“THUS FAR THE LORD HAS HELPED US.” 1 Samuel 7:12.
SHORT HISTORY OF THE
MARANATHA REFORMED CHURCH OF CHRIST
The Maranatha Reformed Church of Christ (MRCC) was established in 1923. On the 29th April 1923 the Rev Andrew Mlaba, an ordained minister, along with approximately 400 congregants broke away from the Free Church of Scotland in Kwazulu-Natal. This was due to the fact that the Free Church of Scotland allowed missionaries, who were not ordained, to minister the sacraments.
Rev Mlaba read about the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (NHKA) in the newspapers. He requested a meeting with the church leadership, with a view of “getting material and spiritual support” from the NHKA, as well as “protection and membership of the ‘NHK van Natal’”. At first the church was referred to as Zulu Hervormde Sendingkerk and it was based at Lufafa. A second group joined Rev Mlaba in 1927. The group was under the leadership of the Dutch Reformed Church evangelist Mayaba.
A more active minister, Rev Stephanus Phillipus Mpanza (born 1892 in Mahlabathini), an evangelist in the Dutch Reformed Church, was called to the congregation to continue with the work started by Rev Mlaba. This was because Rev Mlaba had become too old to continue with his work. Rev Mpanza accepted the call, was ordained and established a new mission post at New Canaan. He continued to play an important role in the development of the Zulu mission.
The coming of Rev Mpanza to Lufafa was a breath of fresh air since “he breathed new life into the church and spurred congregations towards greater activity with a high level of competence and dedication.” Rev Mpanza was dedicated to his work as a minister of religion. He was a very involved person, especially when it came to pastoral work.
It was because of his dedicated service to the work of the church that the church grew and expanded in Zululand. One of his assistants, Simon Sithole, was appointed as an evangelist in 1952. He was appointed for the area “between Pietermaritzburg and Durban”. As a result of that appointment a new church was built at Gracourt.
Something wonderful happened in 1955 when “the whole Independent Zulu Methodist Church with four ministers (Mhlane, Mbonwa, Mchunu and Mazibuko) applied for inclusion in the Zulu Hervormde Sendingkerk. The influence of Rev Mpanza’s hard work did not confine itself to Zululand, but a new development took place in the same year, with the establishment of a Sotho speaking congregation near Koster in the former Transvaal. The congregation was served by an evangelist Lukas Tsoai. A year later his brother, Abiel Tsoai, started missionary work near Hekpoort. Due to these developments, the name of the mission church changed to Bantu Hervormde Kerk (BHK), as the church now had Sotho-speaking members.
The BHK held the first General Church Assembly (Synod) from 19-22 July 1977 at Turfloop. A decision was then made to rename the church Hervormde Kerk in Suidelike Afrika (HKSA) and the first moderator to be elected by the HKSA was Rev A Kupa (2009:35). The name ‘HKSA’ was changed to Maranatha Reformed Church of Christ (MRCC) in 2006 at Bizana, Eastern Cape during the 10th General Church Assembly.
Maranatha is an Aramaic word meaning ‘come, our Lord!’ Therefore, we regard ourselves as a church waiting for our Lord to come and we strive to do as He wishes and as He commands, whilst waiting for Him to come back.
OFFICIAL BIRTH DATE OF THE MRCC
The 1988 General Church Assembly established the establishment date of the Maranatha
Reformed Church of Christ as 12 May 1923. This date is obviously very important for the MRCC. It is for this reason that on 15-16 May and 22-23 May 1993 the MRCC celebrated in grand style her 70th anniversary. The celebration was two-phased, one held at High Flats at Zamafuthi congregation in KwaZulu-Natal i.e. East of the Drakensberg Region and the other at Fochville congregation at Kokosi Location in North West i.e. West of the Drakensberg Region. 12 May 2012 was therefore an 89th Anniversary of the MRCC.
PAST MODERATORS OF THE MRCC
It is proper to acknowledge the God-inspired leadership of brothers who served as moderators of the church since 1977. We thank the Lord for the able leadership, dedication and commitment of these men:
Revs. AM Kupa (1977-1982); JNR Sithole (1982-1985); ZJ Banda (1985-1994; 1997-2000);
SP Mpanza (1994-1997); BA Xuba (2000-2003); Adv. KD Matji (2003-2006); Rev AM Rivombo (2006-2009); Rev JM Mamabolo (2009-2012); Rev Prof MJ Manala (2012-2015; 2015-2018); Rev ZO Madlala (2018-2022; 2022-current).
TIMELINE OF HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CHURCH EVENTS AND DECISIONS
| 1916 | The First Church building of the church at Lufafa as of Free Church of Scotland |
| 1923 | Birth of Zulu Hervormde Zending Kerk van Natal, Gemeente Lufafa (23rd April) under the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Natal |
| 1923 | Official calling of AS Mlaba as minister of ZHZK (chosen from 3 candidates), 12 May |
| 1923 | Memorandum of Agreement signed between NHK van Natal (Bpk)and ZHZK; ZHZK accepts guardianship of NHKvN (29 April 1923) |
| 1923 | First official church council constituted, namely Efraim Ndlovu, Moses Madonda, William Nkulise [Mkulise], Paul Ndhlovu, Mlyoni Magose, Hebron Tshabalala, Piteon Tshabalala, Amos Mkulise, Alfred Base, Lukas Ntsuma & Josia Maktini (12 May). |
| 1925 | Proposal for admission of the ZHZK van Natal by NHK van Natal under NHKA declined by GCA |
| 1927 | Special GCA of NHKA refers the proposal for admission of ZHZK to the CGA of 1928 |
| 1928 | Formation and registration as legal entity (5 Nov) of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Sendinggenootskap NHSG (Benefactor of ZHZK) |
| 1928 | NHKA’s GCA allows Friends of Mission to adopt the ZHZK as a mission activity |
| 1930 | Memorandum of Agreement signed between NHSG (Bpk)and ZHZK (Hervormde Soeloe Gemeente, Natal); ZHZK accepts guardianship of NHSG. |
| 1935 | Three Evangelists served the church (probably Moses Madonda, Elias Radebe and One Woman (Kate Kuboni ?) |
| 1935 | Rev AS Mlaba runs a private school with one paid teacher, paid ten (10) shillings per month, but closed after a brief run for lack of funds |
| 1937 | Successful application and right of occupation of Lufafa Church Building to the Higher |
| Commissioner of African Affairs | |
| 1942 | NHSG declared defunct and is replaced by Nederduitsch Hervormde EvangelisasieVereeniging (NHE-V) (21 May) |
| 1942 | The American Mission Board occupies the Lufafa Church Building, (unofficially); tries to solicit transfer from the NG Kerk. |
| 1945 | NHKA’s 1945 GCA takes mission work seriously and replaces NHK-V with a church elected Nederduitsch Hervormde Sendingkommissie (NHEK) |
| 1945 | The First Call of a minister to Rev SP Mpanza (but declined) |
| 1945 | Name change: ZHZK renamed Christelike Bantoe-kerk by NHEK |
| 1946 | Second minister, Rev Moses Madonda offically ordained (23 November), at Malahleni Congregation, after Mlaba unilaterally ordained him c.1942 |
| 1946 | Ev Alfred Basi, one of first evangelists, very helpful, better learned but called to discipline for a polygamy marriage |
| 1946 | Rev AS Mlaba (78 years) deceased, 25 January |
| 1947 | Name change: ZHZK replaced by Hervormde Bantoe Kerk (HBK) by NHEK (27 August) for ‘simplicity’s sake. |
| 1947 | The First successful (but 2nd to prospective) to Rev SP Mpanza (26 February) |
| 1947 | The First Marriage Officer of the church, Rev SP Mpanza, August 1947. |
| 1947 | First issue of Akte van Bevestiging (Engl. Transl.?), to Rev SP Mpanza, August 1947. |
| 1947 |
First Disciplinary Case and suspension of minister (Rev M Madonda) under Rev Mpanza (July 6, 1947) |
| 1947 | Rev SP Mpanza refers to the church as Bantu Hervormde Kerk (BHK), instead of HBK |
| 1947 | Ev Alfred Basi runs a school with 15 children, a teacher of Roman Catholic Church affiliation |
| 1949 | The BHK officially registered by the state as church |
| 1949 | Rev SP Mpanza opens a successful school, initially with 76 children, with Mrs. Mpanza as volunteer teacher (i.e. initially without salary) |
| 1951 | Rev SP Mpanza through the NHSK obtains court interdict against American Mission Board’s occupation of the Lufafa Church Building |
| 1951 | NHKA officially decides to do mission as Church |
| 1951 | Name change: New African names for BHK (HBK) proposed by NHKA’s 1951 GCA: 1) Isonto lomsindisi (Die Kerk van die Verlosser), 2) Isonto Lokuhlumelela (Die Kerk van die vernuwing or 3) Die Kerk van die Hervorming) |
| 1952 | Rev SP Mpanza through the NHEK succeeds to evict the American Mission Board from the Lufafa Church Building |
| 1974 | Name Change: Church Assembly of 1974 (Saulsville proposes removal of “Bantoe” from BHK and proposes HKSA. |
| 1977 | First GCA at Turfloop, Stofberg Theological School, Pietersburg |
| 1977 | Name change: Bantu Hervormde Kerk renamed Hervormde Kerk in Suidelike Afrika (HKSA) by first GCA of the church |
| 1977 |
1st Moderamen elected Rev AM Kupa (Mod), Rev CMK Dlamini (Scribe) Rev AM Modiboa (Dep. S) and Rev JNR Sithole (Dep. M), |
| 1977 | First Church Constitution adopted article by article through the meeting B25(7-11 July) |
| 1977 | Church Membership: 14 270 Confirmed & Baptised Members |
| 1977 | Stats: Congr.91; Minist. 33; Conf.& Bapt. Memb:14 270; Circ. 5; Delegates: 56 |
| 1980 | Second GCA at Umgababa Holiday Resort, Natal (7-11 July) |
| 1980 | Rev SP Mpanza honoured after years of sterling foundational work of the HKSA |
| 1980 |
2nd Moderamen: All re-elected: Rev AM Kupa (Mod), Rev CMK Dlamini (Scribe) Rev AM Modiboa (Dep. S) and Rev JNR Sithole (Dep. M) (7 Jul.) |
| 1982 | Rev SP Mpanza deceased |
| 1982 | Moderamen Change: Rev AM Kupa resigns to join SABC; Rev JNR Sithole (Mod), Rev CMK Dlamini (Scribe), Rev JM Madonsela (Dep. M) & Rev AM Modiboa (Dep. S) (23 Nov.82) |
| 1985 | 3rd GCA at Umgababa Holiday Resort, Natal (26-30 August 1985) |
| 1985 | 3rd Moderamen: Rev ZJ Banda (Mod), Rev MJ Manala (Scribe), Rev JNR Sithole (Dep. M) & Rev GBM Madlala (Dep. S) (26 Aug). |
| 1985 | Stats: Congr.84; Minist. 44; Conf.Memb. 9 701 & Bapt. Memb. 17 764. Tot.Memb. 27 465; Circ. 7; Delegates: 128 (41 min, 51 eld, 34 dea & 2 min.advisory |
| 1985 | Office: Women admitted to office of presbytery (elders) by GCA (28 Aug.85) |
| 1985 | Tentmaking/Part-time ministry officially approved by GCA1985; (fore-runners Rev AM Kupa (SABC-1982) & Rev JM Mamabolo (SABC)). |
| 1985 | Ministers/Retirement Age: 65yrs or 40yrs of Service; 70 yrs=Conditional to CGCA approval & state of health. |
| 1985 | New Circuit of Central Transvaal consisting of 7 congregations approved and separated from North Transvaal which remains with 6 congregations. |
| 1988 | 4th GCA at Camp Jonathan, Eston, Natal (19-24 September) |
| 1988 | Ds JAP van Tonder receives standing ovation for his support and contribution to the life and work of the HKSA, as he retires as Mission Superintendent of the NHKA |
| 1988 | Hypothesis C, an Investment Scheme for fundraising based on Contributions of Members, with ±50 members (R5 522.25 bal.), is approved by GCA, |
| 1988 | Emblem change: The GCA approves of the church emblem with the new symbols (insignia) as the Cross and the Bible, but maintaining the motto: Maranatha |
| 1988 | 4th Moderamen: Rev ZJ Banda (Mod), Rev MJ Manala (Scribe), Rev JNR Sithole (Dep. M) & Rev JN Zuma (Dep. S) (26 Aug). |
| 1988 | Special Ordination of Evangelists to become ministers approved GCA 1988, after heated debate (28 August 1985) |
| 1988 | Medical Scheme: CGA1988 grants that costs for normal visit to a medical doctor by ministers and their households be subsidized by 50% by the local congregation. |
| 1988 | Tent making ministry conditional approved by GCA1988; subject to approval of Mission Board. |
| 1988 | First Congress of the Hervormde Sustervereniging (HSV) at Camp Jonathan, Eston (21-23 June’88): Ch. Mrs. V Madlala, Secr. Mrs. A Semetjane, v.Ch. Mrs. R Mogashoa & v.Secr. Mrs. H Sithole & Trea. Mrs. CT Dlamini. |
| 1988 | Boundaries of Circuits prescribed on the map. |
| 1988 | New Circuit of Soweto consisting of 6 congregations approved and separated from East Transvaal which remains with 5 congregations. |
| 1988 | CGA decides to take observer member status of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) after the CGCA had provisionally applied for the status. |
| 1989 | Ds JAP van Tonder deceased 27 March 1989 and HKSA attends burial. |
| 1989 | Rev LJJ Nell becomes mission superintendent (NHKA) (1 July 1989) |
| 1990 | Largest number of Candidate Ministers to complete 12 at HTO. |
| 1991 | 5th GCA at Mamelodi (West) Congregation, Pretoria (14-18 September ’91) |
| 1991 | The Moderamen presents a progressive vision for the church, “Vision 2000 and beyond”. |
| 1991 | Chaplaincy: GCA approves of Rev NJ Dithipe as he becomes the first chaplain to serve in the Military Force (Bophuthatswana) |
| 1991 | Chaplaincy: GCA approves of Rev SE Mabe as he becomes the first chaplain to serve in the Police force (SAP) |
| 1991 | Language: Use of Afrikaans and English in the Agenda for the first time. |
| 1991 | CGA decides to take full membership status of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) |
| 1991 |
5th Moderamen elected: Rev ZJ Banda (Mod), Rev MJ Manala (Scribe), Rev JN Zuma (Dep. M) and Rev CMK Dlamini (Dep. S) |
| 1992 | First Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (Hoog Uitvoerende Beampte), Rev MJ Manala appointed June, assumed duty 1 Aug, inaugurated 21 Nov. 1992. |
| 1992 | Prof HG van der Westhuizen appointed rector of HTO, as Prof SJ Botha assumes a lectureship post at the Univ. Of Pretoria (June 1992) |
| 1993 | Church celebrates its 70th Anniversary at Zamafuthi, Hlokozi, for East of Drakensberg (15-16 May), and Kokosi, Fochville for West of Drakensberg (22-23 May) |
| 1994 | 6th GCA at Mooigenoeg Camping Site, Bloemfontein (4-9 September ’94) |
| 1994 | Hypothesis C matures at R158 610, and yields returns and increases the coffers of the church multifold from R680.00 to R23 021.51 after repayments to participants. |
| 1994 | Honorarium: GCA approves honorarium for members of CGCA at R50 per attendance, and R1500 per year for Chairperson and Scribe as compensation for office work and visits. |
| 1994 |
6th Moderamen elected: Rev SP Mpanza (Mod), Rev AM Rivombo (Scribe), Rev RJ Maenetsa (Dep. M) and Rev SK Tlotleng (Dep. S) (5 Sep. 1994) |
| 1996 | The first research on the origins and early years of the MRCC 1921-1950 completed by Rev ZJ Banda as Masters dissertation (Unisa) |
| 1997 | 7th GCA at Technikon North-West, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria (16-21 December ’97) |
| 1997 | GCA expresses its view on homosexual marriages: upholds heterosexual marriages, expresses duty to counsel, love, support and pray for homosexuals. |
| 1997 |
7th Moderamen elected: Rev ZJ Banda (Mod), Rev FM Menziwa (Scribe), Rev BA Xuba (Dep. M) and Rev RJ Maenetsa (Dep. S) (17 Dec 1997) |
| 2000 | The first delegates of the MRCC (Revv ZJ Banda and MJ Manala) to visit the Uniting Reformed Church in the Netherlands with assistance of Dr S Bos and financial support of the NHKA. It was in the year 2000 during April/May |
| 2000 | 8th GCA at Madadeni College of Education, Madadeni, Newcastle (22-25 September 2000) |
| 2000 |
8th Moderamen elected: Rev BA Xuba (Mod), Rev JM Mamabolo (Scribe), Rev SJ Ramoba (Dep. M), Rev JJ Ngubane (Dep. S) and Ms. K Tshabalala (Add. mem) (22-25 Sep.2000) |
| 2000 | First Women to enter pastoral ministry welcomed by GCA: Ms. SN Moloi and Ms. JJ Ngubane (Alphabetically) complete studies 1999 |
| 2003 | Second Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rev JM Motloba appointed and assumed duty in April. The title was later changed to Administrator in 2009. |
| 2003 | 9th GCA at Harry Openheimer Agricultural High School, Limburg (north of Mokopane), Limpopo (9-14 December 2003) |
| 2003 | First Lay leader to be elected Moderator: Adv. KD Matji (12 Dec 2003) |
| 2003 |
9th Moderamen elected: Adv KD Matji (Mod), Rev RP Moleme (Dep Mod), Rev PM Mosoeu (G. Sec), Rev JJ Ngubane (Dep. GS) and Rev MA Mothopeng (Add. Mem.) (12 Dec.’03) |
| 2006 | 10th GCA at Nompumalanga Special School, Bizana (EC) |
| 2006 |
10th Moderamen: Rev AM Rivombo (Mod), Rev BA Xuba (Dep Mod), Rev MJ Manala (G. Sec), Rev AM Mothopeng (Dep. GS) and Rev PM Mosoeu (Add. Mem.) (12 Dec.’03) |
| 2006 | Rev ZJ Banda resigns from the church after 9 years of leadership as Chairperson of |
| CGCA, 25 years as minister. | |
| 2009 | The 11th GCA at Mimosa Gardens Holiday Resort, Parys, Free State (28 Sep-1 Oct’09) |
| 2009 |
11th Moderamen elected: Rev JM Mamabolo (Mod), Rev SK Dlamini (G. Sec), Rev ZO Madlala (Dep. M), Rev SN Moloi (Dep. GS) & Rev ME Botlhoko (Add. Mem.) |
| 2012 | MRCC and Department of Defence-Spiritual Services signed a Church-State Agreement on 15 April 2012 at Saulsville MRCC. |
| 2012 | The 12th GCA at Skogheim Conference Centre, Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal (1-4 Oct. 12). A decision was taken to endorse a recommendation to apply for membership of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC). |
| 2012 |
12th Moderamen elected: Prof MJ Manala (Mod), Eld. MJ Masenya (G. Sec), Rev ZO Madlala (dep. M), Rev M Mothopeng (Dep. GS), Rev OA Khabele (Add. Mem.) (01-04 October 2012) |
| 2013 | 12 May 2013 – 90th Anniversary of the MRCC celebrated at 224 Jacob Mare street, PTA |
| 2014 | MRCC was accepted as a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) in May 2014, with membership number: 1211. |
| 2015 |
The 13th GCA was held at Heron-Bridge Retreat, Fourways, Gauteng (1-4 Oct. 2015). 13th Moderamen elected: Prof MJ Manala (Mod), Mr. MJ Masenya (Scribe), Mrs. FM Mosoeu (dep. M), Rev LLB Madikizela (Dep. S), Mr. MH Mdhluli (Add. Mem.) (01-04 October 2015) |
| 2018 |
The 14th GCA at Skogheim Conference Centre, Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal (5-8 Oct. 2018). 14th Moderamen elected: Rev ZO Madlala (Mod), Mr. MJ Masenya (Scribe), Mrs. FM Mosoeu (dep. M), Rev PT Duma (Dep. S), Mr. MH Mdhluli (TDC) (05-08 October 2018) |
| 2019 | MRCC signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA) at Centurion on 14 August 2019. |
| 2022 | The 15th GCA was held at Heron-Bridge Retreat, Fourways, Gauteng (3-6 Oct. 2022). The 15th GCA was supposed to have been held in 2021 but was delayed for a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the World, resulting in hard lockdown that restricted movements, and even closed churches for some months. |
| 2022 |
15th Moderamen elected: Rev ZO Madlala (Mod), Rev LL Maenetsa (Scribe), Rev PM Dingaan (dep. M), Rev OA Kgabele (dep. S), Mrs. FM Mosoeu (Treasurer), Rev Dr. AM Rivombo (TDC), Mr. M Twabu (PRO) (03-06 October 2022) |
| 2023 | 12 May 2023 – 100th Anniversary of the MRCC. Congregations and circuits to celebrate at local level. National event penciled for 18 November 2023 at Kethukuthula congregation, Madadeni, Newcastle. |