By Sizukiwe Vimbani

KwaBhaca (formerly Mount Frere) is a mountainous rural area with strong cultural traditions and dispersed settlements. At the heart of this place is a people group, AmaBhaca, for whom the words of this Scripture are fitting:

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." - Ecclesiastes 3:1

Looking back over the journey that has led to the start of the Bhaca translation programme, those words ring particularly true. There has been a season of searching, a season of waiting and now, a season of translation.

The story begins in 2016 when Wycliffe South Africa first became aware of the Bhaca language and community. In 2018, Busie Khanyile and Lindsey Trusler travelled to the region to conduct a language survey. Their findings confirmed both the viability and the need for translation work in the language. It was in this year that isiBhaca entered the Wycliffe South Africa database as a pipeline programme.

The next challenge was identifying a local impact partner. In July 2019, Bonifacio Paulo and Mpho Tsekwa travelled to Mzimkhulu in KwaZulu-Natal. They were received by five members of the local council of churches and a bishop from the Methodist Church. Initial conversations were promising. Unfortunately, no formal invitation followed that meeting. Thus, the search for a local partner continued.

In 2022, Bonifacio and Mpho travelled beyond Mzimkhulu to KwaBhaca itself. They were joined by former Wycliffe South Africa Board member Sihle Mooi. During that visit, one of the AmaBhaca chiefs was identified, but circumstances prevented a meeting from taking place. The following year, Bonifacio, Modisa Mzondi and Mesuli Tshele continued searching for an impact partner.

Then, in 2025, the breakthrough finally came.

A partnership was established between the KwaBhaca Traditional Council and Wycliffe South Africa. In October 2025, Wycliffe South Africa hosted a Try-and-See Workshop in KwaBhaca. Bonifacio, Ndzuzo Potsane, Busie Khanyile and I attended the workshop and spent a week working alongside local translators. During that time, the team recorded three Scripture story episodes which were subsequently distributed within the community.

A few months after that, Wycliffe South Africa received an official letter of invitation from the community through the KwaBhaca Traditional Council. With that invitation in place, formal documentation and programme development could begin. Years of praying and waiting had finally opened the door for translation work to start.

That long journey reached a significant milestone in August 2026.

From 24 August to 4 September 2026, the first official Bhaca Oral Bible Translation workshop was held. Busie, Ndzuzo, Carol van Heerden and I represented Wycliffe South Africa. The excitement was palpable as translation work began. After hearing so many stories about the obstacles and delays that had marked this journey, seeing the team gathered around God's Word and beginning the work strengthened my own faith. It was a reminder that God's timing is often different from ours, but it is always perfect.

As the programme began, we were intentional about creating a space where team members could get to know one another. We recognise that strong relationships are an important part of the kind of work we do. Mealtimes and evenings at the accommodation provided opportunities for this, and it was encouraging to see how quickly the team gelled.

Today, the team is established and is settling into the rhythm of the work. They are currently translating the book of Genesis, carefully working through the text together.

One highlight of the workshop for me was seeing God's hand of provision and affirmation. Several logistical challenges arose that could have disrupted our plans. Yet time and again, the Lord made a way, often providing solutions better than anything we could have anticipated. Another highlight was witnessing the community's response to the translation work. On one occasion, a local pastor visited the team, shared a word of encouragement, and prayed a blessing over both the translators and the work ahead.

This first phase of the programme will run from August 2026 to July 2029 and will follow a part-time model. During this phase, the team will work through a panorama of Bible Stories drawn from Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Samuel, Daniel and the four Gospels.

Please pray for the team as they navigate translation for the first time, and that the Lord would give them wisdom and insight. Please also pray for protection for the team members and their families as they do this important work of serving by working to make the word of God accessible in isiBhaca.

Indeed, the Lord makes all things beautiful in His time!