The PHC in South Africa elects its first woman as Conference Superintendent (Bishop)
Bishop Joel Dibetsoe, National Overseer of the Pentecostal Holiness Church in South Africa, sent me the following update a few days ago. I share this historic and exciting news with you as it merits celebrating!
“I have just returned from Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal, where we held an elective conference and subdivided it into three. The Spirit of the Lord was great, and all went well.
One of the conferences elected Dr. Thandi Ngema as the Bishop [Conference Superintendent]. I must say that her election is a groundbreaking milestone for our church as I believe that she is the first woman bishop in our church in Africa.
We thank God for this development as it is helping the church against patriarchal stereotypes. The church has been subtly disregarding the important role played by our women. I am seeing this as breaking and shattering the stereotypes that have plagued us for so long.
Actually, in every conference where we have had elections this year, we’ve elected women to serve as one or two or three of the portfolio holders. Five conferences in South Africa have women Assistant Bishops [Assistant Conference Superintendents]. This is indeed great news for us!!!”
We congratulate and honor Bishop Ngema. She is a wonderful lady and a gifted spiritual leader. A brief bio for Bishop Ngema is below:
Dr. Bishop Thandi Ngema was born in KwaZulu-Natal and now lives in ESikhawini. She attended the University of Zululand, earning two degrees, and then received her master’s degree in education at the University of Orange Free State. Dr. Ngema then obtained her doctorate at the University of Zululand.
She has been a high school teacher, a college lecturer, an ABET coordinator, a coach at PILO, and is currently a lecturer at the University of Zululand.
Bishop Ngema is an ordained minister and a pastor’s wife in the Pentecostal Holiness Church. She serves as a marriage officer and a Commissioner of Oaths. She is also a principal at Miracle Bible Training Centre and the Women’s Ministry Director in KwaZulu-Natal and the Pentecostal Holiness Church in South Africa.
Dr. Bishop Thandi Ngema is married to Bishop Themba Ngema, and they have three children: Nomonde, Thembelihle, and Lindelwe and one grandchild, Zuko.
The World Missions Ministries 2020 Statistical Report shows that South Africa has 357 churches and a membership of 28,827. We are grateful for the visionary and anointed leadership of Bishop Joel Dibetsoe, National Overseer of the Pentecostal Holiness Church in South Africa.
Bishop J. Talmadge Gardner
Executive Director of World Missions Ministries
