Flagstaff Apostolic Faith Mission’s Bishop Diesel Baba Madikizela will tomorrow receive his second honorary doctorate for being a loyal servant of God for 46 years.
Grace Bible College, which was started in the US and has opened branches around the world, will officially honour him tomorrow at his church. “I don’t know what they will call me now because I am already a doctor, because I was honoured before,” Madikizela quipped.
He received his first honorary doctorate from Australia’s Wise College of Theology in 2011. “I don’t know why they keep on honouring me because all I have been doing is the work of God.
“I don’t know what I’ve done for God to keep bringing people from other countries to honour me. But I am happy.”
Port Shepstone Grace Bible Church principal pastor Ivan Moodley said Madikizela deserved the award. “The theology doctorate is in honour of his long, unbroken service and dedication to the church. The church is very blessed to have such a powerful evangelist. He has been through so much but has never lost his faith.”
To celebrate tomorrow’s event, Madikizela has planned a big feast for which two cows will be slaughtered. There seems to be no stopping the 83-year-old as he preaches every day of the week. “I am working for my Baas, who is God. Most people are always looking for personal gain but I do not care about that as long as I serve God.”
Asked what his biggest challenges over the years had been, Madikizela said it was women trying to seduce him.
“I am tempted just like everyone else. I am being tempted by women,” he laughed.
“They keep asking me what makes me not have someone to love me while others are being loved. Not a single day after my wife died did I ever have a woman. I stayed with God.”
His late wife, Nomatamsanqa Joslina Madikizela, whom he started evening prayers with in Flagstaff in 1970, died in 2000.
His advice is always be honest and always put God first.
“But don’t just put Him first without fearing and respecting Him no matter the situation you are in because He is your creator.”
Madikizela’s son, Msawenkosi, 46, described his father as a man who practised what he preached.
“Dad is a very humble and faithful man. We are so lucky and blessed to have a parent like him because he treats every child, even those that are not his, the same.
“That is one of the things we learnt from him – to treat people the same,” he said.
Madikizela’s church deputy, April Gcobani Maboza, 66, lauded the bishop, saying he was a trustworthy man.
US college honour for Madikizela
Grace Bible College, which was started in the US and has opened branches around the world, will officially honour him tomorrow at his church. “I don’t know what they will call me now because I am already a doctor, because I was honoured before,” Madikizela quipped.
He received his first honorary doctorate from Australia’s Wise College of Theology in 2011. “I don’t know why they keep on honouring me because all I have been doing is the work of God.
“I don’t know what I’ve done for God to keep bringing people from other countries to honour me. But I am happy.”
Port Shepstone Grace Bible Church principal pastor Ivan Moodley said Madikizela deserved the award. “The theology doctorate is in honour of his long, unbroken service and dedication to the church. The church is very blessed to have such a powerful evangelist. He has been through so much but has never lost his faith.”
To celebrate tomorrow’s event, Madikizela has planned a big feast for which two cows will be slaughtered. There seems to be no stopping the 83-year-old as he preaches every day of the week. “I am working for my Baas, who is God. Most people are always looking for personal gain but I do not care about that as long as I serve God.”
Asked what his biggest challenges over the years had been, Madikizela said it was women trying to seduce him.
“I am tempted just like everyone else. I am being tempted by women,” he laughed.
“They keep asking me what makes me not have someone to love me while others are being loved. Not a single day after my wife died did I ever have a woman. I stayed with God.”
His late wife, Nomatamsanqa Joslina Madikizela, whom he started evening prayers with in Flagstaff in 1970, died in 2000.
His advice is always be honest and always put God first.
“But don’t just put Him first without fearing and respecting Him no matter the situation you are in because He is your creator.”
Madikizela’s son, Msawenkosi, 46, described his father as a man who practised what he preached.
“Dad is a very humble and faithful man. We are so lucky and blessed to have a parent like him because he treats every child, even those that are not his, the same.
“That is one of the things we learnt from him – to treat people the same,” he said.
Madikizela’s church deputy, April Gcobani Maboza, 66, lauded the bishop, saying he was a trustworthy man.
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