The mission in eSwatini (Swaziland until 2018) was opened in 1953 and the youngest mission in Lesotho in 1980. Until now we give thanks for 130 Salesians, mostly missionaries who worked in these 3 countries and passed away. 

Confreres (details of priest, brothers, formation, novices)

At the beginning of AFM were almost 70 Salesians working in the 7 canonical communities: 

–         SA: Cape Town 2: Salesian Institute, 1896 and Lansdowne, 1923.

–         SA: Johannesburg 3: Clonlea - Walkerville, 1949; Booysens, 1952 and Ennerdale, 2004).

–         eSwatini (Swaziland): Manzini and Malkerns, 1953.

–         Lesotho: Maputsoe and Maseru, 1980.

In 2025 there are 31 AFM confreres and 5 from other provinces working in our 3 countries, other confreres still in formation, waiting for the visa, 2 present out of AFM (RMG, PLE).

Total: 44 SDB and 4 novices 

-          5 Salesian Brothers (1 in specific formation – temporary prof)

-          29 Salesian Priests (5 seniors)

-          4 candidates to the priesthood (initial formation)

-          5 sent from other provinces: (4 practical trainees and one priest)

Average age: 50 years

Salesian works and communities, numbers of specific works

Over the past 129 years the profile of our mission changed three times. From the education works (boarding – technical schools) until 1896-1970, increased the pastoral in parishes (1970…) and within past 30 years was developed a variety of educational-social welfare works for the youth in need. 

At present there are 6 parishes (SA 3, Lesotho 2, eSwatini 1), pastoral care in 16 schools is entrusted to the Salesians (SA 2, Lesotho 6, eSwatini 8), 3 TVET (vocation training centres).

Salesian Family

• SDB arrived in 1896 and soon started the Association of Salesian Cooperators (historical notes from 1900-1910), the AFM province of Salesian Cooperators was erected in 2018, now with 6 centres (SA and Lesotho, one starting centre in eSwatini). 
• Don Bosco Past Pupils – at present only the National Federation of eSwatini (SAPPAS) is registered with the World Confederation. Local groups of Past Pupils in SA are getting old and in Lesotho not yet organized.
• FMA arrived in SA in 1961, now with 6 communities in South Africa and Lesotho.
• ADMA and VDB are the two youngest groups still in their initial stage of formation.

The most relevant works 

Amongst the most relevant works in South Africa, we count especially two works: The motherhouse in Cape Town with its ‘Salesian Institute Youth Projects’, which serves also today some 500+ the most vulnerable young people and young adults (out-of-school youth and employment projects) and Bosco Youth Centre in Johannesburg with the 30 years long tradition of local missionary volunteers involved in the Youth Ministry programs. The flagship of this Youth Centre is the ‘Love Matters’.

Relaunching of the Salesian Charism

Rector Major asked in 2023 the AFM vice province superior and the confreres to ‘relaunch our Salesian Charism’. AFM is grateful for the ongoing support from the General Council, with one new missionary every year, for the financial support to build the provincial house and support the charismatic relaunching. AFM is also grateful for the solidarity of other Africa-Madagascar provinces who are sending for 2-3 years their young confreres. 

AFM provincial community strives through three-fold conversion to contribute to the growth of the charism from within: building the culture of accompaniment, strengthening the sense of belonging to one provincial community (One Heart One Soul) and foster formation and involvement of lay people as mission partners.

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