It was the ever first Eucharist involving youth and lay mission partners representing all 12 educational institutions in eSwatini, based both in Manzini and around the Salesian parish of Malkerns (primary and secondary schools, Manzini Youth Care social, educative and vocational training projects). It was made possible thanks to the patient work of bringing on board a large diversity of our eSwatini Educative and Pastoral Community (EPC) through many meetings and patient networking.
The memorial day opened with the Solemn Eucharist of Mary Help of Christians, presided by Fr Klement (AFM provincial superior) well prepared, and animated by our school youth, with dynamic songs in English, siSwati and Latin. The 12 SDBs included the community in eSwatini and representatives from Lesotho and South Africa, eSwatini MSMHC sisters, Don Bosco Past Pupils - some of them Manzini diocesan priests, dozens of lay mission partners and 1800 young people gave thanks for the mighty deeds of God during past 70 years in this country.
The official and formal celebration continued 4 hours in the makeshift tent amidst the Salesian school compound, with cultural contribution by our young people: traditional and modern dances: Ummiso, Ingadla and Amapiano dances, choir songs, brass band, poem to Don Bosco in eSwatini, marimba performance. Contribution from every Salesian school and education project, by both girls and boys, was highly applauded and made of this last event of 70th anniversary a true Salesian family and youthful spirit celebration.
Between the cultural items few speakers addressed the whole assembly - Salesian Schools Principals representative, Mr Saverious Mdluli, Fr Vaclav Klement, SDB provincial, Fr Bonginkosi Nhleko, SDB, delegate for the Don Bosco Past Pupils, Mr Desmond Maphanga, Chairperson of SAPPAS (DB Past Pupils Federation of eSwatini) and at the main highlight was the Keynote address of Mr Owen Nxumalo, eSwatini Minister of Education and Don Bosco Past Pupil, who spoke on behalf of the eSwatini Prime Minister, Russell Mmiso Dlamini.
Mr Owen Nxumalo first broke the good news of the mini-projects from the government to improve the Salesian schools' facilities and appreciated the social and ecclesial impact of Salesian education in his country. No fewer than 3 Prime ministers and many leaders at social, political and church level have been raised thanks to the Don Bosco education institutions since 1953. He expressed his thanks to the 40 Salesian missionaries and 4 local Salesians who spread in eSwatini the seeds of faith and education and, in the same time acknowledged the need to rekindle the missionary flame
The Keynote speaker also challenged the youth and Salesian family with a triple dream - (1) rekindle the vocation dream in the hearts of young people and inspire the boys and girls to be generous in their answer to God's calling, (2) rekindle Don Bosco education as the most powerful tool for world's transformation - to be relevant and empowering the young and (3) continue to live Don Bosco's Way and Spirit and becoming ambassadors of this rich heritage, the Salesian Way in the society, family and in the Church to be the architects of tomorrow's eSwatini!
On the following day, May 25, were organised two fundraising activities by the eSwatini Don Bosco Past Pupils, to sustain scholarships for some Salesian school students, in the morning was held Ezulwini-based SAPPAS Golf fundraiser and in the evening was held Manzini Salesian school compound held Gala dinner fundraiser - both with the '#Awakening the Giant' theme. During the Gala dinner the participants offered a “Prayer and Promise of Past Pupils and Friends of Don Bosco” and through the SDB provincial received a short message from the World Confederation President Mr Bryan Magro.
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