The
S outher n C ross www.scross.co.za
Centenary Jubilee Year March 25 to March 31, 2020
Interview with bishop of a whole country
Reg No. 1920/002058/06
No 5180
How one country beat drug addiction
Jesus’ Last Supper and his arrest
Page 9
R12 (incl VAT RSA)
Lent 2020
Page 7
Page 10
Passion Play: 135 000 hours and no stage BY ERIN CARELSE
T Fr Lawrence Mota CMM of Mariannhill, seen here in Pretoria, has released his tenth gospel CD, titled Siyaphi, which means “Where are we heading to?”—or, in Latin, “Quo vadis?”. (Photo: Werner Burkli)
Priest releases 11th gospel CD STAFF REPORTER
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MARIANNHILL Missionary priest is releasing a new album of gospel songs, addressing a range of social issues. Fr Lawrence Mota CMM has released ten well-received gospel CDs. His 11th album is entitled Siyaphi, which means “Where are we heading to?”. “The message in the CD touches on the challenges the society is experiencing today, such as crimes in the form of the high rate of rape cases, marriage breakdown which leaves children without proper parental guidance, abuse of alcohol and drugs by our youths, abuse of women and children, killings, corruption and nepotism, the scourge of unemployment that leads to crime, frequent demonstrations on the streets emerging from the empty promises contributing to the limping of the country’s economy, and so on,” the priest said. “These are the realities which has left the society with a question, ‘Where we going?’,” Fr Mota said. But the album also “has a message of hope that despite all these societal challenges, there is still a ‘Light of Hope’”, he added.
His songs issue a challenge “to all of us that we need to take God seriously—as a country, as families and as individuals”. “It is during this time of Lent that we need to take stock of all that is happening in our society today, as a point of reflection, so that when we rise with Christ, we experience life anew as Easter People,” Fr Mota said. Fr Mota released his first gospel CD, Ngigowakho Baba, in 2011. Since then, titles have included Ngiyavuma Baba; Sisize Baba; Sihawukele Baba; Glory to God; and UkholoLwami. Fr Mota’s recording career has come a long way since he released his debut single, on the HIV/Aids pandemic, in 1997 back in his home country of Malawi. Fr Mota, who is affectionately known as Bambo (“father”) was born into a big family, with 11 siblings, who loved to sing before and after meals. Later, he and his older brothers joined the band of an uncle to perform at family feasts and wedding ceremonies in the community. n Siyaphi will be available from the Monastery Repository in Mariannhill at R70. Contact 078 462-8113 or 031 700-1031.
HE cast and crew of the put in a combined 135 000 hours of preparations for the Durban Passion Play and were devastated that on the day of the final rehearsals, the play was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic—and no new dates are available for a staging it at another time. It was “with a heavy heart” that the Durban Catholic Players’ Guild had to call off the 15th Durban Passion Play, which had been scheduled to be staged at the Playhouse Drama Theatre from March 25 to April 12, said director Dawn Haynes. Like Ms Haynes, co-director Derek Griffin felt a deep sense of loss. “Of course, we are disappointed, but naturally the health and well-being of the cast, crew, staff and audience are of paramount importance. We will meet soon to decide how to take the project forward,” he said. Dale Collings who was to play the role of Christus—his first involvement in the Durban Passion Play—said he felt “lost” after the decision to cancel the play had been made. “This experience has been life-changing for me. I have come to know the true meaning of the scriptures and have been deeply moved by seeing all these events through the eyes of Jesus,” Mr Collings said. “I am just so sad that I cannot share this and spread the message of the Passion through our performances.” Many of the cast testified to how their faith has been renewed, how their spirituality had deepened and how so many wonderful friendships had been made during the preparations for the play, said Ms Haynes. “They are all sad that this cannot be shared with the audience in order to proclaim the message of Easter—but there is something deeply humbling and perhaps hugely profound about preparing so hard for an opening night which won’t happen, at least not for now,” she said. She listed the loss: “The hard work without
S outher n C ross Pilgrimage
Cast members rehearse the Last Supper for the Durban Passion Play, which had to be called off due to Covid-19 restrictions. the spotlight; the rehearsal without the applause, without the accolades and ovations; no backstage banter and no adrenalin rush.” The preparation process started last August. The cast of 125 volunteers gave 24 Sundays, 25 Thursdays, two full weekends and endless hours in-between—probably in excess of 200 hours each, or combined around 135000 hours in total, Ms Haynes said. The management committee have probably put in twice the number of hours, and the directors have invested probably around 500 hours each—all for no financial reward. “We have done this for the greater glory of God,” Ms Haynes said. “It has been the most remarkable experience—friendships have been made, connections forged, skills learned, and great fellowship enjoyed,” she said. “It has also been a deeply prayerful time, most especially against the backdrop of the lead-up to Easter and having to make difficult decisions,” Ms Haynes added. “Perhaps Passion Play 2020 is about the journey, not the destination, about lessons in humility, humour and grace. It certainly has been a Lenten experience with a difference. She hopes that the Passion Play might be staged next year at Easter, “but this is uncertain”, Ms Haynes said.
21 Aug. - 2 Sept. 2020
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www.fowlertours.co.za/passion