The Bishop of Monmouth and Fr Mark Soady are visiting our link
Diocese of the Highveld
Provisional Itinerary
Tuesday 25 January
Bishop Dominic and Father Mark arrive OR Tambo
Tour of greater Benoni, Supper at Bishopsholme
Wednesday 26 January
Visit to Dikatole, Bambonani Creche & Goodhope;
Visit to Buyani House;
Supper with Dean
Thursday 27 January
Visit to Springs;
Visit Homes, Kwasa Centre and Settlement, lunch at Kwasa Centre
Friday 28 January
Visit to St Dunstan’s College;
Reception at Bishopsholme
Saturday 29 January
06h00 (!)Depart for De Wildt Cheetah Centre;
Link Meeting at Cathedral
Sunday 30 January
Eucharist at Christ the Redeemer Daveyton;
Evensong & Blessing of Lecture Theatre at Cathedral
Monday 31 January
Visit to Embalenhle
Tuesday 1 February
Visit to Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg;
Depart OR Tambo
Fr Mark writes:
The University of Wales, Newport hopes to invite two community leaders for six months, over a period of five years, to come and study at the University. While with us they will study youth and community work, sports coaching, basic business management and health issues related to HIV/AIDS. Before leaving they will be awarded a certificate to show they have completed their studies and will be able to return to the Highvled and use their new found skills for the benefit of their community.
During the visit I hope to build up a system where by we can identify these community leaders. At present we do not have the funds available for these potential students airfares or accommodation in the UK, but I am working with Cill Davies OBE, who has previously done some work in the Highveld, to try and raise this money or find 'gifts in kind', ie get an airline to donate flights. I will also be visiting schools where we can possibly place our students for periods so that they can gain insight in to education systems in less well developed countries.
Today (Monday) we drive to Cranford and park up in the Vicarage of one of my predecessors as Minor Canon. Its good to catch up with again with Fr Michael. Then via Paris to Johnasburg where we will arrive mid morning Tuesday and thus by car to Benoni in the Highveld, where we are to stay with Bishop David and his wife Joan.
TUESDAY
We arrived with less than 5 hours sleep and were met at the airport by the Highvled Diocesan Link Officer Daphne Alison and driven to the Bishop’s House. Car jacking is so prevalent in South Africa that everyone drives with their cars locked and to get in to Bishopholme we had to go through a security road block and automatic gates.
After a light lunch we travelled to the Cathedral and Bishop David, Bishop Dominic, The Dean and I prayed for the visit. What a beautiful and prayer full place it is. I have prayed many times for St Dunstan’s Cathedral, Benoni in the cycle of prayer and it will be good in the future to be able to picture it as I do so. It was wonderful to see a noticeboird with pictures and information about the Cathedral’s twin parish at Abergavenny.
We than toured the Diocesan Offices paying respects to all the staff - all of whom send their best wishes to friends back home.
The last time Bishop Dominic attended the Highveld he attend the funeral of the widow of Oliver Tambo (former ANC President). We went this time to pay homage at their grave. Mrs Tambo is quoted on the grave as saying that there is ‘much still to be done we cannot rest until we have literacy and education’ – a very direct direction for me as I try to ensure that some work in that field is started.
Fr Mark Soady