The Bible Society of South Africa paid homage to the king of the Vhavenda, Khosikhulu Vho-Toni Mphephu Ramabulana, during a meeting at the Mphephu Traditional Authority offices last Wednesday.

The chairperson for the Bible Society of South Africa in Limpopo, Rev Norman Ligege, said that the Bible Society acknowledged and accepted Ramabulana as the foremost traditional leader of the Vhavenda people. He then requested the king to become an official patron of the Bible Society at national level.

The king accepted the offer and told the Bible Society's local committee that, as a traditional leader for the people, he was always available whenever the people needed him or his assistance. "I am in this position because God wanted it to be this way. I will serve God's people always,” said he added.

The Bible Society told King Mphephu that they had at least one million Bibles in English, which they intended to distribute to Grade 7s in selected schools around the province. Two boxes of sample Bibles were handed over to the Mphephu Traditional Authority.

Ligege reminded the community that the purpose of the Bible Society was to translate, print and distribute as many Bibles as possible, to give all people access to the Word of God.

“The gift of Bibles to the pupils in this area is good news,” Khosikhulu Mphephu said, referring to the words Good News that are printed on the covers of the donated Bibles. “We thank the Bible Society on behalf of the school children who are to receive the Bibles.”

The team also handed a trophy of acknowledgement to Ramabulana. “Now that Maila-u-sumbwa (Khosikhulu) has accepted the offer of becoming our patron, we'll report this to the head office in Cape Town and a date for a welcoming ceremony will be set,” said Rev Ligege.