Penwell Dlamini

Penwell Dlamini

Members of the Bonner Chapel, African Methodist Episcopal Church in Jabavu, Soweto, gathered for a special service, first of its king, of blessing their cars on Saturday.

For a change the four-wheels that take congregants to church received a special ointment as they were blessed by Reverend Mlawuli Mayekiso.

"Every year statistics of road accidents show us people getting killed, so we thought let us ask God's protection on our vehicles for the rest of the year," said Mayekiso. The service was also aimed at thanking God for protecting the cars over the festive season.

A special prayer was made for those people who wanted to have cars at some stage during the course of the year.

Mayekiso opened the scriptures in Deutoronomy 28:1 where God promises to bless everything that His people own or do.

"Another aim for this services was to bring families together and have some time for fellowship."

Non-members of the church were also welcome to have their cars blessed.

"I may drive perfectly but another (driver) ignores the road rules and my life is in danger, thus I need God's protection," said Ishmael Thinane, a church member.

After the service inside the church Mayekiso was joined by Reverend Samuel Lesotho as they smeared blessed oil on steering wheels, tires and drivers.