African National Congress (ANC) Deputy President Paul Mashatile has expressed his admiration for the work that is being done at KwaSizabantu Mission at Maphumulo near KwaDukuza in KwaZulu-Natal.

He is attending the Easter service at the 50-year-old mission together with his wife and provincial ANC leaders.

Mashatile has told the thousands of Christians attending the service that in government he is tasked to liaise with churches and build partnerships.

He says government wants to form a partnership with KwaSizabantu because they don’t only preach the gospel but also uplift people on the farm by teaching them skills.

Meanwhile, Mashatile has told the congregation that he recently learnt of KwaSizabantu by chance when he overheard the daughters of the mission’s founder Erlo Stegen, speak fluent isiZulu with each other at a funeral in Gauteng.

Being curious, Mashatile says he wanted to visit the mission and celebrate Easter here.

He has paid tribute to Stegen for carving the mission out of the bush 50 years ago, despite harassment by the apartheid government.

Video | Mashatile in Greytown for Easter service

[IN PICTURES] ANC Deputy President, Comrade Paul Mashatile, led a delegation to KwaSizabantu Mission in KwaMaphumulo, where they paid their respects at the grave of founder Erlo Stegen by laying wreaths. The delegation also participated in the Easter Sunday service, recognising… pic.twitter.com/KETPj4wOFX

— ANC – African National Congress (@MYANC) April 20, 2025