The church tackling dirt to promote clean environment
The Anglican Church in the Free State did not just look to the heavens for a healthy, clean and green environment but rolled up proverbial sleeves to attain its vision. Young and old Anglicans from all corners of the Free State descended on Lekhalong la Mantsopa recently to honour Prophetess Anna Mantsopa Makhetha during the Women’s Month.
Working with the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and the Department of Water Affairs in the Free State, Anglicans cleaned the Moddeport Spruit as part of the government’s cleaning of rivers programme.
The Mantsopa spring, very popular with visitors and believers also received a ‘freshen up’. The Regional Head of the department, Dr Tseliso Ntili committed to a longer term programme of removing the logs in the river and protecting the spring for posterity.
DETEA donated trees for the greening of the area in commemoration of the 153 years of existence of the Diocese. Bishop Dintoe Letloenyne planted a tree next to the cave committing Anglicans to deepening spirituality and support to environment. “We are planting this tree as our commitment to new beginning and renewed awareness of the environment we worship at”, said Bishop Dintoe.
Ms Nozi Nkoe the Chief Director, Environmental Management at Department of Economic, Small Business Development,Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA) applauded the Church for taking the initiative to look after the environment. “We wish that we could see many more communities taking the initiative to clean and green their environments to ensure that the world will live in gets better day by day”, said Ms Nkoe.
The historical background of the St Augustine Church and its famous Cave dates back from the 18th century when the church was established by the Society of St Augustine. Many people from all walks of life flock to the cave in search of spiritual healing from the cave.
A Training College for black teachers as well as a High School used to form part of this rich antiquity. Both the Training College and High School were closed in 1955 due to the restrictions introduced by the Bantu Education Act of 1953 and the Apartheid government because of the superior education that was offered there.
For more information contact:
Lebogang Maloale
Tel: 051 400 9550/9631
E-mail: maloalel@detea.fs.gov.za
Kagisho Leteane
E-mail: leteanek@detea.fs.gov.za
