South Africa

South Africa              

Participants in the 2010 South Africa Partnership Council meeting, held near Pietermaritzburg June 13-15, included a number of South African organizations and individuals, as well as North American Mennonite mission workers sent by participating AIMM partners.

From Mthatha, Rev. and Mrs. Ntapo came representing Harvest Time Ministries, a church plant which has welcomed Joe and Anna Sawatsky (Mennonite MIssion Network) as regular participants. Joe and Anna also work with Bethany Bible School, a long-time AIMM-connected ministry training leaders for African Initiated Churches. BBS sent Mama Dwele and Mama Tchandu as its delegates. 

From Cape Town, the Way of LIfe Church sent Joe Mnisi and Rev. Xola Skosana. Phil Lindell Detweiler (Mennonite MIssion Network has been working with Way of LIfe, sharing ideas to strengthen its internal structures. From Northern and Eastern Cape provinces, Grace Community Churches' representatives included Rev. Makeleni, Daniel Kelem, Elias Nilos, and Ms. Zanele. A recent leadership training seminar for GCC was organized collaboratively by Andrew and Karen Suderman (Mennonite Church Canada Witness) and the Sawatskys. 

From De Aar, also in Northern Cape province, the New Beginnings Church sent Rev. Gerald and Carmen Mulenga. The Sudermans have connected with this young church. From Pietermaritzburg's Breakthru' International Church, Rev. Russell Toohey participated. Phil and Christine Lindell Detweiler have walked with Breakthru in establishing an organization equipped to do social ministry for the church, Arosha (Christian Environmental Care Organization) was represented by Alan Goddard.

South African organizations which partner with MMiSA include the following:

Grace Community Church is led by Pastor Leon Pula and headquartered in Philipstown. GCC is a Mennonite World Conference affiliated denomination. MMiSA members, led by Phil Lindell Detweiler, work with GCC in community develop,ment and reconciliation as well as leadership development.

Breakthru' International Church is pastored by Russell and Nina Toohey, and based in Pietermaritzburg. Phil and Christine Lindell Detweiler along with their children Nathan, Annika Lydia, participate actively in this Christian community. Phil and Christine have walked with BCI in visioning and starting social ministry in the BCI neighborhood.

Bethany Bible School, centered in Mthatha, has had connections with AIMM workers for over two decades. BBS provides biblical and leadership training to leaders and members of African Initiated Churches. Joe and Anna Sawatsky participate in BBS through teaching and through working to strengthen local management for the school.

Way of LIfe Church in Khayalitsha township, Cape Town, is led by Pastor Zola Skosana. Way of Life and Phil Lindell Detweiler have worked together to strengthen the church's management structure. They have also collaborated on a Conflict Transformation Seminar for area pastors.

The MMiSA team, led first by Dan and Yvonne Snider Nighswander and currently by Andrew and Karen Suderman, are working to develop an Anabaptist Network in South Africa and the surrounding region. THe effort includes encouraging connections among various Anabaptist ministries in South Africa, as well as developing connections with and offering resources to other churches and groups. This network, named ANiSA, operates a website: www.anisa.org.za.