Sobantu is a ministry undertaken by North Hills Church, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. North Hills is led by Kevin Jones and the ministry is extended towards God’s Holy People Ministries led by Gugu Khomalo and her council of two (Linda Bengu and Luca Ngubo). The ministry was founded largely as a result of the transformation movement in South Africa where white churches were encouraged to reach out to poorer black churches in their areas.

Sobantu is a ministry undertaken by North Hills Church, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. North Hills is led by Kevin Jones and the ministry is extended towards God’s Holy People Ministries led by Gugu Khomalo and her council of two (Linda Bengu and Luca Ngubo). The ministry was founded largely as a result of the transformation movement in South Africa where white churches were encouraged to reach out to poorer black churches in their areas.

In July 2003, a container of 15 boxes of mixed food was received from Dorcas Aid. The boxes where distributed to 15 of the most needy families who are members of God’s Holy People Ministries. The idea being that the next shipment received be given to those people who did not receive in July 2003. Of the 15 families that received food parcels, 10 families consisted of six members per family (children and adults) and four of the families consisted of up to 10 members. Of the 15 families, 10 have no regular bread winners and are really struggling. They survive on odd, informal work and the charity of the local community. 

Pietermaritzburg lies at the heart of the aids pandemic and of the 15 families; five of the families who received assistance have terminally ill family members living with them. This is consistent with the statistics of 20 – 30% infection rate that has been published for this area. 

Mum Thembo is the head of one of these families and she is a middle aged women of about 50 who lives with her brother. In her family there are four seriously ill aids patients, as well as five grandchildren. There are no bread winners in the family and they are solely reliant on the goodwill of the church.  

The further container of food was received and 42 boxes of raisins, five boxes of energy bars one barrel of soup were collected. Boxes of shoes, blankets and three sewing machines were still to be collected and distributed. In a meeting with Gugu, it was estimated that a further 30 families in the congregation would benefit from this donation. 

God’s Holy People, Tabitha Ministries and Hope Centre received food parcels in February and March 2007. 

God’s Holy People
10 Food hampers + dried fruit
2 Bags of beans

Community children receiving food packs with dried fruit Tabitha Ministries
16 boxes of raisins
10 buckets of dried peaches
8 food hampers
4 pocket pens
9 bags/ blankets/ pillows, etc.

Hope Centre
8 boxes of raisins
6 dried peaches
8 food hampers
2 pockets of beans