Mothers Union in Blackburn Diocese  Free State, South Africa 

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Background.....

The Mothers' Union... 

  • Supports those affected by HIV/AIDs; members are training to support families.

  • Provides 'drop in' centres for the many street children and members cares and support families in their own communities.

  • Is involved in community areas of concern such as the abuse of women and children

  • Offers caring and spiritual support for the sick and bereaved

 South Africa, Facts
Up
Bloemfontein
Nsukka
Sekondi
Shyogwe
Blackburn
Worldwide Mag 		The Diocesan Bishop of Bloemfontein is the Right Revd. Patrick Glover, he and his wife Kirsty support the Mothers' Union in all they do in the Diocese.There are 21 parishes and 14 districts or areas, which are smaller than a parish. There are around 38 paid clergy and about 80,000 Anglicans. There is one church school. The Cathedral Church in Bloemfontein city became a cathedral in 1850 and the diocese was founded in 1863. (Blackburn was founded in 1926). Location

Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa. South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost completely surrounds Swaziland

Capital

Pretoria; note - Cape Town is the legislative centre and Bloemfontein the judicial centre

Climate

Mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights

Terrain

Vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain.  Lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures

Population - 42,768,678

5 million (2001 est.) are estimated to be living with AIDS.

The life expectancy of the total population: 46.56 years
male: 46.57 years
female: 46.54 years (2003 est.)

Ethnic Groups

black 75.2%, white 13.6%, Colored 8.6%, Indian 2.6%

Religion

Christian 68% (includes most whites and Coloreds, about 60% of blacks and about 40% of Indians), Muslim 2%, Hindu 1.5% (60% of Indians), indigenous beliefs and animist 28.5%

Language

11 official languages,Six of these are major mother tongues within the diocese of Bloemfontein.

57% Sesotho, 15% Afrikaans, 9% Xhosa, 6% Tswana, 5% Zulu, 2% English.

Statistics from The World Fact Book

 
   
The Diocese previously known to us all as Bloemfontein and now the 'Free State' lies in the heart of South Africa. Read More about the area.
Maize, wheat, sheep and cattle are produced on the farms. Gold, diamond, coal and asbestos mines employ workers from outside and inside the Republic of South Africa.

Problems with housing have resulted in a rapid growth in squatter camps as farm workers and other immigrants move to the city for work and housing.

The Diocesan President is Selina Kitso

The Diocesan Worker appointed by Mary Sumner House is Pauline Rabadila.
Web Link to information pages about Bloemfontein

 

 

Send mail to contact@mothersunionblackburn.org.uk  with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2005-2009 The Mothers Union.  Blackburn Diocese. Charity No.242977
Last modified: July 23, 2004