Bino Teboho Makhalanyane

Mandela Day 2025 was a week filled with energy, unity, and purpose as members of the Anglican Church across South Africa rolled up their sleeves for the Green Anglicans Mandela Day Clean-Up Challenge. In the Diocese of Grahamstown, members of the Mothers’ Union (MU) joined a local community initiative to clean the streets of Alice, showing that care for creation starts right where we live. In the Diocese of Mthatha, the Cathedral Archdeaconry MU, Anglican Women’s Fellowship (AWF), and youth from the church dedicated their 67 minutes to cleaning around their church premises, living out Mandela’s call to service. The Diocese of Mpumalanga saw MU members actively removing waste, sorting recyclables, and transporting paper waste to a local recycling depot, turning simple actions into steps toward environmental justice. In the Diocese of Christ the King, MU members joined the community in cleaning Kookrus Park and took the initiative further by encouraging households to clean out their wardrobes and donate clothing to the Red Cross, extending the spirit of giving beyond the environment. In the Diocese of George, confirmation candidates and youth from St. Agnes, Zoar launched a “Go Green 67-Minute Mission,” which ended with an outdoor Eucharist to honour both faith and action. Meanwhile, at St. Alban’s in Pacaltsdorp, the parish community cleaned around the church in service of their neighbourhood. The Diocese of the Free State Diocesan Youth Ministry planted a tree at St. Peter’s, Rocklands in Bloemfontein, reflecting their commitment to creation care. At St. Patrick’s Anglican Church, members of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew undertook a landscape clean-up at St. Alban’s Chapel, showing their dedication to both community service and environmental stewardship. Lastly, in the Diocese of St. Mark the Evangelist, MU members celebrated Mandela Day by planting a tree at Moletji Parish, reinforcing the message of hope and the importance of planting for future generations. Across the country, these actions reflect the Anglican Church’s deep commitment to honouring Madiba’s legacy through tangible acts of care, for people, communities, and the Earth we share.        

On Sunday, 13 July 2025, the Parish of St. Luke in Albertinia, within the Diocese of George, hosted a Single-Use Plastic-Free Awareness Day. The event was held in partnership with the Hessequa Local Municipality and the Gouritz Biosphere Reserve. Mr. Darryl Muller offered a powerful reflection on the biblical call to environmental stewardship, emphasizing the Christian responsibility to care for creation. Representatives from the Municipality highlighted the environmental and social impacts of plastic pollution in the region, particularly its effect on the nearby nature reserve. To put their faith into action, each parishioner received a waste bag and was encouraged to help keep the town clean by avoiding littering. The Parish of St. Luke is also looking forward to hosting a community clean-up day in partnership with the local municipality during the month of September. We give thanks to The Rector Reverend Jo-Ann Claassen for her leadership and commitment to environmental stewardship.

On Sunday 20 July, in a joyful celebration of faith and creation care, the Confirmation group at St Martin Efidi Parish in Namibia marked their special day not only by affirming their Christian commitment but also by acting for the environment. As part of their Confirmation journey, each candidate was encouraged to bring a fruit or shade tree as a powerful symbol of hope, growth, and responsibility. This initiative, titled “Plant a Tree: Grow Faith, Grow Hope,” is rooted in the call to advocate for climate change resilience within our communities. As climate change impacts continue to threaten ecosystems and livelihoods, especially in vulnerable regions like Namibia, the parish has taken a firm step in promoting environmental stewardship among its youth. “I am proud that my parish is doing its best to respond to the climate crisis. This is a small but powerful step in the right direction,” shared the Diocesan Environmental Coordinator Revd Selma. St Martin Efidi joins a growing movement of Green Anglicans across Southern Africa who are integrating faith with action, teaching that to follow Christ means to also protect the Earth.

On the 6th of July 2025, a tree was planted at the Parish of Bernard Mizeki in Sebokeng, in the Diocese of Christ the King, a simple yet powerful act of hope and restoration. The tree was generously sponsored by the diocesan Mothers’ Union Eco-champ Mme Elsa Maphalla, who gifted it to the congregation as a symbol of her commitment to saving the environment and restoring nature. In her words, “This tree is more than just a plant. It is a sign of healing, for our earth, for our communities, and for future generations.” This act of love is part of a growing movement of faithful Mothers Union members leading environmental stewardship in their communities. Another inspiring Mothers Union member from the diocese of Christ the King is Mme Moogo Lepota from St John, Boipatong in Vanderbijlpark, who started a vegetable garden around March/April this year. The harvest from the garden has been shared with those who are vulnerable, including donations to a nearby hospice, showing how care for the land can become care for one another. Our mothers are nurturing the earth and nourishing lives.

On Saturday, 28 June 2025, the Green Anglicans Diocesan team from the Diocese of St Mark the Evangelist gathered to map out its strategic plan for 2025 and beyond. The planning session focused on strengthening environmental ministry efforts in the diocese, fostering collaboration, and addressing urgent environmental challenges. The session began with a reflection on personal commitment, as each team member shared their understanding of their role within the Green Anglicans ministry and what the mission means within the diocesan context. This grounding helped align the team with a shared vision and purpose. Key environmental issues facing the diocese were identified, with waste pollution and deforestation top concerns. A recurring theme was the lack of awareness among community members; many are unsure who to contact for clean-up initiatives or where to source trees for planting. In response, the diocesan team committed to three strategic focus areas for the coming year: Recruitment and Expansion: Actively involve representatives from all diocesan organizations in the Green Anglicans ministry to create a united and active environmental network. Community Clean-Up Campaigns: Organize and host regular clean-up events across the diocese, engaging youth, parishes, and the wider community. Tree Planting and Awareness Drives: Collaborate with provincial and local government structures to promote the planting of indigenous trees, especially important in a region facing extreme temperatures. This plan marks a renewed commitment to caring for creation and empowering local communities with knowledge and action. As climate challenges grow, the Diocese of St Mark the Evangelist is stepping up to be a green beacon of faith and environmental justice in Limpopo and beyond.

The Anglican Student Federation (ASF) hosted its annual Provincial Conference from 29 June to 4 July 2025 at the serene Ave Maria Retreat Centre near Mooketsi in Limpopo, South Africa. Over ninety vibrant young people, together with regional Chaplains, gathered from higher learning institutions across Southern Africa (South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, and Eswatini)  to connect, worship, learn, and strategize around the pressing issues of our time. Day 3 of the conference was dedicated to the theme of Climate Justice. The morning began with a refreshing outdoor devotion led by Revd Lundi Joko from the Western Cape. Grounded in Acts 16:16- 34, the Bible study challenged students to reflect on “Environmental Chains,” integrate Care for Creation into their worship, explore ways of “Shaking the System,” and affirm the message of “Salvation for All.” The Bible study sparked meaningful conversations, with students offering innovative solutions and bold commitments to protecting the Earth. Many shared inspiring ideas on how to make their campuses greener and more sustainable. Following the devotion, the group remained outdoors, surrounded by Limpopo’s natural beauty, for an interactive session on Youth and Climate Change facilitated by Bino Makhalanyane. He highlighted the devastating impact the climate crisis has on the future of young people, disrupting education, triggering mental health challenges due to natural disasters, and increasing economic pressure through rising temperatures and failed harvests. “Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it’s here, and it’s robbing young people of their full potential,” Bino said. He urged ASF members to use their collective creativity and energy to become changemakers as they’re the ones they have been waiting for. In the spirit of turning ideas into expression, the students were then divided into eight groups and given a unique artistic challenge: interpret their understanding of climate change through creative art. The session ended with the assembly of a collaborative Africa-shaped puzzle carrying the message: “Salvation for All – From Cape to Cairo.” A major milestone from the conference was the passing of a resolution on single-use plastic. ASF committed to: True to their word, the 2025 conference was a Styrofoam-free event, thanks to the leadership and vision of the ASF Executive Committee. This year’s ASF Provincial Conference was a testament to what happens when faith, purpose, and youth energy unite. By rooting climate action in spirituality and community, ASF is setting an example for student movements across the continent.