Braamfontein
The formation of Braamfontein church commenced at the Diepkloof Parish under the guidance of the Rt. Rev. Dr. NJ Tshawane in Kanana Zone, encompassing Diepkloof Zone 6 and Pimville. Three committed women, Mrs. Jessie Mathabela, Mrs. Evelyn Khosa, and Mrs. Makhubele, were among the founding members of the breakaway Antioka Zone that would later evolve into Braamfontein Parish. This zone comprised urban families residing outside Soweto, with the inclusion of Mr. Abel Maluleke's family.
In 1999, discussions were held with the late Rev. Dr. TR Mobbie and the Rt. Rev. HD Masangu to lay the groundwork for the establishment of the Braamfontein Church. The Diepkloof report to the 1999 Synod introduced the Braamfontein congregation for the first time. Subsequently, a church was established in Braamfontein at the beginning of 2000, which emerged from the Antioka Zone (Diepkloof Parish). The EPCSA head office granted approval for the utilisation of the 4th floor of Portland Place for church activities. Mr. Butana Maphophe generously donated 120 plastic chairs, and Homedecor Centre, a company owned by Mr. GT Nkuna, refurbished the floor and installed electrical facilities to facilitate the church's operations.
The inaugural church service in Braamfontein took place in early May 2000, led by Rt. Rev. Dr. NJ Tshawane, who already oversaw churches in Diepkloof and Orlando. Initially, there were only six families and 16 Christians, including prominent members such as Mr. & Mrs. KMA Chauke, Mr. & Mrs. CN Maphophe, Mr. & Mrs. A Maluleke, Mrs. Khosa, and Mrs. Mathabela. Mr. Abel Maluleke played a pivotal role in recruiting and transporting Christians to the church, contributing to its rapid growth.
The early leadership of Braamfontein Church included Adv. KMA Chauke as Secretary, Mr. Solani Maluleke as Deputy Secretary and Youth Patron, and Mr. CN Maphophe as Treasurer. The congregation experienced substantial growth, attracting young people from various EPCSA Presbyteries who had relocated to Johannesburg for employment or educational pursuits. Other critical leaders during the church's formative years included Mr. D Mtsetwene, Mr. Prince Phaweni, Mr. Jimmy Baloyi, Mr. Justice Ndabane, Ms MH Mhinga, Dr. J Chabalala, Mr. P Makhubele, Mrs TV Chabalala, Ms TC Rikhotso, Mrs. RF Nkuna, Mrs G Makhubele and Mr. Akani Nkuzana. Rev. CH Hlungwani also played a pivotal role in overseeing the Braamfontein church when the Rt. Rev. Dr. NJ Tshawane was elected as the moderator of the entire EPCSA in 2003.
The vision and influence of Braamfontein Church continued to grow, leading to the formation of a building committee and a fundraising committee, comprising notable members such as Mr. Tom Nkuna, Mr. Jimmy Baloyi, Mr. Prince Phaweni, Mr. Solani Maluleke, Mr. Calvin Maphophe, Mr. Abel Maluleke, Dr. Lybon Rikhotso, and Mr. Mavhimbela. Braamfontein hosted the first fundraising gala dinner across the EPCSA church at the Sandton Convention Center in 2004, underscoring their resolute vision and resourcefulness.
In June 2004, a Presbytery committee visited Braamfontein to assess its potential to attain full status as a parish. Despite having 234 Christians, many were students, posing a challenge in meeting the requirement of 200 working members. Notwithstanding this, Braamfontein continued to flourish and persisted in realizing its aspiration to achieve full parish status.
The 2005 Synod in Thulamahashe debated Braamfontein's status, eventually resolving to grant Braamfontein full parish status. By 2006, Rev. P Ndlovu and his family were assigned to pastor the new parish as directed by the Synod. Rev. Ndlovu led the church to major milestones which include the establishment of the Women’s Guild in 2006 and the Young Women’s Guild in 2007. The first robbing ceremony for the Men’s Guild took place in 2007.
In 2011, a Church Building Committee (CBC) was convened and given a two-year mandate to raise funds and secure a church. Dr. HH Mukhari chaired the committee, with Mr. Musa Masebenza serving as the secretary, Ms. Mpho Maringa as the deputy secretary, and Mr. J Mthembu as the treasurer. These efforts culminated in the acquisition of a Manse in Oakdene, Johannesburg South, and the relocation of the church from Portland Place to the church on Solomon Street, Vrededorp, where the church leased and renovated an existing church building. The church in Vrededorp opened on October 14, 2018. The church choir performed at the opening, and Mr. CN Maphophe had the honour of delivering the first sermon in the new church.
The parish has been served by various ministers including Rev. BM Madela, Rev. B Mhlare, and Rev. TDY Sombhane. Rev. Sombhane played a crucial role in leading the church through the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, fostering stability and growth. The transformation of Braamfontein from a small congregation to a flourishing church is a testament to the dedication and vision of its leaders and members. Notably, the Braamfontein church achieved a clean audit in 2018, marking a significant milestone. Ms. M.H. Mhinga and Mr. C.N. Maphophe were honoured at the Synod, which took place at Union Caterers in Pretoria, in recognition of this accomplishment.
East Rand
The East Rand Parish originated as Brakpan Station in the 19 thirties, formed by a group of miners at the New Kleinfontein Mine. Germiquet Eugene-Ariste Ernst was the first chairperson of the consistory. In 1954, when the miners were relocated to Daveyton, the members worshiped in Tatana Ngobeni’s house number 1444 Hlomela Street until 1956 when the church was allocated stand no. 1452 Hlomela Street where Daveyton church currently stands. The church expanded to other areas such as Geduld, Ermelo, ERPM Mine, Kwa-Thema (1968), Wadeville (1980’s), Vosloorus (1990’s) and Etwatwa (1991).
Past reverends in the parish include Muneri Germiquet, Rev. Kubayi, Rev Phelembe, Rev Ngwenya, Rev W. Rambau, Rev Mathebula, Rev Mayimele, Rev G. Moyana, Rev S.P.H Nyambi (Khosa), Rev T.R. Mobbie, Rev H.M Phelembe, Rev B.P. Baloyi, Rev T.J. Mayayise, Rev M.J. Baloyi, and Rev B.E. Khoza
East Rand Parish is in Rand Presbytery at Ekurhuleni Municipality, Gauteng Province in South Africa.
Free State
Free State Parish is located at Bloemfontein, the capital, and the largest city of the Free State province in South Africa. The parish was established in 2013, after Mrs T Matobela and Miss K Mathebula met at Central University of Technology and proposed an idea of branching out from Braamfontein parish the time Rev Ndlovu was a minister. The first ministers to visit the station were Rev Mukhantswa, Rev Chabane and Rev Ndlovu on the 27th of August 2013 to bless the opening of the parish. The first Chairperson of the parish was Mr T Mabuza and the first service was held on the 1st of September 2013 at Mr and Mrs Matobela’s house, until January 2014 when the church got accommodated at the University of the Free State, which is their home to date. Rev Tshawane was then given the responsibility to take care of the parish as it has not been given a dedicated minister as yet.
The Evangelical Presbyterian Church in SA (EPCSA) Free State Parish is concerned with planting the Kingdom of God in the Republic of South Africa and abroad. The church fosters spiritual life by means of worship, teaching, proclamation, sacramental life, and communion. The church ceaselessly strives to maintain the Holy Name of the Gospel. The Church strives for the advent of the Kingdom of God on earth. In doing so, it seeks to follow in the ways of its Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, and bring new life to all men. Free State Parish mainly consists of Xitsonga speaking congregants around Bloemfontein, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality. Some of its members are Sotho speaking people who reside in Mangaung.
Hlanganani
In 1956, a small number of families gathered at Mr Bernard Sono’s house in Chiawelo Township to form a congregation. This idea of forming a church was initiated by Mr Ephraim ‘blind man’ Sono, Mr Bernard Sono’s brother who had already started a church at his Orlando East home. He encouraged his brother to gather people around Chiawelo Township in which it was easy to spread the gospel since it was not yet that big. Every Sunday the congregation gathered and worshiped. To mention a few families: Bernard Sono, Magarimani Baloyi, Louise Mashegete Bilankulu, Nkanyani, Robert Sambo. Later more people joined.
The growth developed into a status of a Parish, recognized by the Johannesburg Presbytery. In 1957 a church building was built at stand No 991 Khosa street Chiawelo Township, with restrooms and a manse house. The first minister was Rev H Muller. In 1961 there was a forced removal of blacks by the apartheid regime from white areas like Western Township even. Some were from Moroka, Jabavu , Alexandra etc. Many families were relocated to Chiawelo township. The settlement of those families saw the numbers grow rapidly as they joined the church.
The growth resulted in the building of a bigger church with the contribution of Christians themselves towards the projects. The builder was one of the Christians and a church elder, Mr Micheal Hlayisi. This church building was later demolished and a bigger structure was erected which is the existing one. This new church building was also built by the Christian’s contributions who used to meet at their Wednesday’s prayer meetings. The building fund group, under the leadership of Mr Norman Magarimani Baloyi met every Thursday where treasurers from zone’s and churches submitted contributions from the Christians naming it ‘tisemende’. The first old church building converted into a hall and a kitchen used during functions also accommodating Sunday School children. The structure was inaugurated in 2008 by the Rt.Rev H.D Masangu
Johannesburg
Johannesburg Parish is in the Witwatersrand part of Gauteng Province. Katlehong and Zonkezizwe churches are in the East Rand and Alexandra in the North/East part of Johannesburg. These congregations stuck together through the difficult days of the split in the church. Alexandra is situated at No. 53-16 Avenue, Alexandra, Johannesburg and services the main Alexandra town community residents in the East Bank part of Alexandra and the Tsutsumani community. It is also home to Christians in the suburban areas surrounding Alexandra township such as Bramley, Lombardy, Marlboro, Buccleuch, Greenstone, Esther Park, Midrand and other areas in the vicinity. Christians are predominantly Xitsonga speaking, with a sprinkle of other languages mainly Sotho and Zulu. Church Service in the morning starts at 09:00 - 11:00.
Katlehong is situated at No.254 Malambule Street, Twala section; services the Katlehong, Thokoza, Dawn Park, Spruitview, Alberton, and surrounding suburbs. Christians are predominantly Xitsonga speaking, with a good range of other people speaking other languages mainly IsiZulu. Most Christians are from families with historic ties to the church. The service starts at 09:00 - 11:00.
Zonkezizwe popularly known as Zonke, this extension charge in the East Rand bordering on Vosloorus is predominantly home to Christians of Mozambique origin. It has no church structure and the church services are held at the house of one of the families. Johannesburg Parish vision is home to all who seek the Lord, we nourish the souls of those in need through the word of God. Our mission is to create an environment where Christians will feel at home, by providing good church facilities, offering quality sermon, being accessible to our members, taking care of the poor and involving church members in everything we do.