Bishop David Bannerman of the Highveld
The huge hall at the Beula Park Conference Centre hosted around 1,500 people from the Diocese of the Highveld for the Consecration and Enthronement of David Bannerman as the second Bishop of the Highveld.
Grand pageantry marked the occasion as trumpet fanfares combined with traditional African music, and a contemporary touch was added by the youth choir from the parish of Wattville with a Rhythm and Blues feel.
Bishop David was presented by two of his fellow bishops, and the principal consecrator was the Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba. Eight other bishops from the Anglican Church of Southern Africa joined in the consecration. David was enthroned by the Senior Priest of the diocese, an impressive Zulu figure known to many in the Diocese of Monmouth, Wilmot Ngobese.
Bishop David has a hard act to follow the huge presence of the late David Beetge, but his kindness, spiritual nature and dedication to the Lord's work has endeared him to the diocese of which he has been Dean for some years. He is glad of our prayers and support, and our diocesan Link is very close to his heart.
Fr Patrick Coleman