The first semi-luxury Bible in Sotho was handed over to a Free State pastor who harnessed his passion for getting the Word published in a special edition.
Past. Ishmael Notzi received his deluxe Sotho Bible, a special gift from the Bible Society of South Africa, after he spearheaded the drive to get the luxury Bibles printed.
Dr Elrika Senekal-Van der Berg, team leader in the central region, and Stella Moletsane, sales representative from the Bible Society of South Africa, handed over the first luxury Bible in Sotho to Notzi on Friday, 23 February.
Notzi, a leader at the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (AFM) at the Meloding Assembly in Virginia, said he received his first Bible when at school.
“It took me 11 months to read the whole Bible. I was immediately fascinated. To me, the Bible has so many hidden treasures.”
The newly printed Bible is of the 1909 translation, which many Sotho speaking people prefer to the 1989 translation.
Notzi started the initiative to do a community survey on the need for a luxury version.
In October the first print edition of this Bible was ordered, and it will arrive soonest, but for the backlog in the harbour.
Elrika said the first order was already sold out.
“This goes to show how huge the need for this special edition Bible in Sotho is.”
She said the need for Bibles for all people kept on growing.
Elrika asked Notzi to help them with their next survey to determine the need for a large pring Sotho Bible.
“I also dream about a complete children’s Bible that can be translated into all the South African languages,” she said.
