Reflections by Fr Mathibela Sebothoma

  Church in Southern Africa Celebrates 75 Years of a Local Hierarchy: A Light That Continues to Shine By Fr Mathibela Sebothoma Hundreds of Catholics, together with representatives of ecumenical and fraternal churches, gathered at the Church of the Beatitudes in Zwavelpoort for a historic celebration marking 75 years since the establishment of the Catholic hierarchy in Southern Africa . The solemn Eucharistic celebration formed part of the jubilee commemorations of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) and coincided with the bishops’ annual plenary session, held this year in the capital, Pretoria. The liturgy was marked by joy, reverence and a deep sense of gratitude. The Archdiocese of Pretoria choir led the congregation in spirited singing, giving expression to a faith that has taken deep root in the soil of Southern Africa over the past seven and a half decades. A Jubilee of Maturity and Responsibility The principal celebrant was Cardinal Stephen Brisl...

  Water Is Life: A Call for Transparency, Accountability, and Moral Courage I do not wish to sound alarmist. I am not a biologist, a scientist, or an engineer. I speak neither with laboratory authority nor technical expertise. I speak simply as a citizen, a pastor, and a communicator who knows one fundamental truth: water is a source of life . When questions arise about the safety of water, silence is not neutral—it is dangerous. The televised water tests aired on the @Newzroom405 channel should worry us all. Although these tests were conducted in a few municipal towns in the Eastern Cape, their implications go far beyond provincial borders. Water infrastructure, governance failures, and institutional neglect are not isolated realities in South Africa. They are systemic. What we see in one part of the country often reflects what is happening—or what may soon happen—elsewhere. The concern here is not the television station, the test kits, or even the exact scientific interpretati...

  New Year Homily: “Blessed by God, Born of a Woman, Sent with Hope” Introduction As we begin a brand-new year, the Church does something very wise: she does not start with fireworks, resolutions, or predictions. She begins with a woman and a child . On this first day of the year, we celebrate Mary, the Mother of God , and we pray for peace . The world rushes forward; the Church pauses and says: Let us begin with blessing, relationship, and grace. Story Someone once said: “My New Year’s resolution is 1080p… because 720p wasn’t clear enough last year!” Another said: “I stopped making New Year resolutions because by 3 January I was already asking God for mercy.” The truth is: we start the year with great intentions, but often weak stamina. That is why today is not about our promises to God, but God’s promise to us . Readings 1. Numbers 6:22–27 – The Blessing “The Lord bless you and keep you…” This is one of the oldest prayers in Scripture. Notice something important: God d...