MANGWENI – In a world where preaching has become a way of making a living for many, some people doubt the authenticity of pastors.

Ms Thokozile Mkhabela is the real deal. Known to many as Make Mkhabela, she has managed to get the whole Nkomazi Christian community under one roof, regardless of denomination.

“It’s a calling that I have had for a very long time. Like any other, I tried avoiding it until I couldn’t run any more. God called me for his purpose, to unite families. I am amazed by what he does through me today. In all honesty, it’s not me, but the grace of the Lord working through me,” said Mkhabela.

Although she has always prayed for people and did the Lord’s work, Mkhabela got her big break when she started preaching on Ligwalagwala FM on Thursdays.

“It’s something I never saw coming, but will always be grateful for. I received a call from Lungile Mhango, who had read an article that was written about me. The rest is history,” she added.

Even though Mkhabela leads a huge following in Nkomazi and other municipalities, she always emphasises and encourages people to go to their own churches on Sundays.

“I speak nothing but Jesus Christ through the Word of God. People have misunderstood what God requires of them, hence most of them flock to certain places and pay money for ‘blessings’. I speak Jesus, the same Jesus who helped me without any holy water or anointing oil. We gather at Mangweni on the mountain on Wednesdays. People get saved and Jesus shows off. However, I always encourage people to return to their churches to continue living for Jesus,” she added.

This phenomenal woman of God is proof that Christians are not immune to the happenings of the world. She lost her husband early in 2015 and describes the ordeal as a heart-wrenching one.

“The Bible says, ‘Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them from all’.
“It was one of the most trying seasons I have ever had to go through, somehow still am. But I am amazed by God and how he carries me through my trials. I still miss my husband and I cry sometimes, but the support I receive from my fellow Christians is amazing. They pray for me, they comfort me. It’s something that keeps me going.”

Having so many people from various churches coming, the place of gathering has become a cause of concern.

“We go to the mountain to pray and sometimes the weather becomes unfavourable. We need tents and chairs to help accommodate the people. We would be very grateful if God could touch one or two people to aid us,” she appealed.
She seems to be a woman who has literally put her life on hold for the Gospel, as she is busy with God’s work almost every day.

“On Monday we hold counselling sessions followed by prayer at Mangweni, Emmanuel Holy, my spiritual home. Wednesdays we hold our mass meetings, normally on the mountain. Thursdays we hold a fellowship in Mbombela at the SABC, where we have a one-hour gathering after our on-air session.

On Fridays I preach at the border in Komatipoort and the weekends I’m in church. I personally invite people to come join us in finding the pleasure of serving God not because we want blessings, but because He is the giver of life. We are all about serving the Lord with my team, and the fullness of joy is found exactly in doing that,” she concluded.