Bino Teboho Makhalanyane

It was a weekend filled with jubilation as members of the Mothers’ Union across the Anglican Church of Southern Africa celebrated their Annual Lady Day a day, also known as the Feast of the Annunciation, is a significant day for the Mothers’ Union (MU) since 1897, celebrated annually on March 25th, as a day of prayer, intercession, and thanksgiving day which took place on the weekend of 30 March 2025. The Diocese of Johannesburg marked the occasion by planting a tree after the church service at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Joseph in central Johannesburg as a symbol of hope. The event was graced by Mothers’ Union Provincial President Mme Meisie Lerutla, Diocesan President Siphokazi Maqhina, Diocesan Bishop, the Right Revd Dr. Steve Moreo, Diocesan Mothers’ Union Chaplain, and Mme Pama, the Worldwide Vice President of the Girls’ and Boys’ Friendly Society, together with diocesan representatives. In the Diocese of Grahamstown, the Alice Archdeaconry celebrated Lady Day with tree planting and water education, led by a Mothers’ Union eco-champion. She demonstrated how mothers could use drip irrigation with plastic bottles to conserve water, a precious resource in the region. In the Diocese of Mpumalanga, the Coalfields Archdeaconry Mothers’ Union celebrated Lady Day in style, with the presence of the MU Chaplain and the Diocesan President. Members planted a tree at the Parish of St. Mary’s KwaGuqa. On the same day, the Lowveld Archdeaconry also marked the occasion by observing National Water Week, hosting an awareness campaign on water conservation. The Diocese of Saldanha Bay also celebrated Lady Day by planting three Olive trees at St Timothy Fractreton Kensington Cape Town.        

From the 18th to the 20th of March, Faith Leaders from across Southern Africa ( Eswatini, South Africa, Namibia, and Mozambique)  gathered at Schoenstatt Retreat Centre in  Cape Town for a Faith Leader Environmental Advocacy Training (FLEAT) Energy and Climate Justice workshop. The workshop brought together faith-based organizations, environmental activists, and policy experts; eight were Anglicans from both ACSA and IAMA Provinces. The leaders discussed the urgent need to transition to sustainable and equitable energy systems. This transition is not just a technical or economic issue but a moral and ethical imperative deeply rooted in our responsibility to care for creation and uphold justice for vulnerable communities. Faith and Environmental Stewardship Faith traditions across the world emphasize the sacredness of creation and the duty of stewardship. The workshop reinforced the importance of integrating faith-based perspectives into climate justice and energy transition discussions. As faith leaders, we must advocate for policies and practices that prioritize people and the planet over profit. This means challenging extractive industries that harm communities, advocating for renewable energy solutions, and ensuring that the transition to clean energy does not come at the expense of marginalized populations. Key Discussions and Insights The Urgency of a Just TransitionThe workshop highlighted that South Africa’s reliance on fossil fuels, particularly coal, has devastating environmental and social consequences. Air and water pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change impacts are disproportionately felt by low-income communities. A Just Energy Transition seeks to move towards renewable energy sources while ensuring that workers and affected communities are not left behind. Community Engagement and ParticipationOne of the strongest messages from the workshop was the need for meaningful engagement with communities directly impacted by energy transitions. Faith leaders play a crucial role in bridging the gap between policymakers and grassroots movements, ensuring that decisions are made with the participation of those most affected. Ethical Investments and Divestment from Fossil FuelsFaith institutions manage significant financial resources. A key discussion was the role of ethical investments in promoting sustainability. Divesting from fossil fuel industries and investing in community-led renewable energy projects aligns with the moral obligation to protect the environment and uphold social justice. Energy Justice and InequalityThe transition must address historical injustices. Many communities in South Africa still lack access to reliable electricity, while others suffer the health burdens of living near coal mines and power stations. The workshop emphasized the need for policies that ensure affordable and sustainable energy access for all. Call to Action for Faith Leaders Faith communities have a unique ability to mobilize and inspire action. As faith leaders, we must: Advocate for policy changes that promote clean energy and protect vulnerable communities. Educate congregations on the impacts of fossil fuels and the benefits of renewable energy. Engage in ethical investments that align with sustainability and social justice. Foster interfaith collaboration to strengthen collective advocacy efforts. Conclusion The FLEAT workshop reinforced the urgency of faith-based action in Energy Justice. As both an environmentalist and a person of faith, I am committed to championing this cause. We must act now to ensure that the transition to a low-carbon economy is not only environmentally sustainable but also socially just. Through faith and action, we can build a future that honours both creation and community. By Tshegofatso Lekgetho

On March 21st, the Green Anglicans in the Diocese of Mthatha hosted an Environmental Awareness Workshop at the church of the Transfiguration in Nzwakazi, in the Archdeaconry of Misty Mount. The diocesan Green Anglicans Coordinators, Mr. Bonginkosi White, and Ms. Tuletu Ngudle, along with the Diocesan Chaplain, Revd. M. W. Mpumlwana, led discussions on environmental stewardship. Key topics included: Waste management Water conservation Sustainable kitchen gardens Soya bean cultivation, its products, and benefits Attendees also had the opportunity to taste soya-based products such as bread, scones, and biscuits. The workshop was well attended by representatives from all parishes within the Archdeaconry of Misty Mount. Revd. S. Nondonga from the Archdeaconry of Mzimvubu was also present and expressed keen interest in the Green Anglicans movement. As climate change continues to impact our communities, we encourage parishes and archdeaconries within the Diocese of Mthatha to invite the Green Anglicans team for similar workshops. Together, we can take action to mitigate environmental challenges and care for God’s creation. By: Mr. B. White    

From February 11th to 12th, 2025, the Diocese of Lesotho had the privilege of hosting Dr. Ryan Weston, the Lead Animator Public Witness for Social and Ecological Justice from the Anglican Church of Canada. His visit aimed to observe and understand the church’s role in addressing climate change and other pressing social issues. Ryan’s first stop was at St. Agnes Mission, where he met with members of the Mothers’ Union engaged in recycling initiatives. These dedicated women showcased their work but expressed concerns about declining interest in their products, negatively impacting production and morale. The elderly women travel long distances to collect plastic materials for their crafts, yet their efforts face sustainability challenges due to limited market demand. The Mothers’ Union also introduced their school uniform sewing project. Where their vision is to supply all Anglican schools in Lesotho with school uniforms progress. On the environmental front, the Diocese has implemented a unique tree-planting initiative as part of confirmation services. Every confirmand is required to plant a tree and nurture it as a symbol of their faith journey. Ryan also went to the Mants’ase Children’s Home in Mohale’s Hoek, where the Mothers’ Union plays a crucial role in supporting vulnerable children. The home provides shelter and care for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and other hardships, including those living with HIV, cancer, or who are orphaned. The children receive education, medical care, and necessities through the home’s efforts. The Diocesan Mother’s Union hopes that Ryan’s visit will provide valuable insight into his research on the church’s response to both environmental and social justice. By : Mme M. Letlotlo

March was filled with grand celebrations and water awareness activities across the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, as the Mother’s Union Diocesan Eco-Champs actively observed World Water Day. Through various events, they emphasized the importance of water conservation and responsible stewardship of natural resources. The first event took place on March 6th at St. Timothy in the Diocese of Pretoria, where Mother’s Union members conducted Water Month awareness activities with Sunday school children. The objective was to instill knowledge and encourage young learners to take responsibility for protecting water resources. The children were divided into groups, given different pictures, and challenged to present on water conservation to the congregation, fostering interactive learning and engagement. Continuing the observance, the Mothers’ Union from the Diocese of Christ the King, alongside Revd. Agnes Makume, took the initiative on March 23rd to educate the congregation of St. Augustine on water preservation. Their efforts highlighted the critical role of faith communities in advocating for sustainable water use. The Diocese of Matlosane also marked World Water Day on March 23rd with a ‘Saving a Drop of Water’ awareness campaign at the Parish of St. Augustine in Zeerust. Eco-Champs delivered talks around the theme “Water is Life,” reinforcing the necessity of mindful water usage and conservation. To conclude the celebrations, the Mothers’ Union from the Diocese of Port Elizabeth gathered at St. Matthias in Motherwell as part of Lady Day observances. They took to the streets for a traditional procession of witness, carrying placards with water conservation messages. During the Eucharist service, special prayers were dedicated to water, underscoring its sacred and essential role in daily life. Through these collective efforts, the Mothers’ Union reaffirmed its commitment to environmental stewardship, ensuring that future generations understand the value of preserving water as a vital resource.

We had a Diocesan Sunday School Teacher’s Conference from the 14th to the 16th of February 2025. It was held at St. Mary the Virgin, Botshabelo – Mangaung Archdeaconry. It was a prestigious event which included a Leadership Training session from the Anglican Youth Ministries Diocesan Dep. President, Eco-champ Ikaelelo Madikgetla and Diocesan Secretary, Mr. Samkele Mtshatsheni. We were honored by the presence of a visitor from the Anglican church in Canada, Eco-champ Dr. Ryan Weston, from the Anglican Church of Canada who was accompanied by the Diocesan Green Anglicans Coordinator, Eco-champ Mogorosi Molisapoli. On Saturday, Green Anglicans Eco-champions took the center stage. The presentation was composed of World Hippo Day and World Pangolin Day. Sunday School teachers learned what a Pangolin is and the eight types of these anteater species. They also got informed about what a Hippopotamus is. One of the crucial takeaways was the similarity of both animals, being the fact that they are both mammals. Eco-champs clarified how the Hippo contributes to the Eco-system and why Pangolins are important to the life of our biodiversity. We are grateful to the Provincial Green Anglicans for our lovely visitor from the Anglican Church in Canada. Dr. Ryan Weston presented after the Sunday School teachers had presented. He informed attendees that he left North America where it was -15°C and was still trying to adjust to the scorching African heat. He expressed his concern with the number and size of wildfires due to global warming, in California, which keeps increasing year after year. Amongst other things, it was alarming and saddening that Polar Bears can’t survive as the ice melts due to climate change. More than anything, what scared me personally was when Eco-champ Ryan mentioned that the ice melting poses a danger of unknown viruses and diseases which might been frozen for millions of years. During lunch, Eco-champ Ryan Weston interviewed Eco-champ Motsei Hlalethwa and Eco-champ Morena Pule. He asked three critical questions we should wrestle with as Eco-champions: What is the spiritual foundation for your commitment to care for creation? What gives you hope in the face of ecological crisis? How are you and your community making a difference in combatting climate change? It was an amazing event which had a beautiful Gala Dinner. On Sunday, Eco-champs did beautiful red and white ribbons from plastic to exemplify the recycling of plastic and dangers of single use plastic. I’m would love to thank everyone that made this day possible. I’m really grateful to be part of this movement, which is led by the Holy Spirit. I hope this inspires everyone to do interactive presentations,  raise awareness on the dangers of climate change and effects ice melting, and the constant danger of single-use plastic. by Morena Pule