‘The Faithful Are Not Gone’: Pastor Madiba’s Fire-and-Spirit Sermon Ignites Molepo Funeral as ANC Leaders Vow to ‘Practice What We Sermonise’

Pastor Madimetja Daniel Madiba of Emmanuel Tabernacle Ministry delivers his Spirit-filled sermon from Micah 7:2–4, titled The Faithful Are Not Gone, during the funeral of Ntate Makgalemele Donald Molepo at Jack Botes Hall in Polokwane on Sunday. Madiba urged leaders to be consummate, authentic, and to “practice what you sermonise.”

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief

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POLOKWANE — The roof of Jack Botes Hall could not contain the power that fell on Sunday.

In trying times, as the ANC’s top brass gathered to bury the father of Limpopo Deputy Provincial Chairperson and Polokwane Executive Mayor John Mpe, Pastor Madimetja Daniel Madiba of Emmanuel Tabernacle Ministry stepped to the pulpit and set souls alight.

It was not just a funeral. It was a reckoning.

Preaching from Micah 7:2–4 under the title The Faithful Are Not Gone, Pastor Madiba — marshalled by the Holy Spirit and carrying the full weight of the Gospel of Jesus Christ — delivered a sermon mourners called God-sent. In minutes, grief turned to conviction. Tears turned to resolve. The Word became a mirror for leaders.

“God has kept for Himself the remnant of faithful men and women in the homes, church, schools, organisations, and governments,” he said. “Men and women who chose to fear God and be obedient to His word.”

Then he opened the wound. “Not each and every one who is next to you can be closer to you. Some can be your enemies. Joseph’s brothers became his enemies as soon as he shared his dream with them. They chose to kill him, which failed, and they sold him to Egypt. However, he remained faithful to God despite his life’s experiences.”

The hall, packed with ANC leaders, pastors, government officials and comrades from Ward 19 Winrainbow Branch, fell into a holy silence.

Pastor Madiba turned to the life of the man they came to bury — Ntate Makgalemele Donald Molepo. “Mr Molepo was faithful to the wife ever since he became a member of our church. How many pastors, leaders, and men would ever be seen in the company of their spouses? What is it that makes you ashamed of them today?”

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula addresses the media outside Jack Botes Hall in Polokwane on Sunday following the funeral of Ntate Makgalemele Donald Molepo. Mbalula said Pastor Madiba’s sermon had “touched the hearts of many” and called for authentic leadership in the ANC and its alliance with the SACP.

Then came the charge that shook the political establishment to its core: “Practice what you sermonise. Practice what you preach.”

“I encourage everyone in the congregation to live out what they preach. Don’t speak and not do,” he said. “Daniel sacrificed his own life when he was thrown into the lion’s den. He was ready to die rather than fear the majority. God shut the mouth of the lions, and Daniel was saved. Faithful ones stand out of the majority and speak the truth even when they know the backlash. How many leaders today can boldly stand against the majority even if it means being killed?”

He defined the standard for this hour: Leaders must be consummate. Profound. Authentic. Realistic. Not fake. “The public deserve to be led by real leaders who inspire confidence, who lead by example, and who do the right thing for the community. It is a futile exercise to have a leader who does not practice what he symbolises.”

Limpopo Premier and ANC Provincial Chairperson Dr Phophi Ramathuba, delivering the eulogy, said Ntate Molepo’s life answered the pastor’s call before it was made. “He was an educator who taught beyond the classroom. He raised leaders with humility, discipline and love for the people. He was faithful at home, faithful in church, and faithful in his branch. As Pastor Madiba said, the faithful are not gone — they live in us. And if they live in us, they must lead through us.”

Outside Jack Botes Hall, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the sermon had “touched the hearts of many” and spoke directly to the moment facing the movement. “Pastor Madiba was clearly marshalled by the Holy Spirit. He reminded us that real leaders stand for truth even when they stand alone. That is the faithfulness, the authenticity, we need in the ANC and in our alliance with the SACP.”

Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba delivers the eulogy during the funeral of Ntate Makgalemele Donald Molepo at Jack Botes Hall in Polokwane on Sunday. Ramathuba said Ntate Molepo raised leaders with humility and lived the faithfulness Pastor Madiba preached about.

Mbalula confirmed the 11 May deadline for dual ANC-SACP members to declare which party they will campaign for in the upcoming local government elections. “As we bury Ntate Molepo, the pastor’s message is clear: be consummate. Practice what you sermonise. Don’t be fake. Our comrades must be honest with the movement and with the people — the same way Ntate Molepo was honest in his home, his church, and his branch.”

Ntate Makgalemele Donald Molepo was laid to rest on Sunday. But what happened in Jack Botes Hall was bigger than a burial.

A pastor stood up and reminded a nation that the faithful are not gone. A premier testified that faithfulness can be lived. A secretary-general conceded that faithfulness must be practiced.

From pulpit to politics, one message rang out: Lead by example. Be real. Do the right thing. Practice what you symbolise.

Because the public deserves nothing less. And the future of South Africa depends on it.

ANC Limpopo Deputy Provincial Chairperson and Polokwane Executive Mayor John Mpe, centre, flanked by Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba, left, and ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, right, after the funeral service of his father, Ntate Makgalemele Donald Molepo, at Jack Botes Hall in Polokwane on Sunday. Both leaders paid tribute to Ntate Molepo’s life and echoed Pastor Madiba’s call for authentic leadership.