The Diocese of Zululand has long recognised that the church’s mission extends beyond worship into building stronger, more resilient communities. Through its development arm, the Masinakekelane Diocesan Agency – a name meaning “to take care of each other” – the Diocese supports initiatives that address pressing social and economic challenges. Established in the late 1990s, the Agency responds to natural disasters, supports victims of gender-based violence, and partners with local businesses and parishes to provide food, clothing, and other essential resources. One of its flagship programmes is the Food Gardens and Resilience Project.

Ntombitheni watering her cabbage plants

Ntombitheni, treasurer of the Ekwandeni Garden Group, has been part of the project since its beginning in 2009. Thanks to support from the Diocese of Zululand, the garden she helps run has transformed her life. It now yields spinach, cabbage, tomatoes, and other vegetables, which feed many families and provide a reliable source of income. In good seasons, Ntombitheni can earn up to R2000 (approx. £80) – enough to cover essentials such as electricity.

Zodumo, Diocesan Coordinator (on the far left) with the Ekwadeni gardeners

Collecting the harvest

The impact of the garden extends beyond individual households. By working with government service providers, the gardening group now supplies fresh vegetables to local schools, helping children access nutritious meals. St Cyprian’s Church continues to support the group with land, seeds, seedlings, fertiliser, and clothing, enabling this vital work to thrive. Looking to the future, Ntombitheni hopes to expand into poultry farming, building even greater resilience for her family and community.

Bishop Vikinduku and the staff at the Diocese of Zululand

USPG staff Fran Mate and Venetia Asare-Griffiths were warmly welcomed by The Right Revd Dr Vikinduku Mnculwane and the diocesan team during a recent visit to the Diocese of Zululand at the Anglican Cathedral of St Michael. Bishop Mnculwane, who serves both as Bishop of Zululand and the USPG liaison Bishop for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, praised the Ekwandeni Garden initiative and its impact in the local community.

USPG is proud of our partnership with the Diocese of Zululand and the Anglican Church of Southern Africa who continue to invest in essential resources – land, seeds, fertiliser, and clothing – empowering people like Ntombitheni to grow gardens and build resilience. Thank you for partnering with us.

Let us pray:

Gracious God,

We thank you for Ntombitheni, for her dedication, wisdom, and the love she brings to the community. We thank you too for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, whose guidance and support help this work flourish.

We lift up the Ekwandeni Garden and all who labour to nurture it. Protect the community and grant them strength in the face of challenges.

Grant unity to those involved and bless the expansion of initiatives, including the poultry project, that more families may be fed and schools nourished. May your love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony, guide their efforts and strengthen their bonds (Colossians 3:14).

Amen.

USPG is pleased to announce the provision of scholarships to support the theological education of young women across the Anglican Provinces in Africa. This initiative is a result of the Botswana Summit on the Future of Theological Education, held in November 2022. Click here to find out more.

Currently, USPG supports four women from the Dioceses of Namibia, Mbhashe (Anglican Church of Southern Africa), Central Zambia and Lesotho to pursue their diplomas and degrees in theology at accredited Anglican institutions. These scholarships help make theological education more accessible for women and ensure that those called to serve can do so.

From 30 January – 5 February 2025, Esmeralda (Essie) Pato, Chair of USPG’s Communion-Wide Advisory Group (CWAG), visited the College of the Transfiguration (COTT) to accompany The Revd Rachel Moshanah, one of the young scholars from the Diocese of Namibia.

During her visit, Essie attended the opening service and orientation for new and returning students. It was warm and welcoming occasion. During the service, one particularly moving moment took place when returning students helped new students to put on their cassocks as a symbolic act reflecting Jesus’ message of leadership, “to serve and not to be served”.

Throughout her visit, Essie engaged with students and listened to their experiences and aspirations. She highlighted USPG’s dedication to theological education, the growing and important role of women in church leadership and encouraged the students to embrace their faith journey with commitment and passion. She also met with the Rector and Principal of COTT, The Revd Canon Dr Percy Chinganga. He shared his appreciation for USPG’s support and pointed out the college’s growth in numbers. He stated that there are 47 students enrolled including 23 new students (11 women and 12 men). Currently, USPG supports three women scholars at COTT as well as Ms Audreen Kamukwamba at the Diocese of Central Zambia- Evangelical University. As more young women enrol in theological programmes, the future of Anglican leadership in Africa looks set to become more diverse and inclusive.

Essie’s visit emphasised USPG’s commitment to empowering young women through theological education and the importance of partnerships in developing future church leaders. The Young Women’s Theological Education Scholarship is shaping a new generation of women who will transform the wider Church and their communities through faith.

Fran Mate, Senior Regional Manager – Africa, shared greetings and updates with the 37th Session of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa Provincial Synod held from 25 – 27 September 2024 in Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa. The theme was – “Flourishing like a garden: Listening, reconciling and celebrating God’s new creation”. Also in attendance was the Anglican Communion General Secretary The Rt Revd Anthony Poggo.

The Most Revd Hosam Naoum رئيس الأساقفة حسام نعوم , Archbishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem shared a virtual update on the conflict in the Holy Land, watched by members of the provincial Synod. As a result, Synod welcomed the role of the Most Revd Dr TC Makgoba and the World Council of Churches in giving support to Palestine to express Southern African Christians’ solidarity – thereby condemning the use of starvation as a weapon of war, destruction of hospitals, schools and the 72 facilities for disabled people in Gaza. USPG also accompanies the Episcopal Province of Jerusalem and The Middle East in restoring peace in Gaza – read more.

Diocesan reports shared during the time together indicated that in the next ten years, ACSA dioceses envision an Anglican community that is:

• Prophetic, transformative, inclusive, contextually rooted and guided by the Anglican Communion’s Five Marks of Mission.
• Hospitable and characterised by serving the interests of justice, social needs and the protection of the environment.
• Honest and humble, committed and passionate, disciplined and outward-looking; and
• Sensitive to the tensions within the Anglican Communion of those disaffected in the Communion

ACSA is USPG’s long-standing partner in fulfilling God’s mission globally. The Most Revd Dr TC Makgoba spoke of his appreciation of USPG’s presence at the provincial synod and longstanding relationship with the dioceses and institutions of the province since the 19th century. He said “ACSA is grateful for how the society’s relationship over the decades has developed into one of mutual sharing and respect”.

The Revd Dr Duncan Dormor, addressed Synod speaking of how the Church’s prophetic witness in challenging Apartheid had inspired a generation of young Anglicans across the Communion, himself included, in the 1980s and 1990s. He also thanked the Archbishop of ACSA, The Most Revd Dr TC Makgoba and Synod for their warm welcome and hospitality expressing his delight in the various ways USPG is privileged to work with the province. In particular, he thanked The Rt Revd Vicentia Lesotho and The Rt Revd Dalcy Estwatini who were speakers at recent USPG events in the UK. He also spoke further about the strategic significance of the Theological Executive Leadership Programme, a cross-provincial initiative providing leadership training to Theological College Principals, currently hosting a residential from Monday 30 September.

The synod ended on 27 September and the delegates were inspired to share a message of hope.

Fran Mate, 30 September 2024