JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — On a sunny day, high on a red hill overlooking Johannesburg, the first South African Church leader appointed as president of the Church's Africa Southeast Area opened wide the gates to the green lawns of his office grounds in late September and welcomed political, business, media, religious and community leaders to a get-acquainted gathering and lunch. Elder Christoffel Golden Jr. of the Seventy and newly designated president of the Africa Southeast Area introduced himself as South African born, and explained the presence of the Church in Africa and in the world to 70 guests, among whom were visitors of other faiths.
Just a walk up the tree-lined hill from Endulini, the Church's historic South African headquarters site where the guests met, is the Johannesburg South Africa Temple, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in late August. Temple President Louis Groenewald and his wife, Sister Regina Groenewald, also attended the event to meet some of the city's leaders.
The event was hosted by the newly called Johannesburg Key City Committee of the Church here, along with Africa Southeast Public Affairs, with the committed goal "of bringing the Church out of obscurity in Africa." Sean Donnelly, businessman, author and radio co-host, is the director of the Key City Committee. Lesley-Anne Alexander, businesswoman and organizer, is associate director. A Church designated key city is a significant population center that is also a major media, political or business hub in a Church area in which public affairs efforts will be concentrated to promote the Church's good. Other Church officials attending were Elder William W. Parmley of the Seventy, first counselor in the area presidency; Elder Allen P. Young, an Area Seventy and second counselor in the area presidency; and Joseph Sitati of Kenya, Africa director of public affairs. Elder Young is also chairman of Johannesburg Key City Committee.
Elder Golden introduced two aspects of the Church to representatives of the mayor's office and chief of police, a judge, broadcasting executives, news media representatives, business people, stake presidents and their wives. He spoke of the restoration of the ancient Church 175 years ago through the Prophet Joseph Smith. He also outlined the Church's humanitarian efforts in Africa and throughout the world, explaining its many wheelchair donations, million dollar aid to the Mozambique Measles Campaign, and the Church's educational skills programs funded by the Perpetual Education Fund, through which students can draw upon loans.
Key City Director Sean Donnelly launched the beginning use of Mormon Helping Hands bibs to the crowd. He explained that Latter-day Saints are doing good for others in South Africa.