02 Oct 2022

The Anglican Diocese of Botswana has been advised to consider resetting and reconfiguring efforts in order to address the many social ills besieging the nation.

Speaking at the church’s golden jubilee in Gaborone on Saturday, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said the challenging time called for careful evaluation of its 50  years of its service to Batswana.

“For a nation that is confronted and beset on every side with so many social ills, we need to look beyond the jubilation of the moment, to also consider resetting and reconfiguring all efforts aimed much broader than the noble objective of growing the church,” he said.

Describing the church as a companion in nation building, he  noted that the diocese had been involved in various community outreach projects and activities over the years including primary schools and health facilities.

Dr Masisi cited the Holy Cross Hospice set up in 1994, Mahalapye Mother’s Union pre-school for HIV and AIDS orphans and a pre-school for vulnerable children in Mogoditshane.

“The church has not only contributed to the spiritual wellbeing of our citizens but it has also played a major role in improving the welfare of our communities. 

This role of contributing to the development of the communities in which the church is based, is actually embedded in our National Vision 2036,” he said.

He encouraged the church to work hard towards implementing its strategic plan through which it could contribute meaningfully to the vision pillar of human social development.

Noting that the church’s golden jubilee coincided with Botswana’s 56th independence anniversary, .he said members must be challenged to assess their contribution towards the country’s achievements.

The President said since the inauguration of the Anglican Diocese of Botswana in 1972, the church’s  membership had grown to an estimated 12 000. 

He said the diocese had grown both physically and spiritually.

“Today, the diocese has 21 parishes and 27 outstations, covering Tsabong in the south and Maun in the north of Botswana, served by 40 priests. 

In addition, ground-breaking has been done for five churches throughout the country,” said the President.

Meanwhile, the church’s Bishop Metlhayotlhe Beleme said in celebrating the golden jubilee, the church would forever cherish the efforts of those who tirelessly contributed to its establishment.

Bishop Beleme said the diocese was born on June 24, 1972 at a time when Botswana did not have any economic foundation to carry out its development agenda.

 A similar challenge faced the Anglican Church when establishing the Botswana diocese, he explained.

Bishop Beleme said the church was not just celebrating the quantity of years but rather the quality of what it had done since its establishment.

God had used the church as his instrument to serve and bless his people, he said adding that it had inspired, educated, healed, sanctified and served countless souls, Anglicans and non-Anglicans alike, he said.

“As we celebrate the past and embrace the future, we need always to be alert of where the Holy Spirit will lead us,” said Bishop Beleme. Ends