The Secular Franciscan Order of the National Fraternity of South Africa gathered at La Verna Retreat Centre of the Order of Friars Minor on the banks of the Vaal River in Vanderbijlpark for its national elective chapter from 26 February to 1 March 2026. The 20 OFS members and 4 spiritual assistants—2 national spiritual assistants, Br. Dominic Griego, OFM Cap, and Br. Delani Chiliza, TOR; 2 local spiritual assistants, Br. Finbar Flanagan, OFM, and Br. Clement Kholopa, OFM—were joined by a delegation from the International Council of the Secular Franciscan Order (CIOFS), represented by Mary Stronach, Vice General Minister of OFS; Eremenciana Chinyama, OFS, Presidency Area Councilor for English and Portuguese-speaking Africa; and the representative of the Conference of the General Spiritual Assistants, Br. Pedro Zitha, OFM.
The Minister Provincial of the Friars Minor, Br. Ndumiso Khumalo, OFM, officially opened the National Chapter with a prayer and welcomed the CIOFS visitors.
On the first day of the chapter, it was dedicated to the reports from the National Minister, treasurer, formator, and the conference of the national spiritual assistants which. Then followed the formation session conducted by Mary and Eremenciana on “Responsibility and Roles of the Officers and of each Office.” On Saturday, the day began with the Liturgy of the Hours and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and after breakfast, another formation session was conducted by the general spiritual assistant on “Spiritual Assistants and their Roles in Fraternities.”
Followed by another formation session conducted by Mary and Eremenciana, who spoke on the "identity of OFS - who are we? The need for proper formation."
Then there was a presentation of the International Statutes and the national statutes, which were meant to bring awareness to all OFS members on diverse issues that need to be observed when a national statute is drafted for approval. After the intense morning, the elective session began with the theme: "I have done what is mine to do; may Christ teach you what is yours to do." Before the elective session, the OFS members had voted unanimously for the reports from the National Minister, treasurer, formator, spiritual assistants, and the yearly budget for 2026.
The capitulars finally had the great joy of electing a new council after so many years of not being able to elect one, as for some years the CIOFS had been nominating the Council due to the lack of quorum. The National Council of South Africa elected Thabang Senyakoe, OFS, as a National Minister, and Maetsane Mothibe, OFS, as an International Councilor for the next three years.
Immediately following the celebration of the Holy Mass for the installation of the New Council, the Old and New Councils met to draft some priorities to ensure a strong spiritual and effective OFS rule and Constitutions for the betterment of the spiritual and pastoral maturity of OFS members and Spiritual Assistants in South Africa.
Despite the long and challenging elective session, the capitular had successfully and joyfully finalized it with the celebration of the Holy Mass presided over by the Minister Provincial Br. Ndumiso Khumalo, OFM, during which all present witnessed the installation of the newly elected national Council of the Secular Franciscan Order in South Africa.
