New church head has rural EC roots

BISHOP Ziphozihle Siwa, who was born and raised in a  dusty rural village in the Eastern Cape, has been appointed to head up the Methodist Church of  Southern Africa.

Siwa was inducted as presiding officer for the Southern Africa region at the University of Fort Hare’s Alice  campus .

The 56-year-old married father of  four succeeds Bishop Ivan Abraham, who will be taking over the role of  general secretary of the World  Methodist Church. The Southern  Africa region includes South Africa,  Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana and Namibia .

Siwa yesterday said although he had big shoes to fill, he was excited  about setting a good example for  those who grew up in villages. “In  God’s trust anything is possible. I  grew up in dusty villages but here I  am today, leading the church in the  region.

“This is a calling in ministry and  God knows why I was given this position at this time. But it came at the right time for me and I am ready to lead the church,” he told the Daily  Dispatch.

In addition to Abraham, his predecessors include Dr Stanley Makgoba and Dr Mvume Dandala.

Siwa is based in Gauteng and was  previously presiding Bishop of the  Highveld and Swaziland .

“Each of these leaders before me  played a role not only for this country, but for the region and the world.  My position will be determined by  God and I will lead because I will be  equipped. This is really an honour for me to lead such a congregation in Southern Africa.”

Growing up in Ngcabasa village, Siwa was ordained as a minister at the  age of 36 . Currently, he is also a member of the World Methodist Council executive, a position he assumed in  2007. At one stage he was a member  of the council and senate for Rhodes  University, a position he held for six  years until 2010.

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