MAKONDE - A community-based church that has a reputation of caring for the poor and the disabled in Limpopo, Divine Cross Church of God, celebrated its 10th anniversary at Makonde village outside Thohoyandou on Saturday.

Representatives from other churches, the SAPS, the Health Department, traditional leaders and dignitaries from different municipalities also attended the function.

The founder and Chief Pastor of the church, Rev Fhatuwani Rantsana, told the huge crowd that the function marked the celebration of the successes achieved by the church over the past 10 years.

Rantsana continued: “This church has worked so hard to change the lives of the villagers around Limpopo. We have fought against poverty by implementing different community projects and we are still going to make sure that the lives of our fellow human beings are improved. As a church, it is our duty to unify the nation and we believe that we are still going to contribute more to the development of the community. Our mission is to save the spirits of human beings, but it is also important to cater for their physical needs - that is one of the reasons why our church is wholly involved in community development.”

On behalf of the SAPS, Insp Ntuwiseni Nemudzivhadi said it is the collective responsibility of the church, community structures and the SAPS to fight against crime and to prevent moral degeneration.

Nemudzivhadi continued: “As the SAPS, we are highly disappointed by the alarming crime rate, but we believe that the church will also assist us in building a crime-free community.” He also encouraged the community members to blow a whistle if they see criminal activities in their villages.

Mrs Shonisani Magwedze, a professional nurse from Tshilidzini Hospital, encouraged the church to assist the Department of Health in the war against HIV/Aids. She also said that there should be a strong co-operation between the church and the hospitals in order to develop a healthy and productive nation.