Scientology Volunteer Ministers Welcomed by Tribal Leaders in Southern Africa

South Africa
15 April 2012

Paramount King Molefe, traditional king of the Batlokwa Nation, was introduced to the Volunteer Ministers program at the Church of Scientology of Johannesburg. Traditional dancers reenact the story of King Mampuru and his commitment to preserve the freedom of his people. Local sangomas (traditional healers) perform for King and Queen Molefe and the Volunteer Ministers. Traditional African kings and chiefs watched the event from the Volunteer Ministers tent. The South African Scientology Volunteer Ministers were invited to erect their yellow tent on the tribal lands of the Mampuru royalty in the village of Mamone where the annual celebration takes place.

Paramount King Molefe, traditional king of the Batlokwa Nation, introduced the Scientology Volunteer Ministers program to scores of chiefs and kings and some 5,000 tribal members from across South Africa at this year’s Mampuru Day celebration in the village of Mamone, in Limpopo, the northernmost province of the country. Dubbed the country’s first freedom fighter by Nelson Mandela, King Mampuru refused to submit his people to virtual slavery in British and Boer mines and farms and was hanged by the colonial South African government in 1883.

In his speech to those gathered, Paramount King Molefe likened the legacy of King Mampuru to the opportunities now available through the Volunteer Ministers movement: a new route to freedom that can be traveled in today’s world—a route based on knowledge. He encouraged the traditional leaders to empower their people with the effective life skills provided through Volunteer Minister seminars and workshops.

King Molefe learned of the program while visiting the Church of Scientology of Johannesburg last year and arranged for himself, his staff and his people to be trained in the full array of Scientology Volunteer Minister technology including communication skills, conflict resolution, personal integrity, literacy and parenting.

Mampuru Day holds great significance to the people of this nation, as described by South Africa President Jacob Zuma at an earlier Mampuru Day celebration: “Our history of struggle is enriched by tales of heroic traditional leaders who refused to be cowed by colonial regimes. They fought with everything in their possession to protect their land and people from systematic repression spanning centuries, which stripped the indigenous people of our country of all human dignity, decency, and human rights.”

The South African Scientology Volunteer Ministers were invited to erect their yellow tent on the tribal lands of the Mampuru royalty in the village of Mamone where the annual celebration takes place. Among the honored guests were traditional African royalty and chiefs representing tribes from across southern Africa including the Ba-Pedi, Batlokwas, Xhosas, and Zulus, many of whom watched the proceedings from the Volunteer Ministers tent.

For more information on the Church of Scientology of Johannesburg visit www.Scientology.org.za. To learn more about the Scientology Volunteer Ministers or to enroll in free online courses in this technology, visit our Free Online Training page.