23 Oct 2022

Reverend Tshireletso Tlhabiwa has hailed the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) for playing a pivotal role in the lives of Batlokwa.

Speaking during the unveiling of the church’s new building in Tlokweng on Saturday, Rev Tlhabiwa who is the presiding minister said during the early years of 1904, the church doubled up as an educational centre.

“Over the years the church has significantly contributed to the reduction of social ills around the community by ministering the word of faith. It continues to play a role in supporting and nurturing families and guiding children and youth,” he said.

Rev. Tlhabiwa said construction of the new church building commenced 18 years ago through the dedicated support of its members but due to financial constraints it took a while to complete the building.

He expressed gratitude for having gradually worked each step over the years to realise what was once a dream.

He said the church in membership grew and attracted more followers from and around Tlokweng village.

For his part, buildings committee team leader for UCCSA Tlokweng Mr Bernard Lekoko said they embarked on the project in 2004 and completed all to detail this year.

Mr Lekoko said initially the cost projections stood at P1.4 million, however, looking at the length of time it took and the price hikes over the years it ended up costing them approximately P2.5 million as revealed by their records.

He said all was made possible by the congregants who often deployed their personal assets as contributions towards putting together the new church building, saying  that they would use their vehicles to transport all needed building materials.

Mr Lekoko said at least over 70 per cent of the building materials were procured in Botswana, mentioning that also jobs were created for the locals in the construction of the new church building.

He said they hired diverse companies in the construction of the building from, architects, bricklayers, carpenters and plumbers, to mention but a few.

For his part, Rev Mosweu Simane said they had the plan to build yet another youth-friendly church in Tlokweng, mentioning that the same applied to Mogoditshane and other places which stood as big constituencies with the nation.

Rev Simane told members that having one church in a single area denied multitudes across the society a fair chance to worship the Lord, citing that all should be aware that not everyone could afford transport money to travel a distance to a service.

Rev Simane urged members to endeavour to document the history of the church over the years as this could be beneficial for the coming generations.    ENDS