The Anglican Church’s new Mthatha Diocesesan Bishop, Bishop Dr Hummingfield Nkosinathi Ndwandwe has paid a courtesy visit to Western Mpondoland King Ndamase Ndamase to introduce himself as he will now be operating in the king’s jurisdiction.
The bishop himself is from a royal family in KwaZulu- Natal.
He will soon visit AbaThembu acting King Azenathi Dalindyebo and AmaMpondomise traditional leaders as he has a huge following in the AbaThembu, AmaMpondo and AmaMpondomise nations.
During the weekend visit, the bishop prayed for the king and his family and went to the royal graveyard to pay respects to their departed kings such as Victor Poto and Tutor Ndamase, as well as the king’s father, Makaziwe.
“I have come here to pay a courtesy visit, which we call ukukhahlela to his majesty King Ndlovuyezwe ,” said Ndwandwe, who was accompanied by his wife, Reverend Zanele Ndwandwe.
He said the visit was part of his programme of visiting kings and traditional leaders in the areas where his churches operate.
“Even if I am a bishop of a church, I lead a church that is operating in the land of kings and other traditional leaders.
“So it is always the right thing to do to pay respect to the land owners like the kings. One must remember that missionaries were given land to establish churches and do the work of God.
“So traditional leaders and the church are always close institutions working together and supporting each other,” said Ndwandwe.
The bishop urged the church to continue praying for good leaders and also the development of their communities.
In respect to King Ndamase, the bishop gave him a sheep “as a token of appreciation”.
In return, the king gave the bishop a sheep, too.
The Western Mpondoland king – who is a member of the Methodist Church, together with IFP leader Prince Gatsha Buthelezi – were among the royals who attended the enthronement of Bishop Ndwandwe in Mthatha last December.
King Ndamase said he was happy to be visited by the bishop, saying he had come at the right time as the royal family was in preparation of royal work to strength their kingdom and the development of its people.
“It us humbling to see the bishop coming to pay respect to traditional leaders.
Ndamase added that it “shows that the bishop, despite holding high position in church, respects and embraces African norms and standards as well as values”. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
New bishop pays respects to king
The bishop himself is from a royal family in KwaZulu- Natal.
He will soon visit AbaThembu acting King Azenathi Dalindyebo and AmaMpondomise traditional leaders as he has a huge following in the AbaThembu, AmaMpondo and AmaMpondomise nations.
During the weekend visit, the bishop prayed for the king and his family and went to the royal graveyard to pay respects to their departed kings such as Victor Poto and Tutor Ndamase, as well as the king’s father, Makaziwe.
“I have come here to pay a courtesy visit, which we call ukukhahlela to his majesty King Ndlovuyezwe ,” said Ndwandwe, who was accompanied by his wife, Reverend Zanele Ndwandwe.
He said the visit was part of his programme of visiting kings and traditional leaders in the areas where his churches operate.
“Even if I am a bishop of a church, I lead a church that is operating in the land of kings and other traditional leaders.
“So it is always the right thing to do to pay respect to the land owners like the kings. One must remember that missionaries were given land to establish churches and do the work of God.
“So traditional leaders and the church are always close institutions working together and supporting each other,” said Ndwandwe.
The bishop urged the church to continue praying for good leaders and also the development of their communities.
In respect to King Ndamase, the bishop gave him a sheep “as a token of appreciation”.
In return, the king gave the bishop a sheep, too.
The Western Mpondoland king – who is a member of the Methodist Church, together with IFP leader Prince Gatsha Buthelezi – were among the royals who attended the enthronement of Bishop Ndwandwe in Mthatha last December.
King Ndamase said he was happy to be visited by the bishop, saying he had come at the right time as the royal family was in preparation of royal work to strength their kingdom and the development of its people.
“It us humbling to see the bishop coming to pay respect to traditional leaders.
Ndamase added that it “shows that the bishop, despite holding high position in church, respects and embraces African norms and standards as well as values”. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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