Johannesburg (South Africa). On Sunday, 16 November 2025, in Booysens, Johannesburg, at the chapel of Blessed Michael Rua Preprovince (AFM) headquarters of the Salesians of Don Bosco, four new Salesian Cooperators: Nathalie, Innocent, Quida, and Julian, made their Promise in the presence of Ms. Imelda Mace, Provincial Coordinator of the Salesian Cooperators, and Fr. Bonginkosi Nhleko, Delegate for the Salesian Family of the AFM Preprovince.
The Eucharistic Celebration – concelebrated by Father Odise Lazri and Father Erastus Chege, SDB – was attended by Sister Cecelia Motanya, Provincial of Our Lady of Peace Province (AFM), and Sister Giovanna Pesenti, CIAM Regional Delegate and Provincial Delegate for the Salesian Family, together with the FMAs of the Booysens Community. Some Salesian Cooperators from Ennerdale were also present.
In his homily on the 9th World Day of the Poor, Father Bonginkosi encouraged the new Salesian Cooperators – the first of the Booysens-Gauteng community – to work tirelessly for young people, especially the poorest and most needy, seeking souls following the example of the Founder, Saint John Bosco, who lived to his last breath for the salvation of youth.
At the end of the Mass, the Provincial congratulated and welcomed the new Cooperators. This was followed in the FMA house by a joyful agape in the family spirit that characterizes the Salesian Family. God’s blessings were also felt with a persistent and abundant rain that accompanied the participants throughout the morning.
Mary Help of Christians Community of Booysens-Gauteng is the 5th community of the AFM Province to have Salesian Cooperators.
On 13 November 2023, Sister Ana Maria Mainero held her first meeting with six people who responded to the invitation to join the Association. After 2 years of formation led by her, 4 of them answered the call. On November 8th, a week before their promise, they experienced a day of retreat to prepare for this important step.
In South Africa there are four local Centers:
- Ennerdale – Gauteng, started in 2008 by Sister Margaret Sweeny;
- Cape Town, started in 2013 da Fr. Eoin Farrelly, SDB and Sister Ana Maria Mainero;
- Malamulele – Limpopo, started in 2022 by Sister Consuelo Aguirre;
- Booysens – Gauteng, started on November 2025, by Sister Ana Maria Mainero (although the formation began in 2023) .
In Lesotho there are two local Centers:
- Maputsoe, started in 2016 by Sister Consuelo Aguirre, substituted by Sister Cecilia Motanya in 2017;
- Maseru.
On 30 April 2018, the Salesian Cooperators formed as AFM Province (South Africa and Lesotho) in Ennerdale, at the FMA House in Gauteng. The first Provincial Coordinator was Mr. Chester Brown and the Provincial Delegate is Sister Giovanna Pesenti, FMA.
The wish and prayer for the new Salesian Cooperators, is that the call to which they have responded may grow ever stronger and deeper, serving the Church wherever they are engaged in their pastoral ministries.
