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 More than 18,000 ZCC members from Botswana are expected to visit ZCC holy place - Moria in South Africa, to receive blessings. "Good Friday is an opportunity for every Christian to focus on prayers," asserted Moloi. In 2005, ZCC spiritual leader, Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane visited Botswana to pray for rain and other social ills. "We are going to give thanks to God for what he did for us when the country was getting increasingly dry." Other issues to be addressed in Moria include intensive prayers for HIV/AIDS, femicide-suicide and unemployment. "We will also pray for the current fuel crisis that has led to unaffordable standards of living," said Moloi. Reverend Rupert Hambira of UCCSA says Easter holidays reminds Christians of the ministry of the Lord, Jesus Christ. "It reminds us of the resurrections which for us Christians represents the ultimate victory," he said. Much like ZCC, the UCCSA is prepared for the Easter holidays. Hambira told Mmegi that his church would hold commemorative events on Sunday. "Easter is central to our Christian faith because it is the belief in the history of Jesus." Faith Gospel After Christ (FGAC) church in Ratholo will celebrate Easter holidays in style this year. FGAC spokesperson, Tebogo Motlhagodi said preparations were ongoing for a rare event in which church leaders would parade as beauty pageants. He said the event was meant to motivate young people and demonstrate that the church is not a conservative institution, but it tolerates other activities. He explained that Easter holidays are usually a challenge for his church. "This year we have a lot to do. We will also be visiting the African Born Full Gospel Apostolic Church (ABFGAC)," he said. The intention is to unite churches. FGAC has invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mompati Merafhe to receive donations for Orphans. "We believe that orphanages should not be government's sole responsibility," said Motlhagodi. He said the FGAC donated P4,000 to orphans last year and Local Government Minister, Margaret Nasha received the donations. Mmadinare MP, Ponatshego Kedikilwe has also been invited. Holiness Union Church will meet at Ledumang Senior Secondary School in Gaborone to hold an Annual General Meeting. This is where matters concerning church operations will be discussed and thereafter the Easter rituals will be performed. The church has 17 branches throughout the country with a membership of around 3,000. Pastor Mmereki Marakakgoro, who is also a gospel artiste said the church was still growing. Over 10,000 people crossed into South Africa last year during Easter Holidays while very few entered Botswana. The Tlokweng border gate had to extend operating hours, and the same will happen this year. Officer-in-charge of customs, Lapologang Mogotsi confirmed that they would not close the border today. "The border normally closes at 10pm, but it will be open for 24 hours," he said. Speaking on Radio Botswana yesterday, senior police officer Motshidisi Boranabi said the police were prepared for the holidays. He advised the public to work together with the police in fighting crime.
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