New priest for Morningside church
Rev Mduduzi Mathe was appointed to lead St James Church at the beginning of June.
ST James Church in Morningside has a new priest-in-charge, Rev Mduduzi Mathe, who was appointed to lead the church at the beginning of June.
Rev Mathe said he was excited about the move to Morningside, although he wasn’t yet able to preach before his congregation due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions.
Mathe grew up in Eshowe and was involved at church as a church server and active member of the youth. He said he always felt centered at church and felt the call to ministry.
“I initially wanted to go into the ordained ministry but my mom said I must study something first and explore something that interested me, so I studied my law degree at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth after finishing high school. I got homesick, so I finished my studies at the University of Zululand. After finishing my studies, I did two years of articles, however I still felt the call to the church, and approached the church, which then journeyed with me in fellowship of vocation,” he said.
Through a selection process in 2013, he was then able to go to college to study.
He started his Bachelor of Theology Degree in Grahamstown in 2014, and studied there for four years.
“I was passionate about it and graduated first in my class in 2018. That June I was made Deacon in Zululand. Circumstances forced me to move to KZN where I was ordained to the Priesthood in December 2019,” he said.
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Mathe was serving as assistant clergy at St Paul’s in the Durban CBD at the time, and at an Arch Deaconry meeting he saw a list of parishes where there were vacancies.
“I saw St James wanted to rebuild the church and I felt it would be better for me to start somewhere small and grow. I felt I was up to the challenge, and the Vicar General Rev Sibisi appointed me as priest in charge of the church,” he said.
Mathe and his 12-year-old brother, who he is raising, have moved into the rectory in Venice Road and are getting to know the place.
“I’m learning who is who and I have had the assistance of clergy here who have introduced me to some of the parishioners while on walks at the beach. I have also met ladies who come to do gardening at the church. It has been a challenge to do virtual sermons for people I don’t know but I have had positive feedback! I’m enjoying it. We are living in interesting times and we need to be creative,” he said.
On a personal note, Mathe said he was an introvert and enjoyed being on his own or with familiar people.
“I enjoy going for walks at the beachfront and I love to watch movies, especially horrors and comedies. I’m excited that cinemas are opening! I also enjoy listening to music. I’m a shorts and slippers person, and like to relax,” he said.
Mathe said he looked forward to being able to preach to his congregation, as he enjoyed teaching and learning from people.
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