The circuit manager for Soutpansberg North of the Department of Education, Dr Ntavhanyeni Phaswana, was recently ordained as a minister of religion in the Lutheran Church. He was ordained by Right Reverend SWS Sihlkangu at a ceremony at the Kgapane College Hall on August 28.

Phaswana was joined by members of various church organizations during his ordination celebration ceremony, which was held at the Makhado Multipurpose Centre last Saturday.

According to Phaswana, a difficult task awaits him, but he is ready and looking forward to do his best. "I am just happy that I was able to do what God wanted me to do," said Phaswana.

He is known to many through the SABC´s Phalaphala FM inter-faith programme that he presented for more than 10 years. Phaswana is a keen student. He did his doctorate on marital problems and he also received two master´s degrees, one about divorce and his latest in practical theology from the University of Pretoria.

The event was attended by, among others, the MEC for Education, Mr Dickson Masemola, Dean Aluna Mutwe Rannditsheni and Archbishop Elias Miriri of the United African Apostolic Church.

Miriri urged people not to mix religion with politics. “It is amazing that people are now bringing politics into church. Churches are not supposed to be politicized,” he said.

MEC Masemola said it was an honor for him to be part of the ordination session of one of his hardworking circuit managers. He congratulated Phaswana on his ordination and wished him all the best. “Phaswana has been assigned to a spiritual revolution. It is a calling and I believe that he will execute his responsibilities with dedication,” said Masemola.