Parish of St James, Galashewe, SA

In 1993 the dioceses of Oxford and Kimberley and Kuruman formed a partnership.

Kimberley and Kuruman Diocese is enormous (see the red shaded area); it’s area is greater than the whole of the British Isles!

It is a very deprived state (Northern Cape) with much unemployment and few resources.  The famed diamond mining in Kimberley is now very much in decline with nothing comparable to take its place.

The countryside is subject to high temperatures and little rainfall and is semi desert in many places.  This is not the picturesque tourist landscape of other parts of south Africa.

In 1995 a link was established between the Marlow Team Ministry and St James, Galeshewe.

Galeshewe is a black township in the outer suburbs of Kimberley and has about 70,000 inhabitants some of whom are reasonably comfortably off and well housed but many live in shacks.

 

St James’ congregations have a good understanding and compassion for their members.  There is a very active and flourishing pre-school for about 60 children.

The children pay 60 rands (about £5) a month plus 10 rands contribution to funds to cover their food and care from 7am - 3.30pm.

 

 

 

There have been many visits between our parishes; most notably the visit by the choir of St James in July 2002.

 

 

In 2010 Father Reggie Leeuwe was appointed priest and he and his wife and young family moved into the Rectory.  They are extremely popular in this large parish where on 25th July 2012, they will celebrate their patronal festival and the 50th anniversary of the church in Galeshewe

St James and the Marlow Team Ministry have recently established respectively a Youth Club and a Community Youth Project.   Youth work may be an area where we could support each other and opportunities are being explored

You can find more information about the link between the Diocese of Oxford and the Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman here where you will be able to read the current edition of the K&K Newsletter.

Our Team contact with St James is Sue Glyn-Woods sueglyn-woods@marlowanglican.org