Community visits new headquarters, learns of Church
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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The new Africa Southeast Area Office Complex was dedicated Jan. 27 with a standing-room only crowd of 310, including government officials, community leaders, leaders of other faiths and historical society members. Those guests, who had been part of an open house earlier in the day, said they were impressed that the Church would present the complex to the Lord, along with the promise of providing service to the African community.
"By all standards and benchmarks," said Elder Ray H. Wood of the Seventy and president of the Africa Southeast Area, "the open house may be termed a resounding success in the public affairs' efforts to 'Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.' " (Matthew 5:16.)
He further stated that the dedication service, held outdoors under a canopy and during which he offered the dedicatory prayer, was another way to invite all people to "come unto Christ, and be perfected in him." (Moroni 10:32.)
The new office complex, which is adjacent to the Johannesburg South Africa Temple, is located in Parktown, a historic neighborhood near downtown Johannesburg. The complex, which sits on a hill overlooking the city, includes an old historic mansion house which bears the name, "Endulini," a Zulu word meaning "on the hill." This name will be memorialized by placement of a plaque on the building that will be used as the office and home for members of the area presidency.
Conducting the dedicatory service was Elder Christoffel Golden Jr., Area Authority Seventy and second counselor in the area presidency. Elder Golden reported that Sibongile Mahlangu, a member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) Guateng Provincial Government, told him after the services that her "heart was touched by the community service efforts of the Church."
The legislative member was given a personalized tour of the grounds by President Leon A. Holmes of the Benoni South Africa Stake, who is also chairman of the open house committee. Several guests of other faiths requested a special tour of the temple grounds following the services.
The open house was attended by some 750 people. Tours included a visit to a temporary visitors center at the Gatehouse building located on the temple grounds, where the differences between temples and other Church meetinghouses were explained. Tour stops had been set up throughout the newly remodeled buildings to "help bring the Church out of obscurity" (Doctrine and Covenants 1:30) by explaining to guests a few of the projects and programs the Church offers. Full-time missionaries provided by the South Africa Johannesburg Mission acted as hosts and tour guides. Each display was hosted by Church employees or senior couple missionaries. Featured among the displays were the Church's doctrine and organization, missionary program, family history, family relationships, temples, community service projects and the Church Educational System.
