GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
OFFICERS
The LUCSA Officers are elected by the Assembly and meets 3 times a year. Together with the Executive Director the oversee that the mandates of the Council and Assembly are carried out.
COUNCIL
The LUCSA Council convenes annually and is responsible for conducting the business of LUCSA in the period between assemblies.
ASSEMBLY
The LUCSA Assembly is the highest decision-making structure and meets every three years. The Assembly brings together church leaders, lay women, youth as well as LUCSA partners from all over the region and internationally to evaluate, deliberate and set the agenda for the work of LUCSA. The Assembly elects the President and Council Members.
President
Bishop Kenneth Sibanda
Bishop Kenneth Sibanda is Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ). As a product of the LUCSA Lunodia Program with many years of leadership in the church, he brings a wealth of experience, education, and a deep commitment to his role as a president of the Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa. He is working hard towards a Lutheran Communion where all are capacitated and accompanied in the spreading of the Gospel of Christ.
Vice President
Ms. Ann Mokhine
Ms. Ann Mokhine is member of the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa (NELCSA) and serves the church in various capacities. Her involvement with LUCSA spans over a decade through volunteering and later being employed. Her wealth of knowledge and experience of the Communion as well as work in the church, public and private sectors further strengthen her position. She dreams of Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa where spiritual growth and issues of justice are lived realities for all.
Chair of Program Committee for Mission and Diakonia (PFMD)
Bishop Mothusi Lethlage
Bishop Mothusi Lethlage is presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Botswana (ELCB). His many years of church leadership and serving on boards on various mission organizations as well as former vice-president of LUCSA makes him apt for this position. Bishop Lethlage holds that Christ promise for us to have abundant live extend to our real life realities and hence he sees the Mission and Diakonia department as a driving force behind developing capacity and skills in the church.
Chair of the Program Committee for Education, Theology and Ecumenical Relations (PETER)
Bishop Gilbert Filter
Bishop Gilbert Filter is bishop of the ELCSA – Cape Church in which the historically oldest Lutheran congregation in South Africa exist. He has been in involved with LUCSA over the years as bishop. Being passionate about Christian Education as central to the living out the mission of the church in the world, Bishop Filter is working for a Lutheran Communion where all member churches are sufficiently skilled with resources to live out Christ’s grace in the world.
Chair of Standing Committee on Finance and Administration (SCOFA)
Mr. Lizwi Mtumtum
Mr. Lizwi Mtumtum is Vice President of the Moravian Church in South Africa (MCSA) responsible for Properties and Finance. As SCOFA chair he brings a wealth of education and experience in the areas of finance, banking, investments, and properties in both the corporate and non-profit sectors to the LUCSA Officers. His vision for LUCSA is not only to grow in preaching the Gospel of Christ to our members, but also to grow in how lives are impacted, and local resources used to further our salvation.
Regional Women’s Representative
Ms. Ester Sakaria
Ms. Ester Nalimanguluke Sakaria is a dedicated member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) and serves the church in various capacities. Her passion for service beyond her church commitments has her actively participating in various community and advocacy initiatives, especially in fields of HIV and AIDS, Livelihood Development and Gender Justice. Ester has a long journey of involvement with LUCSA programmes and so contributions to both her church and her community exemplify a life dedicated to faith, service, and the betterment of society. She believes in a Communion that upholds the well-being and justice of all, especially women and girls.
Regional Youth Representative
Mr. Thapelo Mogotsi
Mr. Thapelo Mogotsi is a youth leader within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA). As seasoned youth leader, Thapelo brings to LUCSA his passion for having the voice of young people heard, together with a myriad of various skills and resources to the position. Thapelo sees a Lutheran Communion that values the voice and direction of young people in the kingdom of God and works towards a better future, especially in light of unemployment and other social justice issues.
