The Methodist Church of Southern Africa on Friday announced the appointment of its first-ever female bishop.
Reverend Purity Malinga will take over the reins from Bishop Ziphozihle Siwa.
"Having endured the cross and discrimination of patriarchy for over 200 years, women of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa [MCSA] have finally broken the stained glass ceiling by the election of the first presiding bishop who is a woman," Siwa said in a statement.
His successor was elected through a ballot where the 12 synods of the church cast their votes.
Siwa described Malinga as the ideal candidate for the position.
"Reverend Malinga is a tried and tested leader and we rejoice in her election as presiding bishop. This decision of the church affirms our belief in the partnership of women and men - in our knowledge of and belief in black women, in particular - as capable leaders in their own right," Siwa said.
The church said prior to this appointment, Malinga had already made history by being the only synod bishop ever elected in the MCSA.
She had served in that position for two terms between 1998 and 2008.
Malinga was born and raised in the small rural town of Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and is a qualified teacher.
She practised as a teacher for five years before she entered the ministry in 1981.
Malinga holds a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard University, served as the deputy president of the AS Council of Churches, chairperson of the KZN Council of Churches, a member of the Diakonia Council of Churches and also a lecturer at the Federal Theological Seminary and John Wesley College.
She has served as the director of the church's education ministry unit for the past three years.
The church wished her well in her new position.
Female bishop breaks stained glass window
The Methodist Church of Southern Africa on Friday announced the appointment of its first-ever female bishop.
Reverend Purity Malinga will take over the reins from Bishop Ziphozihle Siwa.
"Having endured the cross and discrimination of patriarchy for over 200 years, women of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa [MCSA] have finally broken the stained glass ceiling by the election of the first presiding bishop who is a woman," Siwa said in a statement.
His successor was elected through a ballot where the 12 synods of the church cast their votes.
Siwa described Malinga as the ideal candidate for the position.
"Reverend Malinga is a tried and tested leader and we rejoice in her election as presiding bishop. This decision of the church affirms our belief in the partnership of women and men - in our knowledge of and belief in black women, in particular - as capable leaders in their own right," Siwa said.
The church said prior to this appointment, Malinga had already made history by being the only synod bishop ever elected in the MCSA.
She had served in that position for two terms between 1998 and 2008.
Malinga was born and raised in the small rural town of Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and is a qualified teacher.
She practised as a teacher for five years before she entered the ministry in 1981.
Malinga holds a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard University, served as the deputy president of the AS Council of Churches, chairperson of the KZN Council of Churches, a member of the Diakonia Council of Churches and also a lecturer at the Federal Theological Seminary and John Wesley College.
She has served as the director of the church's education ministry unit for the past three years.
The church wished her well in her new position.
Church needs to make fighting gender disparity priority mission
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Related articles
Latest Videos