Funeral underway for influential Bishop Daniel Matebesi

By Patrick Makinita 

The funeral service of the late Bishop Daniel Matebesi is currently underway at Grace Bible
Church, Unit 15, near Mahikeng in North West.

Matebesi, 66, who previously served as President of the South African Ministers Fraternal
(SAMIFRA), passed away in the early hours of Friday at his home in Letlhakane village after
a brief illness.

At the time of his passing, he was the host of the Rorisang Sunday religious programme on
Motsweding FM, alongside Brown Mosiapoa and Moakamedi Tube.
Over his lifetime, Matebesi held several key positions, including President of the National
Inter-Faith Council of South Africa (NICSA), member of the President’s Interfaith Forum,
Chairperson of the Provincial Anti-Corruption Forum, Provincial Chairperson of the Spiritual
Crime Prevention, and current President of the South African Christian Ministers Council
(SACMIC).

Dignitaries attending the service include North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi, Ngaka
Modiri Molema District Municipality’s Khumalo Molefe, government officials, and clergy
from churches across the nation.

Mokgosi said beyond the pulpit, Matebesi was known for his humility, commitment to
service, and dedication to uplifting others.
“His consistent involvement in the provincial government’s programmes, notably, the
Premier’s Operation Dignity Programme, as a Patron of the Gender-Based Violence Forum
and Chairperson of the Moral Regeneration Movement in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District,
did not go unnoticed, as he selflessly dedicated his time and contribution to restoring dignity
and hope to those in need,” the premier said.

The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in North West, where Matebesi once served on
its Provincial Interim Committee, described his passing as a monumental loss to the faith-
based sector and the independent church movement.

MRM Provincial Convener Lesiba Kgwele said: “Bishop Matebesi was a pillar of strength to
his congregation and the community at large. His untimely death robs us of a true community
builder. We gather today to pay our last respects to a theologian of unshakeable faith. May
God give us strength in this challenging moment.” Matebesi will be laid to rest at Matlalong
Cemetery later today.