Rev. Potwana after her confirmation as minister of URCSA Overberg.
On Saturday 26 August it was a big occasion for URCSA Overberg when Proponent Phakama BJ Potwana was confirmed as their new minister.
Background information
Dr Daniël de Wet, MSS Witness Ministry, was present and says, “From Witness Ministry’s side, Rev. Stephen Pedro communicated with Dr Cezula, lecturer at the Faculty of Theology at Stellenbosch University and linked minister of URCSA Overberg about the calling beforehand. In the process, Witness Ministry undertook to support Rev. Potwana’s salary from our Proponents Fund for a year.
The congregation consists of two service areas, namely Hermanus and the Grabouw/Elgin area. So, it covers a wide area that will be a challenge in itself.
The confirmation event
For the confirmation event, URCSA Overberg sought a church building larger than the spaces at their disposal. Therefore, the confirmation took place in the church building of the Dutch Reformed Church at Grabouw; something that in itself was also of great significance.
Daniël delivered a message on behalf of the Dutch Reformed Church and Witness Ministry (Rev. Stephen Pedro was visiting Kerk in Aktie in the Netherlands) and Dr Natie Philander on behalf of the Curatorium. There were quite a few other speakers as well. (See the programme below). The confirmation service was done by Dr. Cezula.
Two events of the day in particular were very special to Daniël. He says, “The preaching was done by Rev. Siya Potwana, husband of Rev. Bulelwa Potwana and minister at URCSA Decoligny, formerly minister at URCSA Khayelitsha. I know Siya from the seminary programme; we taught together on Fridays a few years ago. It was very special to me that he could do the preaching. It was a message that called us as believers to action amidst the many challenges in South Africa.
“Secondly, the confirmation of a proponent is really a beacon of hope; of someone who said ‘yes’ to the calling of the Lord and then to a congregation that brings out a calling and says, ‘We would like you to come and minister here.’
“Witness Ministry is commited to continuously support this congregation and walk the path with them.”