The first women to be ordained as priests has been held in the Province of the Church of Central Africa. 14 women were ordained on May 17, 2026, at a service at the Anglican Holy Cross Cathedral in Gaborone, Botswana.
Present at the service were Dr Tshepo Motsepe (the First Lady of South Africa), the Most Revd Albert Chama (Archbishop of Central Africa, Bishop of Lusaka and Primate of the Church of the Province of Central Africa) as well as Bishops from the Dioceses of Matlosane (South Africa), Harare (Zimbabwe), Pretoria (South Africa), Botswana and from the Dioceses of North Carolina (The Episcopal Church) and Newcastle (Church of England), both of which are link dioceses with Botswana. There was also representation from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Botswana.
Over many years, numerous motions to ordain women have been presented to the Provincial Synods of the Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA). In November 2023, a motion submitted by the Diocese of Botswana and seconded by the Diocese of Harare, that dioceses ready to ordain women should be allowed to proceed, was finally passed.
The first woman to be ordained in the Diocese of Botswana and the Church in the Province of Central Africa was Revd Beauty Autlwetse (St Augustine, Serowe), followed in quick succession by Revd Lesedi Bahayesi, Revd Florence Bogopa, Revd Lesego Bosimele, Revd Onicah Lentshikang, Revd Ethel Matlala, Revd Margaret Mere, Revd Mercy Molefe, Revd Precious Tonny Mosarwe, Revd Dr Dijeng Motsepe-Lebatha, Revd Hildah Ncaagae-Tshabadira, Revd Gasetoro Ncube, Revd Bosinki Matlapeng-Ndzinge and Revd Mosetsanagape Sepora.
Anglicans respond to the ordination of women priests in the Province of the Church of Central Africa
Addressing the women ordained, the Most Revd Albert Chama (the Archbishop of Central Africa and Bishop of Lusaka) said, ‘God’s time is the best time…. thank you for your patience. You have been waiting for a long time, but today that has been fulfilled… Today, history has been made and I’m happy, particularly in myself, that I’ve seen this happen during my time in office as Archbishop.’
The Rt Revd Metlhayotlhe Rawlings Beleme (Bishop of Botswana), who was celebrant at the service, shared ‘It is a milestone indeed for the Anglican Church in Botswana in terms of growing the church. A remarkable day as the Ordination of Women was the first in the diocese and in the Province of Central Africa’.
The Rt Revd Vicentia Kgabe, Bishop of Pretoria in the Church of Southern Africa and one of the ‘Africa Six’ women bishops in the continent, delivered the address at the service. ‘Priesthood is not a reward, or a spiritual achievement,’ she said. ‘Priesthood is an invitation into servanthood… The world often associates leadership with power, status and visibility but the Church must never forget that its saviour washed feet before he carried the cross… May you, my sisters, become shepherds after the heart of Christ.’
Bishop Vicentia later posted to social media: ‘Today at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, in Gaborone, Botswana, we witnessed a historic and grace-filled moment in the life of the Church as 14 women were ordained to the priesthood. The first for the Diocese of Botswana. With an Archbishop, 8 bishops present, alongside clergy, families, friends and visitors from different parts of the world, the Cathedral became a place of joyful celebration, thanksgiving and renewed hope for God’s mission.
‘I was deeply humbled and honoured to serve as the preacher at this sacred service. May these newly ordained priests minister with love, integrity and boldness as they lead God’s people in worship, justice and hope.’
The Revd Canon Dr Rachel Mash (environmental Coordinator of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa) was also at the service, which she described as an ‘amazing day’. Revd Rachel shared: ‘Praise God that doors are now opening. Some of these sisters have been waiting for 10 years and some have reached retirement age. Nothing is impossible with God!’
Revd Cathrine Ngangira is the Priest-in-Charge of a rural benefice in the Diocese of Canterbury, and formerly lived in Zimbabwe. Commenting on this important moment for the Province of the Church of Central Africa, she said: ‘We celebrate and rejoice in what the Lord has done, and we look forward to more female ordinations in other dioceses in the months to come. God’s ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts. Regardless of human decisions and processes, God’s appointed time — different for every person, diocese and province — will surely come.’
