visited a church in Manchester from whose archives he read about the origins of UCCSA as well as Dr David Livingstone’s journey right up to Malawi. 

“But if someone was to visit the local churches, would they read about my own grandfather Botiloeng Otsheleng, who was one of the last lay preachers trained by David Livingstone in Kuruman and the stories we heard from our parents about how he used to walk 50 miles to get to Kuruman where he became a preacher and traversed most of South Africa into Kgalagadi and back to Moshupa where he retired?” he asked rhetorically.

Similarly, he said, there was nowhere one could read about Dr Merriweather and his missionary work, the history of Tigerkloof and its successor Moeding College. 

He said a good number of the best trained public servants at independence emerged from the teachings, education, value training and governance provided by the London Missionary Society, now UCCSA. 

“That’s a leverage you had but you are losing it as a church and you need to introspect,” he said.

The President applauded the church for remaining steadfast in its creed, belief systems and the faith it held about organisational behaviour and conduct.

President Masisi initiated the Rev. Silwenga tractor fund and pledged P10 000 towards the same while the church bought him a truck. Dr Masisi encouraged church members to also contribute towards the fund.

A UCZ Lusaka representative, Rev. Lubinda Mkelebai thanked the Botswana brethren for giving Rev. Silwenga an opportunity to serve in the country thereby demonstrating the oneness of the body of Christ.

He urged UCCSA to send missionaries to Zambia. 

Rev. Mkelebai said Botswana had been a beacon of peace and light to the rest of Africa and prayed that God would grant President Masisi the grace to lead the nation to more prosperity.

UCCSA synod chairman Rev. Gabriel Tsuaneng said Rev. Silwenga had represented the people of Zambia well among Batswana and epitomised Christ who served people regardless of social background. 

Rev. Tsuaneng, who also studied in Zambia, confirmed that UCCSA had always received missionaries from UCZ and expressed sadness that they never reciprocated.

A representative of Moshupa branch, Ms Ontiretse Amdani said Rev. Silwenga unearthed different talents within the congregation and used them to the glory of God. 

She described him as a father to the fatherless and most of all, led by example.

Ms Maranyane Motlokwa said Rev. Silwenga encouraged the church to go out, serve and be visible rather than confining itself to the four walls of its buildings. 

As a result, she said the church reached out to the sick, elderly and attracted new members in the process.

Guest preacher Rev. Segola Keimetswe said the outgoing pastor had left an indelible mark in the minds of the people he served, adding that they would always remember him with thanksgiving unto the Lord. 

He said they had experienced the goodness of the Lord through Rev. Silwenga as he was a vessel that God used in his vineyard. 

Rev. Silwenga, who officially retired December last year after eight years of service, was encouraged to continue missionary work.

For his part, Rev. Silwenga thanked President Masisi for starting the tractor fund in his honour and donating money towards the same. 

“I pray that God bless you a hundred fold and I assure you that I will bring the first harvest of corn to you,” he said. 

He said the people of Botswana looked after his family like their own relatives. ends