Churches can be the centre of social cohesion

LIMPOPO – AFRICA Month (May) was launched by the minister of arts and culture, Nathi Mthethwa on April under the theme: We are Africa opening the doors of learning and culture to promote peace and friendship from Cape to Cairo.

The month of May, the fourth to be exact, also marks the third anniversary of Church on the Hill (Coth) Polokwane branch under the stewardship of senior pastors, Vusi and MolateloMashabane. Churches had an active role in the liberation of South Africa as many men of the cloth played an activist role alongside political parties for the freedom that we now enjoy as a country.

Even in this day, churches can actively assist in dealing with issues like the recent xenophobic fuelled attacks on foreign nationals and continue to be sanctuaries for those less fortunate. Coth Polokwane, a branch of the 27-year-old Coth International supports Africa Month and says no to xenophobia. In its three years of existence, the branch has been able to assist several destitute families, mostly child-headed to put food on the table.

Coth always takes a keen interest in the development of its members in every aspect of their lives. In the words of the pastors, “the church is not only interested in developing members spiritually, but they be found wanting when it comes to earthly things”. In order to show its family orientation, the church also celebrated Mothers’ Day in style during the Sunday service. For a three-year branch, it has indeed made the lives of its members, including mine, “brighter, bigger and better”.

Malesela Maubane is a member of Church on the Hill (Coth) International, attached to the Polokwane branch. He is also a Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (Prisa) registered Chartered Public Relations Practitioner (CPRP) and the institute’s Limpopo regional chairperson. He writes in his personal capacity.