LIMPOPO – The Vhembe District Mayor Dowelani Nenguda accompanied by Phalaphala FM programme manager Sharon Ravele, friends, family, community and church members flocked to the Ha-Rabali church’s headquarters on September 11 to witness the ordination of the new archbishop of the New African Apostolic Church (NAAC), Florence Manenzhe Rabali.
Rabali was ordained by Professor Nchime Sophonia Tsekedi, the president of the All African Federation of Churches.
Addressing Rabali during the ordination, Tsekedi told her to be a good servant of God and not to discriminate against her followers.
“As archbishops, we are all just subjects of God. We do not own anyone. We pray to one God, no matter which church we attend,” he said.
The NAAC has branches across South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The new archbishop thanked God for being with her through the difficult times in her journey to realise her late husband’s dream.
Peter Rabali was also a well-known businessman and former chairperson of Dynamos FC.
“I feel honoured and humbled to be the first female archbishop of the New African Apostolic Church. I thank God who put me in this position to lead the church from where the late archbishop ended. My husband was a good man who loved the people. I feel greatly honoured to take over his duties from here onward. I am indebted to the family and congregation for their support, for I know that they will continue to be there to walk this journey with me,” she said.
Nenguda added that he has faith that archbishop Rabali will help the congregation grow into one of the biggest churches in Africa.
“I urge her to learn from other pastors and bishops around her and seek their advice on running the church,” he said.
