Worship is at the heart of The Salvation Army’s ministry, and we understand the importance of singing songs of praise in our mother tongue, as it deepens our connection with God. For many years, the Southern Africa Territory has recognised the value of worshipping in one’s heart language and has made a firm commitment to regularly upgrading our songbooks, which are a vital aid to worship.
In recent months, years of dedicated work have come to fruition as task teams in various Divisions have handed over the upgraded versions of the Xhosa, Zulu, and Sesotho songbooks. The process of upgrading these songbooks has been a labour of love, involving the tireless efforts of committed soldiers and musicians who gave their time and expertise. Task teams, formed with individuals passionate and gifted in music and worship, embarked on the immense task of reviewing, translating, and refining the lyrics and that have been sung for generations. We are deeply grateful for their dedication and the countless hours they have invested.
In addition to upgrading existing content, these new editions include a selection of additional songs, bringing fresh elements to our worship. Recent handover ceremonies have seen these upgraded resources officially presented to the Territorial Leaders, Commissioners Eliasen, and Lieut-Colonels Mahlobo. Majors Semeno were on hand to receive the updated Xhosa songbook in the Eastern Cape Division. The Xhosa and Zulu songbooks have now been combined into a single volume once again, and we are thrilled at the inclusion of Tswana songs in the Sesotho songbook, creating a more comprehensive Sesotho and Tswana songbook.
While the handovers are a major step forward, there is still work ahead in the editing, formatting, and publishing stages. The Territory eagerly anticipates the release of these upgraded songbooks, which promise to be a most welcome addition to our worship resources.
As we continue this journey, we celebrate the commitment of those who have brought us to this point and look forward to the impact these new songbooks will have. We believe they will enrich worship, inspire hearts, and help our communities lift their voices in vibrant praise to God for many years to come.
