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[email protected] 2020 Volume 35 No 9 1
A publication of the Catholic Archdiocese of Johannesburg
newsnewsADADTelephone (011) 402 6400 • www.catholicjhb.org.za DECEMBER 2020
558-98-9
Fr Emil77C-YOMC-YOM
Continued on page 10.
Continued on page 6.
RIP Fr Teboho MatsekeRIP Fr Teboho Matseke
Fr Emil Blaser, with Sr Justina Priess OP and Fr Barney McAleer, was the founding editor of the ADNews in 1985 when newspapers were not allowed to report incidents of anti-apartheid resistance. The first issue carried a report of the petrol bombing of the convent of the Companions of St Angela. On the right is Judy Stockill, editor of ADNews until 2012 who is still a contributor. For more about Fr Emil, see pages 8 and 9.
Justice and Peace Special General Meeting
Justice and Peace’ Special General Meeting in the Archdiocese took place on
Saturday, 21 October at the Cathedral Hall. Archbishop Buti Tlhagale OMI in his address challenged the J&P activists to kick start Justice and Peace.
“See, judge, act where you are. Set a goal to make a difference and work at it,” he encouraged.
Justice and Peace forged a partnership with the Department of Finance and eGovernment Gauteng led by MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.
The Department made a commitment to capacitate and equip young people, women, people with disabilities with digital skills that are currently needed in the market for young
One of the young people who attended, Tshepo Ratshomo, MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko and Kgosi Peter.
people to be employable and also be in a position to create jobs. This will go a long way in reducing the unemployment rate. Also, young people are often victims of cybercrimes and these skills will help them make informed decisions. So it is very important that young know how to protect their personal informa-tion on various digital platforms.
For more info on ICT skills development programme, call Tshepo Ratshomo on 082 445-5906.
The beatification process of Maria (Domitilla) Hyams and her husband, Daniel,
has taken a big step forward with the re-internment of the bodies in September.
The couple was buried at the Little Eden Rota Village in Bapsfontein which falls under the Archdiocese of Pretoria. They had, therefore, to be exhumed and re-interred within the Johan-nesburg Archdiocese which is promoting and taking the process further.
They have now been placed in a marble crypt in St Theresa’s, Edenvale.
Maria (‘Domitilla’) Hyams née Rota died on 18 January 2011 at her home at 10 St Anne Rd Edenvale. A vigil was held at Little Eden’s Our Lady of the Angels Chapel in Edenvale on Sunday, 30 January where her coffin was laid in repose. A Requiem Mass was celebrated on Monday, 31 January 2011 at the Little Eden Elvira Rota Village Holy Family Chapel followed by Domitilla’s burial in a concrete lined tomb under the eaves of the Holy Family Chapel. Her coffin was sealed in the tomb by a cast concrete slab above the casket, the concrete being supported by
Child-headed households a a problem in many South African families escalated
by the Covid-19 pandemic.Greater burden has also been
placed on grandparents who are now being forced to support their children, as well as grand-children, because of recent job losses.
The Society of St Vincent de Paul is one of the largest and long-standing charitable organ-isations in the Archdiocese whose core value is serving the poor.
Having helped people in various ways, no act of charity is foreign to the Soceity. In its his-tory, it has helped people in need through economic recessions and pandemics.
The Southern Gauteng Central Council president, Vincent Wil-liams said with recent retrench-ments, salaries being cut and breadwinners have succumbed to one or another form of illness, has increased the number of their beneficiaries.
steel IBR sheeting.Daniel (‘Danny’) George
Hyams died on 28 December 2012, also at his home at 10 St Anne Rd Edenvale. A Requiem Mass for Danny was celebrated at St Thérèse Church in Edenvale followed by his burial in the same tomb as Domitilla on 7 January 2013. His coffin was sealed in the tomb by a cast concrete slab above the casket, the concrete being supported by steel IBR sheeting.
During 2017 when the first steps were taken regarding a pos-sible Cause under the auspices of Archbishop Buti Tlhagale OMI, the competent Bishop in this Cause, it was noted that since the servants of God were both buried at Elvira Rota Village (which falls under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Pretoria) there would be a future need for their exhumation and re-interment in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg. On 5 September 2019, the first enquiries were made with Thom Kight, Funeral Directors, for the exhumation.
One step closer …
Cases where the grandchildren are the primary caregivers are common. One instance was of a grandmother who had seven mouths to feed living in a one-room shack. They all depended only on her pension grant to survive.
“When we returned to follow-up, the eldest grandchild who was 18 years old, had just given birth to another baby, increas-ing the burden on the family,” Vincent continued.
They also have been faced with the phenomenon of child-headed households, which is not new to the pandemic.
Child-headed households are a result of parental deaths and young parents who dump their children with their aging grand-parents, who after time also pass away.
These are identified mostly by
parishioners who present cases of indigent families in their streets and communities.
“We engage the most mature child and, as with all cases, we strive for lasting solutions, however, our priority is to ensure that the family has access to basic necessities.
“Children from these families are confronted daily with educa-tional, psychological and social challenges,” he added.
The society sends out question-naires which asks for, amongst others, identity numbers to verify whether the person receives any kind of social grant, who pays the rent and who buys the food to ascertain the kind of assistance they need.
Oftentimes, relatives are not willing to fend for additional children.
Child-headed families need support
The Chancery closes on Wednesday 23 December
and opens Monday 4 January.
We wish all our readers a blessed, safe and
peaceful Christmas season.
[email protected] December 2020Volume 35 No 92
available at the Chancery
Buy your Mother of Mercy Shrine merchandise at the office.
Contact Veronica Pieterson on 011 402 6400
Shrine merchandise
PATRONAL FEASTS: DECEMBER
Make use of our Archdiocesan websiteLooking for church contact information about the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, events and organ-isations? We have a comprehensive list of parishes, priests, schools, homes, creches, shelters, sodalities and secular orders. All are welcome to submit upcoming events and news for the website.
The addresses are:www.catholicjhb.org.zawww.catholic-johannesburg.org.za
ORDER OF CARMELITES DISCALCED SECULAR
(OCDS)
Do you want to be ‘LOVE’ in the centre of the World –
‘Love comprises ALL VOCATIONS…!’
(St Therese de Lisieux)Make a deeper commitment
to JESUS today by ….Taking the promises of Poverty,
Chastity and Obedience…
EVEN IF YOU ARE MARRIED!Enter The Order of Carmelites
Discalced - Secular (ocds)Where and How? COME AND SEE!Telephone: Bridget McIntosh-Hodge
on 083 703 2301
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Abortion warning‘The pill’ can abort (chemical
abortion), Catholics must be told, for their eternal welfare, and survival
of their unborn infants.www. epm.org.statitic/uploads/
bcpill pdfCoLA082 609 6919
Pope’s Intentions: DecemberFor a life of prayer
We pray that our personal relationship with Jesus Christ be nour-
ished by the Word of God and a life of prayer.
PREGNANCY CRISIS LINE
Pregnant?Need help?
Call 061 925-1987
3rd St Francis Xavier, Evaton (1931); Martindale (1929)6th St Nicholas, Daveyton (1955)8th Immaculate Conception, Diepkloof (1964); Rosebank (1936); Westonaria (1951)25th Emmanuel, Sebokeng Zone 14 (1978)27th St John the Apostle, Florida (1970)28th Holy Family, Spruitview (2010); Turffontein (1950)
Sanitary Towel DonationsWith the re-opening of schools, CWL Social Workers are imple-menting an education drive aimed at young girls on care, hygiene and health at local primary schools.
Please assist their efforts with donations of sanitary towels.
Thank you!
[email protected]: 011 618 1533 / 4
Kholofelo Ya Josefa Community Care Centre
A home-based and orphanage project of St Hubert, Alexandra
WANTED – VOLUNTEERS:• Care givers• Fundraisers• Treasurer• Board of trustees
For more information, contact Poshela Kekana (076) 062 7499
Surviving the HolidaysFor those mourning the death of
a loved one.Wednesday, 18:30 - 21:00
9th DecemberVirtual Meeting conducted
via ZoomContact Coralie Deas
083 524 7016Prior Booking Essential
Brought to you by St Charles Parish, Victory Park
Funds are still being raised by various fund-raising committees.
The target is R25 million. To date R21 050 255 has been raised.
Drymac: R400Drymac winter warmer: R420Candle: R100Mug: R100Beanie/woollen hat: R 70T-shirt: R100Golf shirt: R250Blanket: R300Cape/poncho: R400Denim jacket: R550
Cap: R100Hat/Sporty R100Kids golf shirt: R180Shrine logo embroidered
on your own denim jacket: R250
Buffs: R 70Face masks R 50
Lala Jiyane, Betty Sithole, Maki Ngobeni, Margaret Hlalele, Sibongile Ndebele, Lucy Dubazana, Maria Phiri, Dr Father Michael Seheri, Phumelele Mapumulo, Rebecca Ngwenya and Thembeni Mhlanga.
Parishes receive generous donation from foundation
Churches and schools benefited from the Motsepe Foundation in the form of a mon-etary donation at Regina Mundi, Moroka recently. Beneficiaries were Companions of St Angela Congregation, Regina Mundi, Moroka, Blessed Joseph Gerard, Freedom Park, St Angela, Dobsonville and Holy Rosary, Phiri.
A cheque was gratefully accepted by four representatives from Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Pictured are Lala Jiyane, Phumelele Mapumulo, Bridget Shabangu and Lucy Dubazana.
Holy Rosary, Phiri is one of the parishes that received a
generous donation of R200 000 from the Patrice Motsepe Founda-tion thanks to the efforts of parish priest, Fr Michael Seheri who approached the foundation in September this year.
The donation is for the purchase of pews for the newly-renovated church building. Responding to the appeal a month later, the Patrice Motsepe Foundation requested an interview with Fr Seheri to evaluate the request and the need for the donation.
On Thursday, 5 November, the parish was invited, along with other nominated churches and schools, to receive their cheques at Regina Mundi, Moroka.
The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, handed the cheque on behalf of Precious Moloi-Motsepe and Patrice Motsepe who attended the meeting via Zoom.
Archbishop Buti Tlhagale and the Vicar General Fr Paul Beukes were also in attendance.
The congregation of Holy Rosary and their priest Fr Seheri have expressed deep gratitude for the much-needed donation which will go towards completing the renovation and furnishing of the church.
Ofentse Manyama
[email protected] 2020 Volume 35 No 9 3
Father Thomas Plastow S.J. Answers Liturgy Questions
Four things to do in Advent
We need more questions about the Liturgy!
You are welcome to send questions directly to Fr Plastow: • PO Box 46876, Glosderry, 7702
• e-mail [email protected] • fax 011 402-6406
Sunday Mass. Numbers are still restricted and you will have to book your place ahead of time, but make this a commitment in the first week of Advent. Go to Mass on a week day if you are still too anxious about crowds. Only remain away if you are not feeling well, if you are frail or have comorbidities. If you are already back in church, volunteer to keep the church open for others by helping to sterilise the pews or by doing another useful thing.[2] Be kind and generousThe lockdown may have hit your pocket, but there are others who are worse off. Much needs to be done so that all our people are fed, clothed and housed. We have become used to doing our 67 min-utes for Mandela Day, so why not also make an effort in Advent? Organisations like the St Vincent de Paul Society, various sodalities and parish pastoral council agen-cies are always looking for help in cash, kind or voluntary labour.[3] Be reconciledAdvent is a popular time for Reconciliation Services in the par-ishes. This year things may be rather different, but seasons of preparation are good times to make one’s confession and be rec-onciled to God and the communi-ty. Reconciliation also needs to take place in families and neigh-bourhoods, and this can sometimes be much harder than going to con-fession! The pandemic makes social reconciliation so much more urgent… how many more chances will we get? How much worse will we feel if someone dies before we get to say sorry? God wants peace to all people of goodwill. Be an agent of peace.[4] Decorate your homeIn the fourth week of Advent, and not before, it is time to decorate the house for Christmas. You don’t want to jump the gun and then be bored of the decorations by 16 December! You don’t have to fill the entire house with plastic bau-bles and winking lights, something cheerful and meaningful will suf-fice. You don’t need to spend lots of money to make a Christmas shrine, many beautiful Nativity pictures are available. Just make sure that Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus are the central focus in your home, not Father Christmas!
A very blessed Advent and Christmas to all our readers!
Advent, the season of prepa-ration for Christmas, begins on 29 November
this year and runs up to the first Mass of Christmas on the evening of the 24 December. Let’s look at some ways to mark this season.What are your family’s Advent customs?The people of Johannesburg seem to get more distracted than Catholics in other parts of the world and we find it hard to enter into the spirit of Advent. Firstly, it is usually the start of our summer holidays and, from the first week of December, the traffic levels decrease as people flee the city. Secondly, students celebrate the end of exams. In recent years, matric raves have become increas-ingly irresponsible and far from the Advent spirit. Thirdly, people embrace Christmas shopping and year-end parties so December becomes a chain of exhausting functions which make it much harder to be calm and prayerful ahead of Christ’s birthday.
This year, some of these “customs” will be derailed by the Coronavirus pandemic, and we can turn that to our advantage. School exams will end later than usual, there will be fewer parties this year, and fewer people will be able to afford a holiday at the beach or in the berg. Perhaps we can taste Advent in a fresh way this year.What do other countries do for Advent?The internet is full of advice for families wanting to mark the Advent. Few of them have any-thing to do with Christianity, how-ever, and seem to me part of the northern hemisphere’s strategy for coping with wintertime. A quick word search suggests we “go ice skating”, “make paper snowflakes to decorate your home” or “hang up mistletoe and steal a kiss from a loved one”. Surely we can do better than that!Advent is a time of preparation, not of penance.As the beginning of our liturgical year, it is a time to take stock of how we’ve been doing, and a good opportunity to turn over a new leaf. We prepare ourselves to wel-come Christ – not just the baby Jesus whom we see in the manger after Midnight Mass, but the Christ who stands at the door and knocks. Will you open your heart to him? This is not a time of com-munal penance as Lent is, but if some austerity and spiritual renew-al is required, make the extra effort to open yourself to God’s will. Here are suggestions for each week of Advent 2020.[1] Reconnect with your parishOur parishes have reopened, but many people have yet to return to
On Sunday, 8 November, the Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees
team celebrated the 4th World Day of prayer with the poor and the 106th World Day for Migrants and Refugees at St Lewis Bertrand in Payneville. This was in line with Pope Francis’ recommendation to all Christians to observe a day of prayer with the poor.
Two main activities character-ised the work in the Depart-ment of Pastoral Care for
Migrants and Refugees during this hardship of global pandemic of Covid-19 – the distribution of food parcels, vouchers, hygienic kits and sanitisers to vulnerable migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, and the celebration of World Refugee Day in some parishes.
The outreach programme is done in conjunction with Bienvenu Shelter.
With the support of organisa-tions such as the UNCHR, Welt-kirche, Catholic Relief Services and the Parish of Our Lady of Fatima in Brentwood, the department has also been distributing goods at the Cathedral of Christ the King, three times a week.
Celebrating the 4th World Day of Prayer with the Poor
Parishioners of St Lewis Bertrand enjoy the meal after the Mass.
Community members of St Bertrand Lewis shared a meal after the Mass.
After the Eucharistic celebration, parishioners of St Lewis Bertrand wished a happy birthday to Fr Raphael Ntlou by presenting him with a big cake.
In his message for the 4th World Day of Prayer with the Poor, Pope Francis called on people to keep their gaze fixed on the poor, especially during Covid-19 pandemic, and warned against succumbing to a “whirl-wind of indifference”. Pope Francis also pointed out that “prayer to God and solidarity with the poor and suffering are inseparable.” He also noted that “time devoted to prayer can never become an alibi for neg-lecting our neighbour in need.” It is a day for the gift of gener-osity. For Pope Francis, Christ-
ians have the duty to support the weak, console the afflicted, relieve the suffering and restore dignity to those stripped of it, is a condition for a fully human life.
In line with all of these, the Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees team would like to express its gratitude to Fr Raphael Ntlou, the priest-in charge and the parishioners of St Lewis Bertrand for the jubilant Eucharistic celebration and the meal shared together.
Sr Marizete Garbin
COVID-19 hardships addressed
From 4 to 19 October, the department’s team embarked on the celebration of the World Refugee Day in certain parishes such as the community of St Peter and Paul in Tarlton (Magaliesburg), Sacred Heart Parish in Katlehong and St Francis of Assisi in Vander-bijlpark. This was in line with the Southern African Catholic Bishop’s Conference (SACBC) office for Migrants and Refugees dedication of Sunday, 4th October as a day of prayer for migrants and refugees. The theme, by His Holiness Pope Francis for the 106th World Day for Migrants and Refugees was: “Like Jesus Christ forced to flee. Welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating internally dis-placed persons”. This date also coincided with the Feast of St Francis of Assisi. The celebration of the Eucharist in these parishes was filled with African flair, songs and dances.
During the celebration of the Mass in these parishes, community members were reminded to abide by lockdown rules.
The Pastoral Care team always starts by advising its beneficiaries on how to keep themselves and their families safe and healthy during this crucial time.
Below: Sister Marizete Garbin and Fr Michael Nkosinathi Nkabinde are pictured sharing a meal with the com-munity members of St. Peter and Paul in Tarlton.
Sr Marizete Garbin is seen thanking the community mem-bers of St Peter and Paul in Tarlton for the joyful celebra-tion of World Refugee Day.
A beneficiary filling in his details before receiving his food voucher.
A beneficiary receives milk for her children.
[email protected] December 2020Volume 35 No 94
December Family Theme
“Family, hope for the future”
Caritas South Africa (SA) held an online meeting on Monday, 2 November in
preparation for the first Caritas SA Day and the Fourth World Day of the Poor.
In his opening remarks, chairman of Caritas SA Fr Patrick Rakeketsi, highlighted Caritas Internationalis’ Children and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy on the Safe Recruitment Declaration. He pointed out that all arms of the Church should work together to ensure that the safeguarding policies are implemented.
First Caritas South Africa Day and the Fourth World Day of the Poor The First Caritas SA Day was cele-brated on the 15 November, the same day the Church celebrated the Fourth World Day of the Poor. During her presentation, the National Coordinator of Caritas, Sr Maria de Lurdes Lodi Rissini spoke about the launch of the first Caritas SA day, saying the SACBC proposed the slogan of “Caritas is Serving the Poor”. According to Sr Maria, Caritas SA National Office prepared a “liturgy kit” consisting of a poster, suggestions for Eucharistic celebration, a letter from Caritas Internationalis and the message of Pope Francis. Archbishops, bishops and Caritas coordinators received copies to distribute to all parish pastoral councils, sodalities and their networks.
Caritas SA Working Towards Food Sustainability Diocesan Caritas coordinators were given an opportunity to report on the activities/projects carried out during the Covid-19 lockdown. Caritas Internationalis attended the request of Caritas SA for an emergency project where about six Arch/dioceses were to benefit. Although some dioceses are still to establish a Caritas desk and are struggling financially, many have worked in collaboration with other charity groups to provide food relief during the lockdown. With the help from Catholic charity organisations such as Missio, Caritas in the Kroonstad diocese was able to start health care
and general hygiene projects for girls, vegetable gardens and other community grant projects.
Apart from food relief programs, other dioceses have developed drug rehabilitation centres to help young people addicted to sub-stance abuse, programmes to tackle gender-based violence as well as family life programmes. One common sentiment from most dioceses is the need to work towards food sustainability and to encourage and train communities to be self-reliant by starting communal vegetable gardens.
Fourth World Day of the Poor This year the Church celebrated the fourth World Day of the Poor as declared by Pope Francis in His Apostolic Letter, Misericordia et Misera in 2016. The Pope declared that “World Day of the Poor” be celebrated every year on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Pope Francis’ theme for 2020 World Day of the Poor is “Stretch forth your hand to the poor” (Sir 7:32).
Amongst the participants present at the meeting were Bishop Jan De Groef M. Afr of Bethlehem Diocese, Bishop Adam Musialek SCJ of De Aar Diocese, Bishop Noel Andrew Rucastle of Oudtshoorn Diocese, Caritas SA chairperson Fr Patrick Rakeketsi CSS, Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) National Coordinator for Caritas/Migrants and Refugee Office Sr Maria de Lurdes Lodi Rissini MSCS, Assistant Coordinator for SACBC Migrants and Refugee Office Sr Clementine Sekantsi HF and diocesan Caritas coordinators.
By Sheila Pires
Overview: December Family, Hope for the Future. What does it mean to be a family of families and hope for the future? Each human family is unique and different, with its own joys and anxieties and yet has an inbuilt sense of belonging, to one another and to our Creator. St Francis taught us in his Canticle of the Creatures that all the ele-ments in creation, the sun, moon, stars, fire, water, earth and even death are brothers, sisters and the earth is our mother. All creatures, in their own way, pay homage to God their Creator. Gratitude and praise are expressions of the wonder and awe we humans experience at God’s gifts of creation, while acknowledging that we alone can address the challenges that we face and, in doing so, we are hope for the future of all. We pray a simple family prayer: “We praise you and thank you for Your love and care, O Lord. Help us to serve you and all creation in deed and in word, so that we will truly be a Family, Hope for the Future.”
COMMUNITY PRAYER adapted from Laudato Si from Pope Francis. All powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. We are all your family, a family of families. You embrace with tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with peace that we may live as brothers and sisters harming no one. Encourage us, we pray, as we strive for justice and peace and learn to grow in love. Praise be to you! Amen
As this difficult year 2020 comes to an end, December is also a month of hope. We prepare for the Incarnation, for Jesus becoming one of us, and bringing us hope for the future. The Church prepares and we can prepare with our own families too with simple activities, generosity and good deeds for others in need and with moments of family prayer. See www.marfam.org.za/advent and daily thought or contact Toni Rowland, [email protected]
BrightRock and Right to Care usher Christmas in early for Nazareth House
Nazareth House, a reputable non-profit organisation that
provides sanctuary and care to 35 children and 130 elderly people has received much-needed relief in the form of essential donations from Right to Care, a leading Covid-19 orientated NGO, in partnership with needs-matched life insurer, BrightRock, and sports event organiser and NPO, Events to Aid. The donations form part of the BrightRock Battle of the Sports challenge, an ongoing, collective initiative aimed at raising vital funds and awareness to support vulnerable communities in South Africa that have been adversely affected by Covid-19.
As an NPO that relies entirely on donations, Nazareth House in Yeoville is one such vulnerable
Marfam’s 2020 family theme brings together humanity and the rest of creation each month with a different family aspect.
From left: Precious Robinson, chief tech-nical specialist (Right to Care), Siphokazi Somi, Chief Marketing and Communi-cations Manager (Right to Care), Amanda Spohr, Reputation manage-ment executive (BrightRock) presented Elaine Beale-Roberts, Nursing Services Manager (Nazareth House) with ham-pers of much needed products that will help take care of the residents.
First Caritas SA day celebrated on World Day of the Poor
community. During the pandemic, Nazareth’s funding has been heavily affected, as many of its supporters have been under severe financial strain and therefore unable to donate to the organisa-tions’ cause. In addition, the orphanage has also been nega-tively affected by Covid-19 owing to the strict regulations
around visitors to the centre, which, in turn, resulted in further public donations being reduced.
Right to Care’s Precious Robinson, Chief Technical Specialist: Prevention, Care and Treatment, said, “The residents at Nazareth House are frail and destitute often with no family or resources. With Covid-19, their support was compromised.
“We are committed to sup-porting vulnerable populations, including the elderly and orphans. We wanted to contribute to improving their quality of life and provide for their basic needs to save them from coronavirus infections,” she said.
Suzanne Stevens, Deputy CEO said: “At BrightRock, our philo-sophy is to love change. When we deliver to our clients, our purpose is to help them navigate the changes in their lives by providing them with financial protection that meets their needs, now and in the future.
“We hope that, through contri-buting to the important work done at Nazareth House and other community projects, we can be a part of the change that’s needed to help rebuild our communities after this very challenging year,” she added
[email protected] 2020 Volume 35 No 9 5
Pauline Books & Media aka Catholic Bookshop181 Queen St cnr Cumberland
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Rest in Peace
A requiem Mass of Fr Teboho Matseke was led by Bishop Duncan Tsoke, concelebrated by His Grace Archbishop Buti Tlhagale OMI and the priests of the Archdiocese. This took place at the
Cathedral on Friday, 6 November.Fr Teboho was born on 26 November 1965. He was ordained to the
priesthood on 20 December 2003. His ministry in the Archdiocese included being assigned to the following parishes:2004 – 2006 Rosebank, Immaculate Conception2006 – 2012 Noordgesig, St Andrew2010 – 2015 Meadowlands, St Joseph2015 – 2018 Spruitview, Holy Family2020 – Zola, Holy Cross & Zondi, St Theresa
He also served the Church in the following capacities:2007 – Vicar for the Department of Youth2010 – 2018 Chaplain, St David’s Marist Inanda2015 – Reverend Chaplain to Council No 3, Victory Park of the Catholic Order of the Knights of da Gama.
Fr Teboho died peacefully on 28 October.
Fr Teboho Matseke
Mourners pay their last respects before the Requiem Mass begins.
Archbishop Buti Tlhagale and vicar general, Fr Paul Beukes express words of comfort to Fr Teboho’s family.
Rev Deacon Fusi Khumalo carrying the Book of Gospels during the entrance procession.
Mass was led by Bishop Duncan Tsoke with Archbish-op Buti Tlhagale and several priests concelebrating.
Photographer and videographer, Timothy Bernard live-streaming the funeral to Archdiocesan News Jhb Facebook page
Pics by Sheldon Reddiar and Timothy Bernard
Main celebrant, Bishop Duncan Tsoke.
Rev Deacon Tshepo Maseko
Family members of Fr Teboho Matseke.
Archbishop Buti Tlhagale incenses the coffin.
Administrator of the Cathedral, Fr Victor Ngwenya was the Master of Ceremonies.
Sr Juliana Mary Abioye from the Youth Office proclaims the second reading.
Fr Sefako Santawana placing the bible on the coffin of Fr Teboho Matseke.
[email protected] December 2020Volume 35 No 96
The parish of St Louis, Thulamntwana, Orange Farm closed the month of the Holy Rosary on Sunday, 31 October with a procession through
the streets of the area. The procession, which started at 6 am, began with the Rosary of the Holy Spirit and, it being a Sunday, was followed by the Glorious Mysteries. The youth led the procession carrying the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mass was celebrated by Fr Tlaile Lingoane SDB.
Holy Rosary School in Edenvale turned 80 this year, and to mark this
special occasion a Mass of Thanksgiving was held on Our Lady of the Rosary at which Bishop Duncan Tsoke was the celebrant. Guests of honour included Holy Rosary sisters, St Therese parish priest, family of the Hurly brothers, the trust and board, first head girl of the school, principals from neighbouring Catholic schools, parents and senior girls.
Celebrations and thanksgiving were held for the founder – Bishop Joseph Shanahan and the courageous Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary, who braved the dangerous journey from Ireland to South Africa in the middle of the Second World War. Richard and Henry Hurly, residents of Edenvale at the time, owned a piece of land next to the Catholic
The Children of Mary Sodality from Our Lady of Victories, Doornkop celebrated three special events with three young people.
Olesego Mediwane was joyfully accepted into the sodality, whilst Ofentse Ngobeni became a full member and Babalwa Nkalintshana received a blessing for her 10-year anniversary.
Mass was celebrated by parish priest, Fr Francis Xavier AJ. The important event was also attended by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary who are based in Florida. They are Srs Christine Muoki, Berna-dette Kiendrebeogo and Sandhya Toppo.
The chairperson of the guides in the Soweto Deanery helped in the vesting and pinning of members.
Children of Mary celebrates with three young people
Holy Rosary School celebrates 80 years
Above: Bishop Duncan Tsoke gives a blessing.
Left: Sr Lorna and heads in procession.
Below: Aerial shot of Holy Rosary.
parish church, which they donated, as well as a cottage on the land which was in the middle of what was then a veld, and immediately became home to the sisters. The generous Hurly brothers then built the first convent house and Bishop Shanahan and the
sisters started the school with seven pupils. And so, from humble beginnings in 1940 to around 950 pupils today, with beautiful facilities and grounds there have been many blessings.
Kenda KnowlesHoly Rosary
Marketing Manager
First Holy CommunionsFirst Holy Communions took place recently at Immaculate Conception, Rosebank. The Sacrament was administered by parish priest, Fr Thabo Motshegwa. Janine Berry
Sometimes one finds men who see an opportunity to prey on these orphans, abusing them by having transactional sex with them, Vincent explained.
Where there is abuse, the cases are referred to a social worker and, in some cases for their safety, children have been placed in foster homes with the help of the Catholic Women’s League.
“We also find others who are focused, and try their utmost to lift their families out of poverty by pursuing academics and looking for gainful employment if they are of age,” he adds.
Conferences relating to help which include face-to-face meet-
ings have been stopped as per the national regulations and president Peter Keshwar’s directive.
“However, we will still find ways to ensure that food is distributed and have resorted to distributing at the parish instead of delivering to beneficiaries.”
As the Society of St Vincent de Paul is a voluntary organisation often run by lay men and women, they often have to raise funds.
This includes selling donated goods at a low price and, in most parishes in Soweto, they sell
popcorn after Mass. This goes a long way in purchasing staple and non-perishable food items for beneficiaries.
Vincent is grateful for the support from various sodalities and people of goodwill. With Christmas around the corner, they would like to be able to supply good-sized food parcels to their beneficiaries and toys for the children.
For any assistance, contact Vincent on 082 570-4147.
Lerato Mohone
Child-headed families need support – continued from page 1.
A Rosary procession to close the month of October
Remembering those who died
during the lockdown
The parish of St Peter Claver, Pimville celebrated a special Mass to remember and pray for the repose of the souls of its parishioners who died during the Lockdown on Sunday, 18 October.
Mass was led by parish priest Fr Tom Segami OMI who was assisted by Rev Abednigo Thokoane. In his homily, Fr Tom included a supportive message to the bereaved that was meant to deepen our faith in eternal life as Catholic Christians.
The names of the deceased and images were screened for the con-gregation. Their families placed candles bearing their names on the altar. The deceased were also remembered during All Souls Mass which was commemorated the following week. Lerato Mohone
[email protected] 2020 Volume 35 No 9 7
30th October, 2020. Dear young people of the Archdiocese,
Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Coronavirus made us put some of our activities of this year on hold. Since all the parishes in the Archdiocese are back to operation with Masses, I encourage young people to please go back to church and join other faithful in prayer by attending Masses and participating actively in other liturgical celebrations.
Since we cannot come together in a large group, I encourage the youth of various parishes to start meeting to share the scriptures and the new encyclical letter of Pope Francis Fratelli tutti (All brothers) http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-frances-co_20201003_enciclica-fratelli-tutti.html as groups and as individuals while we still observe physical distancing and all the necessary precautions of reducing the spread of Covid-19.
Reflect on each chapter and share your thoughts on it in writing not more than a page or a video clip of not more than 3 minutes with the Youth Department on [email protected] encourage parents to go with their children as they go for Masses and other liturgical celebra-tions. If schools, malls and places of relaxation are being visited and deemed safe for young people, I strongly believe the church is safer for them since every parish is required to observe strictly the Covid-19 regulations. And many parishes are doing their best in this regard.
This is a time to bond with fellow youth in the parish more than ever before.
Yours in the Eucharistic Lord,
Sr Juliana Mary Abioye EHJYouth HOD and Coordinator.
YOUTH NEWS
With the easing up of lockdown restrictions, the Orange Farm based
Catholic Youth on a Mission (C-YOM) officially launched on the eve of Mission Sunday at St Charles, Lwanga. The event incorporated the handing over of certificates following training on Covid-19 by Doctors without Borders and the unveiling of the banner.
The young activists who have inherited a great legacy of faith, sacrifice and activism are taking the baton from their elders ensuring that, in collaboration with other organisations such as
Orange Farm Human Rights Advice Centre and Itsoseng Women’s Project, they contribute in a meaningful way for the betterment their community.
Their activities included monitoring adherence to government regulations, especially when epidemic infections were at their peak and their area was declared a hotspot. They also trained parishioners and the community on how to mitigate the spread of the virus.
The parish’s Synod champion, Bricks Mokolo acts as a sounding board. He said these young people
were carrying out the mission of the Church which is to continue to work of Jesus not only through good news but also good works.
The various talents God has bestowed upon them were in full display as the youth presented an enlightening programme interspersed with poetry on Covid-19 and gender-based
violence, motivational talks and a light-hearted play. They also performed their composed C-YOM anthem “Re bacha ba Catholic, re tlisa phetoho” (We are young Catholics, eager to make a change).
The parish’s deacon, Rev Vincent Booysen was one of the people trained by C-YOM and expressed how the experience had been eye-opening. “I realised that simple things like putting on a face mask correctly is very important,” he said.
Fr Tlaile Lingoane SDB said young minds needed to challenge “rusty” ones and this is one of the
things they had achieved. He likened C-YOM to the gospel of the feeding of the 5 000 in John 6. The young people were like the boy who had two fish and five loaves. They brought the little they had to the community and the Church. “What may appear to be meagre contributions, as in the passage of the Bible, will over-flow with blessings from God,” he encouraged.
Parish priest, Fr Kgomotso Sebopela gave the vote of thanks and assured the young people that they could count on his support.
The event was enjoyed by both young and old people.
Lerato Mohone
C-YOM youngsters give their all
to the community
Tinyiko Mondlane becomes animated during her role as an MC.
The group prepares to sing its composed C-YOM anthem.
Left: Spiritual director and co-founder of C-YOM, Fr Kifle Kirba meets with young people of the parish.
Themba Ngcobo gave an overview of the objectives of C-YOM.
The banner was unveiled by Fr Lingoane Tlaile.
Parish priest Fr Kgomotso Sebopela expressed pride in the achievements of the young people. An ecstatic Khensani Mondlane is
congratulated by Azalet Dube from Doctors without Borders.
Left: The parish’s Synod champion, Bricks Mokolo.
World Youth Day logo explained
[email protected] December 2020Volume 35 No 98
This week the Catholic Church in Southern Africa lost one of its most well-
known clergy: Dominican Father Emil Blaser. Fr Emil died after a long and debilitating illness which caused him to have to give up doing what he loved most: communicating with others on the airwaves.
Long before Fr Emil realised his dream of a Catholic radio station, he was already the face and the voice of Catholicism. When the national broadcaster still started the day with a time of devotion Fr Emil would often be the Catholic voice on both radio and television. He knew that he would be reaching people across the length and breadth of this country and prepared the scripts for those slots meticulously – as a teenager, I saw them piled up in a box in the boot of his car! For many years he was a regular faith-ful voice on national radio and television.
But Fr Emil had a vision and a dream. He realised that dream when Radio Veritas was estab-lished. Despite a long struggle to get the station permanently on the airwaves, Fr Emil never gave up. His passion for communicat-ing drove him to leave no stone unturned and eventually Radio Veritas was granted a medium wave license. (It still can be found on 576AM).
Fr Emil became a household voice as he hosted the morning show on Veritas every weekday. He also led a daily devotion in the form of the Church’s evening prayer.
I remember Fr Emil as an altar server. He did a long supply in the parish when our priest was away. At that time, he was working for the Bishops’ Conference. He was able to connect with people, young and old. He remembered people from week to week and, after a while, remembered and
Fr Emil and Rimon Makhlouf, the Holy Land tour guide talking on Radio Veritas over telephone whilst on a Holy Land pilgrimage in 2013.
inquired about things people had mentioned to him. He was interested in people. He cared for people.
Fr Emil instilled a keen interest in several younger priests and religious for Catholic media. He organised workshops when we were students, put us in contact with Catholic journalists and was always on the lookout for oppor-tunities to further Catholic media. He was determined, sometimes against the odds. At times he felt unsupported by those in authority as he worked for the good of the whole Church.
However, Fr Emil was not only a giant in Catholic media. He was also a pastor and his work in media was always guided by his pastoral sense. I remember him calling people after he had been asked (on air) for prayers for a youngster who had died tragi-cally. He followed up afterwards and then visited the family. I re-member too taking a six-year-old to meet Fr Emil. He listened to him every morning on his way to school. The little boy was starry-eyed about meeting the voice behind the mic. Fr Emil was in no rush. He spent a while talking to the child, asking about his school and life and offering him biscuits and milkshake.
The Catholic Church has lost a great broadcaster, a man who worked hard to ensure that his passion and vision were realised. He was courageous and tena-cious. The Church has also lost a man who had a pastoral heart. But, most of all, Fr Emil Blaser was a good human being who had other human beings at heart. He deserves our gratitude.
Fr Russell Pollitt, Jesuit Institute
Fr Emil had a dream ...
At Holy Trinity, Braamfontein. Fr Emil is pictured with Fr Russell Pollitt SJ and Robert Mickens, Vatican analyst and journalist who visited South Africa in 2017.
Breakfast in Paris in 2015
Gail and Gunther Simmermacher with Fr Emil at Radio Veritas’ 20th anniversa-ry celebration at St Benedict’s in Bedfordview.
Pics by Gunther Simmermacher
FOUNDER of Radio Veritas, the only Catholic radio sta-tion in South Africa,
Fr Emil Blaser, has been laid to rest. Fr Emil’s soothing voice has been a familiar one on the early morning show for years, not only conducting Mass, but also hosting talk and news shows and show-casing local South African music.
Due to a debilitating illness, chronic inflammatory demyelinat-ing polyneuropathy (CIDP), the priest told ADNews, already in 2018 that he was finding rising at 3am every morning to be at the radio station by 6am, a toll on his health. The illness left him with no feelings in his fingertips or toes and ate into his body.
CIDP is an acquired immune-mediated inflammatory disorder of the nervous system. Fr Emil however, did not give up that easily and he was not going to allow his condition to stop his radio broadcasts.
He still presented the afternoon session as the sun sets.
The priest said he has always enjoyed the stage and media start-ing his career as far back as the 1960s.
He was ordained a priest in 1967 in Stellenbosch. During his studies, he took a course in drama and it was there that he developed his love of media and the techni-calities of broadcasting, he said.
In 1976, when television was first introduced to South Africa, he was given a slot on the SABC to relay spiritual and religious messages. In 1985, he got his own religious show called “Light of the nations”.
Over the years, Fr Emil acted in several senior positions within the church, including being appointed
A Communicator ahead of his times – Fr Emil Blaser OP21-02-1942 to 16-11-2020secretary general and media officer for the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
It was through those positions that he obtained a lot of interna-tional media exposure and media contacts. He met popes as well as numerous ambassadors.
He also served as provincial head of the Dominican order to which he belonged.
It was from the 1980s that Bla-ser started to “dabble” in radio.
“I started putting my feelers out about starting an all-Catholic radio station. We formed a board and started with the radio station from my bedroom in Troyeville, which the Dominican order owned. It was called Veritas Productions at the time.”
The station then moved to Fairland and eventually a building
was co-purchased in 2012 with the Knights of da Gama, a brother-hood of lay Catholics.
The station, Radio Veritas, was officially launched that year. It was using the free FM 92.7 frequency at the time.
ICASA would not grant the sta-tion its own frequency.
Fr Emil then discovered that MW frequency 576 reaches much further, as far as Colesburg and even Durban in the evenings but the station now has to find R155 000 for a broadcasting licences fee.
They also had to purchase their own transmitter which cost R250 000 which was eventually funded by the Italian Catholic Bishops’ Conference and was installed in Meyerton, a site from which it still transits.
They have also been granted a free chanel 870 on DSTV. Veritas also live streams on the internet.
Father said the station has between 70 000 and 100 000 listeners.
The station broadcasts in seven different languages, offering daily Mass to those who cannot attend, as well as the recitation of the Rosary.
For the past few years he was unable to drive or even use a com-puter as he had lost most of the feelings in the tips of his fingers and suffered from fatigue.
He told ADNews that he was satisfied that he had achieved what he had set out to do even though the illness had “eaten” him up.
Finding funds to keep the chan-nel going was always a huge con-cern to cover the license and staff fees. His wish was to stop battling every month to raise funds to keep it going. He visited many churches and organisations pleading for funding on a regular basis.
Through Radio Veritas, he also offered mentorship and training to young journalists wanting the enter the media and radio industry. Many of those who have become household names, cut their teeth at the station.
The station broadcasts on 576 AM and also on the DStv Audio Bouquet Channel 870.
Fr Emil enjoying breakfast with friends.
[email protected] 2020 Volume 35 No 9 9
DEADLINE FOR JANUARY ISSUE 10 DECEMBER
Published by the Catholic Archdiocese of Johannesburg,
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Twelve issues per annum. Circulation 15 000 copies per issue.
Distributed to all parishes of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg.
Editor: Anna Cox Cell 083 610-0439
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Fr Emil’s Requiem Mass took place at Our Lady of Mercy, Springs on Tues-day, 24 October. He was laid to rest at the Dominican cemetery in Boksburg. Friends, priests, colleagues pay their last respect.
Covid-19 regulations observed by mourners.
Fr Martin Badenhorst OP officiates during Mass.
Inside Our Lady of Mercy, Springs before the start of the Requiem Mass.
Fr Emil’s stole
Mourners make their way into the Church.
Radio Veritas staff broadcast the funeral proceedings live.
Pics by Timothy Bernard
Above: Fr Martin Badenhorst leads the Requiem Mass.
Fr Emil Blaser OP coffin.
Fr Martin Bardenhorst OP conducting the final rites.
[email protected] December 2020Volume 35 No 910
Fr Vincent Pienaaar 02-12-77Rt Rev Bishop Duncan Tsoke 02-12-95Fr Emmanuel Temswang 05-12-09Fr Chaka Motanyane 06-12-97Fr Tom Segami 07-12-96Fr Tente Sompane 07-12-02Fr Kevin Bugler 08-12-59Fr James Towell 08-12-59Fr Jude Burgers 08-12-87Fr Richard Stonier 08-12-18Rev Kevin Kilroe 08-12-01Fr Keith Gordon-Davis 09-12-95Fr Terrence Barnard 11-12-75Fr Thabo Motshegwa 11-12-99Rev Michael Carroll 12-12-99Rev Ryszard Malinowski 12-12-09Rev Alexander Niven 12-12-09Rev Neil Philipson 12-12-09Fr Petrus Shiya 4-12-91Fr Joachim Malunga 14-12-13Fr Victor Ngwenya 15-12-07Fr Daniel Sehlapelo 15-12-07Fr Reginald Anthony 16-12-91
Ordinations
We celebrate with our priestsThe following priests and deacons
celebrate their birthdays and anniversaries of their ordination. Archbishop Buti Tlhagale OMI
celebrates his birthday. Remember them in your prayers!
Birthdays in January
We celebrate with our Priests
Fr Benedict Mahlangu 16-12-95Fr Tshepiso Lekoko 16-12-17Fr Remigius Makobane 17-12-79Fr Letsie Moshoeshoe 17-12-83Fr Malcolm McLaren 18-12-10Rev John Magata 18-12-10Fr Joshua Mpiti 19-12-09Fr Phuti Makgabo 19-12-15Fr Ignatius Fidgeon 20-12-64Fr Andrew Thomo 20-12-92Fr Jeemon Francis 26-12-09
1st Fr Emmanuel Kagimbangabo Fr Taelo Kimane Fr Francis Anyanzu3rd Fr Keith Gordon-Davis4th Fr Kgomotso Sebopela5th Fr Michael Murphy6th Fr Tony Daniels Fr Timothy Wrenn7th Fr Kevin Bugler9th Fr Petrus Shiya12th Rev Kenneth James14th Fr Antonio Nunes16th Fr Alberto Villalba17th Fr Thabo Motshegwa21st Fr Shaun von Lillienfeld22nd Fr Terrence Barnard25th Fr Emmanuel Wafula Fr Emmanuel Temswang Rev Haga Ndlovu26th Archbishop Buti Tlhagale28th Fr Tlaile Lingoane31st Fr Ronald Houreld Fr Letsie Moshoeshoe
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All Souls MassEvery year, the church designates 1 November to remember All Saints Day and 2 November to remember All Souls.
Good Shepherd in Protea North, held a memorial Mass on 1 November for parish members who passed on during the lock-down period, as the congregation could not attend their funerals.
Portia Mmethi
Following discussions with the late Fr Joseph Leathem OMI, former parish priest of St Thérèse Church and Archbishop Buti, it was decided that a suitable re-interment place would be inside St Thérèse Church. As exhumations require civil authorities’ approvals, the necessary applications forms and documents were submitted to the Gauteng Province Department of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs in November 2019. A response was received in a letter dated 26 June 2020 granting the required permission.
However, the national Covid-19 pandemic shutdown prevented the implementation of the exhuma-tion. This only became possible when the lockdown was eased to level 2 and the date was set for 8 September 2020, Feast of the birth of the Virgin Mary and anniver-sary date of Domitilla and Danny’s wedding day.
Four Thom Kight representa-tives undertook the actual process of opening the tomb, breaking the two concrete slabs and lifting out the two caskets
The two-day service was conducted by Archbishop Buti who gave a brief explanation to all present as to the reasons behind the exhumation and reinterment.
Fr Zweli conducted a short prayer followed by a scripture
reading before work started on the removal of the tombstone cover stone.
Both coffins were placed inside Holy Family Chapel in front of the altar before the Archbishop blessed both caskets which were covered with a white cotton sheet which will be kept as third-class relics.
The Archbishop invited the family members to collect and retain the various mementos which were left by the family members on top of both caskets when they were buried as these too, are now third-class relics.
The caskets were then trans-ferred by hearse to the Elvira Rota Village.
Since the pine wood casket of Domitilla Hyams was in a poor condition with some of its base being left behind in the concrete tomb and since there was not sufficient day-light time for the re-interment process at St Thérèse parish church, it was decided to transport the two caskets to Thom Kight premises and to transfer the mortal remains of both Domit-illa and Danny Hyams into new pine caskets (the casket of Danny Hyams also showed signs of dis-integration). During this process, separate white cotton sheets were used (for relic purposes) to cover the mortal remains during the transfer from the old caskets into the new caskets. The original pine
caskets of both Domitilla and Danny Hyams to be returned to the Holy Family Chapel as relics.
When the concrete slab above Domitilla’s coffin was cast, some of her rosaries and rosary segments were placed in the wet concrete. These concrete pieces were recovered during the exhu-mation and retained as relics. The remaining concrete rubble and IBR sheeting was collected to be returned to the empty tomb.
The following day, Wednesday, 9 September, the Thom Kight hearse arrived with the two cas-kets and handed them over to the Postulator to receive the cotton sheets used to cover the mortal remains of the couple. Domitilla was placed on the base of the new marble crypt inside St Thérèse parish church and her husband above her.
After the praying of the Ro-sary, the Archbishop gave a short presentation on the Cause process going forward and suggests to the Cause Committee that the inter-views of witnesses should initiate even before the formal Cause was launched as important witnesses are passing away.
This Cause is a diocesan-wide one and every Catholic in the Archdiocese should be aware of it and to pray for its success.
Fr PuthiMakgabo
One step closer ... continued from page 1.
Chancery staff celebrate special Mass Not only has it been healthcare
workers who have faced unprecedented levels of death, but many have lost loved ones including Chancery staff. In light of Pious Month, a special Mass to pray for the deceased relatives of staff members took place at the Mother of Mercy chapel on Friday, 13 October.
The Mass which was led by Archbishop Buti Tlhagale OMI and the vicar general, Fr Paul Beukes OMI included the installation of relics of St Maria Goretti which were donated by the family of Domitilla and Daniel Hyams in the chapel’s altar and blessing the remembrance plague of the deceased Chancery staff.
In his homily, the Archbishop who this year alone lost his mother
Archbishop Buti Tlhagale blesses the relics installed in the Chapel altar. He is assisted by the vicar general, Fr Paul Beukes.
and sister, spoke about death being a companion of everyone but also about how it brought loneliness, pain and anxiety. He also spoke about the joy and relief it can sometimes bring.
The general ideas is to live until one experiences old age, however, others are called earlier, he shared.
He also explained how some people experience spiritual death. “In our streets, communities show us faces of corpses, physically people are there but the soul is gone. One example was of those who are forced to steal because of circumstances. “I often wonder if they will ever come back,” he added.
He concluded by saying for Christians death should remind us of our faith in the resurrection in Jesus Christ and that one day we will see God face to face.
Lerato Mohone
Dillon Naicker holding the remembrance plaque blessed by Archbishop Buti. It bears the follow-ing names: Tony Mokhe-seng, Beverly Stevens, Penelope West and Kele-bogile Majahe.
Dickson Mofokeng and his children, Momekete and Looma.
Staff and grieving family members gather around the table for refreshments.
Chancery staff, from left Deborah Sebuse, Veronica Pieterson, Charmaine Makhubela (standing), Annastacia Mphuthi and Emma Zemura.
