According to the World Council of Churches, a gathering of church leaders in Africa held via videoconference on 11 February as part of the ongoing WCC central committee meeting has expressed hope for healing, reconciliation and unity amidst several challenges facing the continent.
“Even though Africa and the world are broken by impacts of COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges, God’s love has remained at the center of our hope, healing and source of unity,” said Bishop Jonah Katoneene Mwesigwa of the Church of Uganda.
Disclaimer: Bible Media News (BMN)* is an independent faith-based media organization. Please note that all press releases and statements published by BMN do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.
Bible Media News (BMN)* speaks to the Archbishop of Cape Town, the Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba, about finding inspiration in Scripture and being in the “business of hope”.
BMN:Give us a glimpse into your life by describing one thing on your To Do List for this week, that is giving you energy.
Thabo Makgoba: My travel plans this week are heading to Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, to inspire school children as the new academic year kicks off. I will be visiting the Umlazi High School in KwaZulu-Natal.
BMN: Is there a story you tell people when they ask: What gives you hope for South Africa?
Thabo Makgoba: Yes. I am in the business of hope. Feel free to watch my lecture on creating hope for the youth, titled “Skills Development and Rural Livelihoods”, by watching my lecture, in partnership with the University of Limpopo and the Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Development Trust, below. This give me hope for South Africans.
BMN: What was the last thing that surprised you?
Thabo Makgoba: The last thing that surprised me was a conversation with Nicky Gumbel, an English Anglican priest and author in the evangelical and charismatic traditions. We spoke about how God works on all of us – with our faults and all.
As a spiritual leader I listen to the stories of other people, so talking about mine was both a gift and pleasant surprise.
BMN: What have you learnt about how Christians can make an impact in society?
Thabo Makgoba: The Ministry of presence and taking examples of Christ’ public ministry as well as the ancient prophets’ role seriously.
BMN: Is there a piece of Scripture that you often go back to in order to find inspiration?
The piece of Scripture that I often go to for inspiration is John 10: 9-10. It states: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
More aboutMakgoba:
Thabo Cecil Makgoba, born on 15 December 1960, is the South African Anglican archbishop of Cape Town. He became archbishop of Cape Town on 31 December 2007, the youngest person ever to be elected to this position.
He has a doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Cape Town, a Higher Diploma in Education Science, an MEd in Educational Psychology and a BSc degree from Witwatersrand University.
Since 2008, He has taken up his current role as Anglican Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa: encompassing 28 dioceses across Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, and the island of St. Helena.
He is the Chair of the Anglican Communion Environmental Network, and Former Commissioner of the Press Freedom Commission. Since 2012, Archbishop Makgoba has been the Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape.
The South African Post Office (Sapo) partnership with non-profit organisation Nal’ibali now makes it possible for children, reading clubs, schools and libraries to collect free reading material from 508 branches throughout the country.
A year ago, the reading supplements were available at only 46 post offices. This increase has been made possible by the partnership Nal’ibali has with the post office.
“By the end of last year Nal’ibali was able to deliver 309 000 reading supplements every month through the post offices. Each copy has three stories – so that is nearly a million stories every month.
Disclaimer: Please note that all press releases and statements published by Bible Media News do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.
“For prayer to be effective, it must be habitual. By now, you should be in the habit of waking up for the 5 AM prayer. If not, it is never too late to start,” Bishop Mosa Sono said in a statement on Twitter.
“Join the family of believers every weekday at 05:00 on the Grace Bible Church Facebook page.”
Read more below:
For prayer to be effective, it must be habitual. By now, you should be in the habit of waking up for the 5 AM prayer. If not, it is never too late to start.
Disclaimer: Please note that all press releases and statements published by Bible Media News do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.
Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, says before the country ends the National State of Disaster, there is a need to ensure there are enough measures in place to handle future COVID-19 waves.
He said this when he participated in a debate on the State of the Nation Address on Monday.
“As we are exiting the fourth wave of COVID-19, everyone is eager for this pandemic to come to an end. The reality, however, is that while we have learned more about the virus, we have more weapons and the virus is seemingly getting weaker, the war is far from over,” he said.
Phaahla said as the President stated on Thursday in the SONA, the country wants to get out of the disaster situation sooner rather than later.
In his speech, the President said the country is now ready to enter a new phase in the management of the pandemic.
“It is our intention to end the national state of disaster as soon as we have finalised other measures under the National Health Act and other legislation to contain the pandemic,” he President said.
He also said this was at the back of the fact that nearly 42% of all adults and 60% of everyone over 50 is fully vaccinated.
Disclaimer: Please note that all press releases and statements published by Bible Media News do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.
With a new motu proprio published on Tuesday, Pope Francis has modified canon law for both the Latin Church and the Eastern Churches, changing the areas of competence for various bodies within the universal Church.
Specifically, with the Apostolic Letter Assegnare alcune competenze (“Assigning certain competencies,” taken from the opening words, or incipit” of the document), Pope Francis transfers certain responsibilities from the Vatican to local bishops.
Read more below:
Pope Francis modifies the Code of Canon Law and the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches to favour greater decentralization.https://t.co/RxD1NoUKAd
Disclaimer: Please note that all press releases and statements published by Bible Media News do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.
South African Council of Churches has an excitong app! Don’t miss out & download it it now. Its available on both iOS & Android. Here is how yo can download:
1. Visit your play store (Android) or App store (iOS) 2. Search (SACC app) 3. Click install & voila!
Click here to read more:
Disclaimer: Please note that all press releases and statements published by Bible Media News do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.
The World Council of Churches invited a few members of the central committee to share a message on “Love heals, not hurts.” They also shared why they participate in the global Thursdays in Black campaign—why they speak up against violence and rape.
The special Valentine’s message, also shared via social media cards, is an annual tradition that’s part of the WCC’s work toward gender justice.
Disclaimer: Please note that all press releases and statements published by Bible Media News do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.
In a Facebook post, The Paws-A-While revealed that an animal adoption fair was held at Observatory on Sunday, 13 February 2022 once again gave cats and dogs the chance at finding a furever home. The popular event, and its first pop-up of the year, is supported by the City and creates an opportunity for residents to adopt a new family member registered with animal welfare organisations.
The fair hosted 57 stalls, which included more than 20 animal organisations such as the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, Animal Welfare Society of South Africa, Animal Anti-Cruelty League as well as the City’s Law Enforcement Animal Unit.
Read the full post below:
Disclaimer: Please note that all press releases and statements published by Bible Media News do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.
According to The Conversation, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2022 state of the nation address underscored the problematic role that government agencies and others had played in state capture and the 2021 civil unrest.
The unrest and looting that followed the arrest of former president Jacob Zuma for contempt of court sparked widespread violence and destruction of property, and resulted in the deaths of more than 350 people. Most of the violence took place in two economically important provinces – KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Read more:
South Africans are feeling more insecure: do Ramaphosa's plans add up? https://t.co/YVwKjHKDRj
Disclaimer: Please note that all press releases and statements published by Bible Media News do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Bible Media.
