About

Historical Background of Umvoti Circuit

In the early 1960’s mission societies i.e. Norwegian Mission Society (NMS), Berlin Mission Society (BMS), American Lutheran Mission (ALM), Church of Sweden Mission (CSM) and Hermannsburg Mission Society (HMS) pledged to push for independence from Regional Synods to Regional Churches. Between 1960 and 1963 the pace towards independence gained momentum and Four (4) Regional Churches were founded:

1. ELCSA – South Eastern Region (SER)
2. ELCSA – Transvaal Region
3. ELCSA – Tswana Region
4. ELCSA – Cape-Orange Region

The first Bishop of the South Eastern Region was Bishop HB Fosseus.

Bishop HB Fosseus

The climax of ELCSA’s unity was reached in Tlhakane Rustenburg at a constituent General Assembly on the 15-18^th of December 1975. Many did not want to see the consummation of that merger. There were attempts at preventing the proceedings of the merger. A petrol bomb was thrown in the midst of the assembly with some delegates sustain some injuries. That incident did not come as a surprise since they were living in a divided society. Four (4) Dioceses were born out of that assembly and Three (3) were added later and there were Seven (7) dioceses in all:

1. Botswana Diocese – BD
2. Cape Orange Diocese – COD
3. Central Diocese – CD
4. Eastern Diocese – ED
5. Northern Diocese – ND
6. South Eastern Diocese – SED
7. Western Diocese – WD

Another new diocese, ELCSA Lesotho was established in 2013. Now ELCSA is having Eight (8) Diocese with the membership of approximately 850 000.

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1975 Merger

After 1975 merger until 1994 South Eastern Diocese was having 5 circuits:

1. Durban Circuit
2. Eshowe Circuit
3. Umfolozi Circuit
4. Shiyane Circuit
5. Ondini Circuit

In 1994 new circuits were formed from the above circuits:

1. Durban Circuit – Umngeni Circuit and Umvoti Circuit
2. Eshowe Circuit – Empangeni Circuit
3. Umfolozi Circuit – Nodwengu Circuit
4. Shiyane Circuit – Vryhead Circuit
5. Ondini Circuit

After the 1994 South Eastern Diocese have 10 circuits until today.

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Current Structure of Umvoti Circuit

Dean Mkhwanazi

From the formation of Umvoti Circuit in 1994, the circuit was under the leadership of Dean Mkhwanazi until he passed on. Then Dean SM Dumakude was elected as an acting Dean of the circuit in 2009. During the 2012 elections, Dean SM Dumakude was again elected as the Circuit Dean for the period of 6 years (2013 – 2018). The induction service of Dean SM Dumakude took place on the 2^nd of June 2013 at uMphumulo Church Centre. His deputy is Rev ZT Mabaso who is currently serving KwaDukuza Parish, and he was installed as the circuit deputy dean on the 29^th of June 2014 at uMphumulo Church Centre. Umvoti Circuit have 10 parishes and _ congregations.

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Hierarchical Sturcture