IMalawi

UYEMUKELWA enkabeni efudumele ye-Afrika! Njengoba inesimo sezulu esincwaba nabantu abanobungane, ngempela iMalawi iyizwe elinemfudumalo nelinezinto eziningi ezikhangayo. Okukhanga kakhulu abaningi yisigijimi seqiniso leBhayibheli esishunyayelwa oFakazi BakaJehova uNkulunkulu abangaphezu kuka-40 000.

Nokho, akukudala kangako lapho lezi zinceku zikaNkulunkulu ezithobekile zibhekane nokuhlupheka okukhulu. Kunokuba omakhelwane bazo bazibonise ubungane obufudumele, zabhekana nokushushiswa ngonya, izenzo ezinesihluku ezifuze ukubulawa kwamaJuda nezeziNkantolo Zamacala Ezihlubuki zeNkathi Ephakathi. Umlando walokho okwazehlela nendlela ezakhuthazela ngayo uyisibonelo esimangalisayo sobuqotho ngaphansi kobunzima. Nokho, singakayixoxi indaba yazo, ake uzwe ngezwe ngokwalo.

Ake Sithi Fahla-Fahla NgeMalawi

Nakuba iyizwe elincane kakhulu, iMalawi inezintaba ezinhle ezihlukahlukene, imifula namachibi. INtaba iMulanje, eseningizimu yezwe, ikwenza ubambe ongezansi ngempela. Isuka phansi lé emasimini etiye aluhlaza, iphakeme ngamamitha angu-3 002 ngaphezu kolwandle, okuyenza ibe intaba ephakeme kunazo zonke kule ngxenye ye-Afrika. Nokho, cishe into edumile ehehayo yiLake Malawi engamakhilomitha angu-580 ubude. Umhloli wamazwe odumile uDavid Livingstone wayibiza ngokuthi “ichibi lezinkanyezi” ngenxa yendlela ilanga elihlaba ngayo kuyo. Kuyona kunamakhulu ezinhlobo zezinhlanzi—kuthiwa zingaphezu kwezitholakala kunoma yiliphi elinye ichibi emhlabeni.

Ubungane babantu baseMalawi abayizigidi ezingu-11 bukwenza uzizwe usekhaya. Bavele bamoyizele ngemfudumalo futhi bazimisele ukusiza. Luyabonakala nothando ngeZwi likaNkulunkulu. Sekuyiminyaka engaba yikhulu kuneBhayibheli lesiChewa, lesiYao nelesiTumbuka, izilimi ezikhulunywa kakhulu eMalawi. Cishe yonke imikhaya inalo, futhi abantu abaningi balifunda njalo. Abantu abaningi baseMalawi badla imbuya ngothi, kodwa ngokwamukela usizo olunikezwa oFakazi BakaJehova, abanye baye bathola ingcebo enkulu engokomoya emaBhayibhelini abo.

Umsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova eMalawi uhlehlela ekuqaleni kwaleli khulu leminyaka. Abantu baqala ukuzwa ngawo ngendlela eyinqaba.

‘Njengomlilo Wequbula’

Indaba yethu iqala ngoJoseph Booth, umuntu othakazelisayo kodwa oxakayo. Ngenxa yentshiseko ayenayo ngemva kokufunda ezinye izincwadi ze-Watch Tower Society, wabonana noC. T. Russell ngo-1906. Wenza uMfoweth’ uRussell wabona isidingo sommeleli we-Watch Tower Society e-Afrika eseningizimu. Njengoba uJoseph Booth ayeke wasebenza eMalawi, noma eNyasaland, njengoba yayibizwa kanjalo, kwabonakala sengathi angakwazi ukunikeza usizo oludingekayo. Nokho, uMfoweth’ uRussell wayengalazi idumela elibi le ndoda eyayinalo kule ndawo. Yayaziwa ngendlela umlobi othile ayibiza ngayo kamuva, “isigebengu senkolo,” esisebenzisa izinkolo zeLobukholwa ukuze sifeze izinhloso zaso. Ngenxa yalokho, iziphathimandla zendawo zazingamthandi neze uBooth futhi wayengasafunwa nakufunwa nje eMalawi. Nakuba kunjalo, lesi “sigebengu” esingumakad’ ebona sasiphinde saphumelela ukugebenga!

Njengoba ayeqonda ukuthi ngeke akwazi ukuya ngqó eMalawi, uBooth waqale wagoba amadlangala eNingizimu Afrika. Watholana no-Elliott Kamwana lapho, umngane wakhe omdala waseMalawi. Akuthathanga sikhathi, uBooth watshela le nsizwa ukuba igoduke. Lapho efika ekhaya ngo-1908, u-Elliott Kamwana waqala umkhankaso wokushumayela obala, esekela umyalezo wakhe kwezinye zezincwadi ze-Watch Tower Society ayezichaza ngendlela yakhe. UMcCoffie Nguluh, owashona eminyakeni embalwa edlule engumdala okholekile, waqala ngaleso sikhathi ukwazi ngeqiniso. Wachaza ukushumayela kukaKamwana ngokuthi kwakufana ‘nomlilo wequbula.’ Imiphumela yokushumayela kukaKamwana, nokubhapathiza kwakhe kwasobala kokubukisa, ngempela kwasakazeka njengomlilo wequbula eMalawi. Kwasabela izinkulungwane, futhi kwamiswa “amabandla” amaningi ngokushesha.

UBooth noKamwana babengazange balishiye “iBabiloni Elikhulu” nokho. (IsAm. 17:5; 18:4) Izinhloso zabo kwakungezombangazwe. Akuthathanga sikhathi ngaphambi kokuba izindlela zokushumayela zika-Elliott Kamwana zidonse amehlo eziphathimandla zikahulumeni eMalawi ngendlela enganambitheki. Ngokushesha wadingiselwa eSeychelles. Ngo-1910, uJoseph Booth wayesehambile naye futhi engasahlanganyeli ne-Watch Tower Society. Ngeshwa, la madoda amabili ayenze umonakalo omkhulu, kodwa kunesici esisodwa esasiwusizo: Kwakusakazwe izincwadi eziningi ezineqiniso leBhayibheli ezweni lonke. Eminyakeni embalwa eyalandela, abanhliziyo ziqotho, njengoMcCoffie Nguluh, bakwamukela kahle ababekufunda.

“Izinhlangano Ze-Watch Tower” Zibanga Ukudideka

Ngemva kwalesi siqalo esingesihle eMalawi, iNhlangano yathumela uWilliam Johnston, umzalwane ofanelekayo waseGlasgow, eScotland, ukuba ayohlola isimo. Wathola ukuthi ayemaningi amaqembu amisiwe okwakuthiwa amabandla kodwa ayengaliqondi kahle iqiniso leBhayibheli. Nokho, babekhona ababelifuna ngobuqotho iqiniso. UMfoweth’ uJohnston waqeqesha amadoda endawo ambalwa kulawa ukuba ahole, ngaphambi kokuba yena aye eNingizimu Afrika. Kwabe sekudlula isikhathi eside ngaphambi kokuba umsebenzi waseMalawi uphinde unakekelwe. Kwaba nokudideka okubi kakhulu. Kwababangela ukuhlupheka okukhulu abaFundi BeBhayibheli, njengoba babaziwa kanjalo oFakazi BakaJehova, futhi kwavivinya ubuqotho babo.

Zilingisa indlela ka-Elliott Kamwana yokusebenzisa amandla okuthonya, kwavumbuka izinhlangano eziningi ezazixuba amanye amaqiniso eBhayibheli nezimfundiso zamanga nemikhuba elahlwa imiBhalo. Ngenxa yokuthi lezo zinhlangano zazisebenzisa izincwadi ze-Watch Tower ngezinga elithile, zaziba negama elithi Watch Tower emagameni ezazizibiza ngawo. Lokhu kwabadalela izinkinga abazalwane bethu abambalwa abaqotho kuleli lizwe. Kuyamangalisa ukuthi umsebenzi walaba bazalwane abaqotho awushabalalanga nhlobo naphezu kokuswela ukuqondiswa okukahle futhi bedinga ukudla okungokomoya. Nokho, baqhubeka behlangana ndawonye, befakaza kwabanye, futhi bezama ukuhamba ezinyathelweni zikaJesu Kristu.—1 Pet. 2:21.

Besizakala ngalesi simo, abaholi benkolo bendawo banyundela abaFundi BeBhayibheli ngokubahlanganisa ngamabomu nezinkolo ezazintshontshe igama elithi Watch Tower zazibiza ngalo. Nokho, ngokuhamba kwesikhathi wacaca bhá umehluko phakathi kwala mahlelo endawo nabafowethu. Sishukunyiswa yimibiko engemihle yabefundisi beLobukholwa, isikhulu samaphoyisa senza uphenyo ekuqaleni kwawo-1920. Sizifihlile, saziyela mathupha emihlanganweni eminingana yabaFundi BeBhayibheli. Sasabela kanjani? Sanengeka ngamanga aluhlaza ayesakazwa ngabo. Nakuba kunjalo, ukudideka okwabangwa yilezi “zinhlangano ze-Watch Tower” kwaqhubeka iminyaka eminingi.

Ukuhlela Umsebenzi

Ngo-1925 iNhlangano yaphinde yagxila kwelaseMalawi. UJohn Hudson wahlala izinyanga ezingu-15 kuleli lizwe, enikeza izinkulumo emabandleni. Wazama ukusiza abazalwane bethu ukuba baqaphele ukubaluleka kokuhlala bexhumana ne-Watch Tower Society, eyayisetshenziswa ‘yisigqila esikholekile nesiqondayo,’ futhi bamukele ukuhola nesiqondiso sayo.—Math. 24:45-47.

UGresham Kwazizirah waseNtcheu uyena owazuza ekuhambeleni kukaMfoweth’ uHudson eMalawi. Ngonyaka uMfoweth’ uHudson afika ngawo eMalawi, uGresham wabhapathizwa. Zisuka nje wabhekana novivinyo olungathi sína. Ngokugqugquzela kwabefundisi balapho ayesonta khona, wamangalelwa ngokuthi unemfundiso yokuketula umbuso. Umphumela waba ukuboshwa kwakhe. Wayezokwenzenjani? Ingabe ukwesaba kwakuzomenza alahle ukholo lwakhe? Sekudlule inyanga, ngemva kophenyo lweziphathimandla zesifundazwe, asulwa amacala kaMfoweth’ uKwazizirah futhi wadedelwa. Nokho, okubaluleke nakakhulu ukuthi wayezimisele ukuba qotho kuJehova nasenhlanganweni yakhe. UJehova wayengabasebenzisa abantu ababebonisa umoya onjalo. Ngemva kokusebenza eMozambique, uMfoweth’ uKwazizirah naye wajabulela amalungelo amaningi njengoba ayehlanganyela ekusakazeni isigijimi soMbuso nasekwakheni amabandla eMalawi. (Bheka INqabayokulinda [yesiNgisi] ka-November 1, 1972.)

Ukuhambela kukaMfoweth’ uHudson kwabakhuthaza impela oMcCoffie Nguluh noJunior Phiri. Kamuva laba bazalwane ababili bathuthela eNingizimu Afrika, lapho bobabili bakhonza khona ngokukholeka iminyaka eminingi. URichard Kalinde naye wazuza ngokuhlangana noJohn Hudson. Engakalishiyi leli lizwe, uMfoweth’ uHudson wahlela ukuba uRichard Kalinde aqondise ukushunyayelwa kwezindaba ezinhle kuze kutholakale usizo olwengeziwe.

Noma kunjalo, akubona bonke ababekujabulele ukuhambela kukaMfoweth’ uHudson. UMfoweth’ uNguluh wachaza indlela abasabela ngayo labo. Bathi: “Ngeke sifundiswe indoda yaseKapa thina. Sizokwenza lokho esicabanga ukuthi kufanele.” Bengazimisele ukwamukela isiqondiso seNhlangano, basungula ezabo “izinhlangano ze-Watch Tower.” Ngakolunye uhlangothi, labo ababelifuna ngobuqotho iqiniso babonisa isimo sengqondo sokuthobeka okukhulu. Bahlala bexhumana nehhovisi leNhlangano laseNingizimu Afrika futhi babonisa ukwazisa ngemfundiso nesiqondiso esasitholakala ngalowo mzila. Kwasheshe kwacaca kulelo gatsha ukuthi leli qenjana labantu abathakazelayo abaqotho lidinga usizo olwengeziwe.

Ummeleli Ohlala Kuleli Lizwe

Ngo-1933 kwenzeka isenzakalo esijabulisayo emlandweni woFakazi BakaJehova eMalawi. Kwafakwa isicelo sokuba i-Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society ibe nommeleli ohlala kuleli lizwe. Umbusi wathi ‘angakujabulela lokho,’ futhi wasamukela leso sicelo. Ekugcineni, kwase kungahlelwa ukuba izindaba ezinhle zishunyayelwe njalo eMalawi. Ngakho ngaphansi kokuqondisa kwegatsha laseNingizimu Afrika, kwamiswa idepho yezincwadi nehhovisi ngo-May 1934, uBert McLuckie eqondisa umsebenzi.

Njengoba ayebhapathizwe ngo-1930, uMfoweth’ uMcLuckie wayemusha kakhulu eqinisweni. Nokho, wayezibonakalise eyiphayona eliphumelelayo impela ezabelweni zakhe zangaphambili eMadagascar naseMauritius. Lapho efika eMalawi, wathola isakhiwo esincane esinamakamelo amabili enhloko-dolobha iZomba, eningizimu yezwe. Elinye ikamelo lalisetshenziswa njengedepho nehhovisi; elinye liyindawo yokulala. UMfoweth’ uMcLuckie, owayengakashadi ngaleso sikhathi, wachaza lesi sabelo esisha ngokuthi sasinesizungu, “sinemithwalo yemfanelo emikhulu kunangaphambili.”

URichard Kalinde, owaba umngane wakhe omkhulu, wamsiza kakhulu. Okokuqala, umsebenzi omkhulu kwakuwukuqeda ukudideka abazalwane bethu ababenakho okwakudalwa ukuba khona ‘kwezinhlangano mbumbulu ze-Watch Tower.’ Lokhu akubanga nzima njengoba kwakulindelekile. Phakathi kokunye, izikhulu eziningi zaziqaphela ukuthi amahlelo endawo ayengahlangene ngalutho ne-Watch Tower Society yangempela. Kanti nehhovisi laseNingizimu Afrika lalinikeze uBert McLuckie iziqondiso ezicacile zokuthi asisingathe kanjani lesi simo. Elandela lezi ziqondiso, wahambela wonke amaqembu kulo lonke elaseMalawi, uMfoweth’ uKalinde emhumushela. Lokho kuhambela amabandla kwasiza abaningi bayeka ukusekela “izinhlangano ze-Watch Tower” ezingafanele nabaholi bazo.

Sabonakala isibusiso sikaJehova. Ekugcineni kwase kwakhiwa inhlangano engokwasezulwini eqinile. Imibiko yenkonzo yasensimini yaqoqwa okokuqala ngqá. Ngo-1934 yabonisa isilinganiso sabamemezeli abangu-28.

Isabelo Esisha Edepho YaseZomba

Ngemva konyaka esebenza eMalawi, uBert McLuckie waphinde wabizwa eNingizimu Afrika. Ngemva kwalokho, wakhonza ngokwethembeka enkonzweni kaJehova kwezinye izingxenye ze-Afrika eseningizimu iminyaka engaphezu kuka-60, ngaphambi kokuba ashone ngo-1995. Elinye ilungu lomkhaya wakwaMcLuckie, umfowabo uBill, wangena esikhundleni sakhe eMalawi.

Ngaphambi kwalokhu, uBill McLuckie wayephayona eNingizimu Afrika, nakuba ayengakabhapathizwa. UGeorge Phillips, inceku yegatsha laseNingizimu Afrika, yabuza uBill ukuthi angathanda yini ukuya esabelweni eMalawi. Lapho evuma watshelwa: “Khona-ke, kuzodingeka uqale ubhapathizwe.” UBill wabhapathizwa futhi wafika edepho yaseZomba ngo-March 1935. Wayeneminyaka engu-26 ubudala. Lo mzalwane okholekile wabonisa ubuqotho eMalawi ngaphansi kokuhlupheka okukhulu kwaze kwaba yilapho edingiswa ngo-1972.

Kwakunjani ngalezo zinsuku zokuqala? UBill McLuckie, obeneminyaka engu-89 ngo-1998, ohlala eNingizimu Afrika nomkhaya wakhe, usayikhumbula indlela okwakucinene ngayo kuleyo depho yaseZomba. Wathi: “Ikamelo lokulala lalilincane [lingamamitha angu-1,4]. Kwakuyisikutu ngaphakathi, ngakho ngangiye ngivule amafasitela ebusuku kwaze kwaba yilapho iphoyisa elithile lilunguza ngobunye ubusuku lithi: ‘Bwana [Mnumzane], wavale la mafasitela. Izingwe zihamba kule migwaqo ebusuku.’ Ngakho ngawavala.”

Naphezu kwezimo ezazingezinhle, kwabonakala kunenzuzo kakhulu ukuba idepho ibe senhloko-dolobha. Njengoba amahhovisi kahulumeni nekomkhulu lamaphoyisa kwakuseduze, uMfoweth’ uMcLuckie wayekwazi ukusheshe aphendule noma yini iNhlangano eyayimangalelwa ngayo ngenxa yokuthi oFakazi BakaJehova babeqhubeka bephanjaniswa ‘nezinhlangano mbumbulu ze-Watch Tower.’ Njengoba umfowabo ayenzile ngaphambili, uBill McLuckie wasebenzelana ngesineke nezikhulu ukuze alungise noma yikuphi ukungaqondi. OFakazi BakaJehova base benedumela elihle.

Ukuhlanza Inhlangano

UBill McLuckie wasebenza kanzima nabazalwane ukuze abenze bazazise izindinganiso zikaJehova njengoba zihlelwe eBhayibhelini. Lokhu kwakuhlanganisa ukusiza abazalwane baqonde ukuthi imikhuba elahlwa imiBhalo njengokuziphatha okubi kobulili, ukusebenzisa imimoya nokusebenzisa kabi utshwala akunandawo ekuphileni koFakazi BakaJehova. (1 Kor. 6:9, 10; IsAm. 22:15) UGresham Kwazizirah waba usizo olukhulu kulo msebenzi. Wakhonza kakhulu emsebenzini wokujikeleza, ikakhulu enyakatho yezwe. UMfoweth’ uMcLuckie wamchaza ngokuthi wayakhiwe “ngezinto ezivuthiwe, ezithembekile.” UMfoweth’ uKwazizirah waziwa ngokuzisekela ngobuqotho izindinganiso zeBhayibheli zikhathi zonke. Noma nini uma ethola abathile ababehileleke ekuziphatheni okubi bebe bethi bakhonza uJehova, uMfoweth’ uKwazizirah wayebatshela ezikabhoqo, engesabi. Uma bekuvuma ukuziphatha kwabo okuphambene nobuKristu, wayebaphuca izincwadi zabo, abatshele ukuthi ababona oFakazi BakaJehova beqiniso. Wayebanqabela nokuba bahlanganyele enkonzweni yasensimini. Abaningi balungisa ukuphila kwabo ngenxa yaleso senzo esiqinile. KwakunguMfoweth’ uKwazizirah owabika edabukile ukuthi uRichard Kalinde wayesengene emikhubeni eyayingahambisani nendlela yokuphila kwamaKristu. Ngenxa yalokho, lo mzalwane owayeke washiseka wayengasenakusetshenziselwa ukumelela inhlangano kaJehova ehlanzekile.

Ngenxa yalokhu kuma okuqinile ngokuqondene nendinganiso yeBhayibheli ephakeme yokuziphatha, oFakazi BakaJehova baziwa ngokuthi bangabantu abaqotho. Ngokuvamile lokhu kwakuba isivikelo kubo.

Isibusiso sikaJehova enhlanganweni ehlanzekile sabonakala njengoba isibalo salabo ababemdumisa ngenkuthalo sasinyuka. Ngo-1943 isilinganiso sabamemezeli ngenyanga sasingu-2 464, behlanganyela emabandleni angu-144—ukwanda okuhle besuka kubamemezeli abangu-28 eminyakeni eyishumi ngaphambili!

Ukuphaphamisa IMalawi

Ngo-1944 inkulumo ethi “Izwe Elisha,” eyayivame ukusetshenziswa ezincwadini ze-Watch Tower, yathandeka kakhulu kubantu baseMalawi. Njengoba yayichazwa kulezo zincwadi, yayibhekisela esimisweni esisha sezinto sikaJehova—umphakathi wabantu omusha obuswa uMbuso kaNkulunkulu wasezulwini ophethwe uJesu Kristu. (Dan. 7:13, 14; 2 Pet. 3:13) Zisebenzisa iBhayibheli, lezo zincwadi zabonisa ukuthi ezweni elisha, umhlaba uyoba ipharadesi; abantu bayohlalisana ngokuthula nezilwane; izimpi ziyophela; wonke umuntu uyothola inala yomhlaba; ukugula nokufa ngeke kusaba khona; ngisho nabafileyo bayovuswa banikezwe ithuba lokuphila phakade.—IHu. 67:5, 6; Isaya 2:4; 11:6-9; Luka 23:43; Joh. 5:28, 29; IsAm. 21:3, 4.

Omunye umzalwane, lapho enikeza inkulumo ngalesi sihloko, eyivumelanisa nezimo zendawo, wachaza kanje: “Lapho u-Adamu ona, akukho zingane ezase zizelwe ensimini; zonke zazalelwa ‘ehlathini,’ futhi zihlobo, ‘sisesehlathini’ namanje. Asikaphindeli ensimini. Kodwa sesiseduze manje isikhathi sokuba sishiye leli lizwe elinama-matekenya (uhlobo lwesinambuzane esincinzayo), singene ezweni likaJehova elisha neliphelele.”

Izinkulumo ezazikhuluma ngezwe elisha likaNkulunkulu zaziba nomphumela omuhle kangangokuba kwenye ingxenye yezwe, isixuku sabantu abathakazelayo salandela abazalwane noma beyaphi, sifunda izithembiso zeBhayibheli ngePharadesi. Kwenye indawo, ngemva kokuba isigejane sabefundisi bendawo silalele inkulumo ephathelene nezwe elisha, kwasishukumisa kakhulu esakufunda kangangokuba sonke saya esithunyweni sevangeli esingumLungu sathi: “Benisifihleleleni lezi zinto? Namuhla sibona abafana namantombazane amancane beya kubantu, bebatshela izinto ezimangalisa kunazo zonke abake bazizwa! Nina nisifundise ukuba siyoshumayela izimfundiso, manje esezivezwa zingamanga!”

Ngo-1946 isibalo sabamemezeli boMbuso eMalawi sadlula ku-3 000, futhi abazalwane babeliphaphamisa ngempela izwe.

Yebo, akubona bonke ababesijabulela isigijimi sezwe elisha likaNkulunkulu. Ekuqaleni, uhulumeni wawukuvalile ukungeniswa kwezincwadi ze-Watch Tower, ezazikhuluma ngalelo lizwe elisha. Nokho, lokhu akubanga namphumela otheni ngoba zazikhona kakade izincwadi eziningana kuleli lizwe. Bezama ukunciphisa ithonya lomsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova, abanye abefundisi bazama ukulingisa indlela oFakazi ababekhuluma futhi benze ngayo izinto. Bathi: “Nathi sishumayela ngezwe elisha.” Abambalwa baze bazama ngisho nokwenza izimpindelo emalungwini abo, kodwa ngemva kwamasonto ambalwa, bayeka.

Abaholi benkolo bazama nokushoshozela izinduna zezigodi ukuba zenqabele oFakazi BakaJehova ukuba bashumayele ezindaweni zazo. Kwakuwumkhuba ukucela imvume enduneni yesigodi ngaphambi kokunikeza inkulumo esigodini sayo. Kodwa uma induna isithonywe abaholi benkolo bendawo, akukho mhlangano weningi owawuqhutshwa.

Nokho, amakhosi amaningi ezigodi ayebamukela ngemfudumalo oFakazi BakaJehova. Ngokuvamile abazalwane babemenywa ukuba bazonikeza izinkulumo. Inkosi yesinye isigodi yezwa inkulumo edolobheni elincane laseLizulu, lapho yafunda khona ngesimo sangempela sabafileyo. (UmSh. 9:5; Hez. 18:4) Ngokushesha ngemva kwalokho, yaya emngcwabeni owawuphethwe abaholi benkolo abathile. Ababekhona batshelwa ukuthi le ngane eyayishonile “manje isiyingelosi ezulwini.” Le nkosi esikhulile yangunazela, yasukuma, yabheka izinduna zayo, yacela isinefu. Njengoba ibhema, yahamba, ithi: “Suka, eLizulu sizwile ukuthi abafileyo bakuphi. Amanga wonke lawa!”

Ukuhanjelwa Okukhethekile

Isenzakalo esikhetheke kakhulu senzeka ngo-January 1948, lapho uN. H. Knorr noM. G. Henschel, basendlunkulu yeNhlangano eBrooklyn, eNew York, bevakashela elaseMalawi. Kwakuqala ngqá ukuba abazalwane basendlunkulu yomhlaba wonke bavakashele lapha. Kwahlelwa ukuba kube nomhlangano wabeLungu namaNdiya ayehlala edolobheni eHholo Ledolobha LaseBlantyre. Uma kucatshangelwa ukuthi babengu-250 abeLungu ababehlala eBlantyre ngaleso sikhathi, ukuba khona kwabangu-40 bezolalela inkulumo yeningi kwakukhuthaza. Ngakusasa, laba bazalwane abavakashile baya emhlanganweni wabazalwane abaNsundu owawusendaweni evulekile. UBill McLuckie, owayesesikhipha ngamakhala isiChewa ngaleso sikhathi, wahumusha. Enkulumweni yeningi ntambama, kwakunabangu-6 000. Njengoba yayingekho imibhobho, abazalwane ababesesimisweni kwadingeka bakhulume ngamaphimbo aphakeme ukuze kuzwe wonk’ umuntu. Kukhona isikhathi lapho layithela khona imvula, inkulumo yaphazamiseka, umphakathi waqala ukuhlakazeka wayokhosela phansi kwezihlahla nasemizini eseduze. Kodwa oFakazi basala, uMfoweth’ uKnorr wayiphetha inkulumo yakhe ephethe isambulela. Lona kanye nje iqiniso lokuthi lo mzungu (umlungu) wama emvuleni waqedela inkulumo ayeyethulela izilaleli eziNsundu labonisa umphakathi ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova ngempela bayayikhathalela inhlalakahle yawo, ngoba abeLungu bendawo babengeke bakwenze lokho.

Ukuhambela kukaMfoweth’ uKnorr noHenschel kwaba negalelo elikhulu emsebenzini. Ngalowo nyaka, ngo-1948, inani labamemezeli ladlula ku-5 600, futhi abantu abathakazelayo babengena ngokushesha okukhulu. Kwezinye izindawo kwakunzima ukuthola insimu eyanele okwakungashunyayelwa kuyo!

Kuqala Izakhiwo Zegatsha

Phakathi naleso sikhathi, idepho yeNhlangano yayisisukile eZomba yathuthela eBlantyre, eseningizimu, eyisikhungo sezentengiselwano saleli lizwe. Khona-ke, ngo-September 1, 1948, ngemva kweminyaka eminingi umsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova eMalawi uqondiswa yigatsha laseNingizimu Afrika, kwamiswa ihhovisi legatsha eMalawi, uBill McLuckie waba inceku yegatsha yokuqala. Izidingo zensimu eMalawi manje zase zinganakekelwa ngokuqondile yindlunkulu yomhlaba wonke.

Ngaleso sikhathi kwakunabazalwane abaningana abavuthiwe, abanokuhlangenwe nakho ababengakhonza njengezinceku zesifunda, bahambele amabandla ngenjongo yokuqinisa abazalwane. Imihlangano yesifunda yayiqhutshwa kabili ngonyaka, uGresham Kwazizirah wayekhonza njengombonisi wesigodi wezwe lonke. Ehhovisi, noBill McLuckie wayematasa kakhulu—ngokuvamile esebenza ngomshini wakhe wokubhala kuze kube sentathakusa.

Kwakukuningi okwakusadinga ukwenziwa, futhi kwakudingeka usizo olwengeziwe. Ngakho uPeter Bridle noFred Smedley, abafundi basesikoleni sezithunywa zevangeli eGileyadi, bamukelwa ngemfudumalo lapho befika ngo-1949. Bona nabanye abafundi baseGileyadi bayinikeza usizo olukhulu inceku yegatsha eyayithwele kanzima. Manje kwase kungenzeka ukuba kunakekelwe indlela amabandla nemihlangano okwakuqhubeka ngayo.

“Ngeke Ngikumele Lokhu!”

Ukufika eMalawi, ikakhulukazi ngaleso sikhathi, kwakungaba ushintsho olwethusayo kumuntu ovela eYurophu noma eNyakatho Melika. Zazingekho izinto zesimanje ezenza ukuphila kube lula, okungenzeka umuntu wayezijwayele. Zazingekho izinto zikagesi emaqaqasini ase-Afrika. Lokho umuntu wendawo angase akubheke njengendlela yokuphila evamile, kungamcindezela umuntu ofikayo. Isithunywa sevangeli esifikayo sasizomisa kanjani?

Ekhumbula okwenzeka okokuqala lapho efika eMalawi ngemva kohambo olude olukhathazayo ngesitimela esisuka eBeira, eMozambique, uPeter Bridle uthi: “Lapho sifika eMfuleni iShire, kwase kuhwalala. Kwakundiza amabhungane amakhulu. Ayethi ngú ezibanini, asithe ukukhanya. Wawuwathola entanyeni, ehamba ngaphandle nangaphakathi kwezingubo. Ngathi kuJehova: ‘Ayingangami. Kuzosinda kwehlela. Ngeke ngikumele lokhu!’ Sabe sesiwela umfula sangena esitimeleni, esasimi esiteshini. Izibani zaso zazifiphele impela. Ngasheshe ngabona ukuthi kungani—kwakwenzelwa ukuba izinambuzane zingangeni. Sanikezwa ukudla, saqala ngesobho. Izibani zazifiphele kangangokuthi sasingakwazi ukubonana etafuleni. Njengoba sidla isobho, sasilihubuluza sivale amazinyo ukuze singagwinyi izinambuzane, ngabe sengithi kuJehova: ‘Ngicabanga ukuthi lokhu kungaphezu kwamandla ami okwamanje. Ngeke ngikumele lokhu!’”

Kuyo yona le ndawo kamuva, uMfoweth’ uBridle waba nezinkinga lapho ebeka inkulumo yeningi. Ngani? Uyachaza: “Omiyane ababelapho! Lapho nginikeza inkulumo ngobunye ubusuku, ngafaka ibhulukwe emasokisini. Ngamboza ikhanda ngethawula, ngalihlohla ehembeni. Ezihlakaleni ngafaka amalasitiki, kwasala izandla nobuso kuphela. Inkulumo yami yayihunyushwa. Ngangisho umusho owodwa bese ngiphebeza omiyane ebusweni. Bese ngisula izandla nobuso futhi. Wayethi angaqeda umhumushi, ngisho omunye umusho ngiphinde sona leso.”

Naphezu kwalezi zimo, uPeter Bridle nabanye abanjengaye bakwazi ukukumela lokho, ngosizo lukaJehova. Iningi lezithunywa zevangeli elalabelwe eMalawi lakhonza ngokukholeka iminyaka eminingi. Imizamo yazo yomphefumulo wonke yaletha izibusiso eziningi ensimini yaseMalawi.

Abazalwane Bendawo Abavuthiwe Abengeziwe

Phakathi naleso sikhathi, abazalwane bendawo abengeziwe babethuthukela ekuvuthweni kobuKristu. Nalaba bazalwane bazuza ngokuhlangana nezithunywa zevangeli. Omunye wabo kwakungu-Alexander Mafambana—u-Alex, njengoba ayevame ukubizwa kanjalo. U-Alex wayekhuthele kakhulu. Wazalelwa eMozambique, eyindodana yenkosi, futhi wayezolandela uyise esikhundleni. Kodwa ngemva kokuthuthela eNingizimu Afrika eyofuna umsebenzi, u-Alex watholana noFakazi BakaJehova futhi wathola ulwazi olunembile lweqiniso leBhayibheli. Waphetha ngokuthi ukwenza lokho okwakulindelekile njengenkosi kwakuyohilela ukuyekethisa ezimisweni zobuKristu. Ukuze agweme izinkinga, wanquma ukuhlala eMalawi. Kungakapheli sikhathi, uMfoweth’ uMafambana waba iphayona, ngo-1952 waqala ukusiza ehhovisi legatsha eBlantyre. Ulwazi lwakhe lwezilimi eziningi lwasiza ngokukhethekile ekusebenzeni ngezincwadi ezivela ensimini. Ngo-1958/59 wathola ithuba lokuya esikoleni sezithunywa zevangeli eGileyadi, waphothula ekilasini elalinoJack noLinda Johansson, nabo abababelwe eMalawi.

Omunye umzalwane owathola iqiniso eNingizimu Afrika kwakunguKenneth Chimbaza. Ngemva kokubhapathizwa kwakhe ngo-1942, waphindela eMalawi. Akuthathanga sikhathi ngaphambi kokuba uMfoweth’ uChimbaza abonise ubufakazi bokuthi wayehlakulela izimfanelo zomKristu ovuthiwe. Ngemva kokuphayona isikhashana, wakhonza kakhulu njengombonisi ojikelezayo. Ezinye izithunywa zevangeli ezafika kamuva zakujabulela ukusebenza noMfoweth’ uChimbaza nomkakhe u-Elisi, nendodana yabo encane uMaimba. Ngale ndlela bafunda indlela yokuphila yaseMalawi.

Ngempela, abazalwane abanjalo abavuthiwe bazibonisa ‘beyizipho ezingabantu’ eziyigugu.—Efe. 4:8.

Izithunywa Zevangeli Zenza Kube Nokwanda Okwengeziwe

Izithunywa zevangeli ezakhonza ngokukholeka eMalawi zisakhunjulwa ngenjabulo, zikhunjulwa ikakhulu omakad’ ebona ababa nethuba lokusebenza nazo kulezo zinsuku. Ezinye zalezi zithunywa zevangeli zathola ukuthi isabelo sazo esisha sidinga ukuba zenze izinguquko ezinkulu endleleni yazo yokuphila, kodwa uthando lwazishukumisela ekubeni zizenze.

UMalcolm Vigo wafika engashadile ngo-1957. Ngobusuku bokuqala ngemva kokudla kwakusihlwa ehhovisi legatsha, wabuza ngokulangazela ukuthi wayezosebenzaphi. ULonnie Nail, umfundi waseGileyadi owayefike ngonyaka owandulele nowayeyinceku yegatsha ngaleso sikhathi, wamtshela ukuthi wayezokwabelwa emsebenzini wokujikeleza. Ngemva kokufunda ulimi noma ukujwayezwa indawo? Cha, lalingekho lelo lungiselelo ngaleso sikhathi. Wayezoqala ngakusasa!

Izithunywa zevangeli ezazabelwe emsebenzini wokujikeleza zasheshe zafunda ukuthi ngalé kokukhonza amabandla, kwakudingeka zibe omakhenika uma zinezimoto. Zathola nokuthi imigwaqo ngokuvamile yayiyizindledlana nje ezivuthiwe ehlathini. Yebo, abazalwane bendawo babeyazisa imizamo yazo futhi babenza okusemandleni abo ukuze benze ukuphila kwazo kube lula. Izikhathi eziningi kwakwakhiwa indlu efulelwe ngotshani neyangasese ezosetshenziswa isithunywa sevangeli nomkaso uma sishadile. Kodwa odade ababehamba nabayeni babo babeyesaba ngempela imisindo yasebusuku! Kwathatha isikhathi ngaphambi kokuba bajwayele “ukuhleka” okwethusayo kwezimpisi nemisindo eminingi yezinambuzane ezihlukahlukene.

UJack Johansson ukhumbula ukuthi kwakuyinselele enkulu ukulungiselela umhlangano ehlathini. Okokuqala kwakudingeka kucentwe indawo, ngokuvamile konke kwakube sekwakhiwa ngezinto ezazitholakala khona lapho ehlathini. Kodwa abazalwane nodade, abasha nabadala, babekujabulela ukufaka isandla. Endaweni yomhlangano eduze kwaseMulanje, umzalwane osekhulile owayenobuso obuchachambile waya kuMfoweth’ uJohansson, wathi: “Nami ngiyafuna ukusiza kulo msebenzi.” Kwakuyinto evamile leyo. Kodwa kamuva uMfoweth’ uJohansson wathola ukuthi lo mzalwane wayehambe amakhilomitha angaba ngu-800 isikhathi esicishe sibe ngangenyanga eya endaweni yomhlangano, futhi into yokuqala ayenza lapho efika kwakuwukucela ukuba asize ekwakheni izakhiwo zomhlangano! Ngalo moya wokufuna ukusiza, abazalwane nodade bashintsha ihlathi laba “inkundla” engahlala abantu abangu-6 000!

Izithunywa zevangeli zaba neqhaza ekuhleleni kangcono amabandla nezifunda eMalawi. Abazalwane abanjengoHal Bentley, Eddie Dobart, Keith Eaton, Harold Guy, Jack Johansson, Rod Sharp noMalcolm Vigo benza umsebenzi omuhle njengababonisi besigodi. OFakazi bendawo basamukela kahle iseluleko nesiqondiso sothando abasithola. Ngenxa yalokho, imihlangano yebandla nokushunyayelwa kwesigijimi soMbuso kwahleleka kangcono. Ngesikhathi esifanayo, abazalwane nodade babesimamiswa eqinisweni, belungiselelwa usizi olwaluza.

AbeLungu Bathola Ubufakazi

Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi ezinye zezithunywa zevangeli zabelwa ukusebenza ehhovisi legatsha, nalapho zazihlale zimatasa kakhulu. Lokhu kwanikeza amanye amakhosikazi ithuba lokufakaza ensimini yabeLungu eBlantyre naseZomba. UPhyllis Bridle, uLinda Johansson, uLinda Louise Vigo, u-Anne Eaton nabanye benza umsebenzi omningi omuhle kule nsimu. Ngezinye izikhathi, abeLungu babengawuthandi umsebenzi wethu, ngokuvamile ngenxa yokuqhubeka siphanjaniswa ‘nezinhlangano ze-Watch Tower.’ Kodwa labo dade bawasebenzisa kahle amathuba okuqondisa izinto nokubatshela ngoMbuso kaNkulunkulu.

AbeLungu abaningi nabantu base-Asia ababehlala eMalawi babenamabhizinisi athi bona noma imisebenzi ephambili. Ngokuvamile, babengakhali ngalutho ekuphileni. Noma kunjalo, abanye abeLungu nabantu bendawo abakhuluma isiNgisi balamukela kahle iqiniso. Abambalwa babhapathizwa—omunye wabo wabhapathizelwa kubhavu waseBethel!

“Ukukhuthazana”

Njengoba izithunywa zevangeli zazichitha isikhathi zinabazalwane nodade bendawo, kwaba khona ukuzwana kwangempela phakathi kwezinhlanga. Lokhu kwavezwa kahle encwadini u-Alex Mafambana ayeyibhalele abanye abangane bakhe abayizithunywa zevangeli: “Uma kukhona ‘igebe’ emhlabeni, liphakathi kweMpumalanga neNtshonalanga. Kodwa thina sinesibopho esisihlanganisayo esingaphezu kwezake zaba khona: I-agape!” Yeka indlela lokhu okwakuhluke ngayo esimweni sengqondo salabo abangekho enhlanganweni kaJehova! Ngokuvamile abeLungu babezibheka njengabangcono kunabantu abaNsundu futhi bengenamsebenzi nabo. Nokho, kunento eyodwa okwakudingeka ilungiswe. Kwakuwukusebenzisa kwabazalwane bendawo isiqu esithi Bwana. Lesi siqu sasivame ukusetshenziswa lapho kubingelelwa abeLungu, kuhlanganise nezithunywa zevangeli. Sasisho ukuthi abeLungu bangamakhosi noma obasi babantu abaNsundu. Ngakho noma nini lapho umzalwane wendawo ebiza isithunywa sevangeli ngesiqu esithi Bwana, isithunywa sevangeli sasiye simkhumbuze: “OFakazi BakaJehova bangabafowabo bomunye nomunye, ababona o-Bwana!”

Izinzuzo zazinhlangothi zombili. Izithunywa zevangeli zafunda okuningi ngokusebenza nabafowabo nodadewabo abaNsundu. Kwakheka ubungane obuqinile. Ngokuvumelana namazwi omphostoli uPawulu, kwaba khona “ukukhuthazana.”—Roma 1:12.

Ukudumisa UJehova Ngezingoma

Noma ubani ochitha isikhathi esithile e-Afrika usheshe aphawule ukuthi abantu bakhona bayakuthanda ukucula. Bacula ngaphandle kwezinsimbi, ngamaphimbo abo nje kuphela nangokuvumelana okumtoti. NaseMalawi kunjalo. Ngisho nangesikhathi lingakabi bikho iculo lesiChewa, abazalwane babeziqambela izingoma zabo. Babethatha izindlela zokuhlabelela izingoma zeLobukholwa, bashintshe amagama ukuze bacule ngezihloko ezinjengoMbuso, inkonzo ne-Armagedoni. Nakuba lezi zingoma zazingabhaliwe phansi, bonke abazalwane babezazi futhi bezicula kamnandi. Emihlanganweni emikhulu, lapho sebevukwe usinga, babevame ukucula i-chorus ngemva kwevesi ngalinye, bayiphinde! Lapho uMfoweth’ uKnorr evakashile ngo-1953, yamthinta ngokukhethekile le mvunge emnandi. Embikweni wakhe wathi: “Kumelwe ngisho ukuthi umculo wawumnandi ngendlela ekhethekile.”

Ngesikhathi kufika iculo elisha leNhlangano lesiNgisi, elithi Songs to Jehovah’s Praise, ngo-1950 egatsheni, kwenziwa isinqumo sokuba kwenziwe elinye ngesiChewa. Kodwa abazalwane babengafundiswa kanjani ukufunda umculo? Babekwazi bonke ukucula, kodwa babengakujwayele ukufunda amanothi. Igatsha lanquma ukusebenzisa i-tonic sol-fa, esebenzisa amanothi omculo o-“do, re, mi.” Abanye abazalwane babeyifundile esikoleni. UPeter Bridle, owasebenza kakhulu kulo msebenzi, ukhumbula lokho okwakuhilelekile. Uthi: “Sahlala phansi nabahumushi salenza. Kwakudingeka siqikelele ukuthi amagama ahunyushiwe ayehambisana kahle nomculo. Ngakho, kancane kancane, salenza iculo.”

Iculo lesiChewa elithi Izingoma Zokubongwa KukaJehova babelithanda kakhulu abazalwane. Igatsha lalinyathelisa ngomshini omdala i-mimeograph, lisebenzisa noma yiliphi iphepha elalingalithola. Ngenxa yalokho, lawo maculo akudala ayengaqinile futhi kwakudingeka kutholakale amasha njalo. Kodwa abazalwane babengenandaba. Babejabulela nje ukuba nezingoma abazozicula. Abazalwane babethenga amakhophi ayizinkulungwane ezimbili noma ezintathu njalo lapho kunomhlangano! Ekugcineni, iBrooklyn yanyathelisa leli culo, kodwa ngemva kokuba sekunyatheliswe amakhophi angu-50 000 kuleli gatsha!

Izakhiwo Ezintsha Zegatsha

Eminyakeni edlule, umsebenzi woMbuso eMalawi wawukade uqondiswa ezindaweni eziningi ezihlukahlukene, ngokuvamile ezindaweni eziminyene. Nokho, maphakathi nawo-1950 kwenziwa isinqumo sokwakha isakhiwo esiyihhovisi legatsha kuphela, sibe nezindawo zokuhlala izisebenzi zaseBethel. Ukuze kwenziwe lokho, kwathengwa isiqephu sendawo eBlantyre ngo-1956. Ngo-May 1958 isakhiwo sase silungele ukusetshenziswa. Yeka indlela abazalwane abajabula ngayo!

Ngemva kweminyaka embalwa, ihhovisi legatsha laba no-makhelwane odumile. Isakhiwo esingumakhelwane, iMudi House, saba ikomkhulu likandunankulu waseMalawi, uDkt. Hastings Kamuzu Banda.

Kuyadabukisa ukuthi ngemva kwawo wonke umsebenzi onzima owawenziwe ekwakhiweni kwaleli hhovisi legatsha neKhaya LaseBethel, lesi sakhiwo esihle asihlalanga isikhathi eside kungeseNhlangano.

Ukuhanjelwa Okukhuthazayo

Ngo-1963, uMilton Henschel wasendlunkulu yomhlaba wonke yeNhlangano waphinde wahambela elaseMalawi. Wafika ngemva komhlangano owawuseLiberia, okwathi phakathi naleso sikhathi yena nabazalwane nodade abaningi bendawo, bahlukunyezwa amasosha emzimbeni. Kwaba nomhlangano omkhulu eduze kwesikhumulo sezindiza, endaweni eqhele ngamakhilomitha ambalwa eBlantyre. Kwaba khona abazalwane bakulo lonke elaseMalawi, omunye umakad’ ebona wathi babevela “eNsanje [eseningizimu] kuya eKaronga [esenyakatho].” Izilaleli ezingaba ngu-10 000 zazijabulela ngempela izinkulumo ezinhle ezanikezwa nguMfoweth’ uHenschel nezinye izikhulumi. Imibuthano yoFakazi BakaJehova yayiqabukela ikhishwe ezindabeni, kodwa kulokhu isihloko esiphathelene nalo mhlangano saphuma ngisho nakwelinye lamaphephandaba esizwe.

Isimo sezombangazwe sasiya sishuba ezweni, ngakho kwabakhuthaza kakhulu abazalwane ukuba kulo mhlangano. Bezwa indlela oFakazi BakaJehova emhlabeni wonke abazimelela ngayo ngokuqinile izimiso zeBhayibheli. Ngokuqondene nalowo mhlangano, uMfoweth’ uMafambana, owayengusihlalo, wathi: “Khumbula, ezinye izihambeli zazihambe ngamabhayisekili amakhilomitha angaphezu kuka-600. Zazinomuzwa wokuthi kwakuwumthwalo wazo wobuKristu ukuba zibe khona futhi zazizimisele ukubhekana nobunzima ukuze zenze kanjalo. Lokhu kuwubufakazi bokholo lobuKristu oluqinile abaningi abanalo.”

Ukufufusa Kothuthuva

Ekuqaleni kwawo-1960, umoya wobuzwe wawudlangile eMalawi. Ngokwesivumelwano esasenziwe neBrithani, yayizothola uzibuse maphakathi no-1964 ngemva kokhetho lukazwelonke. Singakafiki leso sikhathi, uDkt. Banda wamiswa njengondunankulu wangaphakathi waleli koloni. Ngaphambi kokhetho lukazwelonke, uhulumeni wahlela ukuba ababezovota babhalise ngokuzithandela kusukela ngo-December 30, 1963 kuya ku-January 19, 1964.

Kwakungalesi sikhathi lapho oFakazi BakaJehova eMalawi baqala khona ukuzithola bekulokho i-San Francisco Examiner (eyanyatheliswa e-U.S.A.) kamuva eyakuchaza ngokuthi “impi yenkolo . . . impi echemile, eyayiphakathi kombuso nokholo.” Kwakungebona oFakazi BakaJehova abasusa impi. Ngokuvumelana nezimfundiso zeBhayibheli, babonisa inhlonipho kubabusi bezwe futhi ngenxa kanembeza bakhokha izintela zabo. (Luka 20:19-25; Roma 13:1-7) Kodwa, ngenxa yokuthi uJesu Kristu wathi abalandeli bakhe babengeke babe “ingxenye yezwe,” noFakazi BakaJehova balondoloza ukuma kokungathathi-hlangothi okuqinile ngokuqondene nezimpi zezizwe nezindaba zazo zezombangazwe.—Joh. 17:16; IzE. 5:28, 29.

Njengoba isasasa lokubhalisela ukuvota lalibambe izwe, oFakazi basebenzisa ilungelo labo lokungabhalisi. Nokho, lapho izikhulu zeqembu zibona ukuthi abathathi hlangothi, kwagqashuka ushushiso olunobudlova. Kwenziwa imizamo yokuphoqa oFakazi ukuba bashintshe izingqondo zabo bese bethenga amakhadi okuba amalungu eqembu. Phakathi nale nkathi kwafika imibiko ehhovisi legatsha, ithi kwakushiswe noma kubhidlizwe amaHholo OMbuso angaphezu kwekhulu kanye nemizi yabafowethu engaphezu kwenkulungwane. Amakhulu amasimu nezitolo zokudla kwashiswa. Ngokudabukisayo, umphumela waba ukuthi imikhaya eminingi yoFakazi BakaJehova manje yazithola ingenakudla nandawo yokukhosela. Abanye babalekela eMozambique ukuze basindise ukuphila kwabo. Abaningi babhaxabulwa kabuhlungu. Phakathi kwabo kwakunoKenneth Chimbaza, umbonisi ojikelezayo. Kungakadluli iminyaka eminingi ephathwe kabi kanjalo, washona, cishe ngenxa yokulimala.

Ubuqotho Ngaphansi Kokulingwa

Zaziziningi izehlakalo zokugcinwa kobuqotho naphezu kokushushiswa. Ngokwesibonelo, kwakunodade ababili bude buduze naseBlantyre ababenezingane ezingu-11 okwakudingeka bazinakekele. Abayeni babo babeye bahlulwa ukucindezela kwezombangazwe futhi bathenga amakhadi okuba amalungu eqembu elithile. Manje lab’ odade babecindezelwa ukuba bathenge amakhadi. Benqaba. Izikhulu zeqembu zabatshela ukuthi zazizobuya ngakusasa zizobona ukuthi lab’ odade babewushintshile yini umqondo. Ngempela ngakusasa ekuseni kwafika isixuku sizobalanda. Babe sebeyiswa esigcawini, basongelwa ngokuthi bazodlwengulwa, futhi babhaxabulwa ngoba benqabile ukuthenga amakhadi. Lab’ odade bama beqinile. Banikezwa imvume yokugoduka, babuye balandwa ngakusasa. Baphinde babhaxabulwa, futhi manje babe sebekhunyulwa phambi kwesixuku. Naphezu kwalokho, lab’ odade abazange bahlehle.

Manje abashushisi basebenzisa enye indlela. Bathi: “Sishayele ucingo ehhovisi lenu sakhuluma noJohansson, uMcLuckie noMafambana. Basitshele ukuthi kumelwe nizithengele amakhadi enu, ngoba nabo sebewathengile awabo, njengabo bonke abanye oFakazi BakaJehova [eMalawi]. Ngakho yinina nobabili enisele ezweni lonke eningakawathengi amakhadi. Wathengeni manje.” Lab’ odade baphendula: “Sikhonza uJehova uNkulunkulu kuphela. Ngakho uma abazalwane ehhovisi legatsha bewathengile amakhadi, akwenzi mehluko kithina. Ngeke sishintshe, ngisho noma ningasibulala!” (Qhathanisa neyabaseRoma 14:12.) Ekugcineni, lab’ odade ababili badedelwa.

Lab’ odade ababili abathobekile nabakholekile babengakwazi ukufunda nokubhala, kodwa babemthanda ngokujulile uJehova nomthetho wakhe. Ukuma kwabo okuqinile kwananela amazwi akumaHubo 56:11: “Ngiyethemba kuNkulunkulu, angiyikwesaba; umuntu angangenzani na?”

Imizamo Yokucacisa Ukuma Kwethu

Njengoba izigigaba ezingathi sína zazanda, iNhlangano yasebenza kanzima ukuze yenze iziphathimandla zinqande lolo shushiso. Kwaxhunyanwa nehhovisi likandunankulu, futhi kwaba nezingxoxo noDkt. Banda ngo-January 30, 1964. Kulezo zingxoxo, uJack Johansson wakuchaza ngokucacile ukuma koFakazi BakaJehova kokungathathi hlangothi, ingxoxo yakhe eyisekele kweyabaseRoma isahluko 13. Undunankulu wabonakala ekuthandile impela okwakuxoxwe ngakho, futhi lapho uMfoweth’ uJohansson ehamba, uDkt. Banda wambonga kakhulu.

Nokho, ngemva kwezinsuku ezine nje, kwahlaselwa iqembu loFakazi endaweni yaseMulanje. U-Elaton Mwachande wabulawa ngesihluku. UMona Mwiwaula, uFakazi osekhulile, wagwazwa ngomkhonto entanyeni, washiywa edindilizile. Okumangalisayo ukuthi lo dade wasinda, futhi kamuva ubufakazi bakhe basetshenziswa ekumangaleleni izigelekeqe. Lapho izindaba ezimayelana nalezi zigigaba zifika ehhovisi legatsha, kwathunyelwa incwadi yocingo ephuthumayo ehhovisi likandunankulu.

Umphumela waba ukuba khona komunye umhlangano noDkt. Banda kanye nawongqongqoshe bakhe ababili, ngo-February 11, 1964. UHarold Guy no-Alexander Mafambana bahamba noJack Johansson. Nokho, kulokhu lase ligaya ngomunye umhlathi. Evayizisa le ncwadi yocingo emoyeni, uDkt. Banda wathi: “Mnu. Johansson, uqondeni ngokuthumela incwadi yocingo enjengale?” Laba bazalwane bazama ngesizotha ukuqinisekisa undunankulu ngokuma kwethu kokungathathi-hlangothi nokulalela imithetho yezwe. Kodwa undunankulu nozakwabo bathi, ngoFakazi BakaJehova ababechukuluza ngamabomu abantu ababebahlasela. Lo mhlangano waphela kukubi, kusolwa oFakazi BakaJehova ngesimo sokudideka esasisezweni. UMfoweth’ uJohansson waze wasongelwa nangokuthi uzoxoshwa ngaso leso sikhathi. Nokho, kubonakala sengathi uDkt. Banda wayecasukele kakhulu ongqongqoshe bakhe ababili ababehlulekile ukuveza ubufakazi obuzwakalayo bokuthi oFakazi BakaJehova banochuku.

Kuyathakazelisa ukuthi ecaleni lokubulawa kukaMfoweth’ uMwachande, ijaji uMnu. L. M. E. Emejulu, alithola-nga bufakazi bokuthi oFakazi BakaJehova babechukuluze abahlaseli babo nganoma iyiphi indlela, njengoba kwakusho uhulumeni. Ijaji lathi: “Anginabo ubufakazi bokususa [kwabo] uchuku. Kuyiqiniso ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova babesakaza ukholo lwabo ngokuzimisela futhi befuna abantu ababezobaguqula, kodwa babekwazi okwakumelwe bakwenzele uhulumeni futhi benza konke okwakuthiwa abakwenze . . . Benqaba kuphela ukuba amalungu anoma yiliphi iqembu lezombangazwe.”

Njengoba isasasa lokubhalisela ukuvota lalincipha, undunankulu wanxusa ukuba kube nokuthula nokuzola ezweni. Wathi: “Makungahlushwa beLungu, maphoyisa, maNdiya, ngisho noFakazi BakaJehova. Baxoleleni!” Ngo-July 1964, ngenjabulo enkulu, ikoloni laseNyasaland laba i-republic ezimele futhi yashintsha igama layo yaba iMalawi. Ushushiso lwagcina luphelile, kodwa lwaphela sekufe ngobudlova izinceku zikaJehova ezingu-8.

Kusathé Dámu

Njengoba u-1964 ayeya ekupheleni, abafowethu bathola ithutshana lokukhokha umoya. Abanye ababekade beyizitha ezinenzondo baba nelukuluku lokufunda okwengeziwe “ngemfihlo” eyayenze izisulu zabo zama zaqina naphezu kwalo lonke ushushiso. Ngenxa yalokhu, ukushumayela ngoMbuso kwaphinde kwaqhubekela phambili.

Ngasekuqaleni kuka-1966, kwavela elinye ithuba lokuchazela uDkt. Banda ngokuma koFakazi BakaJehova kokungathathi-hlangothi. I-Watch Tower Society yayicele imvume yokuba kungene izithunywa zevangeli ezengeziwe kuleli lizwe. UDkt. Banda, owayeqondisa ukunikezwa kwabeLungu izimvume zokungena eMalawi, wayebuze ukuthi kungani kwakudingeka izithunywa zevangeli ezengeziwe. Lokhu kwaholela emhlanganweni owawuphakathi kukaDkt. Banda noMalcolm Vigo, inceku yegatsha. UDkt. Banda wagcizelela ukuthi wayengafuni muntu ozongena kwezombangazwe. UMfoweth’ uVigo waphinda wamqinisekisa ngokulalela kwethu imithetho yezwe nangokuma kwethu kokungathathi-hlangothi kwezombangazwe.—Roma 13:1-7.

Ngo-1967 isilinganiso senani labamemezeli sase sifinyelele kwabangaphezu kuka-17 000. Njengoba kwakusathé damu, kwafika abanye abafundi ababephothule eGileyadi, uKeith no-Anne Eaton. Lapho bebonana nabakwaJohansson ehhovisi legatsha, uLinda wabaqinisekisa ngentshiseko, “Nizé ezweni elinokuthula kunawo wonke e-Afrika!” Babengazi ukuthi kwakufufusa uthuthuva olubi kakhulu.

Isimo Siyaphinda Siba Sibi Kakhulu

Ngemva kwezifundo zolimi ezimbalwa, uKeith Eaton nomkakhe u-Anne, babelwa umsebenzi wesigodi. Ekuqaleni, basizakala ngokuthola usizo lothando lukaKenneth Chimbaza nomkhaya wakhe. Njengoba ayehlale ezimisele ukusiza, uMaimba owayesemncane wayekujabulela ngokukhethekile ukuthwalela uMfoweth’ u-Eaton isikhwama sakhe sasensimini noma nini lapho besenkonzweni yasensimini.

Ngo-April 1967 lapho uMfoweth’ u-Eaton ekhonza umhlangano wesifunda eThambo Village endaweni yasePhalombe, wezwa izindaba ezingemnandi emsakazweni. UDkt. Banda wayesola oFakazi BakaJehova ngokuthi bachukuluza ngamabomu izikhulu zeqembu namalungu ezinhlangano zentsha ezaziwa ngokuthi iMalawi Young Pioneers ne-League of Malawi Youth. Kwathiwa futhi oFakazi abenqabi nje kuphela ukuthenga amakhadi okuba amalungu eqembu kodwa bagqugquzela nabanye ukuba bangawathengi.

Kwaphinde kwaphakama indaba yamakhadi eqembu eyayiphakeme ngo-1964. Nakuba la makhadi ayethengwa ngokuzithandela, ukwenqaba ukulithenga kwakubhekwa yizikhulu zeqembu njengesenzo sokungahloniphi. Kamuva kwathiwa ukuthenga ikhadi “kwakuyiyona ndlela, thina bantu bakuleli lizwe, esingabonisa ngayo ukwazisa [uDkt. Banda] ngokuthuthukisa leli lizwe laseMalawi.” Zicasulwe ukuma okuqinile koFakazi BakaJehova kule ndaba, izikhulu zeqembu zenza imizamo emisha yokuphoqa abazalwane ukuba bawathenge. Egatsheni kwaphinde kwafika imibiko yokuhlushwa nokubhaxabulwa kwabantu.

UMalcolm Vigo, wake wacelwa ngezinye izikhulu zeqembu ukuba avakashele umzalwane othile waseBandleni LaseJumbe owayeboshelwe ukwenqaba ukuthenga ikhadi leqembu. Ngaphambi kokuba angene kulelo gumbi, uMfoweth’ uVigo wathandaza buthule. Kwakubonakale kwasekuqaleni ukuthi lezi zikhulu zazinethemba lokuthi uMfoweth’ uVigo uzozitshela ukuthi i-Watch Tower Society yayiwatshele ngokucacile amalungu ayo ukuthi akulungile ukuthenga la makhadi eqembu. Kunalokho, wagcizelela ukuthi iNhlangano ayitsheli muntu ukuthi kumelwe enzeni nokuthi umuntu ngamunye kumelwe azenzele esakhe isinqumo kule ndaba. Izikhulu zeqembu aziyijabulelanga le ncazelo. Kwaqhamuka imibuzo zinhlangothi zonke. Njengoba zazizimisele ukwenza uMfoweth’ uVigo aphazame, izikhulu zamshuka ngemibuzo. Ngemva kwamahora amabili ebuzwa, lo mzalwane wagcina ededelwe. Wayengalithenganga ikhadi leqembu.

Uvinjelwe!

Isimo safika emvuthwandaba ngo-September 1967 phakathi nomhlangano waminyaka yonke weqembu elalibusa, iMalawi Congress Party. Esinye seziphakamiso esabekwa lapho sasithi: “[Sithi] inkolo yoFakazi BakaJehova mayibhekwe njengengekho nhlobo emthethweni kuleli lizwe.” Sasiyini isizathu? Lesi siphakamiso sasithi: “Isongela ukuthula nokuzola okudingekayo ukuze uMbuso wethu usebenze kahle.” Ngemva kwalokho, enkulumweni yakhe yokuphetha lo mhlangano, umongameli wathi: “OFakazi BakaJehova bayahlupha yonke indawo. Ngenxa yalokho lo Mhlangano izolo udlulise isiphakamiso esithi oFakazi BakaJehova kufanele bavinjelwe. Ngiyaniqinisekisa, uHulumeni uzoyifakela izibuko ngokushesha le ndaba.”

Ingabe ngempela oFakazi BakaJehova ‘babesongela ukuthula kwaseMalawi’? Phinde! Kamuva, enye ingqapheli yachaza oFakazi baseMalawi ngokuthi “bayizakhamuzi eziyizibonelo ezikhokha intela ngokwethembeka, zinakekele abagulayo, zilwe nokungafundi.” Naphezu kwalokho, ngempela uhulumeni ‘wayifakela izibuko ngokushesha le ndaba.’ Masinyane kwasayinwa umyalo wesigungu owawuvimbela umsebenzi, futhi waqala ukusebenza ngo-October 20, 1967. Sonke isizwe satshelwa ngesihloko esikhulu esasibhalwe ngokugqamile ephephandabeni: “IMalawi Iyalivala Ihlelo ‘Eliyingozi.’” Nakuba kwathiwa lesi sinyathelo sasithathwe ngenxa yokuthi oFakazi BakaJehova “babeyingozi kuhulumeni omuhle waseMalawi,” kwakusobala ukuthi isizathu sangempela kwakuwukwenqaba kwabo ukuthenga amakhadi okuba amalungu eqembu. Ngokuvumelana nezimfundiso zabo eziqinile ezisekelwe eBhayibhelini, oFakazi BakaJehova bamane bakhetha ‘ukulalela uNkulunkulu njengombusi kunabantu.’—IzE. 5:28, 29.

Ukulungiselela Kusenesikhathi Kuyasiza

Ngaphambi kokuba umsebenzi uvinjelwe, abazalwane ehhovisi legatsha babeqaphele ukuthi kwakuzothathwa isinyathelo esithile esingokomthetho esimelene noFakazi BakaJehova. Nakuba babengalindele ukuvinjelwa ngokuphelele, baqala ukuthatha izinyathelo ezithile. Ezingxenyeni ezihlukahlukene zezwe kwaqhutshwa imihlangano ekhethekile ukuze kunikezwe ababonisi besifunda nabesigodi isiqondiso nesikhuthazo. Kwakhishwa iziqondiso eziwusizo eziphathelene nemihlangano yebandla, inkonzo yasensimini, izincwadi nokuthumela iposi. Lokhu kwaziswa kwaba usizo kakhulu njengoba isimo sasiya siba sibi.

Amabandla akwenza ngobuqotho lokhu kusikisela lapho ekuthola. Ayengasasetshenziswa amafomu eNhlangano. Kunalokho, imibiko yenkonzo yamabandla yayibhalwa ephepheni elingenalutho bese ithunyelwa ehhovisi legatsha ngezithunywa. Izikhathi zemihlangano zashintshwa zavumelana nezidingo zebandla ngalinye. Elinye ibandla lanquma ukuqhuba imihlangano yalo seligamenxe ihora lesihlanu ekuseni ngeSonto, kungakavuki muntu endaweni. Ngokuqondene nomsebenzi wokushumayela, akukho kuvinjelwa okungayekisa oFakazi BakaJehova ukuba basakaze izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso. Njengoba kwakunjalo ngesikhathi sabaphostoli, abafowethu nodadewethu abakholekile bathatha lokhu kuma: “Asinakuyeka ukukhuluma ngezinto esizibonileyo nesizizwileyo.”—IzE. 4:20.

Ngaphambi nje kokuvinjelwa komsebenzi, ihhovisi legatsha lezwa ngomthombo othembekile ukuthi i-Government Gazette yayilungiselela ukumemezela ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova bavinjelwe. Ngenxa yalokhu, abazalwane baphuthuma bathutha wonke amafayili nezincwadi ezibalulekile, ngisho nemishini ethile, bakuyisa emizini yabazalwane abahlukahlukene. Izincwadi nazo zathuthwa ngobuningi bazo egatsheni zayiswa emabandleni ezweni lonke. Ukuze livikele lokhu kudla okungokomoya okuyigugu, elinye ibandla lagcwalisa izincwadi emigqonyeni kawoyela emibili emikhulu, lase liyigqiba ukuze lizisebenzise kamuva. Ekugcineni lapho amaphoyisa efika egatsheni ezolithatha ngo-November, amangala lapho ebona ukuthi kwakunezincwadi, amafayili nemishini okumbalwa kangako.

Izithunywa Zevangeli Ziyaxoshwa

Njengoba kwakulindelekile, izithunywa zevangeli zakwamanye amazwe kwathiwa azihambe kuleli lizwe. Nokho, zingakahambi, zenza konke ezazingakwenza ukuze ziqinise abazalwane nodade ezazibathanda kakhulu. UMalcolm Vigo wahambela abazalwane abamizi yabo yayicekelwe phansi izigelekeqe futhi wabakhuthaza. UFinley Mwinyere, umbonisi wesifunda, wayengomunye walaba. UMfoweth’ uVigo wathi: “Lapho sifika, sabona uMfoweth’ uMwinyere emile ebuka umuzi wakhe owawushe wangqongqa. Into eyayiyisikhuthazo kwakungumoya awubonisa. Isifiso sakhe sasiwukuphindela emuva ayoqinisa abanye ababesesifundeni sakhe ababeye bahlupheka. Ukulahlekelwa kwakhe akumkhathazanga ngokweqile.”

UJack Johansson walibhekisa enyakatho eLilongwe ukuze ahambele abazalwane nodade abangaba ngu-3 000 ababeboshiwe. Wakwazi ukuxoxa nabaningi babo futhi wabakhuthaza. Babesathabile. Eqinisweni, ekubuyeni kwakhe wayezizwa ekhuthazekile ngokwakhe futhi leso senzakalo wasichaza ngokuthi siqinisa ukholo. UMfoweth’ uJohansson kamuva watshelwa yisikhulu esiphethe ukuthi lesi simo sasidumaza. Siveza eyodwa nje inkinga yokuvinjelwa komsebenzi, lesi sikhulu sathi manje uma ugesi wawungacisha eLilongwe, mhlawumbe wawungeke uphinde ulungiswe. Izisebenzi ezingcono kakhulu nezithembeke kakhulu zazisejele!

Izithunywa zevangeli ezingu-8 zakwamanye amazwe azilishiyanga ngokuzithandela elaseMalawi. Ngokwazo, zazingenzanga lutho olungalungile. AbakwaSharp nabakwaJohansson bathathwa bayiswa esikhumulweni sezindiza, bephelezelwa amaphoyisa futhi bafakwa endizeni ephumayo kulelo lizwe. Eminye imibhangqwana emibili yayiswa eChichiri Prison eBlantyre, lapho yahlala khona izinsuku ezimbalwa—uMalcolm noKeith babesesitokisini esisodwa, uLinda Louise no-Anne bekwesinye. Nabo bathathwa, bephelezelwa amaphoyisa, bayiswa esikhumulweni sezindiza futhi bayiswa eMauritius. Ekugcineni, abakwaVigo kanye nabakwaJohansson babuye babelwa eKenya, abakwa-Eaton babelwa eRhodesia.

Ngezinhliziyo ezidabukile, izithunywa zevangeli zashiya abafowabo nodadewabo abathandekayo. Kodwa oFakazi baseMalawi abasalanga dengwane. Babekhona abelusi abangokomoya, ababonisi abanothando, emabandleni angu-405 ezweni lonke. (Isaya 32:2) U-Alex Mafambana waqondisa umsebenzi kule ndawo, kwathi igatsha laseZimbabwe (okwakuyiRhodesia ngaleso sikhathi) laphathiswa ukuba liqondise insimu yaseMalawi. Eminyakeni eyalandela, igatsha eliseHarare, eZimbabwe, lahlela ukuba ababonisi besifunda baseMalawi nabanye abaholayo, baye eZimbabwe emihlanganweni yesigodi nasezifundweni zokubavuselela. Amabandla ayesithola ngalaba bazalwane abakholekile isimiso semihlangano yesifunda neyesigodi.

Igagasi Elisha Lezenzo Zonya

Nokho, kwathi kungaduma nje ukuthi umsebenzi uvinjelwe, izikhulu zeqembu namalungu eMalawi Young Pioneers nawe-Youth League baba ongqá phambili egagasini elisha lokushushisa okubi kakhulu. Amaphoyisa nezinkantolo, nakuba ngezinye izikhathi babelubonisa uzwela, babengenamandla okunqanda lobu budlova, njengoba oFakazi BakaJehova base bebhekwa njengabangekho emthethweni kuleli lizwe.

Njengoba ushushiso lwalushuba, amaHholo OMbuso, imizi, izitolo zokudla namabhizinisi oFakazi BakaJehova ezweni lonke kwacekelwa phansi. Kwezinye izindawo abahlaseli babefika ngisho nangamaloli bezotapa izimpahla zoFakazi. Nakuba izinto ezibonakalayo ezazibalahlekele zazingase zingabizi mali etheni, zaziyikho konke ababenakho abazalwane nodade baseMalawi.

Kwatholakala nemibiko yokubhaxabulwa kwabantu ivela kulo lonke elaseMalawi. Ushushiso lwalubanga umunyu kakhulu kwabanye odadewethu abathandekayo. Yayiminingi imibiko yokudlwengulwa, ukucwiywa kwezitho nokubhaxabulwa kwabesifazane abangamaKristu. Abahlaseli abanonya abashiyanga muntu. Abakhulile, abancane ngisho nodade abakhulelwe babehlukunyezwa ngonya olunjalo. Abanye baphuphunyelwa yizisu ngenxa yalokho. Izinkulungwane zaphinde zaphoqeleka ukuba zibaleke ezigodini ezazihlala kuzo. Abaningi baphephela emahlathini. Abanye baya kohlala isikhashana eMozambique engumakhelwane. Ekupheleni kuka-November 1967, igagasi lokuhlaselwa koFakazi BakaJehova ngonya lase lidlule nokuphila okungenani okuyisihlanu.

Ukusabela Ekuvinjelweni Komsebenzi

Ngisho nokubhaxabulwa ngesihluku akubavimbanga oFakazi BakaJehova. Bambalwa kakhulu abahlehla. USamson Khumbanyiwa wayengomunye wabamizi nempahla yabo kwacekelwa phansi, zonke izingubo zakhe zadatshulwa, kodwa ukholo lwakhe alubulawanga. Ngokuqiniseka wathi: “Ngiyazi ukuthi angingedwa neze, futhi uJehova uye wangivikela.” Ubuqotho bala madoda nabesifazane abanokholo kuwudumo kuJehova—impendulo ekuklolodeleni okwenziwa uSathane kokuthi: “Konke umuntu anakho uyakunika ngokuphila kwakhe.”—Jobe 2:4.

Lolu shushiso lwaphaphamisa ngisho nabanye abantu abanhliziyo ziqotho eMalawi. Lokhu kwakuvumelana nalokho uJesu Kristu ngokwakhe ayekubikezele. Esebaxwayisile abalandeli bakhe ukuthi babeyoshushiswa, bahudulelwe ngisho naphambi kwababusi, waphetha ngala mazwi ayisikhuthazo: “Kuyophumela ekubeni ninikeze ubufakazi.”—Luka 21:12, 13.

Indoda ethile eyayisinesikhathi imelene nomsebenzi womkayo njengoFakazi, empeleni yasizwa ushushiso ukuba ibone izinto ngokucace kakhudlwana. Ngelinye ilanga ekuseni ngemva kwamasonto angaphansana kwamabili umsebenzi uvinjelwe, iqulu labantu lehlela emzini wayo. Lalazi ukuthi le ndoda yayingeyena uFakazi, futhi lalimemeza lithi lize kumkayo kuphela. Ekuqaleni ayiwuvulanga umnyango. Kodwa ngemva kokusongela ngokuthi lizowushisa umuzi nabo bonke abaphakathi, yabangenisa nokho ingathandi. Masinyane yazithola isiboshwe ngamaketanga futhi yatshelwa ukuba ithenge ikhadi leqembu. Yaqaphela ngaleso sikhathi ukuthi kumelwe ukuba ngempela umkayo usenkolweni yeqiniso. Yenqaba ukuthenga ikhadi ngalelo langa. Yona nomkayo babhaxabulwa. Kodwa ngemva kwalokho, yaqala ukufunda iBhayibheli. Ngonyaka olandelayo, le ndoda yanikezela ukuphila kwayo kuJehova, yahlanganyela nomkayo njengenceku kaJehova.

Phakathi eMalawi nangaphandle, abantu baveza ukukhathazeka kwabo ngalokho okwakwenzeka kumaKristu angenacala. Abanye bezwakala bethi: “Manje sesiyazi ukuthi sesiyafika ekupheleni kwezwe, uma abantu bakaNkulunkulu sebenqatshelwa ezweni lakithi!” Izihloko ezaphuma komagazini INqabayokulinda ka-June ne-Phaphama! ka-March 1968 zakhalisa abaningi emhlabeni wonke. Kwatheleka izinkulungwane zezincwadi, ziveza intukuthelo futhi zinxusa uhulumeni ukuba uthathe isinyathelo sokuqeda lezi zenzo zonya. Amanye amaposi adinga usizo olwengeziwe ukuze akwazi ukusingatha leli posi elatheleka kungazelelwe. Indlela amazwe omhlaba ayelokhu esabele ngamandla ngayo kulesi simo yenza umongameli wagcina ekhiphe umthetho wokuthi ushushiso kumelwe luphele. Kamuva, uDkt. Banda waze wathi akukho muntu okumelwe aphoqelelwe ukuthenga ikhadi lokuba yilungu leqembu. Wathi: “Ngifuna ukuba abantu bakhululeke ukuvuselela amakhadi, kuzisukele ezinhliziyweni zabo, bangaphoqwa.” Kancane, kancane, elinye igagasi loshushiso labe seliqala ukubohla. Lokhu kwenza ukuba abanye abafowethu bakwazi ukuphindela emizini yabo futhi baqhubeke nomsebenzi obalulekile wokushumayela ngoMbuso—nokho, besebenzisa izindlela ezingadonsi amehlo abantu, ngoba umsebenzi wawusavinjelwe.

Ukusebenza Ngomshoshaphansi

Phakathi nalesi sikhathi, uMfoweth’ uMafambana wawunakekela ngokwethembeka umsebenzi kule ndawo. Wayelokhu exhumana negatsha laseRhodesia futhi ethola isiqondiso ngesikhathi esifanele kuleli gatsha. Kodwa amaphoyisa ayehlale emfuna, ngakho kwakudingeka aqaphe kakhulu. Izikhathi eziningi wayesinda ngokulambisa ekuboshweni. Ngokudabukisayo, ngo-1969 wabulawa yinto esamdlavuza. Ngemva kwalokho, uKenneth Chimbaza waqondisa umsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova eMalawi kwaze kwaba yilapho eba nenkinga yokopha ebuchosheni futhi eshona ngo-1971. Ngokuqinisekile, uJehova uyoyikhumbula ngenjabulo imisebenzi eminingi emihle yalaba bagcini bobuqotho ababili ‘ovukweni lwabalungileyo’ oluzayo.—Luka 14:14; Heb. 6:10.

Njengoba izimo zaziba ngcono, abazalwane baseMalawi bazivumelanisa nesimo esisha. Ngokushesha ukufakaza ngokwethukela kwaqala ukuthela izithelo. Naphezu kokuvinjelwa, umsebenzi wokuphayona wachuma. Ngo-1971 kwakunamaphayona angu-925 ayehlanganyela ngentshiseko izindaba ezinhle nabanye, kanye nezinkulungwane zabamemezeli bamabandla. Kwakunephayona elilodwa elikhethekile elalisesezinhlwini—uGresham Kwazizirah, owayesakhonza ngokwethembeka eminyakeni yakhe yokukhula, naphezu kokuhlupheka okukhulu nezilingo eziningi zomuntu siqu. Waqhubeka ekhonza uJehova ngokukholeka kwaze kwaba sekufeni kwakhe ngo-1978.

Njengoba abazalwane babezibonakalisa ‘beqaphe njengezinyoka,’ imibiko yamabandla nezinye izincwadi kwaqhubeka kufika ehhovisi legatsha eRhodesia. (Math. 10:16) Yabonisa ukuthi umsebenzi wentshiseko wokushumayela ngomshoshaphansi wawuphumelela impela. Ngaphambi kokuvinjelwa komsebenzi ngo-1967, kwase kufinyelelwe inani eliphakeme labamemezeli abangu-18 519. Ngo-1972, nakuba umsebenzi wawusavinjelwe nabaningi sebebalekele eMozambique, kwabikwa inani elisha eliphakeme labamemezeli abangu-23 398, futhi babenza isilinganiso samahora angu-16 enkonzweni ngenyanga.

“Amasimu Amasha” Athola Ubufakazi

Nakuba oFakazi babeqaphe kakhulu lapho beshumayela, abanye babeboshwa bagqunywe ejele. Noma sekunjalo abazange badikibale. Baqhubeka beshumayela, bebheka ijele njengensimu yabo entsha.

UBaston Moses Nyirenda, wavalelwa izinyanga ezingu-7 ejele ngo-1969. Ezinye iziboshwa zambuza ukuthi kungani ayengayi esontweni lazo i-United Church. Yeka ithuba elihle lokufakaza! Esebenzisa iBhayibheli elidala elalisetshenziswa yizo zonke iziboshwa futhi linamakhasi amaningi angekho, wazibonisa amaqiniso eBhayibheli. Umphumela waba isifundo seBhayibheli. Ngisho nomholi walelo sonto wafundelwa. Engakakhululwa ejele, uMfoweth’ uNyirenda wajabula ngokusiza abantu abane ukuba baqonde izinto eziyisisekelo zeZwi likaNkulunkulu.

Umsebenzi Ebandleni LesiNgisi

Ngemva kokuxoshwa kwazo zonke izithunywa zevangeli zakwamanye amazwe ngenxa yokuvinjelwa komsebenzi, uBill McLuckie, owayeshade noDenise waseNingizimu Afrika, wayesahlala eBlantyre. Wayenebhizinisi elincane lapho ukuze anakekele imithwalo yemfanelo yomkhaya wakhe. Umuzi wakwaMcLuckie waba indawo entsha yemihlangano yeBandla LaseBlantyre elikhuluma isiNgisi. Kodwa-ke le mihlangano kwakufanele iqhutshwe ngendlela ethe ukukhululeka ukuze ingadonsi amehlo abantu. Ngakho kwakungaculwa futhi zingashaywa izandla.

Kwakungalesi sikhathi lapho uGuido Otto, owayekhonza egatsheni laseRhodesia, aqala khona ukuyisa izincwadi eMalawi ngesinyenyela. Uyise kaGuido wayenehhotela elincane ogwini lweLake Malawi, ngakho ukuvakasha kukaGuido akuzisolisanga neze izikhulu. Ukube zazazi ukuthi zingakanani izincwadi zeBhayibheli uGuido ayefika nazo njalo uma efika! Zazigcinwa ekamelweni elalifihlekile ngaphansi kwendlu emzini wakwaMcLuckie. Lapho kumbiwa, abadlulayo babeye babuze ukuthi kumbiwelani. Babetshelwa ukuthi: “Indlu yangasese.”

Ngobunye ubusuku, phakathi nomhlangano, kwama imoto phambi komuzi. Kwakungaba ubani? Amaphoyisa? Abazalwane babengazi ukuthi kwakumelwe benzeni ngezincwadi zabo zokufunda. Kwavuleka umnyango, kwangena uGuido Otto ezijabulele. Kwathi gidi!

Ngemva kwalokho, njengoba uDenise echaza, “uBill watshela abazalwane ukuthi into yokuqala okwakumelwe bayenze uma othile ezama ukungena, kwakuwukuphonsa zonke izincwadi kubhasikidi owawuseduze. Kwakufanele ngiphonse lo bhasikidi emgodini owawusekamelweni lethu phansi. Wawuzoya ekamelweni elingaphansi. Kwakubekwa nethileyi letiye ngaso sonke isikhathi. Uma kwakungangena othile, kwakungaba sengathi sivakashile siphuza itiye!”

Nokho, njengoba izimo zaziya ziba nzima, imihlangano yayingasenakuqhutshelwa endaweni eyodwa. Kwasetshenziswa imizi ehlukahlukene. Ngezinye izikhathi iqembu lalihlangana ehlathini, ligqoke sengathi lisepikinikini.

Naphezu kwalobu bunzima, abazalwane babesakwazi ukuthola abantu abafuna iqiniso ngempela ngokufakaza ngokwethukela kwabakhuluma isiNgisi. Abambalwa balamukela iqiniso. Phakathi kwabo kwakunoVictor Lulker, uDaniel Marne noMike Sharma abaseBandleni LaseBlantyre kuze kube manje.

Amacala Asenkantolo EBlantyre

Ngesikhathi amaphoyisa epequlula emzini wakwaMcLuckie ngo-1971, athola ezinye zezincwadi zeNhlangano. UMfoweth’ uMcLuckie wamangalelwa futhi kwadingeka avele phambi kwemantshi eLimbe, eBlantyre. OFakazi bendawo bakuzwa lokho, bafika ngobuningi babo bezosekela abakwaMcLuckie, befaka inkululeko yabo engozini. Lapho imantshi ikhipha isinqumo sayo sokuthi “akanacala,” abazalwane bashaya ihlombe elikhulu! Kodwa abamangali balidlulisa icala. Icala ladlulela enkantolo ephakeme. Kulokhu, uBill McLuckie watholakala enecala futhi wagwetshwa iminyaka engu-7 ejele. Kodwa babengafuni ngempela ukumgquma ejele, ngakho watshelwa ukuba ahambe kuleli lizwe.

Ngakho, ngo-October 1972, yaphela iminyaka engu-37 kaBill McLuckie yenkonzo yokwethembeka eMalawi. Ngaphambi kokuba ahambe, wahlela ukuba abazalwane bayolanda ngesinyenyela zonke izincwadi ezazisekamelweni lakhe langasese elalingaphansi kwendlu. Abazalwane bahamba nezincwadi zigcwele imoto! Abanye kamuva bamiswa amaphoyisa lapho umgwaqo wawuvinjwe khona, kodwa angabona nelilodwa ibhokisi. Ngaphambi kokuba abakwaMcLuckie balifulathele lelo lizwe, umnyango wekamelo langasese elalingaphansi kwendlu wavalwa ngokhonkolo. Iyokhunjulwa njalo emlandweni woFakazi BakaJehova eMalawi inkonzo kaBill McLuckie yokwethembeka nokuzidela!

Kugqashuka Igagasi Lesithathu Lobudlova

Kwathi abazalwane besazijwayeza isimiso esisha, kwaphinde kwavela izinkathazo. Ngo-1972, emhlanganweni waminyaka yonke weMalawi Congress Party, kwamukelwa iziphakamiso ezidumaza kakhulu. Esinye sazo sasithi mabaxoshwe bonke oFakazi BakaJehova emisebenzini yabo. Lokhu kwenziwa ngonya, kungabonelelwa muntu. Izinkampane ezazifuna ukugcina izisebenzi ezingoFakazi ezethenjwayo zenqatshelwa ukuba zikwenze lokho. Amabhizinisi oFakazi athathwa, baphucwa nempahla yabo. Kodwa kwakukuncane lokho.

Esinye seziphakamiso esamukelwa kulo mhlangano sasithi “bonke [oFakazi BakaJehova] abahlala emaphandleni kufanele baxoshwe.” Empeleni lokhu kwakusho ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova mabakhishwe emphakathini wabantu! Izinkulungwane zemizi yabo zashiswa kumbe zadilizwa. Izilimo zabo nezilwane zabo kwacekelwa phansi. Benqatshelwa ukukha amanzi emifuleni. Balahlekelwa cishe yikho konke ababenakho ngesikhathi bephangwa ezweni lonke.

Amalungu amaqembu entsha aphinde ahola kuleli gagasi loshushiso, olwalunzima nolwalunonya kunanoma yiluphi kuze kube manje. Njengoba babezihlele baba amaqembu, anabantu abasukela kwabangaba ngu-12 kuya kwabangaba ngu-100, babeya esigodini ngasinye befuna oFakazi BakaJehova.

Abafowethu babezingelwa ezweni lonke. EBlantyre iqembu labazalwane laqoqwa layiswa ekomkhulu lenhlangano ethile yendawo, ikomkhulu elalikade liyihhovisi legatsha leNhlangano ngaphambi kokuba lithathwe ngo-1967. Phakathi kwabo kwakunoGreyson Kapininga, owayekade esebenza egatsheni engumhumushi umsebenzi ungakavinjelwa. Ngemva kokuba abazalwane benqabe ngokuqinile ukuthenga amakhadi okuba amalungu enhlangano, laba bashushisi bababhixa ngenhlanganisela kasawoti nopelepele obabayo emehlweni. Base beshaya abazalwane ngamapulangwe ayenezipikili ezinkulu. Kwakuthi lapho umzalwane eklewula ngenxa yobuhlungu, lezi ziqhwaga zimshaye kakhulu, zithi: “UNkulunkulu wakho akeze azokusindisa.”

Lokhu kuhlaselwa ngonya kwabulala abaningi. ECape Maclear, emaphethelweni aseningizimu yeLake Malawi, uZelphat Mbaiko kwaboshelwa kuye izithungu eziningi zotshani. Kwathelwa uphethiloli otshanini babe sebokhelwa. Washa wangqongqa!

Odade nabo bahlukumezeka kakhulu. Ngemva kokwenqaba ukuthenga amakhadi eqembu, abaningi badlwengulwa kaningi abaholi balelo qembu. ELilongwe, uDade Magola, kanye nabanye abaningi, wazama ukubalekela le nkathazo. Kodwa wayezethwele futhi engenakukwazi ukugijima. Isixuku esithile esasilingisa umhlambi wezinja zasendle, samfica samshaya sambulala.

EKolishi Lezolimo LaseBunda, ngaphandle nje kwaseLilongwe, kwabulawa abazalwane abayisithupha nodade oyedwa, izidumbu zabo zacwiywa kabi. Uthisha-nhloko, uTheodore Pinney, watshela uDkt. Banda ukuthi akahambisani nalezi zenzo zonya. Waba yini umphumela? Waxoshwa!

Izinkulungwane Ziyabaleka

Njengoba base bezulelwa amanqe, oFakazi BakaJehova abaningi baqala ukufuduka ngobuningi ngo-October 1972. Izinkulungwane zabalekela entshonalanga, eZambia. Emngceleni, ummeleli we-United Nations waqinisekisa ukuthi “ababaleki abaningi babenamanxeba ngokusobala kungawamaphanga, imimese emikhulu evamile [e-Afrika].”

OFakazi babekwa emakamu ababaleki eSinda Misale, esendaweni ewunxantathu lapho umngcele waseMalawi, owaseMozambique nowaseZambia ihlangana khona. Kodwa, izifo zazisakazeka ngokushesha ngenxa yokungabi bikho kwesimiso sokukhuculula indle. Ngesikhashana nje, kwase kufe abantu abangaphezu kuka-350, iningi labo kuyizingane. Izindaba zokuhlupheka kwababaleki zasheshe zafinyelela kubafowabo abangamaKristu kwamanye amazwe. Izimpahla zosizo zatheleka! OFakazi BakaJehova eNingizimu Afrika banikela ngamathani amatende, izingubo zokugqoka nezinye izinto ezazidingeka ngokushesha. Kwafika ujenga lwamaloli emakamu, evela egatsheni laseNingizimu Afrika, liholwa uKarel de Jager noDennis McDonald. Azizange zishaywe indiva izidingo ezingokomoya. Elinye iloli laletha amabhokisi angu-21 amaBhayibheli nezincwadi zokufunda iBhayibheli. Yeka indlela ababejabule ngayo abazalwane baseMalawi ngokubona lobu bufakazi bothando lobuKristu beqiniso olwachazwa uJesu!—Joh. 13:34, 35.

Nokho, ngokushesha oFakazi basheshe baqaphela ukuthi babeyizivakashi ezingathandeki eZambia. Ngo-December, iziphathimandla zaseZambia zaphoqelela ababaleki ukuba baphindele kwelaseMalawi. Yeka indumalo! Njengoba kwakubonakala bengenakubalekela kwenye indawo, ingabe abafowethu babeyogcina bedikibele? UMichael Yadanga wakufingqa kanje: “Angisenawo amazinyo ngenxa yokuthi angilithenganga ikhadi. Ngilahlekelwe umsebenzi wami ngenxa yokuthi angilithenganga ikhadi. Ngabhaxabulwa kabi, kwacekelwa phansi impahla yami, kwadingeka ngibalekele eZambia—konke lokhu kubangelwa ukuthi ngangingalithenganga ikhadi. Ngeke ngilithenge namanje.” Babeseqotho. Kuyiqiniso, njengoba umhubi esho: “Ziningi izinhlupheko zolungileyo, kepha uJehova uyamkhulula kuzo zonke.”—IHu. 34:19.

Lab’ oFakazi baseMalawi, abesilisa nabesifazane, babebonisa ukuthi banokholo olufana nolwezinceku zikaNkulunkulu ezichazwe eBhayibhelini kumaHeberu isahluko 11. Njengalabo bakhulekeli bakaJehova basendulo, oFakazi baseMalawi “bahlushwa ngoba abafunanga ukwamukela ukukhululwa ngesihlengo esithile,” okusho ukuthi, abafunanga ukuyekethisa noma ukuphika ukholo lwabo kuJehova uNkulunkulu. Njengabo, “bamukela ukulingwa kwabo ngokuhlekwa insini nangokubhaxabulwa, impela, okungaphezu kwalokho, ngezibopho nangamatilongo.” Njengabo, “izwe lalingabafanele.”—Heb. 11:35, 36, 38.

Ababaleki EMozambique

Lapho besuka eZambia, baphinde bashushiswa ngonya eMalawi. Ukuhlala eMalawi kwakungenakwenzeka. Ngakho baphinde babaleka—manje sebelibangisa eMozambique. Ngaleso sikhathi, iMozambique yayisabuswa amaPutukezi. Iziphathimandla zakhona zabaphatha ngomusa abafowethu. Ababehlala eningizimu yezwe babaleka beqa umngcele eduze kwaseMulanje baya emakamu ababaleki eCarico, lapho abaningi bahlala khona kwaze kwaba ngu-1986.

Kwakulula nokungena eMozambique ngomngcele waseMalawi osentshonalanga, phakathi kwedolobha laseDedza nelaseNtcheu. Kule ndawo, abazalwane kwakudingeka beqe umgwaqo omkhulu kuphela, owawusamngcele, ukuze bayofuna indawo yesiphephelo. Kule ngxenye yeMozambique amakamu ayeseduze kwaseMlangeni, futhi iningi labalekela lapha.

La makamu aseCarico nayeseduze kwaseMlangeni aba ikhaya labesilisa, abesifazane nabantwana, sebebonke becela ku-34 000. Wonke amabandla abantu bakaNkulunkulu, eholwa abadala bawo, afudukela kula makamu. Njengoba babefuduka, iziphathimandla zaseMalawi zakhipha umyalo wokuba kungabibikho muntu obasiza ngezinto zokuhamba.

Lapho befika emakamu, lezi zinceku zikaJehova zaqala indlela entsha yokuphila. Kwakusinda kwehlela ekuqaleni ngokwezinto ezibonakalayo. Babeqala ukuphila kabusha. Nokho, kungakabiphi, kwase kwakhiwe izindlu ezilandelanayo. Amakamu ayegcinwa ehlanzekile futhi ecocekile. Ukuze bengeze ekudleni okwakuvela eNhlanganweni nasezinhlanganweni zosizo zezwe, abazalwane abaningi baqala ukulima izitshalo zabo. Abanye babedayisa izinto ababezenza ngezandla noma bebamba amatoho ezindaweni eziseduze. Nakuba babeciciyela ngokwezinto ezibonakalayo, abafowethu babenelisekile ngokuba nezidingo zokuphila. (1 Thim. 6:8) Kanti ngokomoya babecebile!

Ukuhleleka Emakamu

Abadala abanjengoKennedy Alick Dick, uMaurice Mabvumbe, uWillard Matengo—futhi kamuva nabanye—bakhonza njengeKomiti Yezwe. Babehlonishwa futhi bethandwa kakhulu ngenxa yemizamo yabo engapheli yokunakekela izidingo ezingokomoya zabazalwane. Laba badala abathembekile balalela umyalo weBhayibheli othi: “Yalusani umhlambi kaNkulunkulu ongaphansi kokunakekela kwenu.” (1 Pet. 5:2) Bahlela imisebenzi eminingi engokomoya emakamu. Belandela isimiso esijwayelekile emakhaya amaningi abantu bakaJehova, babeqikelela ukuthi usuku ngalunye luqalwa ngezinto ezingokomoya, ngokuxoxa ngetekisi losuku. Zikhathi zonke kwakufundwa iBhayibheli ngosizo lukamagazini INqabayokulinda, izinkulumo zeningi ngisho nemihlangano. Ababaleki babeqaphela ukuthi amalungiselelo anjalo angokomoya asemqoka.

Ekuqaleni, yonke imihlangano yayiqhutshelwa endaweni eyodwa—endaweni ephakathi naphakathi. Lapha, izinkulungwane zazihlangana nsuku zonke zizofunda iBhayibheli, zithole neziqondiso eziqondene nemisebenzi ehlukahlukene emakamu. Kamuva, amabandla akhuthazwa ukuba azakhele awawo amaHholo OMbuso futhi aqhubele kuwo imihlangano. Ekugcineni, kwahlelwa izifunda ezinhlanu emakamu ahlukahlukene.

Abazalwane ababekhonza eKomitini Yezwe kanye nabanye babezuze kakhulu ekuqeqeshweni ababekuthole ezithunyweni zevangeli umsebenzi ungakavalwa. Lokhu kwabasiza ukuba bahlele amakamu. Wonke amakamu ababaleki ayesebenza njengokungathi umhlangano wesigodi omkhulu. Kwamiswa iminyango yokunakekela izidingo ezihlukahlukene, kuhlanganise nokuhlanza, ukwaba ukudla nokuphepha.

Nakuba cishe bonke oFakazi BakaJehova base besekudingisweni ngaphandle kweMalawi, abanye abashushisi babengakadeli. Izitha zaziye zeqe umngcele zihlukumeze abazalwane abahlala emakamu aseduze kwawo, ngakho kwadingeka kuthathwe izinyathelo zokuphepha ezikhethekile ukuze kuvikelwe abantu bakaJehova.

IKomiti Yezwe yamisa iqembu labazalwane ababezoba abalindi nonogada, bagade zonke izindawo ezingena emakamu. UBatson Longwe uyena owayengamele laba balindi ekamu laseMlangeni. Isabelo sakhe sasimenza ehle enyuka ekamu, ebheka abazalwane ezindaweni abamiswe kuzo. Ngokushesha wabizwa ngesidlaliso esithi “7-2-7.” Ngempela, kusukela ekuseni kuze kuhlwe (kusukela ngo-7 kuze kube ngu-7), zonke izinsuku, uMfoweth’ uLongwe othembekile wayebonakala kuzo zonke izingxenye zekamu, efeza indima yakhe yokuvikela abafowabo nodadewabo abangamaKristu. Kuze kube manje, abazalwane abaningi uBatson Longwe basambiza ngelika-“7-2-7.” Nakuba kungenzeka ukuthi abanye balikhohliwe igama lakhe langempela, noma ubani owahlala ekamu laseMlangeni uyikhumbula ngokujabula inkonzo yakhe eqotho ayebenzela yona.

Ukuhlala isikhashana eMozambique akulethanga impumuzo ekushushisweni nje kuphela kodwa kwasiza abazalwane balungela ukubhekana nezilingo nezinselele ezaziseza. Basondelana kakhulu nabafowabo nodadewabo futhi bafunda nokuthembela kakhulu kuJehova. ULemon Kabwazi, kamuva owakhonza njengombonisi ojikelezayo, uthi: “Kwakukhona izinzuzo nezinkinga. Sasidla imbuya ngothi. Kodwa ngokomoya sasinakekelwa kahle. Ngenxa yokuthi sasakhelene eduze kangaka, sabazi kangcono abafowethu futhi sabathanda. Kwasisiza lokho lapho sesiphindele eMalawi.”

Bayazingelwa Futhi!

Ngeshwa, lokhu kuphumula ebudloveni babashushisi kwakukufushane. Lapho iMozambique ithola uzibuse ngo-June 1975, kwagcwala umoya wobuzwe nakulelo lizwe. Abaholi bezwe abasha babengakuqondi ukungathathi hlangothi kwabantu bakaJehova. Njengoba benqaba ukulahla ukholo lwabo, abafowethu baphinde baxoshwa beqa umngcele wendawo yaseMlangeni bazosa kubashushisi.

Emngceleni ababaleki ababuyayo bahlangatshezwa ungqongqoshe wesifunda esimaphakathi uMnu. J. T. Kumbweza Banda. Wathi kubo: “Nazihambela la eMalawi, manje senizibuyele. Phindelani ezigodini zenu nibambisane nawosihlalo bamaqembu.” Ekhuluma ngeMalawi Young Pioneers namalungu e-Youth League, wanezela: “Abafana bami bakhona bazoqikelela ukuthi niyabambisana neQembu.” La mazwi awanikezanga themba lokuthi izimo zizoba ngcono.

Abanye abaphoqeleka ukuba baphindele eMalawi ngaleso sikhathi bakwazi ukunqamula khona baphuma ngomngcele oseningizimu-mpumalanga, baya kubafowabo ababesemakamu ayeseduze kwaseMilange, eMozambique. Kodwa lokho akuzixazululanga zonke izinkinga. Ngokwesibonelo, uFidesi Ndalama, owakhonza njengombonisi wesifunda kuleyo ndawo kwaze kwavalwa amakamu aseMilange ekupheleni kwawo-1980, walahlekelwa umkakhe lapho leli kamu lihlaselwa amasosha angabashokobezi. Kodwa lo mzalwane omnene waqhubeka ekhonza uJehova ngentshiseko.

Abanye ababephoqeleke ukuba baphindele eMalawi ngo-1975 kwadingeka bahlale khona. Izinkulungwane zabo zazigcwele imigwaqo njengoba ziphindela ezigodini zazo zikhathazekile. Kwabaningi kwakungathi libashonele.

Ekuqaleni, abaningi bavunyelwa ukuba baphinde bahlale ezigodini ababesuke kuzo. Kodwa kungakapholi maseko kwafika “abafana” bezozama ukuphoqa oFakazi BakaJehova ukuba “babambisane neQembu.” Izigilamkhuba ze-Youth League zazungeza imizi yabafowethu, zithi abawathenge ngenkani amakhadi okuba amalungu. Kuyo yonke imizi impendulo yayifana—“Cha!” Ukwenqaba kwaholela kuzo zonke izinhlobo zokuphathwa ngonya. Ngisho nabesifazane nezingane babewashaya la maKristu angenacala. Kwabikwa ukuxhashazwa okubi kakhulu kwamadoda nabesifazane ngokobulili. Kwakunemibiko enyantisayo yamadoda nabesifazane abangamaKristu ababeboshwa bahlanganiswe ndawonye ukuze baphoqwe ukuba baziphathe kabi.

Ngisho nasekuphileni kwansuku zonke, oFakazi BakaJehova babehlale bebhekene nenselele ebuqothweni babo. Ezibhedlela, ezimakethe, ezikoleni nasezintweni zomphakathi zokuhamba, amalungu e-Youth League ayehlale egade noma obani ababengenawo amakhadi. Kwakunjengoba isAmbulo 13:16, 17 sisho, akekho owayekwazi “ukuthenga noma ukuthengisa,” noma ukuphila ngendlela evamile, uma ‘engenalo uphawu lwesilo sasendle’—ubufakazi bokuthi ungumsekeli walesi simiso sezwe sezombangazwe.

Kulo lonke lolu sizi, oFakazi BakaJehova bama beqinile, abayekethisanga. Kodwa nabashushisi abadikibalanga. Kwakuseza okukhulu.

Bayiswa Emajele

Amabandla oFakazi BakaJehova aqoqwa ayiswa emajele ayesebenza ngendlela evusa izinkumbulo zamakamu okuhlushwa amaNazi. Kuyadabukisa ukuthi ngezinye izikhathi izingane ezincane nabantwana babehlukaniswa nabazali babo abahlukumezekile. Ezinye zalezi zingane zazisala zinakekelwa izihlobo ezingebona oFakazi. Ezinye zazisala dengwane. Ngo-January 1976, abesilisa nabesifazane abangaphezu kuka-5 000 babesemajele nasemakamu kulo lonke izwe.

Ekuqaleni izimo zazizimbi. Isiminyaminya sasidala izifo ezibulalayo. Onogada abanesihluku babenezela osizini. Omunye wabo wayechukuluza abazalwane, ethi: “Njengoba uhulumeni ehlelile, sizonenza ogandaganda bethu.” UBaston Moses Nyirenda ukhumbula ukuthi wayevame ukusetshenziswa ngenkani kusukela lingakaphumi ilanga lize lishone, anganikwa khefu lokuphumula noma lokudla!

Ekamu leziboshwa elinedumela elibi iDzaleka, omunye umzalwane wakwazi ukushushumbisa le ncwajana eyayibhalwe ephepheni lasendlini yangasese: “Ngisho noma umuntu egula kakhulu, uyiswa ngenkani emsebenzini. Izingane ezigulayo ziyiswa esibhedlela saseDowa . . . Abazinakekeli iziguli ezingabantu bakaJehova. Isibhedlela saseDowa sisibiza ngokuthi isilaha sabantu bakaJehova.”

Kwakubonakala sengathi onogada basejele babezama konke ababengakwenza ukuze badikibalise abafowethu nodadewethu futhi babaphulise ubuqotho babo. Behluleka! Abantu bakaJehova babekufundile ukubhekana nosizi. Umbhalo owawubhalwe kusimende wawunala mazwi aqinisa ukholo: “Izindaba ezinhle. Abazalwane nodade bonke banobuso obujabula kakhulu, nakuba beshushiswa futhi bethwala amatshe.”

Izincwadi eziningi zezikhalo ezazivela kwamanye amazwe—zivela koFakazi BakaJehova nakwabanye abantu abaningi—zathunyelwa ehhovisi likamongameli, uDkt. Banda. Nokho, lokhu kunxusa kwashaywa indiva, futhi abafowethu babelokhu beboshiwe.

“IZwi LikaNkulunkulu Aliboshiwe”

Naphezu kwalezi zimo, abazalwane bakwazi ukuhlela ukuba imihlangano yobuKristu iqhutshelwe kula majele. Kwashushumbiswa izincwadi zanikezwa abazalwane. Kwenziwa kanjani? Ngokuqondene ne-Ncwadi Yonyaka (yesiNgisi) abayithola besejele laseDzaleka, uBaston Moses Nyirenda uthi:

“Kwakunomzalwane owayengaboshiwe kodwa owayesebenza ezingadini zasejele. Ngenxa yokuthi onogada base bejwayele ukuthi uyaphuma abuye angene ngaso sonke isikhathi, babengabheki ukuthi uphetheni. Wafihla le ncwadi ngaphansi kwehembe ngesikhathi ehambisela onogada imifino. Kwathi ngaphambi kokuba ahambe, wakwazi ukunikeza omunye wabafowethu le ncwadi. Sajabula kakhulu ukuthola INcwadi Yonyaka ngoba ngaleso sikhathi yayinamavesi emibhalo yetekisi nokukhulunyelwa kwawo. Savele sahlala phezu komsebenzi, sikopisha yonke imibhalo nokukhulunyelwa kwayo emaphepheni amancane asendlini yangasese. Kwasetshenziswa amaphepha amaningana! Ngemva kwamasonto amabili unogada wayibamba le ncwadi. Kodwa ngaleso sikhathi sase siwasakaze kulo lonke ikamu amakhophi. Saze sakwazi ngisho nokuhambisa amakhophi kodade lapho babegcinwe khona.”

ISikhumbuzo sokufa kukaKristu sagujwa ngamaqembu amancane eDzaleka. INhlangano yathola incwadi ethi “abangu-1 601 baba khona emhlanganweni ngosuku lwethu oluhle, umhla ka-14 ku-April.” Bangu-13 abadla izifanekiselo eDzaleka. Lo mbiko wathi futhi: “Cishe kuzo zonke izitokisi kwaculwa ingoma ngaphambi kwenkulumo, nangemva komhlangano.”

Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, izimo zathí dámu emajele. Abanye onogada bagcina sebenobungane impela kubafowethu. Ngemva kokuthatha umhlalaphansi emsebenzini wasejele, omunye wonogada waze ngisho wamukela neqiniso. Manje unguMfoweth’ uMakumba. Indodana yakhe nayo isinikezele ukuphila kwayo kuJehova. Kwaba njengoba nje umphostoli uPawulu asho: “Izwi likaNkulunkulu aliboshiwe.”—2 Thim. 2:9.

Ukukhonza UJehova Ngaphansi Kokuvinjelwa

Ushushiso lwaphinde lwathí dámu kancane. Ngo-1979, oFakazi BakaJehova abaningi base bekhululiwe ejele. Omakhelwane babo babenelukuluku lokwazi. “Naniboshelweni?” “Kungani bonke abantu bebashushisa oFakazi BakaJehova?” Imibuzo enjalo yayivula indlela yezingxoxo zeBhayibheli, futhi abaningi baba izinceku zikaJehova. Babebona kahle ukuthi uma beba oFakazi BakaJehova, nabo bazoba yizinto zokuzondwa, njengoba uJesu ayebikezele; nokho babeqaphela ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova ngempela bayinkolo yeqiniso. (Luka 21:17; Jak. 1:27) Kuyathakazelisa ukuthi ngabantu ababetholakale ngokushumayela ababebhapathizwa kakhulu kunezingane zalabo abase bengoFakazi BakaJehova kakade.

Zazifika kanjani izincwadi zeBhayibheli ezazisetshenziswa emihlanganweni nasenkonzweni yasensimini kuleli lizwe ngaleso sikhathi? Ngasekupheleni kwawo-1970, igatsha laseZambia yilona elanakekela insimu yaseMalawi, ngoba iZambia inomngcele owodwa neMalawi, kanti iZimbabwe ayinawo. Kwamiswa ngobuhlakani amadepho amaningi eZambia eduze nomngcele waseMalawi. Abazalwane abambalwa kakhulu ababenezimoto babeya eZambia beyolanda izincwadi eziningi, ezazibe sezishushumbiselwa eMalawi. Ngenxa yokuthi imigwaqo yayingavinjwa kakhulu eminyakeni yokuqala yokuvinjelwa komsebenzi, le ndlela yaphumelela kakhulu.

Njengoba abazalwane base benazo izincwadi nomagazini ababedingeka, yase ingahlelwa imihlangano. Kodwa kwakungeke kuhlanganwe obala eHholo LoMbuso. Kunalokho, abazalwane babehlangana ngasese, ngokuvamile ebusuku, futhi baqhele ukuze bangezwakali komakhelwane nabanye abantu basendaweni. Abanye abazalwane ezigodini ezithile babeneziza zokhokho babo, ngokuvamile ezazingaphandle kwesigodi ababehlala kuso. Zaziyizindawo ezikahle zokuhlanganyela. Yebo, isixuku esikhulu esilibangise emhlanganweni ngasikhathi sinye sasingadonsa amehlo, ngakho abazalwane babehamba ngamaqembu amancane. Uma wonke umuntu esefikile, umhlangano wawuqala. Izingoma zoMbuso zazingaculwa ngokuphimisela—zaziculwa ngokunyenyeza. Lalingashaywa nehlombe lentshiseko ngemva kwenkulumo evuth’ uphondo—kwakumane kuhlikihlwe izintende zezandla kancane.

Nakuba kunjalo, bonke ababesemihlanganweni babekwazisa ukudla okungokomoya okwakufika ngesikhathi futhi bezizwa bemunye nabafowabo nodadewabo emhlabeni wonke ababejabulela isimiso esifanayo sokufundiswa. Imihlangano enjalo yayibahlomisela kahle

abazalwane umsebenzi obaluleke kakhulu wokushumayela. Kwakufanele bawenze ngokucophelela okukhulu.

Izithunywa Ezinesibindi

Nakuba kwakungenzima ukungenisa izincwadi eMalawi okwesikhashana, phakathi nawo-1980 lagaya ngomunye umhlathi. Imigwaqo yaqala ukuvinjwa kuzo zonke izingxenye zezwe. Amaphoyisa akukhuthalela kakhulu ukusesha izimoto. Abazalwane babengasakwazi ukusebenzisa izimoto ukuze bathuthe izincwadi zisuka emadepho aseZambia. Yini eyayingase yenziwe?

Amabhayisekili asetshenziswa kakhulu. Njengoba babehamba emahlathini, abazalwane babekwazi ukugwema imigwaqo evinjiwe nokweqa emngceleni. Kwakudinga isibindi esikhulu nokholo oluqinile ukusebenza njengesithunywa. Kodwa uJehova uNkulunkulu wayibusisa ngokusobala inkonzo yazo yokwethembeka. Cabanga ngalezi zigameko ezabehlela:

ULetson Mlongoti wayehamba ngebhayisekili enqamula eLilongwe nesaka lomagazini lingemuva ebhayisekilini lakhe. Lapho ebona ukuthi isixuku esikhulu kanye namaphoyisa neMalawi Young Pioneers babeklele emgwaqweni elindele ukufika kukamongameli, kwaphela nasozwaneni. Kwathi lapho ethi uyajika ekhoneni, isaka lawa lavuleka, kwaxhaphazela amathumbu. Omagazini basakazeka phansi phambi kwabo bonke abantu! Abantu bamngunga ngokushesha. Umfowethu wayeselindele noma yini. Kodwa washeshe wabona ukuthi babemane bemsiza nje bemcoshisa omagazini bebaphindisela esakeni. Kwathi gidi kuye, nakuba ayesathukile, wayesehamba, ebonga uJehova ngokuvala amehlo amaphoyisa naweMalawi Young Pioneers.

UFred Lameck Gwirize wayephethe iphasela elibalulekile leposi lebandla. Wayeshova ibhayisekili ngesivinini esikhulu ehla egqumeni eduze kwaseKasungu lapho ebona amalungu e-Youth League evimbe umgwaqo ngaphambili. Engakafiki khona, wema, wajika, ngokushesha waphindela emuva. Amalungu e-Youth League ammemeza ethi akame. “Uyaphi?” emmemeza. Lesi sithunywa saphendula, “ngehle ngesivinini esikhulu egqumeni ngaze ngadlula lapho bekufanele ngijike khona!” Wamangala lapho beyamukela incazelo yakhe. Wambonga uJehova ngokumvikela.

Kodwa abaningana kulaba bazalwane babanjwa futhi bagqunywa ejele isikhathi esithile. Iningi labo kwakungamadoda emizi.

“Umbuki Wamazwe” Ofika Njalo

Kusukela ngo-1987, u-Edward Finch, ilungu leKomiti Yegatsha YaseZambia wayevakashela njalo eMalawi. Abantu ababuka amazwe babeyithanda iMalawi, futhi uMfoweth’ uFinch wayenesihlobo eBlantyre, ngakho kwakulula ngaye ukuba angene kuleli lizwe uma ‘eseholidini.’ Lapho eneminyaka engu-19 nje ubudala futhi ephayona kubo eRhodesia, u-Ed Finch wayehlangane noGuido Otto kokunye ukuhambela kwakhe eMalawi eyogcwalisa ikamelo langasese elalingaphansi kwendlu yabakwaMcLuckie. Manje, njengoba ayesephothulile eSikoleni SaseGileyadi, uMfoweth’ uFinch wabelwa ukuba afeze indima eyengeziwe ngokuphathelene neMalawi.

Wayevakasha ngoba igatsha laseZambia lalikhathazekile ngokuthi iMalawi yayingazitholi izincwadi zeBhayibheli ezanele. Ngesikhathi uMfoweth’ uFinch ehlangana neKomiti Yezwe, yakujabulela ukuba nesivakashi sakwelinye izwe sizobakhuthaza futhi sibanikeze iziqondiso ezengeziwe. Kwaba khona imihlangano yangasese eminingi neKomiti Yezwe, ababonisi besifunda nabesigodi nezithunywa. Wonke umuntu wayekushisekela ukwenza ingxenye yakhe ukuze kwaneliswe izidingo zamabandla. Izincwadi ezazinqwabelene emadepho aseZambia ayeseduze nomngcele waseMalawi zaphinde zangeniswa njalo eMalawi.

UMfoweth’ uFinch, ngokuvamile enomkakhe uLinda, wayeya kaningi eMalawi ‘njengombuki wamazwe’ eyokhuthaza. Walihamba lonke leli lizwe, engahambeli ukubuka indawo kodwa ukukhuthaza nokuqeqesha abazalwane abaningi ngangokunokwenzeka. Abazalwane ababehola ngesikhathi sokuvinjelwa komsebenzi babekwazisa kakhulu ukuhambela kwakhe. Babebonga ngothando nesineke ayesibonisa lapho esebenza nabo.

Ukusiza Izithunywa

Yiqiniso, kwakungenakwenzeka ukuba izithunywa ezihamba ngamabhayisekili zifinyelele kuwo wonke amabandla aseMalawi. Ngakho kwathengwa iveni encane ngo-1988 futhi yasetshenziswa kakhulu kuleli lizwe ukuze ihambise izincwadi. Abashayeli base bezazi izindawo okwakuvinjwa kuzo imigwaqo bese bezigwema ngokuhlakanipha. Nabanye abazalwane abanesibindi bazicelela ukusetshenziswa. Kulaba kwakunoVictor Lulker, owayekhonza ebandleni lesiNgisi eBlantyre. Esebenzisa imoto yakhe encane futhi ezifaka engozini enkulu, wayevame ukuthutha izincwadi ebusuku aziyise emadepho angasese ayekulo lonke leli lizwe. Ngaphambi kuka-1972, uCyril Long, manje ozinze eNingizimu Afrika, naye wasiza ngendlela efanayo. Wakwazi ukutholela abafowethu imithi eyayidingeka kakhulu, ngemali ephansi kusokhemisi onomusa.

Isici esibalulekile ekulungiseleleni ukudla okungokomoya kwaba ukuvuma kwendlunkulu yeNhlangano eBrooklyn ukuba kunyatheliswe omagazini ngephepha leBhayibheli, izincwadi zibe noqwembe oluthambile, izihloko ezifundwayo ze-Nqabayokulinda zinyatheliswe ngendlela ekhethekile, ngokuhamba kwesikhathi ezabizwa ngokuthi omagazini abancane. Lapho u-Ed Finch ehlangana ngasese nezithunywa ngo-April 1989 futhi ezitshela ngalolu hlobo olusha olukhethekile lwezincwadi zethu, izithunywa zakhala izinyembezi. Yeka indlela ezaziwazisa ngayo amalungiselelo kaJehova othando! Manje zase zizokwazi ukuthwala izincwadi eziningi ngokuphindwe kabili kunangaphambili.

Kwakulula ukugoqa nokufihla lezi zincwadi. Labo magazini abancane babefundeka ngisho obala ezintweni zokuhamba zomphakathi. Babengaziwa muntu! “Isigqila esikholekile nesiqondayo” ngempela senza ngokuvumelana nokuthunywa kwaso kokunikeza ‘ukudla okungokomoya ngesikhathi esifanele.’ (Math. 24:45-47) Lokhu “kudla” okuyigugu kwasiza izinceku zikaJehova ukuba zilondoloze ubuqotho bazo ngaphansi kobunzima.

Ibandla Eliyinqaba

Ngeshwa, ngo-1990 iveni encane eyayisetshenziswa iNhlangano yashayisana nemoto yamaphoyisa. Lapho amaphoyisa ebona ukuthi le veni yayithweleni, bobabili abazalwane baboshwa ngokushesha futhi bagqunywa ejele. Omunye wabo kwakunguLemon Kabwazi.

Ekufikeni kwakhe eJele LaseChichiri, uMfoweth’ uKabwazi waphawula ukuthi abazalwane abayishumi ababevele beboshiwe babesesimweni esidabukisayo. Iziboshwa “ezingamaqoqo” zazintshontsha zonke izingubo zokulala futhi zingabavumeli abazalwane ukuba baqhube imihlangano yabo. UMfoweth’ uKabwazi wayazi ukuthi kwakudingeka kuthathwe isinyathelo. Lapho umkakhe, uChrissie, emvakashele, wamcela ukuba eze nezingubo zakhe zokugqoka. Wazabela abafowabo ukuze bagqoke kangcono. Ezinye iziboshwa zahlabeka umxhwele. UMfoweth’ uKabwazi wabe esezama ukuzenza umngane neziboshwa “ezingamaqoqo” ezazinqwaha nazo zonke izingubo zokulala. Wakwenza kanjani? “Ngahlela ukuba umzalwane othile angithengele amakhilogremu ayishumi kashukela,” kusho uMfoweth’ uKabwazi. “Ikhilogremu elilodwa lathenga ingubo yokulala.” “Lathenga” nobungane beziboshwa “ezingamaqoqo,” ezase zivuma ukuba kuqhutshwe imihlangano ngaphandle kokuphazanyiswa.

Njengoba kwakuqhutshwa imihlangano sikhathi sonke egcekeni lasejele, kwasheshe kwakheka ibandla. Lalibizwa ngaliphi igama? IBandla Lasekhoneni—ngoba imihlangano yayiqhutshelwa kwelinye lamakhona egceke lasejele. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, njalo kwakufika abantu abangaphezu kuka-60 kuleli Bandla Lasekhoneni. Leli bandla elisha lalinakekelwa kahle ngoba lalinabadala abathathu nenceku ekhonzayo eyodwa. Insimu yalo nayo yayikhiqiza impela. Kwakuhlale kunothile “ekhaya” ongaxoxa naye! Ezifundweni ezinhlanu zeBhayibheli uMfoweth’ uKabwazi aziqhuba khona, abantu ababili baye babhapathizwa!

Ukudla “Okunempilo”

Nokho, inkinga yeBandla Lasekhoneni yayiwukuthi lalizozingenisa kanjani ejele izincwadi ezazizosetshenziswa emihlanganweni. UMfoweth’ uKabwazi nalapha wenza iqhinga. Wahlela ukuba umzalwane othile owayesanda kukhululwa ejele abuye nesishuqulu sokudla. Lapho onogada basejele besiphenya lesi sishuqulu, bazibonela izimpande zomdumbula, ukudla okuthandwayo eMalawi. Ukube babazi ukuthi lo mdumbula “wawunomsoco” futhi “unempilo” kangakanani! Umdumbula ngamunye wawuye wasikwa maphakathi nendawo waba izingcezu ezincane. Kulo mdumbula kwakube sekufakwa omagazini abancane, izingxenye ezincane zencwadi ethi Ukubonisana kanye nethi Ukuhlola ImiBhalo. Ngemva kokulethwa kabili kwalokhu kudla “okunempilo,” abazalwane base benakho konke ababekudingela imihlangano yabo nezifundo zeBhayibheli. UMfoweth’ uKabwazi ukhumbula ukuthi babenomagazini abaningi kangangokuba ezinyangeni ezingu-8 esejele babengakaze baphinde isihloko esisodwa eSifundweni Se-Nqabayokulinda.

Kuyajabulisa ukuthi iBandla Lasekhoneni alisekho namuhla. Abantu bakaJehova eMalawi abasaphoqelekile ukuba baqhube imihlangano yabo emajele!

Abafowethu Bazuza Inhlonipho

Kancane kancane, kwase kuqabukela kuzwakale ukuhlaselwa koFakazi BakaJehova. Nakuba kunjalo, ngezikhathi ezithile zazibikwa izehlakalo ezithile. Kodwa, njengenhlalayenza, abafowethu babema baqine. Ngenxa yalokho, abaningi baqala ukubahlonipha abantu bakaJehova.

Endaweni yaseMchinji, iNkosi uMzama yabhala incwadi eyayiya “Kubantu bakaNkulunkulu abathandekayo abahlala endaweni yami.” Kuyo yathi: “Bonke oFakazi abasedolobhaneni lami bangabantu abakahle kakhulu. Idolobhana lami linezigodi ezingu-13.” Ngemva kokutusa oFakazi ngokuthi bangabakhokhi bentela abathembekile, abanamathela ezindinganisweni eziphakeme zokuziphatha nabahlanzekile, abahloniphayo nabakhuthele, waphetha ngokuthi: “Nginikhuthaza nonke nina boFakazi BakaJehova ukuba niqhubeke nilalela imithetho yenu.”

Ekuqaleni kuka-1990, u-Austin Chigodi wayephakathi kwabantu abangu-22 ababoshwa amalungu e-Youth League besemhlanganweni wesifunda eNathenje, eduze kwaseBlantyre. Ngemva konyaka nesigamu esejele, uMfoweth’ uChigodi, owayesedlulile eminyakeni engu-70 ubudala, wakhululwa. Lapho amanye amalungu e-Youth League ebona ukuthi leli khehla lalisaphila futhi lisathembekile kuNkulunkulu, athinteka ngokujulile. Aze acela ngisho nezifundo zeBhayibheli. Nokho, uMfoweth’ uChigodi wayeqaphe ngempela, engafuni ukufaka abafowabo engozini. Le ntsha yaphikelela. Ekugcineni, yaqala ukufundelwa. Ngokujabulisayo, abanye bathuthukela obhapathizweni, futhi sikhuluma nje abambalwa bakhonza ngisho njengabadala nezinceku ezikhonzayo.

Omunye umzalwane othembekile, uSamuel Dzaononga, wakhuthazelela izigwebo ezine zasejele eDzaleka ngenxa yokungathathi hlangothi. Kwathi ngo-1989, ngemva kokuphinde enqabe ngokuqinile ukuthenga ikhadi leqembu, waboshwa okwesihlanu. Amalungu e-Youth League amyisa lapho kwakukanise khona amaphoyisa eSalima. Yeka indlela amangala ngayo lapho isikhulu esiphethe sitshela la malungu ukuthi: “Uma nifuna le ndoda iphindele ejele, zilungiseleleni ukungena nayo. Kungaba kuhle uma ningase nikwazi okuye kwakhuthazelelwa yile ndoda ngaphandle kokulahla ukholo lwayo. Nizimisele ukwenzenjalo?” “Cha,” ephendula. Lesi sikhulu sabe sesithi: “Uma kunjalo, mbuyiseleni lapho ehlala khona niyeke ukumsukela. Akasoze alulahla ukholo lwakhe.” Ngakho, uMfoweth’ uDzaononga waphindiselwa esigodini sakubo. Lapho befika, kwabizwa induna yesigodi, yaxwayiswa ukuba ingakuvumeli ukuba umfowethu aphinde ahlushwe. Kusukela ngaleso sikhathi kuqhubeke, uMfoweth’ uDzaononga wayebonakala efunda omagazini INqabayokulinda ne-Phaphama! futhi efakaza komakhelwane bakhe—obala futhi engesabi ukuthi uzohlukunyezwa.

Ukufakaza Ngokwethukela

Ngesikhathi umsebenzi usavinjelwe, kwakufakazwa ngokwethukela. Kodwa nalapho ukuphikiswa sekudambile, kwenziwa ngesibindi esedlulele. Ekuqaleni kuka-1990 edolobheni laseNtcheu, intombi ethile eyabonisa isithakazelo eqinisweni leBhayibheli yahanjiselwa incwadi ethi Ukulalela UMfundisi Omkhulu. Njengoba yayingakwazi ukuzifundela kahle, abazalwane bayikhuthaza ukuba icele othile ozoyifundela le ncwadi. “Kodwa kufanele uthole umuntu omethembayo,” kuxwayisa abazalwane. Ngaleso sikhathi yayihlala nomfowabo uSimon. Nangu umuntu eyayingamethemba. Ngesikhathi efundela udadewabo, uSimon washeshe walibona iqiniso. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi uSimon waqhutshelwa isifundo seBhayibheli sasikhathi sonke. “Ngazibonela ngawami eBhayibhelini ukuthi amaKristu eqiniso ayeyoshushiswa,” kusho uSimon, “ngakho ngangazi ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova bayinkolo yeqiniso.” (2 Thim. 3:12) Njengoba ayethuthuka ngokushesha, uSimon Mangani wabhapathizwa ngawo lowo nyaka futhi sikhuluma nje ukhonza eBethel eLilongwe.

EBlantyre, imvula enamandla enesivunguvungu yenza uBeston Madeya, iphayona elivamile, wabhekana nayengakulindele. Wathola indawo yokukhosela emphemeni wesonto elincane. Esalindele ukuba imvula iphenye, wezwa abantu abathile bebuza umfundisi wabo, “Ingabe bonke abantu abalungile baya ezulwini?” Umfundisi wayengayazi impendulo. Ezimisele ukubasiza, uMfoweth’ uMadeya wangena ngaphakathi esontweni futhi wacela ukuwuphendula lowo mbuzo. Wamangala lapho bevuma. Kwalandela eminye imibuzo eminingi, futhi kungakabiphi kwase kuqhutshwa izifundo zeBhayibheli ezingu-7.

Intsha esikoleni nayo yawasebenzisa amathuba okunikeza ubufakazi. Lapho kuthiwa ababhale indaba ethile, uDorothy Nakula wanquma ukubhala ngomsuka kaKhisimusi. Yamhlaba umxhwele kakhulu uthisha wakhe kangangokuba wayibonisa nabanye othisha. Babuza: “Ukuthathephi lokhu kwaziswa?” Umphumela waba ukuthi uDorothy ahambisele othisha bakhe omagazini abangu-17.

“Malume Othandekayo”

Nakuba izinceku zikaJehova kwadingeka zikhuthazelele ukuhlupheka okukhulu, azizange zizizwe zishiyiwe. Zazazi ukuthi uJehova wayezophulile, futhi ziqiniseka ngothando nokusekela kwabazalwane bomhlaba wonke.

Ngaphandle kwalokho okwakwenziwa igatsha laseRhodesia (manje eyiZimbabwe) nelaseZambia, abazalwane bendawo abavuthiwe basebenza kanzima ukuze baqikelele ukuthi umhlambi waseMalawi uthola ukunakekelwa kothando nokudla okungokomoya. IKomiti Yezwe, noma Izisebenzi Zasehhovisi, njengoba yayibizwa kanjalo, yafeza indima ebalulekile kulokhu. Wawuhilelani umsebenzi wayo? ULemon Kabwazi, owakhonza iminyaka eminingi eKomitini Yezwe, uyachaza: “Ngokuyinhloko, umsebenzi wethu kwakuwukuqiniseka ukuthi izincwadi ziyafika kubafowethu. Ngakho sasichitha isikhathi esiningi sihlela futhi sikhuthaza izithunywa nababonisi bezifunda. Sasivakashela nabazalwane ababeye baba izisulu zokushushiswa, siyobona ukuthi sasingabasiza futhi sibaqinise kanjani.”

Kwakuthunyelwa izincwadi ezikhuthazayo nezimpahla emabandleni ahlukahlukene. Kwakuyingozi ukusebenzisa iposi, ngakho abazalwane baqamba amagama ayimfihlo nayizidlaliso ukuze bangadalulani. Izincwadi ezazivela eKomitini Yezwe zazisayinwa ukuthi “S.O.” Ngale ndlela, ngisho noma incwadi yayingabanjwa, iziphathimandla zazingeke ziqonde ukuthi ikhuluma ngani. Ababonisi bezifunda babaziwa ngezinombolo zezifunda ababezikhonza, kanti ukuhambela kombonisi wesifunda kwakuthiwa “amasonto akhethekile.” Ngisho nanamuhla, abanye basezwakala bethi, “Maduze nje sizohanjelwa uM-11 ngesonto lethu elikhethekile.” Kuthiwani ngeKomiti Yezwe ngokwayo? Izincwadi ezazivela ezweni lonke zazibhalwa ukuthi “Malume Othandekayo,” kanti izimpendulo zazithunyelwa “kubashana” abahlukahlukene. Ukuqapha okunjalo kwasiza ekubeni kuhlale kuxhunyanwa njalo phakathi neminyaka eminingi yokuvinjelwa.

Abadala ababekhonza eKomitini Yezwe bakubonisa ngempela ukuthi kusho ukuthini ukufuna izithakazelo zoMbuso kuqala. (Math. 6:33) Abanye, njengo-Ellyson Njunga, uHavery Khwiya, u-Adson Mbendera noLemon Kabwazi basakhonza uJehova njengezikhonzi zesikhathi esigcwele. Izibonelo zabo zokwethembeka zakhuthaza abanye abaningi ukuba babeke uMbuso kuqala ekuphileni kwabo futhi bagcine ubuqotho naphezu kobunzima.

Izinguquko Kwezombangazwe

Lapho kuqubuka igagasi elisha “lentando yeningi” e-Afrika eseningizimu, iMalawi nayo yathinteka. Ngo-1992, kwakhula ukucindezela kwamazwe omhlaba kokuba uhulumeni anikeze abantu amalungelo abo. Ephendula kulokhu, umongameli, uDkt. Banda, wamemezela: “Noma ubani ophoqa abantu ukuba bathenge amakhadi eqembu . . . weqa imithetho yeMalawi Congress Party.” Wanezela: “Kubi kakhulu lokhu, kubi kakhulu . . . Angikaze ngithume muntu ukuba enze into enjalo.” Wayiqeda kanjalo-ke uDkt. Banda into eyayisineminyaka engu-25 ibangela ukuhlupheka okukhulu kubafowethu abathembekile baseMalawi.

Ngemva kwalokhu, oFakazi BakaJehova bathola ukuthi imihlangano yabo eminingi yebandla nemikhulu yayisingaqhutshwa obala nangokukhululeka. Kwakungasabikwa kuhlukunyezwa noma ukushushiswa. Ekugcineni kwase kunesilinganiso esithile senkululeko, futhi abazalwane bayisebenzisa ngokunenzuzo kakhulu. Kodwa babengakulindele okwenzeka ngokulandelayo.

“UJehova UnguNkulunkulu Omangalisayo!”

U-August 12, 1993—yeka usuku abangeke balulibale abantu bakaJehova eMalawi! Ukuvinjelwa komsebenzi okwase kuneminyaka ecishe ibe ngu-26 manje kwase kususiwe. Ekuqaleni abazalwane babengaqapheli. Ngo-1967, lapho umsebenzi uvinjelwa, amaphephandaba ezweni lonke ayenezihloko ezinkulu ezaziphathelene nesinyathelo esasithathelwe “‘ihlelo’ eliyingozi”—oFakazi BakaJehova. Manje, njengoba umsebenzi wawusuvuliwe, akekho owathi vú. Ngempela, kwenzeka ngenhlanhla nje ukuba omunye umzalwane azithele esimemezelweni esincane kuyi-Government Gazette. Lapho abazalwane bezizwa kancane kancane lezi zindaba, bathokoza kakhulu, kodwa bake bathi ukungakholwa. Ngani? UMfoweth’ uKabwazi wathi: “Sasithandazela ukuba ngelinye ilanga umsebenzi uvulwe. Kodwa sasingakaze sicabange ukuthi kuyokwenzeka uDkt. Banda esaphila.” Wanezela: “UJehova unguNkulunkulu omangalisayo!”

Ngo-1967, ngaphambi kokuvinjelwa komsebenzi, kwakunabamemezeli abangaba ngu-18 000 ababehlanganyela ngenkuthalo. Babebangaki manje, ngemva kweminyaka engu-26 yokuphikiswa ngonya okwakuvamile? Kwakunenani elisha labangu-30 408! Ubuqotho babafowethu nodadewethu babuye banqoba kubo bonke ubunzima—kwaba udumo egameni likaJehova elikhazimulayo!

OFakazi BakaJehova bajabula kakhulu ngenxa yenkululeko ababesanda kuyithola. Kodwa babeqaphela nokuthi babehlalelwe umsebenzi omkhulu kwabake bayenza.

Umkhankaso Okhethekile

Zathi zingafika ehhovisi legatsha laseZambia lezi zindaba, u-Ed Finch wathunyelwa eMalawi, engeyena umbuki wamazwe, kodwa eyosiza ekumiseni kabusha ngokusemthethweni umsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova eMalawi. Ekuhambeleni kwakhe, yena noLinda baba nethuba lokusebenza nebandla lesiNgisi eBlantyre. Abamemezeli abaningi lapho babengakaze bafakaze endlini ngendlu. Kuyaqondakala ukuthi babesaba. Nokho, ngesikhuthazo esincane nje sabakwaFinch, bonke abamemezeli baphuma baya enkonzweni. Yeka indlela okwakujabulisa ngayo lapho, ngemva kwamahora ambalwa, bebuya bexoxa ngokuhlangenwe nakho! Abaninikhaya abaningi babeye balalela ngentshiseko. Abanye babebabongela ngenkululeko abase benayo manje oFakazi BakaJehova. Ngemva kwalokhu, abazalwane bakuthola kulula kakhulu ukuhlanganyela enkonzweni.

Ekuqaleni, kwabonakala kunzima impela ukubhalisa kabusha umsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova eMalawi. Kwakungekho hhovisi likahulumeni elalinobufakazi bokuthi iNhlangano yayike yabhaliswa eMalawi. Kwathi ngelinye ilanga, u-Ed Finch wabona iqoqo lemiqulu emidala ehhovisi okwakubhaliselwa kulo eBlantyre. Wethula le miqulu eyayibhalwe ukuthi “W.” Yebo, nakhu lapho sasibhaliswe khona ekuqaleni! Ukubhalisa ngokomthetho kwabe sekuyashesha. Ngo-November 15, 1993, i-Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, inhlangano engokomthetho esetshenziswa oFakazi BakaJehova, yayisibhaliswe kabusha futhi oFakazi BakaJehova base baqashelwa futhi ngokomthetho njengenkolo eMalawi.

Ngasekupheleni kwalowo nyaka, kwaba nomkhankaso okhethekile wepheshana ezweni lonke. Kuyafaneleka ukuthi kwasakazwa ipheshana elithi Yini OFakazi BakaJehova Abayikholelwayo? ngezilimi ezintathu ezinkulu. Lafeza injongo ekabili. Eyokuqala, lasiza abazalwane nodade ukuba babuye babe matasa enkonzweni yasobala, eyesibili, lasiza umphakathi ukuba uzifundele wona amaqiniso ngoFakazi BakaJehova. Kwasakazwa amakhophi angaphezu kwesigidi, fu-thi ihhovisi legatsha laseZambia lathola izincwadi eziningi zabantu abanesithakazelo. Ukudumisa uJehova obala kwase kwenziwa futhi endlini ngendlu nasemigwaqweni yaseMalawi!

Ukuhlela Kabusha Umsebenzi

Izindaba zokuvulwa komsebenzi zafika ngesikhathi kuqhutshwa ikilasi lokuqala leSikole Sokuqeqeshela Inkonzo eningizimu ye-Afrika eZambia. Zazijabulisa kakhulu izikhonzi zaseBethel nabafundi. Yeka indlela abajabula ngayo abafundi ababili lapho bethola isabelo saseMalawi! Babeyizinceku zesikhathi esigcwele zakwamanye amazwe zokuqala ezathunyelwa kuleli lizwe selokhu kwagcina ngo-1967. Laba bazalwane ababili, u-Andrew Bird noKarl Offermann, manje bakhonza eBethel eLilongwe. UBernard Mazunda, umuntu waseMalawi wokuqala owathola lokhu kuqeqeshwa, naye owayekuleli kilasi, manje ukhonza njengombonisi wesifunda, kanye nabanye abaphothula emakilasini akamuva alesi sikole.

Phakathi naleso sikhathi, abazalwane egatsheni laseZambia babeqhubeka bexazulula izinkinga zokuhlela kabusha umsebenzi eMalawi. Masinyane bathola ukuthi nakuba oFakazi BakaJehova babengasavinjelwe, kodwa izincwadi zabo zeBhayibheli zazisavinjelwe. Kwaba nomhlangano owazuzisa kakhulu noNgqongqoshe Wezobulungisa ukuze kuxazululwe le ndaba. Ngokushesha wathatha izinyathelo zokukhululwa kwezincwadi zeNhlangano. Ngaphezu kwalokho, wathi uzosiza ekutholeni indawo ekahle yehhovisi legatsha elisha. Ngenxa yalokho, kwatholakala indawo enhle engamahektare angu-12 eyayizothengwa eLilongwe. Sikhuluma nje ziyabuya emsebenzini wokwakha isakhiwo esisha segatsha kule ndawo ephakathi nezwe.

Njengoba amabandla ayeqala ukuhlangana obala futhi, yeka indlela abaningi ababejabula ngayo ngokubona abangane ababebagcine umsebenzi ungakavinjelwa! Imihlangano yayeqa isikhathi, kodwa akukho muntu owayekhathazeka. Izilaleli zazingasahlikihli nje izandla uma zibonga izinkulumo zabazalwane. Kunalokho, wonke umuntu owayeya endaweni yesikhulumi wayeshayelwa ihlombe elikhulu. Kwakungasahlebezwa uma kuculwa izingoma zoMbuso. Abazalwane base bengacula kuzwakale. Ingoma ethi “Siyakubonga Jehova” yasheshe yaba intandokazi kuwo wonke umuntu.

Nakuba kunjalo, abazalwane babeqaphela ukuthi babedinga usizo ukuze bafundiswe izinto ezintsha ezindabeni zokuhleleka. Abadala basamukela ngokuthobeka nangokuzimisela isiqondiso esasivela ehhovisi leNhlangano nakwabanye abazalwane ababeqeqeshwe ngokukhethekile. Akuthathanga sikhathi ukuphawula intuthuko esheshayo ekwenzeni izinto ngokuhleleka emabandleni. Inani labamemezeli nalo laqhubeka landa. Ngonyaka wenkonzo owalandela ukuvulwa komsebenzi, kwabhapathizwa abafundi abasha abangu-4 247 kanti bangu-88 903 ababa khona eSikhumbuzweni sokufa kukaKristu.

Kufika Usizo Olwengeziwe

Laba likhulu isasasa ezweni lapho kusakazeka izindaba ezithi yayizobuya imibhangqwana emibili eyizithunywa zevangeli eyayiye yakhonza eMalawi umsebenzi ungakavinjelwa. UKeith no-Anne Eaton, ababekade bekhonza eZimbabwe ngaleso sikhathi, bafika ngo-February 1, 1995 bezosiza emsebenzini wasehhovisi eLilongwe. Kamuva, uJack noLinda Johansson, ababeseZaire (manje eyiDemocratic Republic of Congo), babelwa ekhaya lezithunywa zevangeli eBlantyre. Yomibili le mibhangqwana yabuyiselwa izimvume zokuba ibe izakhamuzi zakuleli lizwe. Yeka isikhathi esijabulisayo sokuhlangana kabusha esasiye sajatshulelwa yilezi zithunywa zevangeli ezingomakad’ ebona nabazalwane nodade baseMalawi ababekhonze nazo umsebenzi ungakavinjelwa!

Ngo-February 1995, uMalcolm Vigo, manje osegatsheni laseNigeria kodwa owayeyinceku yegatsha eMalawi ngesikhathi umsebenzi uvinjelwa, waba nelungelo lokuhambela iMalawi njengombonisi wamagatsha wokuqala lapha ngemva kweminyaka eminingi kakhulu. Umkakhe, uLinda Louise wayehamba naye. Wayezizwa kanjani? “Kwakuyisenzakalo esivusa amadlingozi kakhulu nelungelo! Kwakungathi sibuyela ekhaya.”

Phakathi naleso sikhathi, ezinye izithunywa zevangeli nabazalwane abafanelekayo basemagatsheni aseduze nabo babelwa eMalawi. Kwafika izincwadi zilakanyana zivela ensimini. Ngokuqinisekile, ‘kwakunokuningi kokukwenza emsebenzini weNkosi.’—1 Kor. 15:58.

“Abadumisi Abajabulayo”

Cabanga indlela abazizwa ngayo oFakazi baseMalawi lapho, ngo-July no-August 1995, bekwazi ukuba nemihlangano yesigodi okokuqala ngemva kweminyaka engu-28. Njengoba kunjalo emihlanganweni eminingi e-Afrika, imikhaya yafika ne-katundu yayo (imithwalo), ehlanganisa izingubo zokulala, amabhodwe namapani ngisho nezinkuni zokupheka ukudla.

Abaningi ababekhona babengasalukhumbuli uchungechunge lokugcina lwemihlangano eyaba khona ngaphambi nje kokuvinjelwa komsebenzi. Kungaba ukuthi babesebancane kakhulu, noma bazalwa ngemva kwalokho, noma babengakabi seqinisweni. Ngakho kwabaningi, kwakuwumhlangano wabo wesigodi wokuqala lona. Yeka indlela esasifaneleka ngayo-ke isihloko esasithi “Abadumisi Abajabulayo.” Lapho befika endaweni yomhlangano, abanye babecikica amehlo bengakholwa bese bethi: “Angiphuphi, angithi?” Babekujabulela ukuba munye nabakhulekeli abakanye nabo emhlabeni wonke kulesi simiso somhlangano. Sekukonke, kwaqhutshwa imihlangano engu-9 ezingxenyeni ezihlukahlukene zezwe, futhi sebebonke ababekhona babengaphezu kuka-77 000! Kwamukelwa ngentshiseko ithuluzi elisha lokusetshenziswa enkonzweni yasensimini, incwadi ethi Ulwazi Oluholela Ekuphileni Okumi Phakade. Nakuba yakhululwa ngesiNgisi kuphela emhlanganweni, abazalwane bajabula ukuzwa ukuthi yayisihunyushelwa olimini lwesiChewa.

Kwakukhona nomhlangano wesiNgisi. Nakuba wawumncane, wawudonse abantu bakwamanye amazwe. Izivakashi zazivela eMozambique, eNingizimu Afrika, eZaire, eZambia naseZimbabwe. Kuyathakazelisa ukuthi lo mhlangano wawuseKwacha Conference Center, eBlantyre, uDkt. Banda ayeyakhe ngokukhethekile ukuze enzele kuyo imibuthano yeqembu lakhe lezombangazwe. Izilaleli zazilalelisisile lapho abazalwane ababili bendawo, uWiddas Madona noLackson Kunje, bebuzwa imibuzo ngokuqondene nezigigaba ababhekana nazo phakathi neminyaka yokuvinjelwa komsebenzi. Wayekhona no-Ed Finch, futhi ngokuqondene naleso senzakalo esijabulisayo, uthi: “Yeka ukuthi kwase kuyisikhathi eside kangakanani sonke sithandazela lolu suku! Abaningi ababebuthene babekhala izinyembezi zenjabulo. Sachiphiza izinyembezi futhi sahluleka ukukhuluma lapho sibukela uVictor Lulker ebhapathiza indodakazi yakhe u-Angeline, engayibhapathizeli ngasese kubhavu, kodwa obala.” Njengoba umhlangano wawufika esiphelweni sawo ngengoma eshukumisayo ethi “Siyakubonga Jehova,” izinhliziyo zaphinde zachichima, nezinyembezi zazigelezela. Abadumisi abajabulayo bayoyikhumbula isikhathi eside yonke le mihlangano engu-9 ababekuyo.

Igatsha Liyasebenza Futhi

Ngo-September 1, 1995, ihhovisi eliseMalawi laphinde laba igatsha, lisebenza ngaphansi kokuqondisa kweNdikimba Ebusayo. Manje ihhovisi lase liseLilongwe. Kwakunamabandla angu-542 nabamemezeli abangaphezu kuka-30 000, ngakho wawumningi umsebenzi.

Manje izinto zaqala ukuhamba ngokushesha! Ekuqaleni izikhonzi zaseBethel eziyishumi kwadingeka zisebenze kanzima ukuze zibhekane nomsebenzi okhona. Kusukela ngaleso sikhathi, kuye kwalethwa izikhonzi zaseBethel ezengeziwe kanye nabanye abazalwane abasuke bezicelele ukusiza. Amaqembu abahumushi besiChewa nesiTumbuka asethuthile eZambia abuyela “ekhaya” lalezi zilimi.

Igatsha belimatasa lisiza abazalwane ukuba babhekane nezimo ezintsha ezivivinya ubuqotho babo. Zihlanganisa ukushayela ifulege indesheni, ukuziphatha okubi, ukusebenzisa kabi izidakamizwa nokuzihlanganisa nababi. Kuye kwamiswa uMnyango Wokwaziswa Ngezezibhedlela ukuze usize labo ababhekana nezinkinga zokumpontshelwa igazi.

Okuye kwaba usizo kakhulu futhi kube abazalwane ababili, kanye nomkabo, ababelwa eMalawi besuka emsebenzini wokujikeleza eNingizimu Afrika. Benza umsebenzi omuhle njengababonisi besigodi.

Muva nje, ngo-March 20, 1997, kwenzeke esinye isenzakalo esijabulisayo. Ezindabeni zasemini zomsakazo, oFakazi kulo lonke elaseMalawi bajabula lapho bezwa ukuthi uhulumeni uyibuyisela eNhlanganweni indawo eyayikade iyigatsha. Yayithathwe ngo-1967 uhulumeni wangaphambili futhi yayiye yasetshenziswa njengeSouthern Regional Headquarters yeMalawi Congress Party. Manje yayisibuyele kubaniniyo abasemthethweni—ngemva kweminyaka engaba ngu-30 ingekho kubo. Yeka ubufakazi okwaba yibo kulo lonke izwe lapho lezi zindaba ziphindaphindwa njalo lapho kusakazwa izindaba ngazo zonke izilimi ezinkulu usuku lonke! Manje lesi sakhiwo sesiyasetshenziswa futhi njengendawo yemihlangano yobuKristu yasikhathi sonke yoFakazi BakaJehova.

UJehova Uyakhulisa

UJehova uye wawubusisa ngempela umsebenzi wezinceku zakhe eMalawi kusukela ngesikhathi uvulwa. Abaninikhaya abaningi baye babamukela ngentshiseko oFakazi BakaJehova emizini yabo futhi bamukela izincwadi nezifundo zeBhayibheli zasekhaya zamahhala. Komunye weMihlangano Yesigodi yamuva ‘Yokholo EZwini LikaNkulunkulu,’ owesifazane othile wamangala lapho ebona isixuku esikhulu soFakazi BakaJehova sibuthene ndawonye eduze kwedolobha laseNamitete. Wabuza: “Isimanga lesi! Njengoba benivinjelwe isikhathi eside kangaka, zivelaphi lezi zinkulungwane zabantu?” Ethintwe yilokho ayekubona, lona wesifazane wangena kulesi sixuku sabakhulekeli futhi walalela isimiso. Ngemva kwalokho, naye wasamukela isifundo seBhayibheli.

Abanye ababeyizitha ngaphambili nabo baye balamukela iqiniso, futhi abanye baye bashukumiseleka ukuba baxolise ngezenzo zabo zangesikhathi sokuvinjelwa komsebenzi. Bathi: “Kwakungethina. Uhulumeni owasenza senza lezi zinto ezimbi kini.” Abazalwane bakujabulela kakhulu ukwamukela abanjalo emihlanganweni yethu. Ngisho nowayengungqongqoshe kahulumeni “owamukela” abafowethu ngesikhathi bephoqeleka ukuba babuye, besuka eMozambique ngo-1975 futhi wabatshela ukuba baphindele ezigodini zabo babambisane neqembu lezombangazwe elibusayo, ubeqhutshelwa isifundo seBhayibheli yiphayona eLilongwe.

Abekho oFakazi ababonisa umoya wenzondo. Abekho abafuna ukuphindisela. (Roma 12:17-19) Abafuna ukukwenza nje ukudumisa uJehova uNkulunkulu manje njengoba sebenenkululeko yokwenza kanjalo. Bazimisele ukufunda indlela yokusebenzisa noma yiliphi ithuluzi elizobasiza ukuba babe abafundisi abaphumelelayo enkonzweni. Ngokusebenzisa kwabo amathuluzi anjengencwadi ethi Ukubonisana NgemiBhalo nethi Ulwazi Oluholela Ekuphileni Okumi Phakade, kanye nama-video eNhlangano, basiza izinkulungwane zabantu abathakazelayo ukuba ziqale ukufunda iBhayibheli.

Asazi ukuthi uJehova uzosivumela isikhathi eside kangakanani ukuba siqhubeke sifuna abantu ‘abathambekele ngokufanele ekuphileni okumi phakade.’ (IzE. 13:48) Nokho, kusobala ukuthi likhona ithuba lokwanda kokuvuna okungokomoya kuleli lizwe. Ngo-June 1998 kwaba nenani elisha labamemezeli ababika—labangu-42 770! EMihlanganweni Yesigodi ‘Yendlela KaNkulunkulu Yokuphila’ eyayingo-1998, sebebonke ababekhona bangu-152 746, kanti eSikhumbuzweni sokufa kukaKristu, esagunjwa ekuqaleni kwalowo nyaka, kwakunabangu-120 412!

Yebo, oFakazi BakaJehova eMalawi babona ikusasa eliqhakazile impela. Lungakafiki usuku lukaJehova, banethemba lokusiza izinkulungwane eziningi ezengeziwe ukuba zithole ulwazi olunembile lweZwi likaNkulunkulu. Babheke phambili nasosukwini abayokwazi ngalo ukwamukela amalungu emikhaya nabangane abathandekayo bebuya kwabafileyo—abazalwane nodade abangamaKristu ababezimisele ukufa kunokuba balahle ukholo lwabo oluyigugu. Ngamehlo abomvu, balindele usuku iMalawi eyoba ngalo ingxenye yepharadesi lembulunga yonke, lapho wonke umuntu eyohlala khona ngokulondeka, kuthi bonke abathanda uJehova nabamkhonzayo bakwazi ukujabulela ukuphila okuphelele kuze kube phakade.

OFakazi BakaJehova eMalawi baye bakhuthazelela izinselele ezingathi sína zokholo lwabo. Ubuqotho babo ngaphansi kobunzima buye baba umthombo wesikhuthazo kubazalwane bomhlaba wonke abayingxenye yabo. Kanti nokuzimisela kwabo ukushumayela izindaba ezinhle ‘ngenkathi evumayo nangenkathi enzima’ kuye kwaba isibonelo esifanelwe ukulingiswa. (2 Thim. 4:2) Labo abaye babazi baba nomuzwa ojulile wokuthi bathole ‘imfudumalo yase-Afrika’ kubona.

[Isithombe ekhasini 191]

(Ukuze ubone ukuthi kumi kanjani, bheka encwadini.)

ZAMBIA

IZAMBIA

Amakamu aseSinda Misale

IMALAWI

ILake Malawi

ILilongwe

IZomba

IBlantyre

IMt. Mulanje

IMOZAMBIQUE

Amakamu aseMlangeni

Amakamu aseMilange

IMOZAMBIQUE

[Isithombe ekhasini 148]

[Isithombe ekhasini 153]

UGresham Kwazizirah, wabaphathizwa ngo-1925

[Isithombe ekhasini 157]

UBill McLuckie esehhovisi leNhlangano eZomba

[Isithombe ekhasini 162]

Esigodini saseMalawi

[Isithombe ekhasini 165]

U-Alex Mafambana

[Isithombe ekhasini 170]

OFakazi beze emhla-nganweni eduze kweMount Mulanje ngo-1966

[Isithombe ekhasini 177]

OFakazi bavinjelwe; isango lesakhiwo segatsha likhiyiwe

[Isithombe ekhasini 178]

Nakuba umuzi kaFinley Mwinyere wawucekelwe phansi, wayekhathalela ukuqinisa abafowabo

[Isithombe ekhasini 186]

UBill McLuckie nomkakhe uDenise

[Isithombe ekhasini 192]

Indawo ephakathi nendawo, lapho kwakufundiselwa khona iBhayibheli kukhishwe nemisebenzi yasekamu

[Isithombe ekhasini 193]

UBatson Longwe, owayaziwa ngokuthi u-“7-2-7”

[Isithombe ekhasini 194]

Ikamu lababaleki iNazipoli eduze kwaseMlangeni, nemizi eyakhiwa oFakazi beyakhela imikhaya yabo

[Isithombe ekhasini 200, 201]

Nakuba babekade beboshelwe ukholo lwabo, oFakazi baqhubeka bekhonza ngentokozo

[Isithombe ekhasini 202]

Izithunywa ezafaka inkululeko yazo engozini ukuze zitholele abafowabo ukudla okungokomoya

[Isithombe ekhasini 204]

Ngesikhathi umsebenzi uvinjelwe, u-Ed noLinda Finch babelivakashela njalo elaseMalawi

[Isithombe ekhasini 210]

Abadala beze esikoleni ekilasini elisendaweni evulekile

[Isithombe ekhasini 215]

UKeith no-Anne Eaton, uLinda noJack Johansson—bayajabula ngokubuyela eMalawi

[Isithombe ekhasini 216]

IKomiti Yegatsha (kusuka phezulu kwehle): uLemon Kabwazi, uKeith Eaton noColin Carson

[Isithombe ekhasini 217]

Ngenhla: OFakazi bazinikela ngomdlandla ekuhlanzeni indawo eyayiyigatsha lapho ibuyiswa

Kwesokudla: Abazalwane balanda izincwadi zebandla egatsheni

[Isithombe ekhasini 218]

UMalcolm Vigo uphinda uhlangana noWiddas Madona, ayekhonza naye egatsheni umsebenzi ungakavinjelwa

[Isithombe ekhasini 220]

IHholo LoMbuso elifulelwe ngotshani. Amanye amabandla angu-600 adinga amaHholo OMbuso!

[Isithombe ekhasini 223]

OFakazi abajabulayo bayaqhubeka bememezela izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso eMalawi