Ithemba The Ithemba Labantu staff choir singing for their mentor and leader Reverend Otto Kohlstock during his farewell held at the centre's hall last Friday afternoon.
Image: Phiri Cawe
Ithemba Reverend Otto Kohlstock handed over the baton to Sophia Zittel who will now lead Ithemba Labantu Lutheran Community Centre. However, Mr Otto has promised to always visit the centre.
Image: Phiri Cawe
The director and founder of the Ithemba Labantu Lutheran Community Centre in Philippi East has handed over the reins after more than two decades.
uMfundisi Reverend Otto Kohlstock said goodbye to his staff and the community at a packed hall last Friday, April 25.
He had spent exactly 23 years in total at Ithemba School and has left a legacy during his years as director.
In 2002, Reverend Kohlstock was among the people who started the school.
He has been responsible for the growth and development of not only the children of the area but the entire community.
Under his tenure the centre saw the establishment of a soup kitchen, beading programme, music classes and a highly competitive and successful sports programme.
Although retiring, the reverend has promised to visit the centre and see how they are doing.
Recalling how the centre was started, Reverend Kohlstock said it was not easy but there was always a way to get things done.
“We had to establish a soup kitchen for those who had HIV/Aids and create a hospice and a beading group. I remember when we had one person who died in the hospice, we were saddened. Only one person was happy, the undertaker of the area. But those are just memories of the past,” he said.
Sophia Zittel, who was the youth coordinator, will be the new director of the centre.
Ms Zittel described Reverend Kohlstock as somebody who loved people and was passionate about his job. She thanked him for the legacy he has left behind and urged the staff to remain united and work for a better cause.
“He always kept caring for people. He always figured out how to help people. With me it always will be like that even if it is not exactly that. But let us grow together. Let’s keep working. Nothing major is going to change,” she said.
German Consulate General Cape Town Tanja Werheit attended the farewell and wished Reverend Kohlstock well.
Ms Werheit said she was delighted to have been part of Ithemba Labantu in one way or another.
She praised Reverend Kohlstock and the country for sharing similar principles with her native Germany such as education, freedom and caring for citizens.
Different speakers including staff members said Ithemba was privileged to have had Reverend Kohlstock as a member and a leader of their staff.
Colleagues said they have the utmost respect for him. Sithembele Ndenetya said: “I'm proud to have known uMfundisi. I've been here with him since 2003. There were four of us. We also started a beads project and it was successful through him. His work is visible to all. We now have a lot here.”
All agreed that Reverend Kohlstock served people with passion and has preserved the legacy of the centre, which is visible for all to see. At the end of the ceremony, the staff choir entertained those gathered at the hall.