‘Go and Tell’ Women’s Rally Inspires Thousands of Women from Across Southern Africa

3,000 women gathered in Soweto, South Africa, to celebrate, sing, dance and give testimony to God’s goodness

WOMEN from across The Salvation Army’s Southern Africa Territory – as well as representatives from Botswana, Malawi and Mozambique – took part in a lively and joyful weekend-long rally with Commissioner Silvia Cox, World President of Women’s Ministries, supported by Major Margaret Booth from International Headquarters.

The congregation of 3,000 women gathered at Orlando Community Hall in Soweto, South Africa, to celebrate, sing, dance and give testimony to God’s goodness and joy in their lives. The weekend was led by the Divisional Directors of Women’s Ministries in Southern Africa and the Territorial President of Women’s Ministries, Colonel Yvonne Conrad, under the theme ‘Go and Tell’.

Following a Praise and Powerful Prayer Meeting on Friday night, Saturday saw an ocean of colour and splendour as the women – clothed in traditional dress – marched into the hall with banners of all eight Southern Africa divisions represented. In a traditional South African shayatafula, the divisions sang and danced their way one after another towards an offering table, having raised over 600,000 rand ($45,000) through the Home League Helping Hand initiative in the territory.

Two guest speakers spoke eloquently: Mrs Weziwe Gcotyelwa Thusi, Member of the Executive Committee in KwaZulu-Natal Province with a remit for Social Development; and Sibongile Mokoena, Education Outreach Coordinator, South African Environmental Observation Network. They challenged the women to be practical and active in their communities, sharing that their locality needs women of God with vision and insight. The celebration lasted right into the evening with testimony and praise.

Sunday started with a public march of witness with the women – led by the KwaZulu-Natal Divisional Ladies Band – saluting Commissioner Silvia Cox and Colonel Yvonne Conrad. During the Sunday morning meeting, numerous women spoke cogently of their personal experience of God’s grace. His goodness was celebrated through brass band music, lively singing and timbrel displays. 

Commissioner Silvia picked up the ‘Go and Tell’ theme in her Bible message, to encourage the women to each live and share their faith. She exhorted the women that their ‘lives must reflect the presence of God in their homes, corps and communities’. 

Hundreds of women sought God during the altar call and many responded to the invitation to officership. Everybody present went away with the realisation that The Salvation Army in Southern Africa is well resourced with educated and committed women, ready to ‘Go and Tell’.

Report by Major Carin Holmes
Public Relations Secretary, Southern Africa Territory

Discover more

Church Partnership Program team members hold the award
Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands

The Salvation Army in Papua New Guinea is honoured with inclusivity award

The award recognises The Salvation Army’s extensive geographic reach and inclusive engagement efforts across its programmes.

Young people raise their hands in worship
Children and young people

EYE 2025: Young people across Europe dare to look up

Young Salvationists invited to look up and see God moving across Europe and their lives.

People gather as The Salvation Army relief truck arrives
Conflict
Emergency response

World Humanitarian Day 2025

The Salvation Army joins the global community in commemorating World Humanitarian Day 2025 (19 August) – a day to honour the courage, compassion and sacrifice of humanitarian workers around the world.

USA Southern Territorial Secretaries along with cadets and Bible Conference delegates, pray a blessing over the international leaders
The General
USA Southern

International leaders encourage USA Southern Salvationists to be ‘Kingdom influencers’

General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham have encouraged and challenged delegates to the USA Southern Territory Bible Conference, held at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, from 3 to 9 August 2025.

Conversations with the General: young people

Salvation Army young people from around the world met with the General and Commissioner Bronwyn to share their hearts, ask questions and talk about their hopes for the future of The Salvation Army.

The international leaders sit around a coffee table with young Salvation Army members
Children and young people
The General

Salvation Army young leaders speak into Compass

Representative Salvation Army young people from around the world convened at Sunbury Court, United Kingdom, from 27 June to 3 July 2025 for the movement’s first such gathering to be held in 28 years.