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Johannesburg - Well-known South Africans spoke to Ntombizodwa Makhoba and Phuti Mathobela about what church means to them, and what their plans are for the holiday weekend.
LILLIAN DUBE
Veteran actress Lillian Dube (72), who attends St Thomas Anglican Church in Linden, Johannesburg, says after spending Easter “worshipping God with my fellow church members”, she plans to visit the Rand Show at Nasrec with her grandchildren.
She says growing up in church made her love religious activities. To this day, she enjoys going to church to worship God and says she feels she has a relationship with Him.
“To me, the main church is within you as an individual; church is the inside of you, it is not about the building,” she says, adding that the act of going to church should be fulfilling.
Her advice to her fans is that they should celebrate the Easter holidays with loved ones.
DINEO RANAKA
Radio personality Dineo Ranaka, who recently joined Lerato Kganyago as the co-host on Metro FM’s The Bridge, says there is strength in numbers at church.
“I believe when people of the same faith and energy gather together in one place in numbers, miracles happen.”
When asked what church she goes to, she says: “I’m a spiritual person, it doesn’t matter which church I attend.”
Her plans for the Easter holidays are to spend time with her family, and to make sure that the children are joyful and merry.
“I’ll also try to find some down time in solitude to honour the presence and blessings of God in my family’s life.”
NOMASONTO MASWANGANYI
Kwaito star Nomasonto “Mshoza” Maswanganyi says her sister invited her to church to celebrate Good Friday in Protea, Soweto.
She says she will not attend other church events because of the nature of her work.
“I have three gigs lined up in Durban this weekend, so I will not be able to go to church.”
She says she doesn’t have a specific church that she goes to, but attends any church whenever she can.
“God doesn’t belong to any church, but he belongs to every one of us. This means we can worship and praise Him anywhere,” she says.
Despite her hectic work schedule, she plans to share Easter Monday with her in-laws.
KHAYA MTHETHWA
Gospel singer and songwriter Khaya Mthethwa, who attends church at Umzali’s Oasis Fellowship Centre, says he will be singing at the Grace Bible Church’s Easter celebration at Orlando Stadium in Soweto today.
He says he’ll be singing alongside Dr Tumi and gospel artist Zaza Mokhethi.
Mthethwa says he thinks of church as a corporate gathering of people who have the same beliefs.
“Church is my second family and it is also a place where you can grow your relationship with God ... As a leader, it is important that I encourage the congregation and make them understand that God loves, appreciates and accepts them for who they are.”
