Historic celebration honours Mama Magambu

The Methodist Church of Southern Africa, together with friends, family, and the wider community, gathered at Thusong Hall in Khayelitsha to honour Mnyamana “Mama” Magambu (78) for her lifetime of ministry.

For more than 30 years, Mama Magambu has preached the gospel aboard train carriages between Khayelitsha and Cape Town, turning public transport into a place of worship. She is the first person in the church’s history to receive this recognition while still alive.

The event was initiated by Reverend Lubabalo Quluba, superintendent minister of the Kumkani Hintsa District, after he saw a Facebook video of her preaching and decided to celebrate her work now rather than later.

With the help of donors, the tribute came to life.

On the day Mama Magambu was transported to the venue in a Porsche, greeted by the False Bay Women’s Manyano singing hymns in a moving guard of honour. The atmosphere was one of deep reverence and celebration.

Reverend Louis Williams, superintendent of the False Bay Circuit, opened the service.

The guest preacher, lay-president Xhanti Mhlubulwana, delivered a stirring sermon, describing Mama Magambu as a humble, fearless preacher who never waited for a pulpit or recognition. He reminded all that her ministry reached thousands in places traditional churches often don’t reach.

The service drew a large and diverse crowd, family, neighbours, train commuters, church members, and leaders from various denominations, many of whom shared personal testimonies of how her ministry changed their lives. Her consistent presence and powerful prayers became a spiritual anchor for many.

Reverend Quluba spoke of how Mama Magambu’s faith influenced his own call to ministry during his years in Cape Town. Now at 78, Mama Magambu continues to inspire a generation of believers to take the Gospel beyond church walls.