Salesian Cooperators in Southern Africa Elect New Leadership and Plan for Growth

by Fr Vaclav Klement SDB · October 6, 2025

Salesian Cooperators in the AFM (Southern Africa) Vice-province held their fourth Provincial Congress in Cape Town

The Salesian Cooperators in the AFM (Southern Africa) Vice-province held their fourth Provincial Congress in Cape Town from October 2–5, 2025. The gathering marked a significant step in the growth of the province, which was founded by the Rector Major in 2018. Cape Town was chosen as the location to honour the region’s deep historical connection to the Salesian charism, which began there in 1896.

Attendance and Focus

The Congress brought together 42 Salesian Cooperators and Aspirants, along with delegates from the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA). Participants came from five local centres in Lesotho (Maseru and Maputsoe) and South Africa (Cape Town, Ennerdale, and Malamulele). Two new centres are currently starting in eSwatini (Manzini) and Johannesburg.

The four-day event included:

Spiritual Life: Daily Mass animated by all regions and sharing of life and mission experiences.
Apostolic Input: Discussion on relaunching the Association in preparation for its 150th anniversary in May 2026, which will be celebrated with a World Congress in Rome.
Synodal Way: Conversations focusing on co-responsibility and economic solidarity within the Association.
Historical Connection: A visit to the two Cape Town SDB communities, which helped participants connect with the 129-year history of the Salesian charism in Southern Africa. The presence of Mr Perry Drifts, a Cooperator running a private youth centre in Gong Gong, was particularly inspiring.

Key Outcomes

The primary result of the 2025 Congress was the election of a completely renewed provincial council.

New Leadership: Ms Imelda M. was elected as the Provincial Coordinator, alongside six councillors representing all five local centres.
Formation Commitment: The Congress affirmed the necessity of life-long formation and agreed to implement a common initial formation program for all aspirants across the province.
Communication Strategy: Local centre communicators met to plan for increased visibility and interconnectivity, noting the success of the AFM provincial Facebook page, opened in 2023.

The next annual AFM Congress of Salesian Cooperators is scheduled for October 2026 at the Bosco Youth Centre in Johannesburg.