This is already the third CIVAM (Conferenza Ispettorie-Visitatorie Africa Madagascar, an interprovincial conference established officially by the Rector Major in 2002) meeting in 2023 held in Southern Africa, the Viceprovince of Blessed Michael Rua (AFM) the smallest circumscription in the region. The participants had the opportunity of a deep experience of local Church, society, youth, and Salesian reality in the AFM Vice-Province. On the first day, the main celebrant at the Eucharist was the SABC (South Africa Bishops Conference) Secretary General, Fr. Hugh O'Conner, to offer insight into the situation of local Churches in Southern Africa.

During their annual meeting the superiors listened to evaluation reports from each province, were updated on recent regional sector meetings of social communication, economy, and formation, and discerned the progress of ongoing joint regional projects like SAFCAM (formation), DB Tech Africa, Salesianity formation program). They discussed the preparation for next regional Team Visit to be convened for 2024. An intense time of work was spent in the prayerful and quiet environment of Bosco Youth Centre (Rector Fr Johnson Daniels). Mutual sharing, dialogue, informal encounters according to needs, and consultation made this a very fruitful time. Among the 13  provincials were no fewer than 6 newly appointed superiors (ACC, ANG, ZMB, AFM, AFE, and TZA). The SAFCAM team (Fr Camiel Swertvagher and Fr Gerald Umoh) assisted the translation and secretariat of the region, entrusted to Fr Michael Karikunnel.

Thanks to the parallel Africa-Madagascar provincial economers meeting held at the LUMKO centre (Benoni - Johannesburg), the  provincials had a good chance to interact for an evening also with Bro. Jean Paul Muller (Economer General) and legal advisor, Dr Janko Jochimsen. The eye-opening and inspiring talk was opened with a question about how the Salesians are ready to welcome this “African Century” when this continent is becoming the centre of the world-stage with the largest number of the young people around the globe.

Southern Africa vice-province (AFM) was invited to share their best practices: Love Matters youth program run at the Bosco Centre since 2001 and local Volunteers - Youth Minister formation program. Fr Lingoane Tlaile (AFM Youth Ministry delegate) and Fr Joseph Thoi (Bosco Youth Ministry director) with Bosco volunteers and the Youth Ministry team helped the CIVAM participants with an honest and dynamic understanding of these two flagship projects of their province. Heart-touching personal life-changing experience sharing of 5 youths from Lesotho, Eswatini, and South Africa, who spent 12 months at Bosco Youth Centre serving other young people, made a deep impression on all Salesians.

On 29 October, the whole group celebrated the Sunday Mass in the only Johannesburg Salesian parish of All Saints in Ennerdale (parish priest Fr Marian Kulig and parish council chair Mr Astrid Nicholson) with a very dynamic animation, followed by a shared meal and fellowship with the Ennerdale Salesian Family (FMA, Salesian Cooperators and DB Past Pupils) and SYM.  And since the iconic township of Soweto is just “next door”, their exploring of South African realities  concluded with the pilgrimage to Soweto. The first stop was at the Hector Pieterson Memorial of the Student Uprising in Soweto, on 16 June 1976, and then a prayerful moment in the Regina Mundi Catholic parish that was a haven for Soweto Christians from all denominations during the apartheid regime.

Fr Alphonse Owoudou in his final Goodnight expressed deep satisfaction with a very fruitful annual meeting that opens the journey towards upcoming provincial chapters, the Africa-Madagascar Team Visit (February 2024) and General Chapter 29 (February 2025). According to the General Councillor for the region “All joint reflections, discernment, operational and organizational decisions (configuration of the region, sector animation accompaniment by respective coordinators and provincials, ongoing formation - animation centre) show the birth pains of this fastest growing Salesian presence in 41 countries of this youngest continent.”

On their province and delegation journey all participants believe in the guidance of Mary and the deep conviction, that “only the Lord who builds the house” will keep them more motivated in their passion for Jesus Christ and the young people.

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