South Africa: Sister ‘Mampheteli Clementine Sekantsi, a missionary and consecrated religious serving the impoverished in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, has raised funds to provide meals for the homeless for 25 weeks in celebration of her silver jubilee.

To mark the 25th anniversary of her religious profession and in gratitude for God's call, Sister Sekantsi, a member of the Congregation of the Holy Family Sisters of Bordeaux, chose a meaningful way to celebrate her milestone. She wanted to share her joy with others in small, impactful ways.

Her mission involves cooking and distributing meals to the homeless in Pietermaritzburg through two organizations: St. Mary's Catholic Church Soup Kitchen and Life Changer. To make this possible, Sr. Sekantsi reached out to her friends and family for financial support to feed those living on the streets for 25 weeks, inviting them to take part in her work of giving back as an expression of gratitude for her vocation.

“I wanted to engage others in my mission and raise awareness about the struggles of the poor so they could better understand and assist them,” she shared. She emphasized the importance of offering hope and encouragement to the young people on the streets of Pietermaritzburg, where she is involved in counseling and organizing prayer meetings, sharing the Word of God with them. "Prayer and reflection on the life of the Holy Family have always been the source of strength for all the ministries I have been part of," she said.

Sr. Sekantsi reflected on her diverse roles throughout her 25 years of religious life, including serving as a catechism teacher, radio presenter, adoption social worker, pastoral care provider for migrants and refugees, and an aid worker for those living on the streets. Her passion for child protection has led her to focus on her current ministry with the homeless. “I often think of Jesus' words in the parable of the Good Samaritan, ‘Go and do likewise,’” she said.

Inspired by the first missionary sisters who arrived in Lesotho in 1865, Sr. Sekantsi has been deeply moved by the selflessness of those who came before her. “I stand on the shoulders of missionary women who gave everything for the betterment of others,” she said.

Her missionary journey also took her to Rwanda in 2003, where she lived in an intercultural community, embodying the message of communion. There, she offered pastoral care to families affected by genocide and built strong relationships with the people. “It was a true spirit of synodality,” she said, sharing in both their joys and sorrows.

In South Africa, Sr. Sekantsi worked with families as a child protection service provider, helping place children in foster care. She believes that in all her ministries, her role is to create communion, in line with the charism of the Holy Family, which values simplicity.

In her work with the homeless, Sr. Sekantsi strives to create a compassionate, non-judgmental environment that fosters healing. She works with a team that provides lifeboat services to those struggling with addictions, offering hope, encouragement, and a safe space for change. “I’m here to give hope to the hopeless, encouragement to the discouraged, and empowerment to those who feel powerless,” she said.