Tshwane Presbytery
The Tshwane Presbytery was established in 1902. It is based in the now defunct location of Lady Selborne, which was in the north western area of Pretoria. Just like the EPCSA, it was established as a result of the missionaries that expanded their work across the Union of South Africa. Some of its earlier Ministers are Rev. Khosa and Rev. Dr. DC Marivate. The Tshwane Presbytery is greatly located in the Metropolitan Municipality of Tshwane, however it extends into Limpopo in the Belabela Municipality, into the Tswaing Municipality in Mathibestad and Makapanstad, Madibeng Municipality in Letlhabile, Klipgat & Madidi. Upon its establishment, and the forced removal of black people from Lady Selborne, New Clare and Marabastad, Parishes were established in Atteridgeville, Mabopane, Mamelodi, Soshanguve and Hammanskraal.
The first parishes that were established are Hammanskraal, Hlanganani, Mamelodi, and Phelindaba. The Presbytery was then expanded to Potgieterus township of Tshamahansi, Mahwelereng forming the Great North Parish. It also expanded into the South of Mpulanganga Provide into the Mgwaneng and Dennilton (Moteti township) forming the Mid-North Parish. The Parish was further developed with the establishment of the North West Parish (later renamed Odi Parish) which was a combination of congregations from the Hlanganani and Phelindaba Parishes. The Hlanganani Parish was then renamed Soshanguve Parish. An additional congregation was established in the Phelindaba Parish, namely Tshwane Central. The Ga-Rankuwa Parish was later established, getting autonomy from the Odi Parish.
The Tshwane Presbytery went into a struggle for financial accountability of the EPCSA. This caused a rift, which led to some Parishes being broken away from Tshwane Presbytery, forming the North East Presbytery. Currently, the Presbytery is formed by GaRankuwa, Hammanskraal, Mamelodi, Odi and Phelindaba Parishes. The Tshwane Presbytery is perhaps the most multilingual Church community. We have congregations that have Christians speaking Xitsonga, Setswana, Sepedi, Tshivenda and Isizulu. Most non-Tsonga people are those that came into the Church through marriage. Although our services are conducted predominantly in Xitsonga, we allow translation of sermons and announcements. We also allow other Church members to speak directly in other languages other than Xitsonga, with translating into Xitsonga. We have also allowed the use of English in our services and use it for administrative purposes. This is since most young people, children in particular, attend English medium schools. The Presbytery has been led by the Rev. Prof LD Mosoma in the 70s, Rt. Rev. HM Phelembe in the 80’s, Rev. Dr. SD Mokoena and Rt. Rev. GS Moyane in the 90’s and early 2000’s. Rev. Prof. LD Mosoma led from 2004 to 2019. It is currently led by Rev. Prof. GT Baloyi since 2019 to date.
