- THE MOVEMENT OF WOMEN OF PRAYER
Ms Matilda Mokgatlha was the only woman in this movement and because of this, she was not able to run the movement alone, she moved from the congregation of Gopane as a woman of prayer. - PLANNING ON THE BUILDING OF THE CHURCH
The congregation came to church services in numbers but they could not fulfil their dream of being in a church that they wanted. Bishop D.P. Rapoo, the Reverend and the court of the congregation, Mr Motepe, Mr Mogale, Mr Sephothi and the congregation, wanted to come up with a solution that would help build the church they wanted.
With Bishop D.P. Rapoo being in charge of the planning of building the church, we got assistance from Germany and it was in the year 1982 when this planning commenced.
There were misunderstandings and arguments buy the congregation about the land on which the church should be built on, they wanted the land that theRoman Catholic church is currently built on but in the end the church was built. - THE BUILDING OF THE CHURCH
Now that our plans for building the church were in place, the building of the church began. Our friends from Germany sent a group of people to help build the church but because we knew that we had to consider where the material of the church building would be stored, the Mission House was build first in order to stored material in the Mission House whilst building the church.
Members played a role in the building of the church, they helped lay a brick, mixing of the cement and bringing water near the building site. The church was build during the school holidays so most members were present to assist in the building of the church. As we know that working together helps make the job easier, the congregation of Mabele a Podi was behind on this regard.
Suggested names of what the church would be called were taken to the Diocesan and the name that would best suit the congregation was chosen as they fully understood the intentions of the congregation. The name Kopano was chosen for them because they were united and they initiated the building of the church themselves.
In short, Mogwase was a place that welcomed people who came from near and far away places and worked for the government and for Sun International so people who moved to Mogwase for work and were Lutheran Church members, they had to meet with Mr Mogale and Mr Motepe and in that manner the congregation grew bigger.
Rev. Mahopo was the second reverend who came to serve the Kopano congregation and he was sent to the Central Diocese.
THE BEGINNING OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH IN MOGWASE
1. OUR HISTORY
Mr Mogale and Mr Motepe are the ones who intiated the Kopano
congregation in to being. Mr Motepe was a teacher who taught at
Heysterkrand Primary where children from Mabele a Podi, Kgetleng and
Chaneng attended. Mr Motepe recruited people from Mabele a Podi to
become members of the Mogwase congregation and he was able to recruit
the following families:
1. The family of Mr Nawa
2. The family of Mr Mokondolele
3. The family of Mr Reuben Molefe
4. The family of Mr Tau
5. The family of Mr Motsepe
6. The family of Mr MosimaMolefe
7. The family of Mr Moaisile
8. The family of Mr Tlhage
The Sunday Church services were held at Mr Reuben Molefe’s or Mr Ben Molefe’s house at the time.
2. SUCCESS
In 1980 Mogwase township was built and Morongwa Primary School was
in the township, Mr Motepe was moved to Morongwa Primary School 1981
and that’s where he met Mr Mogale. They were driven an enthusiastic
Lutherans, they began to visit people in their homes to recruit members
for the congregation and they succeeded. They were able to recruit the
following families:
1. The family of Mr Mokgatle
2. The family of Mr Dibetso
3. The family of Mr Thebe
4. The family of Mr Johannes Moletsane
5. The family of Mr Motlhabane
6. The family of Mr Mogale
Mogwase Middle School was built after a while and Mr Cornelius PuleSephoti was the leader of the school. Mr Cornelius PuleSephoti moved to Mogwase with his family and they joined Mogwase Lutheran Church. The Moletsano family left Mogwase Lutheran Church because of unforeseen circumstances.
Members of Mogwase Lutheran Church living at Mabele a Podi became dissatisfied because they had to travel long distance from their homes to attend Sunday services at MorongwaPrimay School, but in the end all members agreed to attend Sunday Church Service at MorongwaPrimay School. The Mogwase Lutheran congregation did not have a name of its own at that time and it was under the care of Rev. O.P Masielele who was originally the reverend of the Sandfontein congregation. So Mr Mogale and Mr Motepe became the first leaders of the Mogwase Lutheran congregation and Mr Sephothi assisted them and the reverend that was in charge at the time, with the administration and everything else that was needed at the time.
The reverend came to the Mogwase Lutheran Church for Sacramental purposes only, Pastoral care was done once in a while by the reverend due to transportation issues experienced at the time. Mogwase Lutheran Church did not have Sunday School at the time because there were not so many children to start Sunday School but Confirmation class was strong at the time as many children were part of it and enthusiastic about Confirmation class
THE BEGINNING OF KOPANO PARISH 1988
* This is when the congregation moved from Mogwase Parish, at the time of
Rev. L.E. Ledwaba
* The congregation was made up of about 15 families.
* The congregation had to move with their assets, they had an amount of
about R68.90 that they had saved and started a treasure fund with that
amount.
* The Dean was a reverend who depended mostly on the constitution of the
church and this made it difficult for the congregation to adapt to the change
as they were not used to the manner in which the reverend did things.
* If we remember correctly, Tlhabane Circuit was divided into two sections at
the time namely; Kgetleng and Tlhabane which remained until present.
* In 1984 the Synod declared that these two sections should each become a
circuit. Then later on the Diocesan Council declared that Kopano (Kopano
Parish) should become the Deanary. Rev. L.E. Ledwaba became the Dean
of Tlhabane Circuit.
* Rev. L.E. Ledwaba was the Dean of Tlhabane Circuit for only four years
* Rev. L.E. Ledwaba was moved to GaRankuwain 1988.
* ACTS
MOVEMENTS THAT WERE PRESENT AT THE TIME
* Women of prayer were lead by the reverends wife Mrs Ledwaba, women of
prayer were six n total.
* Sunday School was conducted by female Practitioners:
1. Lillian Dibetso
2. Maria Shadi
Sephoti
3. Lydia N. Kgaladi
* Brass Band: the Dean lead the band
The Dean organised with Rev. Letlape from Marang College to come and
assist us in the band
* We mastered the Brass Band lessons within a period of one week, Rev.
Letlape even taught us the hymn; “MOWA WA KRESETE O
NKGALALETSE”
* Brass Band members: Baritone
1. Cornelius Sephoti
2. David Makganye
3. The Dean Rev. L.E. Ledwaba
Tenor
1. Mrs Maria ShadiSephoti
2. Ms Vivian Molose
Alto
1. Mr David Sanyane
2. Mrs Pauline Kgotle
Soprano
1. Mr Abby Kgotle
2. Mr AndriesLedwaba
3. Mr MphoLedwaba
* CHURCH CHOIR
Mr A. Monau lead the choir and he was assisted by Mr Molefe, we were the
best choir in the Tlhabane circuit.
* This was when we designed uniform for the choir and the colours Maroon
and white were used on the uniform but we do not wear the uniform
anymore as it is outdated.
* Blessings of the first congregation of Kopano Parish 1985 – 1988
- 33 babies were baptised
- 33 children were confirmed
- 2 members passed away
- The Church had 106 members in total
* We would like to thank Rev. L.E. Ledwaba for the immense work that he has done in founding the congregation of Kopano. As we know that starting an building a church takes courage and strength, as we recall correctly the reverend came an founded on what Mr Motepe, Mr Mogale and Mr C.P. Sephoti had started.
You have done a great job young man of the Ledwaba’s.
DEAN M.M. DITLHALE
Rev. M.M. Ditlhale was sent to the Diocese in 1989 to take care of Kopano Lurtheran Church and the Tlhabane Circuit. Kopano Parish was the Deanery.
* The congregation of Kopano Parish grew in an instant and the church and
people came to church in numbers.
* Rev. M.M. Ditlhale had a unique way of approaching and doing things e.g.
Confirmation class pupils were successfully confirmed after a year in the
month on January. In the last year that Rev. M.M. Ditlhale was had with
Kopano Parish he confirmed his last class of confirmation on the
14/01/1996 and this confirmation took place a month before he left the
Deanery.
* MAJOR CHANGES
Kopano Parish Sunday Services used to start at 10H00 and end at 13H00
before Rev. M.M. Ditlhale came to Kopano Parish. Kopano Parish Sunday
Service times were changed by Rev. M.M. Ditlhale once he was moved to
the Deanery and Services started at 08H30 in summer and at 09H00 in
winter. And won us favour of the congregation, we had many people
attending at these times than we had when we used to attend later in the
morning.
* The church filled up more than usual during ceremonies of Sacrament
- Comfirmation
- The last supper
- Last day of the Year
- The day before the birth of Christ
* I discovered that depending on the constitution encouraged the growth of
the Church and Tlhabane Circuit, the reverend worked well with Kopano
Perish as well as the Tlhabane Council. I would like to let Rev. M.M.
Ditlhale know that we are still following in his footsteps and Kopano Parish
is one of the Lutheran Churches that is able to conduct Sunday Services
without the presence of a reverend.
* In the end Kopano Parish succeeded and was able to host annual
assessment meetings without any hassles.
* In a nut shell, events were successful and we know that the road to success
is not an easy one.
* I take that as you read about Kopano Parish you are able to get a picture of
everything and of what kind of a person Rev. M.M. Ditlhale is. He was a
dedicated, assertive and disciplined man.
* I remember when Rev. M.M. Ditlhale arrived, he found that we had a brass
band but was not able to use the equipment correctly so he took the
equipment to Montsana Parish and we never saw the equipments ever
again.
* Rev. M.M. Ditlhale spoke firmly and encouraged the choir to be present
every Sunday service and that is one of the many things that Kopano
Parish is proudly doing our choir is so strong now that we are able to take
part in the Diocese competitions.
* There came a time that Rev. M.M. Ditlhale was not satisfied with the
performance and participation of Kopano Parish and he made it clear that
he would move the Deanery from Kopano Parish and he did just that.
ACTS – 1989 – 1995
MOVEMENT AT THE TIME
1. Baptism – 105 babies
2. Confirmation – 161 children
3. Marriages – 26 couples
4. People who passed away – 8
TOTAL AMOUNT: 416 MEMBERS
Rev. M.M. Ditlhale contributed greatly to the growth of the church and gave life to it, and this is still evident today. Truth be told!
* Kopano Parish welcome reverends who understand themselves and
appreciate the planning that Rev. M.M. Ditlhale put into the being of
Kopano Parish.
REV. NKHUMISE – 1996 – 2001
* Rev. Nkhumise arrived at Kopano Parish whilst it was under the care of the
Dean’s Deputy of the Tlhabane Circuit.
* I discovered that the reverends sent to Kopano Parish worked really hard
and were dedicated because they would always be in their offices doing
their work with enthusiasm. The reverend’s family was supportive in this
regard.
* Ms A. Nkhumise and the women of prayer where very close and members of this movement increased. There were eight women in the movement when
Ms A. Nkhumise leftKopano Parish when she only found five members when she arrived. The names of the members are:
1. Ms Matilda Mokgatlha
2. Ms Eunice Molefe
3. Ms AlettaMolefe
4. Ms Lydia Kgaladi
5. Ms Ella Mogale
Ms A. Nkhumise managed to robe three women before she left Kopano Parish and the names are:
1. Ms Grace Tlhage
2. Mrs S. Sephoti
3. Ms Catherine Moaisi
MOVEMENTS THAT WERE PRESENT
1. Sunday School
2. Women’s League
3. Men’s League
4. Youth League
* Ms Josephine Sekudu, Mrs Audrey Nkhumise and Ms MorwesiMolefe were
the Sunday School Practitioners.
* Sunday School took part in music competitions and got awards most of the
times and it was all thanks to Mrs Maria Sephoti who assisted them in this
regard.
Ms J. Sekudu resigned from being a Sunday School practitioner after some time but, Mrs Audrey Nkhumise and Ms MorwesiMolefe remained practitioners and Mrs Maria Sephoti continued to help Sunday School members become better singers and they became the Circuit Champs. Mrs Maria Sephoti was elected the chairperson of Sunday School but she was also a singer. Kopano Sunday School took the music competiton award for the three consecutive years. Mrs Maria Sephoti resigned from Sunday School in the year 2000 due to illness and old age.
* Mrs Eunice Sanyane was now in charge of Sunday School .
* Rev. Nkhumise did not allow members of Kopano Parish to speak or do as
they pleased at anytime.
* He valued Sunday services and did not want to miss them and he had a
way of grabbing people’s attention which resulted in the increased number
of members on Sunday services. This enabled him to establish the Men’s
League which was called (EMANG SENNA)
* Our friendship with the Germans continued as it was established by Rev.
L.E. Ledwaba, he influenced members to celebrate their birthdays in the
church and to give thanks to God by giving gifts to the Chuch.
* The Youth League also grew and they attended Youth Circuit Conferences.
The reverend was a full member of the Male Choir and had a Tenor voice
he was the secretary of the Choir. Mrs Nkhumise and Ms Audrey were
members of the Female choir, this was so encouraging.
ACTS – 1996 – 2001
* Confirmation 83
* Baptism 47
* Marriages 08
* People who passed away 15
TOTAL NUMBER OF MEMBERS 153
Mr E. Tlhapane was in charge of the Church Choir and worked really hard in helping the Zion to be established, the Church Choir took part in the annual music competitions. Mr E. Tlhapane put in a lot of work in order to strengthen the Chior. We had different groups of choirs at the time which were:
* Senior B Choir
* Female Choir
* Youth League Choir
* Sunday School Choir
Mr E. Tlhapane juggled all choirs but Mr Baepane assisted him with the Senior B Choir and the choir won awards. Mr Monau helped with the Male Choir. Mrs S.M. Sephoti was asked for assistance in the Female Choir and they did well for themselves, they took part in the Diocese competitions.
REV. S.L.MPURU – 2002 - 2003
* Rev. S.L. Mpuru was sent to kopano Perish whilst he was on pension
according to the Church ELCSA. He was asked to continue with mission as
there were a shortage of reverends at the time
* Rev. S.L. Mpuru was a man of stature who always wore a suit and a tie
even if it was hot. It was believed by the reverends that this kind of attire
showed respect during their time.
* Rev. S.L. Mpuru is one of the first black reverends who were ordained for
ministry, he was amongst the following reverends:
Rev. H.M. Sephoti
Rev. Seitlhamo
Rev. Moseki
Rev. Mosito
Rev. Sepeng
Rev. Ledwaba
* All reverends mentioned above were Evangelists before they became
ordained reverends. Rev. S.L. Mpuru did office work due to old age but he
was assisted by Kopano Parish council Mr Cornelius P. Sephoti was the
Deputy Chairperson of the council.
* Rev. S.L. Mpuru was greatly gifted in terms of ministry he would take the bible and open it up and start interpreting the scriptures to you in an amazing way, his sermons were captivating.
* He used to construct his teachings from teaching materials. I remember when he taught about the Vine and the branches, he had brought the vine into the church for illustration. Some of the branches had grapes and the branches carried a lot of weight from the beautiful ripe grapes and some of the branches had no grapes on them. The congregation was taken aback that day, they couldn’t wait to find out what the deal was with grapes and vine on the alter.
* His sermon was full of teaching and was soothing to the soul, it was easy to understand and appealing to all age groups. We would always come back as different people every time we went to church, our souls were fed and we could relate the sermons to our daily lives, we put into practice what word of God required of us.
* RevMpuru was well known for the enthusiasm in his sermons and this is what gained him a lot of respect. It was sad when he had to retire because we felt that our spiritual growth would affected by it.
* This was the time where we knew well that Rev Mpuru would receive invitations from all areas of Diocese as they wanted him to be a part of the valued church events as guest speaker, he sure had a way with words in reaching out to people and turning hearts of stones into hearts of mercy and he made it easy for us to repent through his preaching.
* Our reverend used to preach about tithing and he would make reference through the big five that appears on our south African bank notes which made us even more aware of the big five, so 10% tithing became more interesting and appealing to us.
* He would not give an offering of coins at the altar, he always used notes and the congregation tapped into the idea of offering notes up to today we live by his example.
MOVEMENTS THAT WERE PRESENT