06 Jun 2023

Minister of Defence and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi has urged Oodi Dutch Reformed Church congregants to support the newly ordained Lt Col Reverend Letta Rantabe.

Minister Mmusi said this when officiating at the ordination and induction ceremony of Rev. Rantabe at the church premises in Oodi on Saturday.

He assured the congregants of the calibre and quality of the person they had chosen to lead them as he not only had colourful academia but also an illustrious career in the Botswana Defense Force, a department that directly fell under the defence and security ministry.

“Rantabe is a professional in his own right as proved by his academic achievement which include three masters’ degrees, one bachelor degree, four diplomas and a countless number of certificates and short courses,” he said, urging congregants to give him the necessary support in order for him to feed them well.

Nonetheless, Mr Mmusi implored the church to honour and respect those leaders that God had placed in their different denominations and generally in their life.

He said pastors did a lot of work, although at times part of the things they did went unnoticed. He therefore called on church members to appreciate the small things the pastors did.

He mentioned some of the day-to-day duties that seemed minor that pastors did which ranged from offering daily prayers to the congregation, the leadership provided to other staff members or church leaders to evangelism and outreach efforts in the community, including counselling sessions for marriages and hurting families, hospital visits and funerals, among others.

At the end, he pleaded with the church to pray for the country and its leadership for guidance as well as pray against social ills, particularly gender based violence.

In his remarks, guest preacher Rev. Thapelo Boikanyo said the country needed Godly leadership because where there was no proper leadership the people perished.

He advised Rev. Rantabe to spend time with God to give him direction.

“When you spend time with God he will direct you and help you avoid people who may lead you astray,” he said.

He also urged him to not shy away from condemning and tolerating sin in the church.

“Godly leaders take responsibility for their flock,” he emphasised.

Student minister, Mr Klassy Ntsatsi assured Rev. Rantabe of their support from the student ministry to aid him deliver on his mandate. 

He further challenged pastors to unite and put their differences aside so that they did not affect God’s ministry.

For his part, Rev. Rantabe said he was overwhelmed with joy and was grateful for the trust and responsibility bestowed upon him.

He promised to serve his congregation diligently. He added that he was also open for criticism and therefore implored his congregants to guide him and offer counsel. Ends