Today, 11th June 2021, the Late Rev. Fr. Benedict Ng’andwe was put to rest at Francisdale Mission Cemetery. The requiem mass was celebrated by His Excellency, Rt. Rev. Dr. Alick Banda- Metropolitan Arch-Bishop of Lusaka Arch-diocese. The Mass was concelebrated by Rt. Rev. Patrick Chisanga – Bishop of Mansa Diocese, Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde- Bishop of Solwezi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Valentine Kalumba- Bishop of Livingstone Diocese, Monsignor Edwin Mulandu- Bishop-Elect of Mpika Diocese and other Clergy.
Life History of Fr. Benedict Mwelwa Nga’ndwe
Born: 10th February, 1969
Ordained Priest: 4th August, 2001
Died: 8th June, 2021
Buried: 11th June, 2021
Fr. Benedict Mwelwa Nga’ndwe was born on 10th February, 1969, in Nchanga, Chingola. He was the first born in the family of six boys and six girls.
He did his Primary school education at Nchanga Primary in Chingola while his Secondary School education was done at Chingola High School from 1985 to 1988. Later on he was transferred to the Minor Seminary at Franciscan Centre, Ndola and he continued his Secondary education at Chifubu Secondary School.
Fr. Ng’andwe did his Pre- seminary training at St. Joseph’s Itawa Catholic Church in 1990. He then underwent a year Spiritual Formation Course at Emmaus Spirituality Centre in Lusaka from 1990 to 1991.
He pursued his Philosophical studies at St. Augustine’s Mpima major Seminary in Kabwe from 1991 to 1994. He then went to Lusaka for Theological studies at St. Dominic’s Major Seminary. He did his Pastoral Year experience at St. Patrick’s Parish in Mufulira from 1995 to 1996, after which he return to the Seminary to complete the remaining two years of theological studies from 1996 to 1998.
After successfully completing Seminary Formation, he was assigned to St. Michael’s Parish in Kalulushi for Pastoral work. Whilst there, he did a First Aid Course.In 1999, he pursued a course in Business Management at the National Institute for Public Administration (NIPA).
He was then ordained Deacon on 3rd June, 2000 at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Ndola and later assigned to St. Peter’s, Mushili Parish in Ndola upon completion of his Business Course at NIPA in December, 2000. Finally he was ordained priest on 4th August, 2001 at Holy Cross, Kabushi Parish, Ndola together with Fr. Charles Kasonde (now bishop of Solwezi), Monsignor Edwin Mulandu (Bishop-elect of Mpika) and Fr. Martin Mulenga by (Late) Rt. Rev. Dennis de Jong- Bishop of Ndola .
PRIEST MINISTRY APPOINTMENTS:
2001 – Parish Priest, St. Peter’s Mushili Parish, Ndola
2001 – Parish Priest, St. Joseph’s Itawa Parish, Ndola
2003 – Diocesan Human Resource Administrator, Pastoral Offices, Ndola
2004 – Chaplain, Chiwala Secondary School, Ndola
2006 – Parish Priest & Co-ordinator of Projects, St. Luke, Mishikishi Mission, Ndola Rural
2007 – Parish Priest, St. Elizabeth, Nkwazi Parish, Ndola
2008 – Parish Priest, Holy Cross, Kabushi Parish, Ndola
2010 – Rector, Mount Olivet Junior Seminary, Mufulira
2012 – Parish Priest, St. Peter the Apostle, Ndeke Village Parish, Kitwe
2013 – Parish Priest, St. Peter’s Mushili Parish, Ndola and Dean of Bwana Mkubwa – Ndola
2016 – Station Manager, Radio Icengelo, Kitwe
2017 – Parish Priest, Our Lady of Africa, Riverside Parish, Kitwe
2021 – Elected as MISA Zambia Chairperson
Fr. Benedict was rushed to PAMSCO, Kitwe Teaching Hospital after he collapsed at home on Tuesday, 8th June, 2021, suffering from High Blood Pressure and Diabetes. He died upon arrival.
He was to be put to rest on 11th June, 2021 at Francisdale Cemetery, Ndola.
May His Soul Rest In peace!
“Nothing was due to me everything was due to God; I was just a simple humble instrument in His hands”