HISTORY

In 1909 the “Scandinavian Alliance Mission” merged with the “Jönköping’s Missionary Association” and formed the “Swedish Alliance Mission” (SAM), which now became the employer to Mvana. Under SAM’s directive Mvana established the Alliance Church of Southern Africa. In the early 1950’s there was a rift between SAM and Mvana leading to Mvana’s departure.

In 1953 led by the Holy Spirit Mvana established what was known then as the Bantu Swedish Free Church (BSFC), the following year i.e. 1954 the church was formally registered at the time the Secretary of the church was the late Rev. BST Dladla from Standerton. However, in the year 1984 the word “Bantu” was removed from the name of the church giving birth to what is now known as the “Swedish Free Church” (SFC) this was done with an aspiration of becoming a non-racial church with no racial biasness.

In 1964 when Mvana was called back home, to heaven, the late Rev. Mabanga became his automatic successor the late Rev Dladla continued on his role as the Secretary of the church. The succession of the late Rev. Mabanga did not sit well with the late Rev. Yende. Sadly, that led to a split and the formation of the Republican Free Church.

In the early 1970 the late Rev. BST Dladla became the first elected President of the church, and his Secretary was the late Rev. RV Mcube from Tsakane. However later Rev. Mncube was later deployed to Piet Retief.

In 1989 the late Rev. NO Magagula from Vosloorus was elected as the President of the church, and the late Rev. ZQ Mpofu became the Secretary of the church.

In the year 1995 at the Mbalenhle Conference the issue of “Regions” was proposed and there was no clear resolution on the matter. This became another sad chapter for the church when some ministers drifted away from the main church to run an independent faction that is now referred to as the “Regions”. As a result, the church lost a number of branches to this faction. Thank GOD though that some of the prodigal branches have returned home and our Church Board is working on reconciling with the rest.

In the 2001 conference the late Rev. NO Magagula retained the position of the President of the church and Dr./ Rev. PB Maseko from Iswepe became the Secretary of the church. It is notable that the late Rev. Magagula and Dr./ Rev. Maseko were the only two candidates who served so long in those respective positions.

In the year 2007 Rev. IMB Nkambule from Swaziland was elected as the President of the Church and Rev. HVD Khumalo from Emadwaleni Soweto was elected as the Secretary of the church. However, Rev. Khumalo did not last his entire term of office he resigned in March 2009 thus leaving room for Dr./ Rev. PB Maseko to resume the office again until 2010.

In the year 2010 Rev. IMB Nkambule from Swaziland was re-elected as the President of the Church and Dr./ Rev. PB Maseko from Iswepe was elected as the Secretary of the church.

In the year 2012 in a Special Conference held at Bethal the Church Constitution was amended and the clause of Two (2) Terms in the office for any position in the church committees was approved.

In the year 2013 the late Rev. MS Ndaba from Wattville was elected as the President of the Church and Rev. KJ Msibi from Piet Retief was elected as the Secretary of the church.

In the year 2016 Rev. IMB Nkambule from Swaziland was elected as the President of the Church and Rev. ZE Mkhwanazi from Caroline was elected as the Secretary of the church.

In the year 2019 Rev. HVD Khumalo from Emadwaleni Soweto was elected as the President of the Church and Rev. GS Maseko from Sheepmore was elected as the Secretary of the church.