Ichibi Lendumiso Episode 5: ELCSA

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN SOUTH AFRICA (ELCSA) : The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa was constituted from older churches in 1975, but its story in South Africa dates back to the 1800s, when German settlers first arrived in Natal. It is by far the largest of the Lutheran Churches in South Africa. It grew out of missionary activity by Lutheran churches from America, Scandinavia and Germany. Theirs is a complex history- but well worth telling. Our presenter, Nomonde Vakalisa, travels to Kwazulu-Natal to meet with Bishop Musawenkosi Biyela, a renowned and respected elder in the church. The Bishop shares fascinating insights on the history and identity of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa (ELCSA) and then invites Nomonde to attend a church service at the Lutheran Christianenburg Church.