Ernest Sibanda facts for kids

Ernest Sibanda (born December 25, 1925) was a very important person in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in what is now Zimbabwe. He was one of the first black members of the Church in that country.

Early Life and Education

Ernest Sibanda was born in 1925 in a city called Salisbury, which is now known as Harare in Zimbabwe. His father was a pastor in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and Ernest grew up following that faith.

He was a very dedicated student. Ernest earned two university degrees: a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science. He also trained to become a pastor in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, just like his father.

After his training, Ernest worked as a pastor for three years. He then spent nine years as a teacher, helping many students learn and grow. Later, he became a headmaster (the leader of a school) for fifteen years. He married his wife, Priscilla, in 1958, and they had three children together.

A Time of Conflict

In April 1976, during a difficult time called the Rhodesian Bush War, something scary happened. Ernest Sibanda's house was burned down by fighters who thought he was helping the government. To stay safe, Ernest and Priscilla had to leave their home in Salisbury. They walked a long way to another city called Bulawayo to escape the danger.

Joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

In December 1979, while working in Bulawayo, Ernest Sibanda met some missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was very interested in what they taught. After reading from the Book of Mormon, Ernest felt strongly that he wanted to join their church. He was baptized just two weeks after meeting the missionaries!

A few weeks later, in early 1980, his wife Priscilla also chose to be baptized into the Church. Ernest Sibanda was the first black person to become a member of the Church in Rhodesia (which is now Zimbabwe). His baptism was a big step and helped open the way for other black people to join the Church in Southern Africa. Soon after his baptism, Ernest was given special responsibilities in the Church, first as a priest and later in the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Serving and Translating

Ernest and Priscilla faced some challenges at first, as it was a new experience for everyone to have black members in the Church in Bulawayo. However, they continued to serve faithfully. Over the years, Ernest held many important leadership roles in the Church. He served as a Sunday School president, a counselor in a branch presidency, and a branch clerk.

Ernest Sibanda also used his skills to help the Church in another way. The president of the Church's mission in South Africa asked him to translate some of the Church's hymns. He translated these songs from English into the Shona language, which is spoken by many people in Zimbabwe. This helped more people understand and enjoy the hymns in their own language.