PM to open the Catholic Bishops’ IMBISA Golden Jubilee conference today
Catholic Bishops
By Thokozani Mazibuko
The Prime Minister Russell Dlamini is expected to open the IMBISA conference at Esibayeni Lodge.
Eswatini has become the centre of Southern Africa’s Catholic community as more than 120 Roman Catholic Bishops from across the region converge for the Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA) mega conference.
The gathering, which marks the 50th anniversary of IMBISA’s Golden Jubilee, is being hosted in the kingdom for the first time in history.
The high-profile event will officially open on Friday at Esibayeni Lodge, where Prime Minister Russell Mmiso is expected to deliver the keynote address.
The conference is anticipated to draw attention not only for its religious significance but also for the role of the Catholic Church in shaping education, health, and social justice across the Southern African region.
Speaking ahead of the celebrations, Father Ncamiso Vilakati, Media Liaison Officer of the Roman Catholic Church in Eswatini, described the event as both a historic and spiritual milestone for the country.
“This Golden Jubilee is not just about celebrating 50 years of IMBISA’s existence, but also about reflecting on the journey of the Church in Southern Africa,” Father Vilakati said.
“We are grateful that Eswatini was chosen as the host nation, and this provides an opportunity for Emaswati to experience the richness of the universal Church within our own borders.”
IMBISA was founded in 1975 to strengthen collaboration among Catholic bishops in the Southern African region. It has since played a pivotal role in promoting unity, pastoral formation, and joint responses to social issues, including poverty alleviation, HIV/AIDS care, and peacebuilding efforts.
Father Vilakati further noted that the Jubilee will serve as a platform to discuss pressing issues affecting the Church and society today.
“Our discussions will focus not only on faith and evangelisation but also on how the Church continues to respond to challenges such as climate change, migration, and the need for peace and justice in our communities,” he explained.
Delegations have already begun arriving in Eswatini from countries including South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Angola.
The programme will feature plenary sessions, workshops, and liturgical celebrations, with the highlight being a Jubilee Mass attended by thousands of Catholic faithful.
