THE smooth notes from the ZCC Brass Band reverberated through the Unisa auditorium as the church’s leader Bishop Joseph Engenas Lekganyane stepped up to deliver his acceptance speech after he was conferred an Honorary degree in Theology.
“Kgotso e be le lena, peace be with you all,” the Bishop said in the church’s traditional greeting.
Present among the dignitaries were former president Thabo Mbeki who is Unisa chancellor, deputy president Paul Mashatile, Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi, academics and the church’s revered brass band.
The spiritual leader of the St Engenas Zion Christian Church was conferred an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Theology (Honoris Causa) by the University of South Africa (Unisa) on Friday 27 October.
In a statement the university said the Unisa Council resolved at its meeting on 29 June 2023 to confer the honorary doctorate on Bishop Lekganyane in recognition of his outstanding achievements and globally impactful societal contributions to peace, social cohesion and social capital, as well as successful and resilient African-initiated institutions in the 21st century.
Bishop Lekganyane was installed as the spiritual leader and bishop of the St Engenas Zion Christian Church at a conference held at Zion City, Moria, in 1975.
According to the SA History Online, the ZCC which has an estimated 6 million membership in SA and the SADC region, “was established in 1924 by Joseph Engenas Matlhakanye Lekganyane.”
The founder, who is Bishop Lekganyane’s grandfather was “a farm worker in a rural area that later became Zion City, in the Northern Province (Limpopo). Lekganyane was educated by Scottish Presbyterian missionaries, and the church reflects some elements of that religion.”
Unisa said Bishop Lekganyane has since become the custodian and incarnation of the values and norms of the church as laid down by his predecessors.
“Inspired by the founding principles of the church and through his spiritual gift and sacrosanct leadership, he has sought to transform the Christian landscape in Africa and beyond, and diligently and consciously continues to do so,” the varsity noted in a statement.
Unisa added that: “Through his stewardship visionary leader, has given hope where there was none, and has brought healing and restoration to many. He is regarded as a nation-builder and a compassionate leader who is always sensitive to, and grounded in, the issues, challenges and plight of members of his church and the public at large. He serves as an integral part of a leadership that seeks to provide solutions to societal issues and challenges.
“Under his leadership and through the Church Council, sound corporate governance structures leveraging technology have been put in place to ensure that the church stays abreast of modern developments. He is a proponent of education, advocating that everyone should attain the highest level of education possible as a means of self-liberation and empowerment.”
In his acceptance speech Bishop Lekganyane underlined the church’s role as a vehicle to promote peace, justice and family values.
He said the church also advocates for the promotion of social cohesion, social capital, social justice and the capacity to build and rebuild large complex and resillient institutions.
“St Engenas established this church aiming at creating spiritual peace, justice, stablility and unity in the African family and in the community at large. The church has become an instrument of religious changes not only in South Africa but in the SADC region and the whole continent,” he said. – news@mukurukuru.co.za
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