On July 18, the diocese of Swaziland elected the first female Anglican bishop in Africa, 20 years after the Church of the Province of Southern Africa voted to ordain women.
The Rev. Ellinah Ntfombi Wamukoya, 61, succeeds Bishop Meshack Mabuza, who announced his retirement last year. Wamukoya will become the 24th active female bishop in the Anglican Communion, according to the Anglican Communion News Service.
“There was great rejoicing when the outcome was released,” said a statement issued by Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, primate of the Church of Southern Africa. He described the election process as “rigorous and spirit-filled.”
Wamukoya is currently chaplain at the University of Swaziland and St. Michael’s High School in the town of Manzini, central Swaziland. She is also CEO of the City Council of Manzini.
