A day of thanksgiving, excitement and jubilation saw the consecration and enthronement of the Rt Revd Metlhayotlhe Beleme as the fifth Bishop of Botswana, and the first Motswana holder of the office since the Diocese was formed in 1972.
Hundreds packed Holy Cross Cathedral, Gaborone, on Sunday 14th July, to witness the Consecration by the Most Reverend Albert Chama, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA).
The congregation was joined by distinguished guests including the Mayor of Gaborone, His Worship Mr Haskins Nkgaigwa, fellow bishops from the CPCA, other Christian leaders, representatives of linked overseas churches including the Bishop of Newcastle in the Church of England, and the bishops of Johannesburg, Matlosane and  Lesotho.
Archbishop Chama gave Bishop Beleme the charge to tend his flock and assured him that God will give him grace and strength to lead the people well. He said, “It is a difficult job but it can be done with God’s grace and the assistance of the people to build the diocese.”
After the consecration, one of the congregants, Mr Moroka Moreri dressed up in traditional clothing and presented a poem in the Setswana language, much to the delight and applause of the congregation.
Fr Beleme was presented to Archbishop Chama for consecration by Dean of the CPCA and Bishop of Manicaland Julius Makoni, and Chairman of the Anglican Council in Malawi Bishop Brighton Malasa.
A hectic month of planning for the big day all came together for an unforgettable celebration as Anglican Christians in Botswana welcomed home one of their own
