Hundreds of congregants from different denominations at Shayandima, under the auspices of the All Saints Fellowship Forum Shayandima, marched through the streets of Shayandima in observance of Palm Sunday.
Carrying tree branches and a brass band leading them, members representing the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church, Anglican Church, Full Gospel Church, Uniting Presbyterian Church and the Uniting Reformed Church marched in a procession for a few kilometres from Tshilidzini Hospital to the local Lutheran Church at Shayandima.
The annual event, to mark and celebrate the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, was this year graced by the presence of Vhembe's executive mayor, Dowelani Nenguda, Thulamela Mayor Sarah Rammbuda (who led their other executives), senior pastors and bishops from the participating churches.
The chairperson of the All Saints Fellowship Forum Shayandima, Reverend Jabulane Monegi, said that this year's event was aimed at praying for the various problems the country was facing. "Our country is going through some serious challenges, with load shedding having become a way of life. As a church, we pray that a solution to the current crisis that is affecting our country's economy so negatively be found. Again, as a church, we also pray for the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, to remain resolute and seek wisdom from God in taking this country forward. The Zondo Commission has done its job, and we pray that the NPA also does its job by arresting and charging those fingered to have misused state funds," he said.
Monegi further indicated that the church was worried about the carnage that happens on the roads over the Easter holidays, as well as the prevalence of gender-based violence, especially in the Thohoyandou policing area, which has reached alarming proportions. "We are calling upon men and women who are encountering challenges in their relationships to seek help from professionals and organisations, instead of resorting to killing one another," Monegi said.
In his passing greetings to the church, Cllr Nenguda said he appreciated the unity the church had shown and he praised the churches for the role they had played in the liberation struggle.