Bino Teboho Makhalanyane

On Sunday, 22 March 2026, the parish of St Paul in Conville, within the Diocese of George, marked World Water Day with a meaningful and community-centred celebration. In collaboration with Heidedal Primary School, the parish brought together faith and action in a powerful way. Members of the Mothers’ Union played a key role in preparing for the day by creating posters and slogans that highlighted the importance of water as a precious and life-giving resource. Their messages served as a reminder to the congregation of the responsibility to care for and conserve water. As part of the service, bottles of water were placed in front of the altar, symbolising both gratitude for God’s provision and a commitment to sharing this vital resource with others. Parishioners, along with confirmands, actively brought water to the church, demonstrating a spirit of generosity and compassion. The collected bottled water will be donated to the Rotary Old Age Home, the Bethesda Home for Frail Care patients, and individuals in need of rehabilitation support. This act of giving reflects the parish’s commitment to serving the vulnerable and responding to the needs within the wider community. The celebration of World Water Day at St Paul’s Parish was a beautiful expression of faith in action, uniting worship, environmental awareness, and care for others. It served as a reminder that water is not only essential for life but also a shared blessing that calls for stewardship, gratitude, and generosity. By: Bonita Potgieter ( Diocesan Mothers Union Eco-Champ)

On Sunday, 22 March 2026, the Archdeaconry of Zimbane in the Diocese of Mthatha experienced a joyful and spiritually uplifting moment as St Clement Parish hosted a special Confirmation service. The occasion was made even more significant by the pastoral visit of the Rt. Revd. J.T. Ngombane, who joined the parish community in this important milestone. Under the dedicated leadership of the Ven. L. Lamati, the parish warmly welcomed the Bishop, clergy, and congregants who gathered in large numbers. The sense of unity and anticipation was evident as the service began, setting the tone for a meaningful and memorable day. At the heart of the service was the Sacrament of Confirmation. A group of well-prepared candidates stood before the congregation to publicly affirm their faith in Christ and their commitment to living it out, including caring for God’s creation. In a deeply moving moment, the Bishop laid hands on each confirmand, praying for the guidance and strengthening of the Holy Spirit in their lives. In his message, Bishop Ngombane encouraged the young people to remain steadfast in their faith and to be active witnesses of Christ in their communities. He reminded them that confirmation is not the end of a journey, but the beginning of a deeper walk with God marked by growth, service, and purpose. Following the service, the celebration continued with a symbolic act that brought together faith and creation care. The congregation gathered outside to plant a Milletia grandis tree, locally known as Umsimbithi. This tree was planted as a living symbol of growth, strength, and endurance, reflecting the spiritual journey of the confirmands. As the tree takes root and flourishes over time, it will serve as a powerful reminder of the commitment made on this day. It is hoped that the confirmands will look upon it as their “age-mate” growing alongside them as they deepen in faith, wisdom, and service to God. The day stood as a testament to the vibrant life of the Archdeaconry of Zimbane, highlighting the importance of nurturing young people in faith while also embracing the call to care for creation. With hearts full of gratitude, the parish gives thanks for the Bishop’s visit, the leadership of the Ven. L. Lamati, and the collective effort that made this occasion both meaningful and memorable. By : Bonginkosi White ( Diocesan Green Anglicans Co-coordinator )

On 14 March, The Diocese of Natal celebrated Lady Day and marked this with the handing over of trees to the Eco Champion within the North Region in Ladysmith and Dundee. The respective eco champions will facilitate planting across their respective parishes. On Sunday, 15 March, the Mothers’ Union in marked the celebration of Mothering Sunday with a meaningful act of environmental stewardship, handing over of indigenous trees and sharing information on how to plant trees and involving young people in the action. The initiative forms part of the Church’s growing commitment to caring for God’s creation and empowering local Eco-Champions to lead environmental action within their communities. The Parish of All Saints in Bellair marked Mothering Sunday with young people from the Sunday School through a tree-planting activity. The Young Enviro Team (YET) planted a variety of fruit and indigenous trees, including one apple tree, one avocado tree, 10 pawpaw trees, and 2 African olive trees around the St Mark’s Chapelry. Notably, all the fruit trees planted during the activity were propagated by the young people from local homes, demonstrating their dedication to environmental care and sustainable living. By: Eco-champ Pinkie Nkomonde

On Saturday, 14 March 2026, the Diocese of Mthatha Mothers’ Union Eco-Champions held their first workshop at St Bede’s Diocesan Centre in Mthatha, with 20 Archdeaconries in attandance. The workshop focused on climate change under the theme “Birth of the New Creation.” Following a presentation by the Diocesan Eco-Champion, participants engaged in meaningful discussions on how communities can work together to respond to the climate crisis. The workshop explored several practical areas of action, including tree planting, strengthening home and community food gardens, water conservation, waste management, and energy saving. During the session, Eco-Champions also shared presentations outlining a way forward for engaging other stakeholders and promoting practical environmental action within their communities. As part of their commitment for 2026, participants pledged to plant more than 500 trees at homes, schools, churches, parks, and clinics across the diocese. As part of their mission to young people, the mothers have committed to partnering with local schools within the Diocese by establishing school eco-clubs. The workshop also produced a powerful slogan: “Zero tolerance to dripping water: Asihleki,” encouraging communities to take water conservation seriously. To conclude the workshop, Mothers’ Union Eco-Champions planted a tree as a symbol of the day and of their commitment to nurture and protect creation, described as a “new baby” entrusted to their care. Flowers were also planted to beautify the Mothers’ Union house. All attendees received vegetable garden seedling packs to take home and begin their own gardens using the SMART home garden method introduced during the workshop. The Diocesan Mothers’ Union team expressed gratitude to the Provincial Green Anglicans team for their support, noting that the workshop was a great success and a long-awaited opportunity for the Eco-Champions to gather, learn, and strengthen their mission of caring for God’s creation.

On Saturday, 7 March, the Mothers’ Union held its Archdeaconry Executive Meeting in Maokeng, Kroonstad. During the gathering, Eco-Champ Motsei Hlalethwa facilitated a mini workshop themed “Eintlik: What is Green Anglicans?” The session was engaging and interactive, encouraging participants to reflect on the Church’s role in caring for God’s creation and the importance of environmental stewardship within faith communities. Several key topics were explored during the workshop, including the foundation and vision of Green Anglicans, the role and foundations of Eco-Champions, and why Eco-Champs are important in promoting environmental action within the Church and communities. Participants also discussed the core focus areas of Green Anglicans Eco-Champions, the soft skills needed to serve effectively in this role, and the expected outcomes of their work in advancing creation care. At the end of the session, all attendees received copies of the workshop material for further reading and reflection. In addition, 30 trees were distributed to Mothers’ Union members to plant across the Archdeaconry as a practical commitment to caring for creation.

On Saturday, 7 March 2026, members of the Anglican Youth Fellowship from the Diocese of False Bay gathered for a spiritual hike and Bible study at Newlands Forest. The hike created space for young people to reconnect with God through prayer, Scripture, and reflection while surrounded by the beauty of creation. During the hike, the youth reflected on the importance of reading and meditating on the Word of God. In a world where social media, societal expectations, and constant noise can cloud our judgment and distract us from our identity, the group intentionally withdrew into nature to seek God’s presence. The mountain setting offered a quiet environment in which they could surrender themselves to God and allow His Word to guide their steps. The programme included moments of Scripture reading, reflection, and prayer. Participants first reflected on Psalm 119:105, “Your word is the lamp to my feet and the light to my path,” reminding them that God’s Word provides guidance in life’s journey. They then spent time in self-examination through Psalm 139:23–24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” This moment encouraged the youth to reflect honestly on their lives and invite God to lead them toward transformation. The reflection concluded with a time of release, guided by 1 Peter 5:7, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” Participants were invited to surrender their fears, burdens, and anxieties to God in prayer. The event took place during the Lenten season, with the hope of deepening the sacrifices and spiritual disciplines many young people are observing during this period of repentance and renewed focus. As part of the ongoing commitment, AYF in the Diocese of False Bay continues to encourage all young people to care for God’s creation. During the hike, participants were reminded to respect the natural environment, refrain from littering, and embrace sustainable practices. In line with this commitment, the programme for the day was shared digitally rather than printed, helping to reduce unnecessary paper waste. Credits Programme, devotional and trail talk: Diocesan Secretary – Richael RakgalakaneContent (Pictures): Diocesan Treasurer: Xola Maci