The President turn 81 and urge the youth to continue the fight for Alex land

 

Cutting the Cake...Twala share his cake with those who came to celebrate with him

Our father, the President of Alexandra Township has urged the youth of the oldest township in South Africa, to take on the baton from where he and others left of in the 60s.

FATHER...The president of Alex celebrated his 81st birthday

"I hear report that the land in Linbro Park, and Frankenworld  have been taken by other people,' says Bab' Linda Twala.

He was addressing the community who came to celebrate  his 81st birthday at Bishop Nhlanhla Nhlapo's  God Never Fails (GNF) church on Tuesday this week.

Helicopter ride on the cards... Twala speaking about the importance of kids riding a helicopter

Though, the turn out of sponsors at this year's annual celebration was affected by the G-20 event which was hosted in the country last month.

But the Gift of the Givers Foundation, The Zanele Mbeki Foundation and Shoprite were part of the sponsors that turned out to make sure that the senior citizens of the township received their food parcels and enjoy the activities of the day.

The food parcels for the grannies who came to celebrate Ntate Twalas birthday

Before he addressed the youth of the township, he first asked the community to come on board donating money so that the children of Alexandra township can have educational tours which include helicopter  rides.

"These children need to be exposed to such as this will broaden their minds," he said.

Another elderly showed appreciation for Twala's role in the struggle and how he was constantly harassed by the security police for hiding and feeding the youngsters then who rebelled against the then apartheid government.

According to google search, Frankenworld also pronounced as Frankenwald is a major urban development

site slated for massive affordable housing projects to of about 30 thousand units.

The project is designed to address a massive housing shortages, intergrade communities and support Alexandra's de-densification involving developments, public participation and educational initiatives by the Wits University.

The project also aims to transform unused land into a new city hub. It currently faces challenges like legacy land disputes and environmental concerns.

According to Nelson Mandela's long walk to Freedom and advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi's The Land is Ours, the land was forcefully taken from the Xhosas, Zulus and Basothos during the  first and second Anglo-Boer War. Zulu's tried to fight men with swords and guns with spears and shield.

The Battle of Isandlwana and the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 | Sky ... https://share.google/images/PQLMveLs2SVNFl8DV

The Basothos tried to negotiate for the land lost after the war but their pleas just like the Xhosa and Zulus  were ignored.

 Instead the Xhosa King of that time, King Sandile was stripped of all his powers and were transferred to Charles Brownee, an Afrikaaner who didn't like black people and was ready to shoot and kill anyone they didn't like.

King Cetshwayo ka Mpande was forced to exile.

 Up to 1994 white South Africans used to celebrate the defeat of the great Zulu leader, Dingane at the battle of Blood River in 1838 on December 16. 

While Black South  Africans mourned the day of the massacre of Zulu impis(warriors or soldiers) who fought Boers with guns and they only has  assegais that time.

 

Three Cakes for an old man

It is said that the water of the nearby river ran red with blood of the impis who were trying to protect their own land. 

Centuries later after  decades of the formation of the African, National Congress(ANC) and exhausting all avenues of peaceful protests and demonstrations with the nationalist government on black matters including land.

The ANC military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe frustrated by the racist government launched their first attack on it using homemade bombs which destroyed power stations, government offices in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Durban.

All the efforts was  to try and get their land back from the  white man.

Speaking at the celebration on Tuesday, Bab' Twala said there were people demanding that Alexandrians must first earn R15 000 a month can in order to occupy the space.

 "Where are you  going to get that kind of money if you are unemployed? 

That land belong to the people of Alexandra Township. We fought for it and got it back way back in 1967," said Twala.

According to google search, Linbro Park, a mixed-used area adjecent to the township is known for its logistics/industrial zones and developing residential areas serving as key part of the Alexandra Renewal Programme (ARP) that built infrastructure like  water reservoirs and roads to upgrade living conditions int he dense, historically disadvantaged township.

The celebration continues at his centre, in 16th avenue today.

Be a moja minister with JBC

Sharp Sharp!... Helen Schlutter, a lecture at JBC

Heita, Hola! Can you believe that we are just a few days from ending the year?

Food.... The Kitchen one of the sponsors, treated us to this on Wednesday

I don't know about you, but for me. This year flew like a blink of an eye. I mean one minute, I was enjoying a scrumptious breakfast and enjoying the fellowish with the new students from the Johannesburg Bible College.

New Mzansi pastors... 2024 graduation ceremony

The next, I see myself at a packed Rosebank Union Church where amongst other's graduating from the college class of 2024 class is Isibaya actor, Patrick Muziwakhe Mathabela.  

Youtube video of the graduation ceremony

 Mmm-hmm! I don't know how you feel, but I think the bar has been raised on the South African story telling side.  

Yes, you guessed it right. Almost all story tellers look to the book of life for inspiration. I mean even the most watched movies of all times have the Biblical themes,hate, love and jelousy and joy.

HAVING FUN... Our last day at the Rays of Hope Centre

So, what a great way to start the year for me in February 2024 as I celebrated my 28th year walking with Jesus and than to be in a classroom full of freaks that loves the same man as I do. I mean to be so into the player of all players to a point that they will spend every morning between 7.30 am and 12:30 noon learning not only about him but the father of all creation.  

Youtube video of us singing on the last day of 2024

 Yes, baby.. My year was very productive, entertaining and weight gaining too as I grabbed two slices of of bread with peanut butter or jam.

   

Youtube video of pastor Brighton giving a sermon

Or scrambled egg and a filter coffee every morning before joining a group of Johannesburg based Bible freaks whose position in the different churches varies from ushering, choir, cleaner, pastoring, counselling and some just mere members of the church but want to grow in the Lord and understand his word.

Class of 2024 last day

The 20-year-old college which had partnered with Rays of Hope for class accommodation in 2024, Rosebank Union Church and The Kitchen restaurant which provided Wednesday fellowship lunches. Opened its doors to almost every one in Alexandra Township and surrounding areas three years ago.

The kitchen are the guys behind our lunches

I mean, it didn't matter which background you came from whether you passed matric or not.

Principal of the school, Rev Nat Schlutter chatting with other lectures

As long as you could utter basic English and show initiative in wanting to learn and understand the Bible. The college's principal, Nat Schluter was eager to travel as far as United Kingdom and the United States of America to find someone who can sponsor a student who cant really afford to pay the now R19 500 fee or R2000 registration.

Proof I was here .... Mbali Mabuza showing off her certificate

. Not only do they make you understand the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, they also encourage students to be more practical with the Bible in their every day life.  

We also enjoyed visitors from the UK

I remember the very first term, as part of the practical of how to engage the word of God. The College had brought in people from journey South Africa, an organisation based in Johannesburg. They were so opened about some of the topics often church shy away to speak about.

Pastor Mandla on the phone, he is also a lecture

I remember the speakers quite well, speaking about being gay and the church reaction. Another had struggled with keeping up with people's expectations and not living her life according to how she would like but rather what was expected of her.

   

Mission Day 2024 celebration

 A male guy came and spoke about how an absent father led to him being molested by a pastor that he trusted and looked up to.

Evangelism lunch... So we shared lunch after recruiting all over Alex

He also kept this a secrete and allowed it to happen many times even though he didn't like it but wanted to please the man who had by then instilled all fears at him. If you thought, cigarrette was the only bad habit in life, think someone eating a jar of jam as a habbit everyday because they wanted to gain weight.

I Did it... Mam Maggie excited to be graduating

The third term was on another level as we had the annual Mission Day at the College. Some of the organisation who came to speak to us included Open Doors which work with persecuted churches, Mr Hendrick Chili highlighted how Christians were being killed in countries like Mozambique to a point that they now had underground churches.

   

Chatting to classmate Lebo after loosing a class challenge

While Wits University resident pastor, Priviledge Tafirei said the gospel was needed most in at Universities. "People now hate Christianity because there are no faithfull Christians today. We have professional missioneries who care about budget yet the teaching about the gospel is needed most", said Tafirei.

2024 graduation Day.....Taking selfies as if it was our day

In Africa, there are many countries where churches are persecuted yet they grow. One of those places is Nigeria. The church grew so fast in Nigeria that new believers have little chance to be discipled. According to operationworld in Nigeria, much of the division and false teaching enters into Nigerian churches mostly it is prosperity teaching which distorts the gospel.

   

Before preaching classes me trying preaching

 The fourth term was even on another level especially for us ladies.  

Another visitor from the UK, it was so noisy I couldn't do a proper interview

We got to attend the annual Women's Conference that was held at the the main campus in Auckland Park.  

Helen talking about the excitement of opening the college in Alexandra Township

One of the things that the college encourage is students volunteering either at the kitchen or in any of its  event.

   

Mission Day nton' nton'

 I was fortunate to be the head usher girl at their third annual conference with the black and Gold theme. Here, I got to make new friends some as far as their Soweto branch.

 Others who had travelled all over the world to study at the Auckland Park Campus.

Last minute preparation for the graduation

Did you know that women need to take supplements when they are on their monthly period?

At the annual Women's Conference 2024

I was really surprised when one of the speakers, Busi revealed this to all woman.  

catching a break after recruiting all over Alex

The college offers amongst others a Women Serving Christ course. Like all their courses, you get a Ministry training course when done and it includes, Biblical womanhood, Women engaging with God's world, Communicating God's Word.

Finally made it... With 2024 graduates

By the end of the courses, one is able to start a church with a full support from a body that support South African Churches. Or be effective members in their church.

 

Talking future plans after graduating

This year's students drew congregants from TBL ministries in Alexandra Township, Rhema Church, Anglican church in Pretoria, Christ Embassy, God Never Fails and Assemblies of God to mention but a few.

   

At Rosebank Union Church after graduation

 Anyway, my year was fun and full loaded with everything about the Bible. I know everything is the result of the fall but will see if next year I will be able to stand Infront of the audience and preach or like Bab' Patrick, I'm only good for camera's on TV. Anyway, as the president, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa asked during his inaugurating in 2019 Whom shall I send, I will respond in a dance like the class of 2024.... THUMA MINA!!

   

 For now please familiarize with your pastors in the following videos they are in no particular order: 1)

 Buti Lucas  

 mama Rahab 2)  

 mam Manina 3) 

 4) Sister Khanyi  

 5) Sister Mathabo  

 6) Brother Mbongeleni  

 7) Sister Lebo  

 A bonus video is when the College pulled an Opera Winfrey on Alexandra branch pupils.