Historic Ordination of Women to the Priesthood in Diocese of Botswana

Images © Diocese of Botswana

In a historic first, the Anglican Diocese of Botswana has ordained 14 women to the priesthood at a joyful service on Sunday 17 May 2026 at Holy Cross Cathedral in Gaborone. This also marks the first such ordinations within the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa, comprised of Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. The ceremony was conducted by the Rt Revd Metlhayotlhe Beleme, Bishop of Botswana, who described the occasion as a “milestone” in the growth of the church.

Also in attendance was the First Lady of South Africa, Dr Tshepo Motsepe, along with several distinguished bishops and representatives from across the Anglican Communion including link dioceses in North Carolina, USA and Newcastle, UK.

The Rt Revd Dr Vicentia Kgabe, Bishop of Pretoria in South Africa and among the first women consecrated as bishops in the neighbouring Province of Southern Africa, delivered the sermon. Bishop Kgabe described ordination not as a simple formal appointment, but as something far deeper:

Ordination is not simply a conferring of a title, nor merely the assumption of religious duties. It is a solemn calling into deeper service, deeper sacrifice, deeper humility, and deeper love.

She went on to emphasise the theological responsibility of ministry and the humility it demands:

The people you shall serve are not yours. The church is not ours. The parish is not ours. The ministry is not ours. The people and the church belong first to God.

Among the international guests present was the Most Revd Albert Chama, Archbishop of the Province of Central Africa and Bishop of Zambia. He reflected on the significance of the occasion, remarking:

Today, history has been made. I am happy that I have seen this happen during my time as Archbishop.

The first female students started training in 2014 at St Augustine Theological School, Gaborone, where they earned a 3-year Diploma in Theology in 2017.

Numerous motions were presented to the Church of the Province of Central Africa Provincial Synods over many years to ordain women to the sacred ministry. In November 2023 in Blantyre, Malawi, the motion submitted by the Diocese of Botswana and seconded by the Diocese of Harare that those dioceses that are ready to ordain women should be allowed to go ahead. It passed by majority.

By that time, Botswana had 14 women who had completed their training and were ready for ordination. They were ordained as deacons on 4th May 2025.

Many of them have been waiting for 10 years to get to this point. And yet,

after many, many years of waiting for God’s will to happen… today it has been fulfilled,

concluded the Most Revd Albert Chama.

USPG adds its congratulations to the ordinands:

Revd Beauty Autlwetse
Revd Lesedi Bahayesi
Revd Florence Bogopa
Revd Lesego Bosimele
Revd Onicah Lentshikang
Revd Ethel Matlala
Revd Margaret Mere
Revd Mercy Molefe
Revd Precious Tonny Mosarwe
Revd Dr Dijeng Motsepe-Lebatha
Revd Hildah Ncaagae-Tshabadira
Revd Gasetoro Ncube
Revd Bosinki Matlapeng-Ndzinge
Revd Mosetsanagape Sepora

Click here to watch the service in full.

Let us pray:

Loving God, we give thanks for each of your fourteen servants called to the priesthood.

As your Son prayed that his disciples may be one and kept in your truth, so we ask that you keep them rooted in Christ. Clothe them with humility, fill them with your Spirit, and shape their ministry in the likeness of Christ the servant.

May they love your people well, serve with courage and compassion, and bear witness to the Gospel in word and life. And when they are weary, sustain them; when they are strong, and in all things, hold them in your grace for your glory and the Church’s good.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Amen

With thanks to Yolisa Phillips-Lejowa, Diocesan and Office Secretary, Diocese of Botswana.