The Makhathini is located in an isolated area in northern KwaZulu-Natal, bordered by Mozambique, Swaziland, the Lebombo Mountains and the Indian Ocean. The 631 000-hectare area consists of beautiful, subtropical woodlands. Approximately 500 000 Zulu-speaking people live on the Makhathini flats, the majority being children and youth  60% of the population is still at school and younger. It is one of the poorest areas in South Africa.

Makhathini statistics
• The area has an unemployment rate of at least 70%;

• About 25% of high school girls fall pregnant;

• The youth has a 50% chance of becoming infected with HIV
and AIDS during their lifetime (25.8% between 15 and 49
years in KZN are HIV positive);

• 50% or more of the population older than 20 years has not
received schooling (68% of those who have received
schooling, have only primary education);

• According to research a basic household in Makhathini
consists of six persons of whom on average four are female
and at least one is already HIV-infected (three to four are
usually of school-going age or younger, of whom two are
probably already orphaned).

Overwhelming ministry challenges

About 40% of the people here are members of Christian churches. Of these 80% belong to African-initiated churches and 10 to 20% to Mission-initiated churches. The planting of the URC church in the Makhathini Rev. Joshua Joubert came from Mozambique to Makhathini in 1928. Here he preached the gospel on the banks of the Usuthu river Sunday after Sunday to large numbers of Zulus who came to listen eagerly. In 1935, Rev. Joubert and his successors’ health deteriorated (due to malaria) to such an extent, that the Nkonjane mission station unfortunately had to be closed down. Despite this, the

“failed mission work” from 1928 to 1935 yielded a ripe harvest years later! In 1971 the students from the Theological Seminary at Stellenbosch played a significant role in the establishment of a DRC in Africa congregation in the Makhathini (which later
became the URC of Makhathini).The congregation currently consists of about 650 members and 220 Sunday school pupils with 22 visitation points. The pastors and evangelists who currently work in this area are Revv. Dalisu Kunene and Louwrens van der Westhuizen,
Ev. Joseph Gumede, child evangelists Themba Mahlangu and Ntombencane Mlambo, spiritual worker Bonginkosi Mthembu, and Lungani Mandlakazi who renders social services. The Makhathini Congregation… evangelises with passio Evangelism campaigns are still. very effective in Makhathini. During such a campaign, the entire community receives not only the Word, but also food and clothing (according to their needs).

Become a co-worker – in partnership!
Supporting congregations, individuals and institutions can, in cooperation with each other, focus on strengthening the ministry in the Makhathini congregation. Come, join hands and serve Christ’s church in Makhathini with your resources and abilities become part of this special partnership. Contact us at: The Commission for Witness / Makhathini Partnership. Your reference Makhathini

Private Bag X8, BELLVILLE, 7535
Tel 021 9577 204
Fax 021 9577 181
E-mail kga1@kaapkerk.co.za
Website www.kga.org.za
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