Fr Bafana Ndlovu OMI, Receives a Loving Farewell

by Jael SC · November 5, 2018

Fr Bafana Ndlovu (right) at his farewell in Mfuleni, Cape Town, with Fr Thato Nketu. He is moving to Soweto in Johannesburg.

By Sikhumbuzo Ben – Parishioners in Khayelitsha, Mfuleni and Crossroads in Cape Town were sad to say goodbye to Fr Bafana Ndlovu OMI, who has left for the archdiocese of Johannesburg to minister in Soweto.

Fr Ndlovu had worked with the community for more than four years. Parishioners said that with his skills and hard work, the Oblate of Mary Immaculate priest has fostered parish unity.

His farewell was held at St Matthias church in Mfuleni, one of the parishes he served, as well as St Kizito, St Josephina Bakita, Our Lady Queen of Africa and Site B.

Parishioners presented Fr Ndlovu with gifts — but most importantly, they came to show their gratitude, love and support.

Among the guests was Fr Nkululeko Meyiwa, the newly appointed parish priest of Our Lady Queen of Africa; Cape Town vicar-general Fr Peter-John Pearson; Fr Matsepane Morare, superior of the Jesuits in Cape Town; and Oblate vicar-provincial Fr Zweli Mlotshwa.

Fr Morare, in his homily, urged the congregation to not allow the devil to whisper gossip about others and turn people against each other.

Fr Pearson paid tribute to Fr Ndlovu: “It is a great loss to lose a priest like Fr Bafana who does his job with passion and love, someone who treats everybody with respect, regardless how old or young the person is.”

Parishioners said they would keep in touch with Fr Ndlovu and visit him in his new parish.