The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has appointed Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa CMM, Bishop of Kokstad, as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Mthatha in South Africa. The announcement was made public by the Apostolic Nuncio to Southern Africa, Archbishop Henryk Jagodziński, during his address to the newly installed Archbishop of Cape Town on Saturday, 14 March 2026, at Grandwest Arena, Goodwood.

Pastoral governance during the Sede Vacante

As Apostolic Administrator, Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa CMM will guide the Diocese of Mthatha during the period in which the see remains vacant, ensuring continuity in pastoral care and ecclesial governance until a new bishop is appointed.

Formation and early ministry

Born on 13 February 1973 in Ixopo, in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, Bishop Mbuyisa entered the Congregation of Mariannhill Missionaries (CMM) in 1992 and made his perpetual vows in 1997.

He pursued studies in philosophy and theology at St Joseph’s Theological Institute in Cedara, South Africa, and was ordained a priest on 4 March 2000.

After several years of pastoral ministry, he continued his academic formation in canon law at Saint Paul University in Canada, where he obtained advanced degrees that prepared him for leadership and governance roles within the Church.

Leadership within the Mariannhill Missionaries

Bishop Mbuyisa has held a number of responsibilities within his missionary congregation. He served in formation ministry and later worked in Nairobi, Kenya, where he was responsible for the formation community at Nivard House.

In 2010, he was appointed Provincial Superior of the Mariannhill Missionaries in East Africa. His leadership within the congregation culminated in 2016 when he was elected Superior General of the Congregation of Mariannhill Missionaries, becoming the first African to lead the missionary congregation founded in Mariannhill. He served in this role until his episcopal appointment.

Bishop of Kokstad

On 6 April 2022, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of the Diocese of Kokstad. He received episcopal ordination on 11 June 2022.

At 53 years of age, Bishop Mbuyisa has served as bishop for nearly four years and continues to shepherd the Diocese of Kokstad while assuming the additional responsibility of Apostolic Administrator of Mthatha.

Service within the Southern African bishops’ conference

Within the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), Bishop Mbuyisa is actively involved in several pastoral initiatives. He serves as Chairperson of the Department for Integral Human Development (former Social Action Department), overseeing areas related to justice, peace, and social development in the region.

He is also Vice-Chairperson of the SACBC Commission for Synodality, contributing to the ongoing process of promoting a more participatory and listening Church across Southern Africa.

Service to the universal Church

In recognition of his experience in religious life, Pope Leo XIV appointed Bishop Mbuyisa a member of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the Vatican department responsible for matters concerning religious institutes and consecrated life worldwide.

With his appointment as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Mthatha, Bishop Mbuyisa brings to the role a wealth of missionary experience, leadership in consecrated life, and pastoral service within the Church in Southern Africa.