St Engenas ZCC in agony over departed brethren
Pini Bothoko - Mpho Mokwape | Monday April 8, 2024 06:00
Around the village it appears to be business as usual but approaching the church side of the St Engenas ZCC headquarters in Molepolole which is on the far west outskirts of the village in Ga-Ranta ward, the atmosphere speaks a different language.
Not many people or members of the church are in sight, it is so quiet except across the road from the church where preparations are underway for the expected mass memorial service.
The church members are said to be struggling with dealing with the loss and that it is still hard for them to believe such a tragedy befell their brethren. St Engenas Molepolole Vice Head-Priest, Mathata Bakwadi chronicled to Mmegi team how the church has been coping with such a tragic loss and grieving amidst national mourning. “We as the church we are lost, this feeling is so dark and deep.
We are still in disbelief about the tragedy that befell us. “For me alone I do not even believe or know that there will come a time that I will accept what happened. For now, it is one day at a time,” he reiterated.
Visibly shaken and composing himself several times on the seat, Bakwadi explains that he was one of those who received the news of the tragedy as soon as he arrived in Moria as he was driving himself in the company of three other church members. He said it was not long after he arrived in his own vehicle that they were pulled aside to be told that there has been a terrible accident and that members who were travelling in a bus had perished.
“Not only were we left reeling in shock, but it was even hard for us to travel back to Botswana under such circumstances,” he said.
The pastor narrated that after the leaders of the church in South Africa made arrangements for the members of Molepolole branch to return immediately, he was one of those who couldn’t cope with getting into the car to drive back.
He explained that they were terribly shaken that they stayed and received counselling before they could muster the courage to drive back.
“We have lost immensely as a church. The loss of church members is such a tragedy not only for Molepolole branch but St Engenas church as a whole. “It has taken us steps back as we have not only lost members of the church but pastors as well,” Pastor Bakwadi said.
He explained that the loss hurts so hard as they have not yet recovered from losing some members during COVID-19. Bakwadi added that the accident has scratched an old wound and that many have now fallen into the deep, dark place.He pointed out that they lost some pastors during COVID -19 and now four pastors are gone stating that not only did they die but three of them died with their wives.
“The pain is one that many of us have not felt in years. Some families have lost a lot. We have seen families losing six members just like that. It is painful and it a loss hard to bare. “We are not sure that we will ever heal as it is too soon to even think about that. The mourning period might take forever,” he said.
More on coping with the loss, Pastor Bakwadi said the only hope they have as the church now is the condolences they have been receiving from Batswana at large, government officials and especially other churches across the country.
He said the support has been massive, something that gives them hope that one day they will see themselves crossing the dark river that is before them.
Pastor Bakwadi emphasised that they are not only mourning and expecting others to carry them through, but they are also hands-on to help members who are directly grieving.
“We are standing also as the church. Besides providing emotional support as elders of the church, we have also divided church members with mourning families to offer any kind of support. “We want the families to know that as the church we are present,” he said.
The pastor said the chief pastor is also going through a mourning period as his child was also involved in the accident and that when they came back he also experienced two more deaths from family members, making it difficult for him.
Meanwhile, the pastor thanked Batswana for their unwavering support and encouraged all to continue supporting the church as the dark phase will take a while to settle.
Mmegi team also paid visits to families dealing with the tragic loss. One family of an elderly man, Kabo Gabautlwe is completely torn especially now that they are just mourning.
The family’s daughter and representative narrated that the family lost a mother and sister and that her father has not been coping well with the loss.
The visibly emotional Botho Gabautlwe, who was struggling to hold back her tears, said it has not been easy for the family, especially for her father who lost a wife and her sister’s children.
“My father was not able to handle the news well. He was fine before the tragedy and the minute he heard the sad news he fell ill. “We are not even sure what is happening to him though we have taken him to the hospital twice,” she explained.
Asked if there has been any help they received, Botho said at the moment no counselling has been offered to them. However, she acknowledged that the social workers have visited the family and offered them food packages. She also explained that the social workers told them that some people would check on them. Botho said she is expecting counselling as many in the family are not coping well with the loss.