By Rev. Gaborone P. Lesito, 19th Episcopal District TCR Field Representative
The 128th Session of the West Annual Conference has made remarkable history when Bishop Wilfred Jacobus Messiah appointed the Reverend Dr. Ntshadi J. Dithipe-Moeti to the office of Presiding Elder. The Reverend Dr. NJ Dithipe is the first female pastor to be elevated to this office in the history of the West Annual Conference. Her appointment comes while she serves as the Pastor of Thelma Mentor African Methodist Episcopal Church and as Dean of the Board of Examiners since 2020.
She was called into ministry in 1983 and admitted in 1993, with her first ordination in 1995, and second in 1997. The Reverend Dr. Dithipe-Moeti has served the AME Church at the following churches:
Charlotte Maxeke AME Church, Kliptown (Wilberforce District) 1996-1997; Bethel AME, Mmabatho District, 1998- 2000; Mareka Memorial, JHB District, 2001-2002; FH Gow, AME Church, Orlando West, JHB District, 2003- 2005; Solomondale, Polokwane District (nee Pietersburg), 2006; FC James AME Church, Mookhophong, Polokwane District, 2007- 2010; Affiliated Pastor, Montshiwa Chapel AME Church, Mmabatho District, 2011-2013; and Maggie Mareka AME Church. Thelma Mentor AME Church, Mmabatho District 2014-2025.
She joins a few first female Presiding Elders in various Annual Conferences, viz: the late Rev. AK Masehela (MM Mokone Memorial), the Rev. DO Leepo (MM Mokone Memorial), the Rev. NNA Mtyumza (Natal), the Rev. J Tembu (Orangia), and the Rev. FJ Manganye (East). The 19th Episcopal District now boasts at least one Presiding Elder in each of its five Annual Conferences.
The Reverend Zoyisile m Qokela succeeds Dr. NJ Dithipe as pastor of Thelma Mentor AME Church.
Dr. Dithipe-Moeti obtained a Ph.D. in 2021 on the thesis: “An Exploratory Study of The Victims’ And Perpetrators ‘ Perceived Effects And Prevention Strategies of IPV (Intimate Partner Violence) in Mahikeng, South Africa.”
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