By Sizukiwe Vimbani

KwaBhaca (formerly Mount Frere) is a mountainous rural area with strong cultural traditions and dispersed settlements. At the heart of this place is a people group, AmaBhaca, for whom the words of this Scripture are fitting:

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." - Ecclesiastes 3:1

Looking back over the journey that has led to the start of the Bhaca translation programme, those words ring particularly true. There has been a season of searching, a season of waiting and now, a season of translation.

The story begins in 2016 when Wycliffe South Africa first became aware of the Bhaca language and community. In 2018, Busie Khanyile and Lindsey Trusler travelled to the region to conduct a language survey. Their findings confirmed both the viability and the need for translation work in the language. It was in this year that isiBhaca entered the Wycliffe South Africa database as a pipeline programme.

The next challenge was identifying a local impact partner. In July 2019, Bonifacio Paulo and Mpho Tsekwa travelled to Mzimkhulu in KwaZulu-Natal. They were received by five members of the local council of churches and a bishop from the Methodist Church. Initial conversations were promising. Unfortunately, no formal invitation followed that meeting. Thus, the search for a local partner continued.

In 2022, Bonifacio and Mpho travelled beyond Mzimkhulu to KwaBhaca itself. They were joined by former Wycliffe South Africa Board member Sihle Mooi. During that visit, one of the AmaBhaca chiefs was identified, but circumstances prevented a meeting from taking place. The following year, Bonifacio, Modisa Mzondi and Mesuli Tshele continued searching for an impact partner.

Then, in 2025, the breakthrough finally came.

A partnership was established between the KwaBhaca Traditional Council and Wycliffe South Africa. In October 2025, Wycliffe South Africa hosted a Try-and-See Workshop in KwaBhaca. Bonifacio, Ndzuzo Potsane, Busie Khanyile and I attended the workshop and spent a week working alongside local translators. During that time, the team recorded three Scripture story episodes which were subsequently distributed within the community.

A few months after that, Wycliffe South Africa received an official letter of invitation from the community through the KwaBhaca Traditional Council. With that invitation in place, formal documentation and programme development could begin. Years of praying and waiting had finally opened the door for translation work to start.

That long journey reached a significant milestone in August 2026.

From 24 August to 4 September 2026, the first official Bhaca Oral Bible Translation workshop was held. Busie, Ndzuzo, Carol van Heerden and I represented Wycliffe South Africa. The excitement was palpable as translation work began. After hearing so many stories about the obstacles and delays that had marked this journey, seeing the team gathered around God's Word and beginning the work strengthened my own faith. It was a reminder that God's timing is often different from ours, but it is always perfect.

As the programme began, we were intentional about creating a space where team members could get to know one another. We recognise that strong relationships are an important part of the kind of work we do. Mealtimes and evenings at the accommodation provided opportunities for this, and it was encouraging to see how quickly the team gelled.

Today, the team is established and is settling into the rhythm of the work. They are currently translating the book of Genesis, carefully working through the text together.

One highlight of the workshop for me was seeing God's hand of provision and affirmation. Several logistical challenges arose that could have disrupted our plans. Yet time and again, the Lord made a way, often providing solutions better than anything we could have anticipated. Another highlight was witnessing the community's response to the translation work. On one occasion, a local pastor visited the team, shared a word of encouragement, and prayed a blessing over both the translators and the work ahead.

This first phase of the programme will run from August 2026 to July 2029 and will follow a part-time model. During this phase, the team will work through a panorama of Bible Stories drawn from Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Samuel, Daniel and the four Gospels.

Please pray for the team as they navigate translation for the first time, and that the Lord would give them wisdom and insight. Please also pray for protection for the team members and their families as they do this important work of serving by working to make the word of God accessible in isiBhaca.

Indeed, the Lord makes all things beautiful in His time!

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The Sepulana Bible Translation Team successfully hosted the Mark Lumo Film Dedication Celebration at Shatale on 15 August 2026. The celebration was a great success, bringing together the community, church members, families, and supporters of the Sepulana Bible Translation work.

The celebration was enriched by beautiful traditional dances, which brought joy and cultural pride to the occasion. The Sunday School children performed exceptionally well, demonstrating their talent, confidence, and enthusiasm. Sepulana songs were also beautifully rendered, creating a meaningful atmosphere of worship and celebration. To God be the glory.

“This is not simply a translation being launched. This is Scripture being welcomed into a culture.” - Alan Webster

We want thank our partners from House of the Lord for their support and words of encouragement to the Mapulana people, and to Wycliffe Director, Alan Webster, for his gratitude and blessing the event.

Special thank you goes to Helen van der Walt for Scripture Engagement to have launched the film with clips from Mark 1. She also shared the full film YouTube link on all the screens for people to access it. Every attendee also received a printed copy of the Book of Mark. Joy overflowed as our people received the Word in both print and film!

“Suddenly, the story of Jesus is no longer simply words on a page. It is people, faces, movement and sound. The Gospel is being seen and heard in the language of the Mapulana people.” - Alan Webster

We were also honoured by our Municipality Councillors, Pastors Fraternal, and Ntate Jonathan Malele from House of Malele Kgoshi Traditional Council who welcomed this historic moment with joy.

Overall, the Lumo Film Dedication Celebration was a memorable and successful event. It celebrated not only the film but also the importance of the Sepulana language, culture, faith, and the ongoing work of making God’s Word accessible to the Sepulana-speaking community. The excellent performances, good attendance, effective time management, cultural presentations, and well-organised catering all contributed to making the day a great success.

We give thanks to God for the success of the celebration and appreciate everyone who contributed their time, talents, resources, and support to make the Lumo Film Dedication a memorable occasion.

I was blessed to attend this Sepulana LUMO film launch on behalf of House of the Lord church. Being part of this historic event in the Mapulana journey was a great privilege.

Every time a translation phase is completed or a celebration is held, it is amazing to see how everyone gives the glory to the Lord. This was no exception. From the time of arrival there was rejoicing for what the Lord has done.

God’s timing was once again absolutely perfect for this celebration.

It was special to meet some new team members and great to see those whom I have met. Their enthusiasm for the gospel was so alive and tangible. I praise the Lord for the whole team that so diligently worked towards this end goal. Many people were eager to support this event. May the Lord be glorified through all that is happening in Bushbuckridge.

01h30... I’m awake.

Far too early. I don’t want to miss the alarm, so I lie there listening to the silence, willing myself back to sleep.

02h30... Awake again. Still too early.

Back to sleep.

03h15... That’s it. I’m up.

It’s time to get ready for the road trip to Bushbuckridge.

By 04h30, Helen, Jen, Busani and Brain have arrived, and we’re on the road. It’s still pitch dark outside, and the Highveld winter makes the heater a welcome necessity. But inside the car there’s warmth of another kind. We’re excited.

In the back are 400 copies of the Gospel of Mark in Sepulana.

Four hundred books may not sound like much, but these are precious. They are the first written copies of Scripture produced by the Sepulana translation team. Soon, they will be in the hands of people across Bushbuckridge — people who will be able to read the story of Jesus in their own language.

We’re not just carrying books.

We’re carrying a story.

A story that is about to come alive on screen.

“God’s Word is coming!”

By 09h30 we arrive in Bushbuckridge and the atmosphere has already changed.

The translation team is there. Members of the community are gathering. And, as always, the local cycling club has joined the celebration. The bikes are ready, the people are ready, and there is a sense that something special is about to happen.

Then we set off for the venue.

The convoy moves through the streets, horns hooting and people waving, announcing our arrival.

God’s Word is coming!

Not only in those precious printed copies of Mark, but also in a completely different form — the LUMO film of the Gospel of Mark in Sepulana.

Then the dancing girls appear.

Bright clothing. Big smiles. Rhythmic stamping.

And the sound of the matlhoa — the rattles tied around their ankles — fills the air as they dance. The beat is infectious. The movement is mesmerising. It is unmistakably Mapulana.

This is not simply a translation being launched.

This is Scripture being welcomed into a culture.

We enter the church, where guests are warmly welcomed and the worship begins. The music rises. Voices fill the room. Soon we are no longer spectators. We are part of it — joining the dancers and singers as the congregation forms a great circle of celebration and praise to Modimo.

There is colour... There is movement... There is music... There is joy.

And then comes the moment we have been waiting for.

The Gospel comes alive.

The lights go down.

The film begins.

The Gospel of Mark — in Sepulana.

Suddenly, the story of Jesus is no longer simply words on a page. It is people, faces, movement and sound. The Gospel is being seen and heard in the language of the Mapulana people.

I look around the room... And I see the eyes... Big eyes... Smiling faces.

Faces lighting up as they hear the story of Jesus in the language of their mothers and fathers — the language that carries their memories, their identity and their culture.

There is something profoundly beautiful about that moment.

God’s Word has come.

And it is here to stay.

It is taking root in the language and culture of the Mapulana people. It is becoming part of their story — ready to speak into homes, churches and communities, and ready to bring transformation.

This is why we do what we do.

Not simply so that people can have a Bible.

But so that people can encounter Jesus.

So that God's Word can move from the page to the heart, from the screen to the community, and from one generation to the next.

A celebration worth the journey

Eventually, we emerge from the church into the bright daylight and head to the hall, where a wonderful lunch awaits us.

There is plenty of food, conversation and laughter. We meet new friends and reconnect with familiar faces. Stories are exchanged. There are smiles all around.

And then, all too soon, it’s time to climb back into the vehicle.

Bushbuckridge fades behind us as we begin the long journey home.

It has been a very long day.

A very long road trip.

But some journeys are worth every kilometre.

We drove through the darkness carrying 400 copies of Mark in Sepulana.

We arrived to dancing, rattling matlhoa, bicycles, music and celebration.

And we left having witnessed something much bigger than the launch of a film.

We witnessed the grace and power of God at work as His Word brings light and life to the Mapulana people.

The Word has come.

The Gospel is being heard.

Jesus is being seen.

And the celebration has only just begun.

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By Lenthia Erasmus

Dreams do come true!

Monday, 7 September 2026, was a truly momentous and blessed day, as Wycliffe South Africa and The Word For The World came together for a shared time of prayer and fasting. Hendrik van Aswegen (International Prayer Director, TWFTW) made the trip from Port Elizabeth to be with us, joined by Chris Heyns (ED, TWFTW) and Alan Webster (ED, WSA).

We're so grateful to Renew Church, Fourways for graciously opening their doors and hosting us in their lovely facilities. The day was rich with praise and worship, led by Alan, Busani Mcingolwane, and Nomonde Ndlangisa — a time set apart from the busyness of life, simply to wait on the Lord and rest in His presence.

It is wonderful to see the unity among Bible translation organisations, and it remains a privilege to pray with and for one another — unity in the Spirit, united in prayer, and one in purpose.

All glory to God for giving us this dream of coming together — and for making it happen.

"Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)

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By Alan Webster

It was a privilege to travel down to Hillcrest and join a team of nine from CityHill Church for a mission trip into the south of Lesotho. Our destination was Dalewe, near Mt Moorosi, where we were welcomed by the Baphuthi people.

Mt Moorosi is a place of great significance to the Baphuthi, and it was a privilege to spend time among a people whose language and heritage are so deeply rooted in this part of Lesotho. It is also here that we have been assisting with the translation of the Bible into Siphuthi.

Our wonderful hosts, Noma and Eketsang, are part of the translation team and went above and beyond to make us feel at home. They helped us navigate the villages, introduced us to local leaders and families, and opened doors for us to experience something of life among the Baphuthi.

One of the highlights was visiting the local chiefs and presenting each of them with a Sesotho Bible. The Bibles were eagerly received, and these encounters provided opportunities to build relationships and share something of the wider work of Scripture translation.

Our days were filled with opportunities to connect with the community. We visited the local church, went from house to house meeting families and praying with them, and walked through the villages in prayer. One particularly special outreach was a gathering of around 100 local children. Their energy and enthusiasm brought a wonderful sense of joy to the day.

Of course, a journey into Lesotho would not be complete without experiencing some of the remarkable beauty and history of the area. We visited ancient cave paintings and even had the opportunity to ride some of the local horses, who helped us cross a fast-flowing river. These moments gave us a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage and stunning landscape that surround the Baphuthi communities.

But perhaps the greatest highlight was the CityHill team themselves. They came with a genuine desire to bless the Baphuthi people and an eagerness to understand how Bible translation is making a difference in their lives. They brought big hearts, plenty of enthusiasm and a joyful willingness to adapt to whatever each day brought.

For me, it was deeply encouraging to see a church community step into the work of Bible translation—not simply as spectators, but as partners who were willing to listen, pray, serve and learn.

Here are some of their reflections on the journey:

“Thank you everyone for an incredible, memorable trip. Thank you Sue and Gavin for all the time and effort and organisation, great supply of food and water. Thank you Alan for including us in the incredible work that Wycliffe is doing. Thank you Graham for the amazing driving and keeping us safe and Linds for the food and Sienna for sitting in the back row leaving us all the space. And of course our amazing translators who made the whole thing make sense for us. It was a very special experience for Amy and I and we feel so privileged to have spent time with the wonderful Baputhi tribe and to share their beautiful space.” - Shirley

“We just wanted to say a huge thank you to you all for being the most amazing team. We so appreciate each one of you. It was hard and unknown at times and no one ever complained or got grumpy. It was so encouraging going on mission with you all. We continue to pray that God will grow the seeds planted and continue to work in hearts and lives.” - Sue

Here is my poem on our Lesotho experience. The title is from the visit to the rock paintings where someone had written this on the wall of the cave...

“Room 19”

Turn left past Mount Moorosi
The road ahead is newly paved
With boulders tossed around and saved
To keep the wary out
It beckons only those who really have intent
To enter rugged beauty's heart.
The slow descent from Qacha's Nek
Does not prepare for what's about
To come - the jolt assault on every part
Tests the will of our mission's trek

Life slows down
In wide-eyed wonder at the mud-hut slopes
We blunder 'Dumelangs' to shepherds
In their butcher-boots and blankets
As each citied body barely copes
We marvel at the Gogo's anklets
Have danced well-trodden on these tribal hills
Confidence stills; here's sacred ground

Mudali hid His precious arts
In the creases of creation
There in the crevices of smiley welcomes
Where chiefs light fires
And children, free of trepidation
Run gleeful the tracks of trundled paths
Chase age-old streams that shape and pour
The overflow of beauty dropped from heaven's store

It's waiting for discovery
A venture to the pink-peach scenes
To willing wanderers abandoned to a timeless seek
Receive a soul recovery
And tucked beneath the towering peaks
A tranquil blend of mud and sticks
And thatch and solar-panelled homes
We savour ancient daubs of red
And book a bed in Room 19

The newest twelve disciples walk
And follow Morena’s ascent
To plant a seed and by our talk
In simple faith to pray, as sent
Siyakuboga Yeso gekusitleketa ebhalini yhakho
(We thank you, Jesus, for writing us into Your story)

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Celebrating 40 Years of Harry & Elsbeth Brasem!

This October, we’ll be celebrating a very special milestone as Harry & Elsbeth Brasem mark 40 years of serving with Wycliffe!

Harry and Elsbeth have played an important part in the story of Wycliffe South Africa. In 1986, they took over the leadership of Wycliffe SA, helping the organisation grow its contribution to the worldwide Bible translation movement. Their passion for prayer also led to the growth of prayer groups across Southern Africa and, later, the establishment of Intercessors for Africa, mobilising people to pray for Bible translation projects and the communities they serve.

More recently, Harry and Elsbeth have helped preserve that story by documenting the history of Wycliffe SA, culminating in the wonderful Jubilee magazine produced for Wycliffe’s 50th anniversary.

For four decades, they have faithfully given their time, gifts and hearts to the work of Wycliffe. We are deeply grateful for their years of service and the lasting impact they have had on our organisation and the wider Bible translation movement.

Please join us for a special celebration as we give thanks for Harry and Elsbeth and celebrate 40 remarkable years of service!

More details to follow.

Koti Psalms Album 

We are overflowing with joy and gratitude as we celebrate a massive milestone for Psalms that Sing in Koti: the team has officially wrapped recording on their very first video!

Seeing God’s Word come to life through the heart language and melodies of the Koti people is nothing short of incredible. Every note sung and every frame captured represents countless hours of dedication, faith, and passion to see lives transformed through Scripture engagement.

We praise God for His guidance, provision, and the incredible talent poured into this project. This is more than a video—it’s a powerful movement of praise that will resonate across communities for generations to come.

Press play and enjoy this video of the Psalms that Sing in Koti!

Connecting with Women Alive

On Friday, 25 September, Alan Webster and Bonifacio Paulo had the opportunity to attend a session of the Women Alive (WASHI) conference, connecting with a group of women who are passionate about their faith and serving God.

They shared about Bible translation — why it matters, how it brings God’s Word to people in the language of their hearts, and how Scripture is transforming lives and communities. They also highlighted some of the exciting translation work happening right here in South Africa, reminding us that the need for Scripture in people’s own languages is not just a global issue, but something happening on our doorstep.

Alan also shared the message through music, performing a song he had composed. His contribution was warmly received by the women, creating an encouraging opportunity to connect and share the heart of Wycliffe’s work in a personal and creative way.

It was a wonderful opportunity to introduce more women to the work of Bible translation, and we’re excited to see where this new connection might lead. Perhaps this is the beginning of future opportunities to work together and make the message of God’s Word accessible to even more people.

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It is the same with God. I wonder if you are like me? I ask God for a lot of things. I ask Him to keep me safe, to help me sleep well, to look after my friends and family, to make people better when they are sick, to help me with problems. But it is important that we remember to thank God for all that He has done. We should notice what He does (and especially when He does things that we have asked for) and we should thank Him. We should praise Him and tell Him how wonderful, awesome, amazing and good He is.

In Philippians 4:6 Paul tells us: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” We can ask God for what we need, but we do need to be thankful for everything He has done.

The people at Wycliffe try to follow these instructions from Paul. They pray together every Monday and ask God for what they need. Maybe they need God to provide something, or give them guidance, or heal someone or help a project go well. I’m sure they pray often that God will help more people be able to read the Bible in their own language. This month they will be having a special week of praying about Bible translation. They also spend a day every month fasting and praying. This means that on that day they do not eat any food to help them concentrate on praying more.

Like Paul told the Philippians, the Wycliffe team does not worry, but they pray about everything. They tell God what they need. But they also do the next part…they thank God for what He has done. They are not like the little boy we heard about who just told his mom what he needed. They thank God for all that He has done, especially for answering all the prayers that they have prayed. And they praise Him for who He is and for how wonderful, awesome, amazing and good He is.

The team at Wycliffe are really thanking God at the moment for answering a prayer that they have been praying for a long time. They have been wanting to start making an isiBhaca translation of the Bible. People who speak this language live in parts of the Eastern cape and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. There have been a lot of delays with getting started, but God has made a way that they can finally begin with this work, so that more people can have God’s Word in a language they understand. They have seen what God has done, and they are thanking and praising Him. They have many things that they thank God for in their prayer times, but this is a big one at the moment!

Let’s all try to give God more thanks and praise this month!

Love Gill