20 March 2018

 

On Friday 16 March 2018, The Most Reverend Dr Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town was installed as Prior of The Order of St John in South Africa by His Royal Highness, Prince Richard Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO GCStJ at a ceremony held at Christ Church, Constantia in Cape Town.

 

At the same ceremony, Archbishop Makgoba was invested as a Knight of Justice of the Order, committing himself to the care of the sick and injured in line with the mottoes of The Order ‘For the Faith’ and ‘in service of humanity’ – Pro Fide and Pro Utilitate Hominum.

 

The ceremony incorporated hundreds of years of tradition, displaying the processional symbols of the Cross of the Order, the Sword and numerous colourful banners. In addition the ceremony had a distinctly South African flavour with volunteer St John Community Health Workers (typically known for taking health care services to young and old in communities such as Nyanga and Gugulethu) singing in praise of the new Prior.

 

Volunteer members of the local St John Brigade, known countrywide for their provision of emergency care services, played a pivotal role in the ceremony, leading processions and forming a Guard of Honour for the new Prior and his esteemed guests.

 

The Archbishop takes over the reins of the South African Priory from Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu who served as the head of the non-profit organisation from 2012 to 2017.

 

 

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Text courtesy of Priory for South Africa