Rev Peter Motsamai Botipe from the spectacles of Rev Mziwethu Charles Vakala of Libode PSJ Congregation in the district of former Transkei.

Date of Article: 15/03/2009

I am one of the fortunate ministers who were ordained by Rev PM Botipe, a stalwart of PCA; though I was young in ministry, I was blessed to witness his tenure of moderatorship.  He was the best moderator, who was witty and scintillating. His intelligence could not be questioned. He had a divine energy which commanded respect to all those who were around him in church gatherings.   Even though he had imperfections as any other human beings, he was able to manage them properly within his leadership style and demeanor. Many people within the PCA’s corridors associate his face with the pretext of the Presbyterian Church of Africa.  I (Vakala MC) regard him as “True PCA in heart” a catalyst; we all felt safe under his leadership. I’m one of the fortunate ministers who were ordained by Rev P.M.Botipe. Even though I was young I managed to witness his prosperous moderatorship. He was the best moderator, who was witty and humorous “you are busy doing nothing” he once said that. His leadership was characterized by centralizing and collective power with those he led with; the like of Rev Skade H. Thembani and Rev Themba Njikelana.

 Sometimes one would notice his reluctances and indisposition to listen to voices of young ministers. He strongly believed in experience and encourage them to observe how things are done within the PCA corridors,  a result many young ministers during his tenure were silent ( they didn’t have a say) but something strange even though they had no voice they looked up to him. He was the role model of many. He was a preacher not just any preacher a gallant and a valiant one. Even though he was preaching in Sotho you would understand what he was saying being not a Sotho speaking person.  He had a special prophetic gift of selecting a text in this, he was a good hermeneutist. He was a vigorous and dynamic preacher.

We were always looking forward to listen to his sermons. He was the preacher of the Old Testament, a reasonable man of God in all his delivery. Even though during his tenure the church was unstable, he showed exceptional leadership skills. He strongly believed in peace extending, He would approach those who disagreed with the constitution without compromising it.  Indeed he was glue that brought us together in those trying times, he was the hope and the architect of PCA.   People like to identify Rev P.M.Botipe as an independent thinker. He suffered a lot for the benefit of this church. One other Christ like aspect of him he was a teacher when it comes to church education, church constitution and traditions of our church.  he was a master indeed. He hated it when he noticed that ministers were ignorant of the church policies and procedures, he would never compromise the constitution of our PCA. During conflicts about policies and procedures he would always refer to the constitution “what does the constitution says” He never compromised the church policies. He respected the decisions taken in a meeting and he would never act against a decision taken by the General Assembly. To him the GA was the Supreme body of our Church and her decision could not be question. “GA decisions are laws of PCA” That was Rev PM Botipe.

He respected people’s views and would not turn them down to accommodate his views. He never seeks favors or tries and pleases everybody. He was a humble servant of the Lord who suffered for Christ’s church and a strong follower of the truth that created for him so many enemies because of his love for the truth. He was passionate about the Presbyterian Church of Africa, his love for his church was visible because he stood against the ministers who were working and paying less attention to their congregation’s needs. He never liked or enjoyed seeing suffering ministers; he always puts others before him. His circuit in Moroka Johannesburg was relatively small but he never used his influence to get a bigger circuit even though he was the General Assembly Moderator. This man indeed by any account was a true leader this church has ever produced. Let me conclude by saying “May His soul rest in peace”. The PCA’s will always miss you. Sometimes we wish you were with us. Our love for you is unexplainable.