Beginning and family.

Born on the 10th of September 1976 as the first born of the late Michael Dipali and Susanna Wesi, I was raised and grew up within the ranks of the Methodist Church-thanks to my maternal grandmother who saw something in me I did not see.

I have been married for 23 years to Ntile Vivian Dipali and blessed with two boys- Ditebogo (18) and Malebogo (9) respectfully and our home is in Bloemfontein in the Free State Province.

Work and experiences.

Having studied Cost and Management Accounting at the then Techvos now Central CUT, I moved right into the retail space where I spent part of my adult life. It is at the retail space where I encountered God and was called to the Ministry of word and sacrament. Like other stories of those who are called, I resisted the call for five years whilst in the retail space, but Grace caught up with me eventually.

I then negotiated with God to give me two more years and landed at the banking sector where I learned finances. I later worked within the banking sector until I decided to be loyal to the Grace and accepted the calling. I then went to the Seminary for theological training in 2013.

Circuits trained and worked at.

2013-2015- I worked and trained at Pietermaritzburg & Howick and Ixopo Circuits which were semi-rural and semi urban circuits. At these circuits I was confronted with deep rural cultural practices which were foreign and awkward but made me to learn more about the dynamics and diversity of our church.

2016-2018- I worked at Pretoria Central Circuit which was a whole change in thinking from me because of the nature of the City ministry mission. It was a fast, migrative, high class, toxic and difficult time of my ministry. It made me strong, and I appreciate the challenges, and the time spent at that Circuit. Moreover, in this circuit the gift of worshipping through song was unleashed in me.

2019-2024- I worked at Mafikeng Circuit in the Northwest Province. Once again, I was confronted with rural ministry, and I was given a task of amalgamating a white circuit called ODI-EYE which had reached its end into dominantly black and vernacular circuit. A task difficult but completed successfully. In this circuit, the gift of pastoral care especially to the bereaved and the elderly people was unleashed, and it was through this pastoral care that I had multiple encounters with God.

 

 

Education.

Whilst at the retail and banking spaces, I obtained the following minor qualifications:

• Qualified facilitation and co- facilitation with Seriti institution of learning

• Registered assessor of Wholesale and retail Seta

• Registered moderator of wholesale, retail, and banking setas

• RE 1-Regulatary exam for banking sector

Upon accepting the call to the ministry, I managed to obtain the following qualifications:

• Bachelor of Practical theology- SMMS

• Honours degree- Unisa

• Masters-degree- Unisa

• Doctor of Philosophy- Unisa
   

Apart from the above, I engage in the following projects:

• Advocacy of the rights of people with disabilities- focusing in promoting Sign language.

• Advocacy for the right of the LGBTQIA+ community.     

• Once a quarter, I ran under education and Christian formation pillar-contextual conversation covering subjects which are social and problematic to the MCSA such Ancestor calling.

Socially, I am an athlete and promoter of good health. As such I ran marathons to promote sports ministry