Welcome to the Makhanda/ Grahamstown Cathedral Website!
Come in, browse around, make yourself at home! From contact details of the Cathedral staff to lists of the music at the next Sunday service, interesting information about our beautiful building, and lots of news (and archived news) of People and Places connected to the Cathedral family – it’s all here. Click on ‘Videos’ on the side menu to hear some of the music of Grahamstown Cathedral.
Articles from this website may be quoted if author and Grahamstown Cathedral Website are acknowledged.
The late Michael Künz of Growing the Church in Cape Town set up this site for us. We thank God for his life and contribution to the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.
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Latest News
Cathedral choristers wanted!
The Cathedral choir is recruiting. If you are interested in joining and becoming part of a team of talented musicians, we would be pleased to hear from you. Initial enquiries may be made to the Director of Music Cameron Luke (062 987 0397, call or SMS) or the Choir Intern Kutlwano Kepadisa (Kepa — 078 869 0880).
Bell Ringing and Access to the Cathedral Tower
Want to go up the cathedral bell tower? Would you really like to be a bell ringer?
We welcome visitors to the bell tower but would ask that you always contact a bell ringer to lead you or your guests into the ringing chamber – for your safety. Furthermore, only a bell ringer is able to demonstrate ringing to you and your experience is not complete without seeing this! We try not to leave the bells in the (dangerous) position of being ‘rung up’ after we leave the Tower but sometimes this is necessary -especially with the heavier bells which weigh more than 500 kg and take time to get into a position for ringing. Your cooperation is much appreciated.
We hope to be able to teach ringing later this year so please let us know if you are interested. Contact Catherine Letcher (073 613 9114), or Cameron Luke (062 987 0397).
We will be offering tours of the Tower on Spiritfest at this year’s Arts Festival. Please see the Spiritfest programme for dates.
Thank you. Catherine Letcher, Richard Tyson, Fiona Semple and Cameron Luke.
For more about the Cathedral Bells, go to our Bells page.
Anglican Consultative Council passes Environment resolution
The Anglican Consultative Council, meeting in Hong Kong in May, passed an important resolution on the environment. The resolution recognised that there is a global climate emergency and requested that churches develop action plans and resources for sustainable living. Read more…
New baby for the Revd Luthando and Lusanda
We are delighted to announce the birth of Lumnene Ukhanyo Madiba. He arrived on 30 April, to the great joy of his parents Luthando and Lusanda, and Lulibo who is now a Big Sister! We pray God’s special blessings on this brand-new addition to the Cathedral family.
Cathedral music intern wows State President
On Freedom Day this year, 27 April, the destination for State President Cyril Ramaphosa was right here in Makhanda, where he spoke at the Miki Yili Stadium. Grocott’s Mail described as a “highlight of the day” the singing of the Kwantu Community Choir, conducted by none other than Kutlwano ‘Kepa’ Kepadisa. The President seemed to agree, as he danced and sang alongside them, and even took a turn at conducting. Kepa reported that he exclaimed “I really would love to join your choir.” Bayanda Mthetho was on the keyboard, and Asakhe Cuntsulana played the drum.
Photo credit: The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa
Cameron Luke
Welcome to our new Director of Music
At a wonderful, moving Three Hours Devotion at the Cathedral this Good Friday, we had the joy of welcoming our new Director of Music, Cameron Luke! May God bless him in his ministry here. For more about Cameron, click here.
Good Friday Devotion
At the Good Friday three-hour devotion on 19 April, members of the Cathedral family highlighted aspects of Christ’s passion through the eyes of various witnesses: The sister of the penitent thief (Claire Nye Hunter); Peter (Idowu Akinloye), John (John Jackson); Mary the Mother of Jesus (Ayanda Mpofu), Pilate (Theo Duxbury) and the Centurion (Andrew Hunter). Not in the photo was Mary Magdalene (Siphokazi Njokweni).
Cathedral Students graduate
Congratulations to all Cathedral students, past and present, who received their degrees at the Rhodes Graduation this April.
Ayanda Dabengwa, Theo Duxbury, and Namso Nyamela seen with Pat and Sally Terry
Ayabulela Matolweni and Anelisa Kelemi
Ogone Mokobe – and of course, the Revd Dr Percy Chinganga, who is on the staff of the Cathedral as well as the College of the Transfiguration. Well done, everyone!
Mike Kunz on a visit to the Cathedral parish in 2017
Death of Michael Künz of Growing the Church
It is with great sadness that we have been informed of the passing away of Michael (Mike) Künz on Saturday 6 April 2019. Michael worked in Growing the Church’s Media Department. He developed websites for many dioceses, parishes and organisations in our Province, including the Diocese of Grahamstown, and this website. We give thanks for his life and work. For a death notice and tribute by Fr Trevor Pearce, click here.
The Very Revd Dr Andrew Hunter with the Revd Canon Dr Claire Nye Hunter
Dean Andrew Hunter awarded Doctorate
Congratulations to Dean Andrew Hunter on receiving his doctorate on 5 April 2019, at the Graduation ceremony of Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth. The subject of his thesis was “Conflict resolution and campus protests at Rhodes University, 2015 – 2016”
Archbishop appeals for cyclone relief donations
(For updates on the situation in Mozambique and descriptions of the Archbishop’s visit to the disaster area, see “Visiting the Diocese of Niassa in the wake of Cyclone Idai” (11 April), “Bishop McKenzie’s grave has drowned” (12 April), and “Displaced and living ‘like wild animals’ – a neglected place where only the Church is visible” (14 April).
Message from Archbishop Thabo Makgoba to the People of Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe & Appeal for assistance
On behalf of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, and on my own behalf, I offer our deepest condolences and express our heartfelt pain at the loss of life and property caused by the destructive effects of Cyclone Idai across Southern Africa.
We want to assure the affected Dioceses in Mozambique – the Diocese of Lebombo led by Bishop Carlos Matsinhe and the Diocese of Niassa led by Bishop Vicente Msosa – of our prayers. Please pray also for the Dioceses in Malawi and Zimbabwe in our neighbouring Province of Central Africa which were affected.
I appeal to Anglicans across Southern Africa to donate generously to ACSA’s Disaster Relief Fund in order to provide relief to those in devastated areas.
Bank details
Bank: Standard Bank of SA Ltd
Branch: Thibault Square
Branch code: 02 09 09
Account number: 07 007 8394
Account name: Disaster Relief Fund
Annual Vestry Meeting
Our Annual Vestry Meeting took place on Sunday 17 March in St George’s Hall. Congratulations to the new Churchwardens and Parish Councillors. The following were elected:
- Churchwardens: Ronaldo Burger, Lungile Penxa
- Parish Councillors: Katie Appollis, Rodney Bridger, Theodore Duxbury, Siyabulela Fobosi, Ian Meiklejohn.
- Additional ex officio members: Ayanda Dabengwa (Cathedral Student Ministry), (CR Sisters).
Our Representatives at the Diocesan Synod in May will be Theo Duxbury and Tandiwe Gabavana.
To read the Reports which were tabled, click here.
Statement of Welcome and Affirmation adopted by the Vestry Meeting.
Lunga Dongwana ordained Priest
Saturday 16 March was a joyful day, when self-supporting Deacon Lunga Dongwana was among 17 to be ordained Priest by Bishop Ebenezer Ntlali in the Cathedral. We rejoice with him, and pray God’s blessing on his ministry. The following evening he celebrated the Eucharist in the Cathedral.
For more pictures, see our Gallery.
Welcome to our Youth Intern
On Sunday 10 March the Dean admitted Tandiwe Gabavana as our Youth Intern. The Youth Intern programme includes giving work experience, training in administrative skills, exposure to governance, personal growth and development, and discipleship. We give thanks for Tandiwe, and pray for her in this new role.
