Pastor Petro Ndlovu bids farewell to the Breyten Alliance Church of South Africa (TACSI) on 5 March after having served for 34 years.
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The veteran pastor is embarking on the next chapter of his life with his wife of 42 years, Ms Zodwa Judith Ndlovu, that of being pampered by their children.
Born in Breyten, he joined the Alliance Mission Church as a youngster and it led to being an evangelist, travelling the whole of the Ermelo District.
During his travels, he met his wife at one of the schools she taught and a love affair, spanning years, bloomed.
Mentored by Pastor Aaron Ablon Kunene and Pastor Jacob Sibanyoni, a young Pastor Ndlovu decided to heed the call and studied at the Phumele Bible School in White River in 1969.
After a year’s courtship, Pastor Ndlovu married his sweetheart in 1976.
At this time, he shadowed Paster Kunene at the TACSI branch in Breyten.
His wife encouraged him to take up teaching, leading him to study and graduate with a Diploma in Teaching where his days consisted of teaching during the day and preaching in the evenings.
When Pastor Kunene passed on, Pastor Ndlovu took over the full-time running of the church and has been at the helm since 1984.
He and one one of his mentors, Pastor Kunene, were instrumental in building the church to what it is today.
It began with about 45 congregants and has grown to house more than 300 members.
This man of the cloth has never missed Sunday mass, unless it was circumstances beyond his control.
A registered marriage official, he has participated in many marriage ceremonies.
With his short stature and powerful voice, he is a familiar face on the streets of KwaZanele in Breyten.
A vocalist in his own right, he can break into song at any moment.
“I was lucky in that I got the talent to speak and sing,” he said.
He also said he never gives long sermons, but keeps it short, simple and powerful so as to not bore the people.
Pastor Ndlovu recalled how the church relocated from the outskirts of Breyten to the KwaZanele location and congregants followed him even though it was a long trek to the church every Sunday.
His favourite verse is John 14: 6, prompting him to quote it and bringing a smile to those in his presence.
A fan of classic cultural gospel music, he knows every song in the TACSI hymn book called Icilongo Levangeli.
Father to three boys, his hopes of one following in his footsteps were dashed when none took to the pulpit.
However, it has not dampened his love for his family, saying every man must carve a life for himself in this journey, called life.
His church is throwing a massive party to bid him farewell and the public are invited to join.
Even though he walks away from the pulpit, Pastor Ndlovu remains a church member and will not miss mass every Sunday.
“The church has been good to me.
The community at large has been great to me and I wish them blessings upon blessings.”
It is an end of an era, but a new dawn for him.
“I get to enjoy life with my family and spend time with my grandchildren.
“I had a fulfilling life and it is time to go.”
The church is now on a mission to fill his big shoes.
However, it is certain that his presence will still be felt after his retirement.
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