General Secretary Abrahams (center) spoke at the Africa Methodist Youth Movement Assembly in Johannesburg last month.
The General Secretary, Bishop Abrahams gave the keynote address at the Africa Methodist Youth Movement (AMYM), Fourth Assembly in Johannesburg. Young people from 18 countries gathered under the theme, “Transformation of Methodist Youth for the Transformation of Africa.”
Abrahams drew attention to the fact that three events in South Africa coincided with the Assembly; namely, Emancipation Day where slaves were freed at the Cape on 1 December 1834, International Aids Day and the 50th Anniversary of the first human heart transplant at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town. He referenced these events as he passionately addressed the issue of personal, social and economic transformation.
From left: Dr. Mogoba and General Secretary Abrahams
While in Johannesburg, the General Secretary traveled to Nebo in rural Sekhukhuneland to visit Dr. Mmutlanyane Stanley Mogoba, recipient of the World Methodist Council Peace Award in 1996. Dr. Mogoba is affectionately referred to as “Uncle Stan” by all his students, many of whom today hold high office in the judiciary, government, business and the church. In the foreword to his autobiography, “Stone, Steel, Sjambok – Faith Born on Robben Island,” fellow political prisoner and former Deputy Chief Justice of the South African Constitutional Court, Dikgang Moseneke says that Uncle Stan; “Always taught his young charges that imprisonment was man-made and transitory. Hope for a better life was noble and eternal.” From prisoner, Mogoba became a church leader, peace activist and later leader of the Pan African Congress (PAC) in the South African Parliament.
While in Nebo, Abrahams also met with Rev. Dr. Daniel Marutle, a pastor and counselor from the Rocky Mountain Conference of The United Methodist Church, who resides in Denver, Colorado.
