Late bishop to be laid to rest in Umasizakhe

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Graaff-Reinet-born Right Revd Dr Monwabisi Patrick Matolengwe (82), who served the Anglican Church of South Africa in many roles, died peacefully in a Johannesburg hospital last week.

Matolengwe was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s last year.

After working as a teacher for a few years, Matolengwe qualified as an Anglican minister in 1966.

He spent time in both urban and rural parishes, with his most senior post being as Bishop Suffragan of Cape Town, before moving to Milwaukee in the USA in 1988.

Upon his return to South Africa in 1998, Matolengwe worked for the South African Council of Churches in coordinating its work with that of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Following his retirement, he was called to rebuild the parish of St Phillip’s in Umasizakhe from 2003 to 2010, during which time he also conducted weekly services at St Peter and St Paul’s in Aberdeen.

In his personal and professional life, Matolengwe was ably supported by his wife Sapho. The couple has five children, now spread across South Africa and overseas, with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His son Michael spoke fondly of his father’s humility and down-to-earth nature, despite rising to high office and counting many well-known icons as his friends.

Matolengwe’s funeral will be held at 9am on Wednesday, 12 June, at the St Phillip’s Church in Umasizakhe. The service will be led by Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, and former president Kgalema Motlanthe is expected to be among the distinguished mourners.

Monwabisi Patrick Matolengwe with his wife Sapho, and their three youngest children Michael, Francis and Patricia in the early 1990s.