“We will work together as a team”

District Apostle Soko, you worked as a District Apostle Helper for nearly a year. Do you feel sufficiently prepared for your new task as District Apostle?

As District Apostle I worked very closely with my District Apostle and the two other Helpers, Arnold Mhango and Robert Nsamba. I learned a lot from all of them. As assistant to the District Apostle I was also able to attend the sessions of the District Apostle Meeting, which helped me a lot in preparing for the future. In these intensive discussions you learn a great deal, which is important for the future work as District Apostle. I also feel well-equipped in that the two District Apostle Helpers will assist me with my mandate. We will work together as a team, which gives me additional reassurance. 


What was the first thing you thought and did when you were asked to succeed District Apostle Ndandula?

I was surprised; I certainly had not expected it. Then I started thinking about the scope of the task. But it quickly came to me that this is God’s work and the Lord Himself will help. Then I went into deep prayers and meditation for several days.


How did your wife react to the news?

She did not say anything for some time. Later she said, “If it is God’s will, it is fine and I will support you.” 


Do you have a role model you follow?

Both District Apostle Charles S. Ndandula and the retired District Apostle Duncan B. Mfune are my role models. But I also like the way the Chief Apostle carries himself—his simplicity. It is my desire to take that direction.

Your mother tongue is Nyanja. Where is this language spoken?

Nyanja is spoken in Eastern Province as well as in Lusaka Province. It is also spoken in Malawi, where it is the official language, although there it is known as Chewa. But it is the same language.

Until recently you worked as a refugee officer in a refugee camp. What was your experience there? Where did the refugees in this camp come from?

In Zambia there are over 80,000 refugees. It is estimated that 45,000 refugees come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 15,000 from Angola, several thousand from Rwanda, Burundi, and Somalia. And the rest are from Syria, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. There are even 20 families from Turkey, who fled their home. As refugee officer, which is a senior position, I was responsible among other things for co-ordinating and monitoring humanitarian work in the refugee settlement, as well as ensuring the security and protection of refugees. I must say that working with refugees gave me a unique experience, and I learnt to really appreciate humanity.

The stories of the refugees would occasionally move me to tears. Hearing how basic human dignity is eroded and the cruelty that people commit against fellow human beings is something which I fail to understand.

What goals have you set yourself as a District Apostle for the near future?

My primary focus will be on spiritual aspects of course. This I feel needs a lot of attention. For example, the significance of our childhood in God: our understanding of what it means to be a child of God needs to be further developed. Another objective is the full implementation of the directives of the board of directors. It is my desire to improve the self-sustainability of the District Church. We will pursue several projects to raise funds, both long-term and short-term, which will give us greater financial independence and help the Church sustain its operations.