The Southern African Catholic Council for the Laity (SACCL) has concluded its Annual General Meeting, electing a new executive leadership to serve a three-year term following a rigorous five-round voting process for the five executive positions.

The newly elected SACCL Executive is as follows:

• Chairperson: Mr Gordon Moncho – Kimberley Diocese
• Vice Chairperson: Mr Ambrose Matshate – Polokwane Diocese
• Secretary: Mrs. Ursula Plaatjies – Archdiocese of Durban
• Vice Secretary: Mr Musa Hlatshwayo – Manzini Diocese
• Treasurer: Mrs. Olwen West – Oudtshoorn Diocese

Together, the new leadership will guide and support the SACCL’s mission across South Africa, Botswana, and Eswatini, strengthening the role of the laity in the life and mission of the Church.

The elections took place on the evening of Saturday, 28 February 2026, the second day of the AGM, at the Lumko Institute, Retreat and Conference Centre, where the SACCL had been meeting since Friday.

During the closing Mass on Sunday, the newly elected executive was formally commissioned by Bishop Vincent Mduduzi Zungu OFM, Chairperson of the SACBC Department for Formation, Life and Apostolate of the Laity.

A Vision of Servant Leadership and Synodality

Speaking to the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) Communication Office immediately after the elections, newly elected Chairperson Mr Gordon Moncho expressed gratitude for the trust placed in the new leadership:

He described the moment as a privilege and committed the executive to servant leadership, pledging to carry forward the work of the previous executive while responding to the challenges facing the Church in the region. He emphasised the importance of teamwork, synodality, and collective responsibility, noting that leadership is not about individual status, but about service to the wider Church.

“We commit ourselves to be servant leaders, to work as a team, and to ensure that as the Council of the Laity we participate fully in the mission of the Church,” he said, highlighting the call to build a truly synodal Church that is “mission-ready” and inclusive of all.

Commitment to Communication and Unity

Meanwhile, the newly elected Secretary, Mrs. Ursula Plaatjies, described her appointment as a deep honour and responsibility. She committed herself to strengthening coordination and communication across dioceses, identifying communication as one of the key challenges facing the Council.

She expressed a strong desire to work collaboratively with all dioceses so that the SACCL may grow as a united and effective body, serving the needs of the faithful through improved information-sharing and cooperation.

Walking Together as Church

The newly elected Treasurer Mrs Olwen West, echoed the spirit of synodality, calling for continued walking together in faith as clergy, bishops, and laity. She affirmed the importance of unity, trust, and shared responsibility in building the Church as the People of God.

The three-day AGM also saw the attendance of the Vice Chairperson of the Department and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Durban, Bishop Elias Kwenzakufani Zondi, as well as departmental coordinating secretaries Fr Tjamela Dikotsi Mofokeng and Fr Motankane Mahlako