Botha-Bothe — Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane has donated another M50,000 to the Pan-African Presbyterian Men's Fellowship (PAPMF) Southern Chapter conference, hours after donating M100,000 to Botha-Bothe Camp Primary School.

In his keynote address at the conference, Prime Minister Matekane told the gathering that his relationship with the men's fellowship, Banna le Bahlankana ba Kereke, began when he celebrated his birthday earlier this year at Mants'onyane.
He said his involvement with the fellowship was part of his efforts to promote togetherness.

“My physical presence here is to confer that Banna le Bahlankana have brought honour home. Being the host is a task of serving others and making them comfortable in an environment they are not used to,” he said, adding that welcoming visitors makes them “welcome angels”.

Prime Minister Matekane said the hosting of the third PAPMF Southern Chapter conference in Lesotho was opening a door of blessings for the country.

He said the conference came at a time when the Southern African Development Community (SADC) had just concluded its conference in Durban, where regional leaders agreed to promote climate-smart agriculture, including irrigation development and the adoption of climate-tolerant crops.

He said leaders also discussed addressing the underlying issues of migration and developing comprehensive and sustainable mechanisms, while mainstreaming programmes aimed at empowering and developing younger generations.
“These issues are the very same issues that the men's guild is concerned about. With the theme for this year, it is clear that God has given the world to men to take care of it,” he said.

He challenged the gathering to identify and explore climate-smart initiatives that would prioritise a variety of crops capable of sustaining development.

Delivering the presidential address of PAPMF, Mr Buti Shiwandla said men needed to ask themselves important questions while in Lesotho.

“What is my place? What is my purpose? Why has God placed me where I am? These are not mainly theological questions, but practical questions. If we don't understand our place, we will occupy positions without responsibility.
“I have seen that when they elect people, especially in the Presbyterian Church, they elect people just to be placeholders. We are called to understand our purpose because if we don't, we will never understand our life and pursue things that are of little eternal value,” he said.

He said God had entrusted men with influence in all spheres of life and that, when PAPMF members gathered, they needed to demonstrate action based on the deliberations they would make during the conference.
“If we talk about the scourge of GBV, then our churches need to be a safer place. Our men must become ambassadors of dignity and protection,” he said.

Mr. Shiwandla also spoke about climate change, saying men must confront the challenge head-on.
He said caring for the environment was not merely a fashionable campaign but an execution of the Lord's will.
Officiating at the second biennial Southern Chapter  conference, Head of Synod of the LECSA Reverend Jane Timothy Makakane said God had placed men in the Garden of Eden to take care of it.

He said the gathering came at a time when the world was facing numerous challenges, including poverty and inequality, which continued to divide people, while socio-economic challenges continued to widen divisions within communities.
“We are also witnessing the effects of climate change in our environment and food security remains a challenge. Violence and war continue to disrupt communities, separate families and take innocent lives.

“The church in this regard has the responsibility to promote reconciliation, compassion and unity. I urge us to strengthen our bonds of fellowship and move beyond our differences and embrace collaboration in mission and service,” he said.
The Pan-African Presbyterian Men’s Fellowship (PAPMF) is a continental fellowship that brings together men from Presbyterian and Reformed churches across Africa.

Its broader association was established to strengthen fellowship among Presbyterian men, promote Christian values and encourage men to serve God, their families, churches and communities.

The PAPMF constitution identifies objectives including evangelism, networking and collaboration among Presbyterian men, the promotion of peace and reconciliation, economic empowerment and the welfare of families and children.