New SACBC Youth Chaplain: My Hope for Young People
By Kati Dijane – The newly appointed chaplain of the SACBC youth ministry, Fr Motankane Mahlako, of Witbank Diocese, opened up in a recent interview about his new role and hope for young people.
Not long after accompanying young people across Southern Africa to the second annual Blessed Benedict Daswa youth pilgrimage, which took place in February in Tshitanini, Thohoyandou, Father Motankane Mahlako, took time to do an interview regarding his new role.
Born in Burgersfort in Limpopo and ordained in 2009, Father Mahlako, recently appointed as the national youth chaplain, shared that his appointment came to him as a shock, as he thought he had retired from the youth ministry almost five years ago. He said he has embraced the appointment because of his love for young people.
Talking about his vocation, Father Mahlako said that, like any other young person called to the priesthood, his path wasn’t clear-cut, but the more he attended workshops, the more he became interested in the vocation to the priesthood. However, at some point, he was discouraged by the fact that priests in the church don’t get married. Nevertheless, his activity in the church and practising the values taught in the Bible, along with the support from those around him, cleared a blurred vision. This made him realise that his spirituality would be best moulded in the priesthood. Being asked about what his role entails, he explains: “The role of the chaplain is to guide, coordinate and accompany Christians under his guidance and leadership. He is there as a friend to help them on their spiritual journey. Also, chaplains have to care about the wellbeing of other people.
Thus, I am here as an open book through which young people can write something. I journey with them without judging them and ensure their spiritual, psychological and mental growth.”
Father Mahlako said that what makes the role of the youth chaplain different from that of other sodalities or groups is that the priest must take on the role of an elder—a parent and even a friend—to help unlock the potential God has instilled in the youth. Having worked with young people throughout the years, Father Mahlako bemoans some of the challenges they face, including child-headed families, as well as substance abuse, which, he says, leads to several social ills, including many young people giving up on pursuing excellence and their studies. “There is also a dependency method that disadvantages the youth, which must be addressed to empower young people to stand up for themselves. Let young people be counted in the things that bring about change,” he said.
Lastly, as we concluded the interview, he shared his dream for and message to young people: “I dream of a youth who will be the hope of our nation, is spiritually filled, Christ-centred and spreads the love of God by living according to how God wants them to live—not human beings. I dream of a youth who has wisdom that will enable them to remain faithful to God. My message to the youth and other Christians is that we should keep supporting and helping each other find meaning in our lives. Also, to the youth going through challenges, give these challenges to God and never give up.”
