Nelspruit
Nelspruit is one of the parishes within the Lowveld Presbytery. The parish was established as an extension charge circa 1952. The initial branches were Rousou, Sibthorp ,Brondal ,Mataffin , Jerusalem , Phola , Old Location or Mbombela, Karino, Mayfern and Komatipoort.
The branches have evolved throughout the years due to the country’s demarcation regulations. Nelspruit parish is currently formed by the following seven branches: Daantjie, Kabokweni, Kanyamazane, Komatipoort, Matsulu, Phola and Sandrivier. Six of the branches are located within the Mbombela Local Municipality and the 7th branch is located in Nkomazi Municipality of the Mpumalanga Province. The parish has an average of 350 members ranging from Sunday School children to Senior citizens.
Wisani
Wisani parish is one of the parishes that constitute Lowveld Presbytery under Bushbuckridge local municipality. The parish was established in 2003 with its headquarters being at Rolle, Wisani A branch. Prior 2003 its branches were under Mpisane Parish. Due to the vastness of the parish most of the branches on the eastern part were split to form Wisani Parish.
The Parish Started with 9 branches, namely, Allandale, Hlayisekani, Humulani, Matsavana A, Matsavana B, Pfumelani, Tiyiselani, Wisani A and Wisani B. Allandale has since ceased operating due to low membership, thus the parish is left with 8 branches which are in operation. The estimated membership is 531 from Sunday School to senior citizens.
Malamule
In 1934 missionaries established a mission station named Masana. They also built a school, a church and a hospital with the same Name. The church had off – shoots, of which Saringwa and Malamule were one of those. The first converts were Ndlazi Maina, and her husband, and Nkuna Kebs Gaweni.
The Malamule Parish was then established in 1960. They used to walk on foot for consistory meetings at Masana. The parish did not have evangelists or reverends for most times. Evangelists or reverends used to visit Malamule occasionally for service delivery. Amongst those who served the two parishes was Rev. Ngwenya. During those early years we have seen evangelists Mbowane, Mapere and Sithole who visited the parish. The following reverends were also deployed; Mhimdirhi, Makhubele, Mathebula, Sithole to Name but a few.
In 1983 the parish received Evangelist W.G Mdaka. He found the parish with five branches: Malamule, Saringwa, Cunningmore, Lilydale and oakley. He then established Kildare, Ieagh, Cork, Belfast, Somerset and Justicia. Two branches, Metsi and Mabarhule, did not last Long as they were amalgamated with other branches. The Malamule Parish membership is currently at 380 members from all its 11 branches. The parish presently has six structured church buildings, the other branches are using temporary structures.
Manyeleti
Manyeleti parish was established in 1987, after they were notified by Mpisana parish about the existence and the work of the EPCSA in the area. it was established under Rev L.E Nghatsane. The initial branches were Athol, Gotternburg, Hluvukani, Islington, Ludlow, Utah and Welverdiend. In 1989, the expanded Clara A, Burlington and Tlhavekisa were formed.
After some time, the Clara A branch collapsed after the leader, tatana Afika Mashaba passed on. Manana Belinah Mathebula (n’wa Shivambu} tried to rebuild it but she was unsuccessful. Manyeleti parish is currently formed by the following nine branches: Athol, Burlington, Gotternburg, Hluvukani, Islington, Ludlow, Tlhavekisa, Utah, Welverdiend. Six of the branches (Gotternburg, Hluvukani, Ludlow, Tlhavekisa, Utah and Welverdiend are located within the Manyeleti circuit, and Burlington and Islington branch are located in Cottorndale circuit, while Athol is located in Thulamahashe circuit. The parish has an average of 442 members ranging from Sunday School children to Senior citizens.
Masana
Masana was established in 1934. Masana Parish has 10 Branches. It has an average of 924 members ranging from Sunday school children to Senior citizens.
Mbombela
The EPSA Mbombela Parish is a non-calling Parish within the Lowveld Presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in South Africa. It shares borders with eMalahleni Parish of the North East Presbytery, the Nelspruit Parish, Rixile Parish and Masana Parish, all falling under the Lowveld Presbytery of the EPCSA. Prior to its establishment, the EPCSA Mbombela Parish was forming part of the Nelspruit Parish. It was subsequently proclaimed by the Synod to be a standalone parish effective from 2014. At the time of its establishment, the majority of members were based in the urban areas of the City of Mbombela and White River. There were, and still there are no branches falling within the EPCSA Mbombela Parish.
From the time of its establishment to date, the EPCSA Mbombela Parish is accommodated at a rented building (Mlondolozi House) situated at the Central Business District of the City of Mbombela. Due to transport related challenges, our members based at the nearby villages of Mataffin and Msholozi are unable to commute to the CBD on a weekly basis to attend church services. It is however imminent that the parish will relocate to its new building within the 2023/24 financial year. The building to be soon occupied is situated at portion 1 of Erf 22 at Matffin village which is about 6.5 km in the Western side of the City of Mbombela. The church building is at a central point and will be easily accessible to all Christians staying either in urban areas or nearby villages. Regardless of its current location at the CBD, the membership of the parish is increasing at an average annual rate of 8% which is a positive development for the church.
This percentage increase of membership will even grow after relocation to the new building. By the beginning of 2023, the parish boasted about 159 members with great potential for growth. The Parish has two Zone, being Kanana with a total membership of 98 and Mount Sinai with 61 Members All the Guilds and Committees within the parish are well constituted and functional, with the exception of the Blue Cross.
Mpisane
Mpisane Parish was established by Reverend Jonas Maphophe in 1915. Mpisane Parish was made up of 22 branches, with a membership of 304 Christians. As the membership grew, other Parishes were established, namely, Masana, Manyeleti and Wisane.
Mpisane Parish falls under Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. At present, the Parish covers areas around Orinocco (A,B, & C), Okkernootboom, Cottondale, Edinburg (A & B), MP Stream farms, as well as Thulamahashe Location. The Head Quarters and Mission House of the Parish is located at Thulamahashe A Church.
The following Ministers of Religion served the Parish:
Maphophe J, Shokwane S, Tshuketana F, Mabyalana E.S, Ngobe J.S, Mabunda W, Nghatsane E, Rambau W, Tshabalala G.W, Mthavele M, Tlhamu D.M, Nkuna P.G, Mhlare B and Baloyi B.P.
Mpisane Parish has 1061 Members from Sunday Sunday School to Senior Citizen
Rixile
The Parish was established in 1988 and the first meeting was on the 22nd of January 1989. There are 7 Branches at Rixile:
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Ebenezer: Mashonamini and Calcutta Trust
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Khensani: Calcutta Trust and Mkhuhlu Township
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Marite: Marite, Jim Brown, Tsakane na Marongwane
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Mkhuhlu: Mkhuhlu Trust, Tsema-marhumbu na Jonela
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Pfuxetani: Mkhuhlu Trust, Mantangaleni na Thulani
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Rixile: Mkhuhlu Township, Malubane. Mkhuhlu F (RDP) and Hazyview
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Vuyelani: Madras na Goromane