The Salesians of Don Bosco leadership across the East-South Africa region gathered in Luanda, Angola, from October 2 to 6 for their annual provincial meeting. The five-day assembly, led by Fr Innocent Bizimana, General Councillor for the region, brought together eight provincial superiors representing approximately 1,100 Salesian priests, consecrated brothers, and candidates in formation. This meeting marked a significant event following the region's structural reorganization at the Salesian General Chapter in 2025.
The conference focused on charting a strategic course for the region, which comprises 21 African nations. Throughout 11 intensive working sessions, participants finalized the statutes for the Regional Interprovincial Conference and detailed action plans for the congregation's 2025–2031 six-year strategic vision. Key areas of focus included youth ministry, technical education, formation, missionary animation, and social communication across English, French, and Portuguese-speaking provinces.
A major highlight of the meeting was the strategic planning for the upcoming Golden Jubilee of "Project Africa," an initiative that significantly expanded the Salesian congregation's presence on the continent. Prior to 1980, fewer than 300 Salesians served in Africa; today, over 2,200 Salesians operate in 46 African countries, driven largely by native vocations. The initiative fundamentally reshaped the global footprint of the Salesian congregation.
To commemorate the Golden Jubilee milestone, leaders outlined a three-phase preparation framework. The first phase, "Remember with Gratitude" in 2027, will honor the legacy of nearly 1,000 foreign missionaries sent to Africa since 1980. The second phase, "Renew with Hope" in 2028, will focus on vocational formation and expanding outreach to youth in need. The third phase, "Forward with Courage" in 2029, will involve drafting the "Salesian Africa 2050 Vision."
Delegates also addressed pressing infrastructure challenges, particularly the need to expand regional capacity for religious formation. Fr. Victor Sequeira, Provincial Superior of Angola and Namibia and host of the event, emphasized the urgent requirement for new regional novitiates and expanded theological training centers. Existing institutes are located in Nairobi, Lubumbashi, Yaoundé, and Lagos.
The gathering featured key contributions from Nairobi-based continental bodies, including Don Bosco SAFCAM and Don Bosco Tech Africa, which coordinate technical education and ongoing formation across the continent. Fr. George TJ, Provincial Superior of Eastern Africa, expressed satisfaction with the growing sense of regional unity, citing concrete progress in joint planning.
Closing the assembly, Fr. Bizimana commended the host province for its hospitality and urged provincials to foster continuous collaboration, practice sharing, and personnel exchange. The meeting demonstrated a unified commitment to advancing the Salesian mission across the East-South Africa region, with a focus on serving youth and promoting education and personal growth.
Key points
- The Salesian leaders' meeting in Angola aimed to strategize on youth ministry, education, and growth across 21 African nations in the East-South Africa region.
- The region's structural reorganization in 2025 led to the creation of two main administrative hubs: the West-Central and East-South regions.
- The Golden Jubilee of "Project Africa" will be commemorated with a three-phase preparation framework from 2027 to 2029.
