ADVERTISEMENT:

 

Senior members of the church carry the coffin of the late Archbishop Miriri.

Archbishop Miriri laid to rest

 

The late archbishop Elias Miriri of the United African Apostolic Church (UAAC) was laid to rest at his home village of Ha-Mavhunga in Nzhelele a fortnight ago.

He died after a long illness died on 23 December at his home. Many mourners from SADEC, including Min Gwede Mantashe, deputy ministers, MECs and traditional leaders, attended the funeral.

Miriri was buried during a moving but celebratory ceremony at his home village of Mavhunga. Although the atmosphere was subdued, the ceremony resembled a celebration of a life well lived. Three days before the burial, thousands of people gathered for a memorial service in his honour. It was held in the same church.

The UAAC is one of the country’s largest African indigenous churches, with about two million members. Miriri was the leader of the church for more than 40 years.

The Miriri family stated that the archbishop had sacrificed his life for the benefit of the community. Family representative Dr David Miriri said his brother had been their role model. "He was the shining light of this family and the community at large. He taught us respect, perseverance, love and peace. We will be indebted to him forever," he said.

Min Gwede Mantashe said Miriri´s death was a great loss to the church and the community. He described Miriri as a brave man of God, who was loyal to the church and to his fellow church members. He added that the government would always remember Miriri’s contribution to the development of the community.

Chief Livhuwani said that the community members would always remember Miriri because of his huge contribution towards the establishment of the many branches of the church on the African continent.  “We stand here today as a strong church because if our spiritual father,” said the church’s spokesperson, Mbulaheni Nenzhelele.

 

News - Date: 11 January 2019

Recent Articles

Search for a story:

 

Photographed from left to right during the funeral are ANC provincial secretary Soviet Lekganyane, Min Gwede Mantashe and Chief Livhuwani Matsila.

 

ADVERTISEMENT

 

Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

Email: [email protected]

ADVERTISEMENT: