NZHELELE - The United African Apostolic Church (UAAC), with its headquarters at Makungwi in the Makhado Municipality, unveiled the tombstone of the church's founder, Bishop Paulos Mureri, on Sunday.

Thovhele Kennedy Tshivhase, Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli, business people, traditional leaders, thousands of UAAC members and clients of Reris Insurance Brokers attended the ceremony. The UAAC was formerly known as Dzanda la Mudzimu and was regarded as the first African church in South Africa.

The government could not pronounce this Venda name and Mureri was called to explain the meaning of such a name. The government found that such a name simply means United African Apostolic Church and it was registered in 1912.

During the unveiling ceremony, Mr David Mureri of Reris Insurance Brokers donated 100 soccer balls to the Zoutpansberg School Circuit. He promised to offer a bursary that will be named the Bishop Paulos Mureri Bursary Fund. "It will exist for three years in the Vhembe district, with an amount of R30 000," he said. "After three years, the learners in the whole Limpopo will also be able to apply for this bursary," Mureri said. The bursary will be given to Grade 12 disadvantaged learners who are doing Management Science and Economics. "In 2010, it will be offered to the whole South African and that is my vision," added Mureri.

Representing the Zoutpansberg School Circuit, Mr J.G Ramuedzisi said this donation is part of poverty alleviation at remote schools. Some of the disadvantaged schools, like Khunda Primary, are supposed to get balls.

Archbishop Elias Miriri of the UAAC said he was proud of the late Bishop Paulos Miriri for being the first to start a black-controlled church in South Africa. "My vision is to unite all people in Africa, regardless of race and gender," he said.

Mayor Rhulani Nkuzana of the Makhado Municipality said the UAAC is contributing to the transformation and development of the country. He thanked its leadership for working hand in hand with the government and the traditional leaders.