By Gerda Potgieter, Devoted Magazine
The annual Malelane Youth Conference in Schulzendal took place from September 24 to 27, with the theme “Guard your heart”. The conference drew hundreds of young people and several dignitaries. A total of 645 children were registered for the services, along with several adults. Some local pastors from nearby churches also attended.
Pastor Khumalo from the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) arrived with a group of young people; the Honourable Prince of the Kingdom, Prince Mguqiso, the son of His Majesty, King Sobhuza II, also attended; and the Queen of Nkosi Shongwe from the local area visited on Sunday.
The Malelane conference forms part of the bigger youth development programme of the KwaSizabantu Mission in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). A week or two before the conference began, the mission’s first team arrived at the Schulzendal Mission. They visited schools, shared the Gospel, and invited learners to the conference. At Schulzendal, they helped prepare for the conference. More buses and helpers from KZN arrived as the date approached. The buses then went out to fetch all the children from places such as Oshoek, Lochiel, Badplaas, Barberton, Matsulu, Kanjamazane, Phola, Chlau Chlau, Thulamahashe, Nogobotsi and Magogeni.
The three daily meetings were well attended. Young people shared testimonies about how the Lord saved them and what He had done for them. On Saturday morning, it was all fun and games with sporting activities, and all could participate. The closing service on Sunday evening challenged the young people to nurture the seed planted during the conference. They were also challenged to guard their hearts in their walk with the Lord Jesus.
The organisers said after the conference: “We are full of gratitude and thank the Lord for His working among the youth and His presence throughout the conference. Many young people stayed behind after the services and made their lives right with God. We thank God for His grace and mercy in keeping His hand over the vehicles and everyone travelling to and from the conference.”
Dr Elsa Bosman from KwaSizabantu is well known for assisting during outreaches such as this one, despite her advanced age and health challenges. Each event is close to her heart and brings purpose. She was one of the many volunteers at the conference and shared her experience as follows: “It is always a blessing to see the Lord at work. He works in miraculous ways. Right from day one, His presence could be felt, and His work experienced. The children were calm, and everything went smoothly. I thank the Lord for His grace.”
The Malelane conference is one of the many outreaches of KwaSizabantu, which has grown over 50 years into an event far more than an annual gathering. It has become a place where faith is strengthened, lives are transformed, and generations come together to encounter God.
As the KwaSizabantu conference at Malelane celebrated another milestone, it stands as a testament to God’s faithfulness through the years and to the enduring power of His word to inspire, equip, and transform lives. This year’s conference continues that rich legacy, inviting a new generation to experience the same life-changing message. More than a celebration of the past, it reminds us that God’s will continues and that the best chapters of this remarkable journey are still being written.
(Watch the short videos about the conference by following the link: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kwasizabantu+schulzendale+live)
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