Khombe, Michael Zikomakuka Chisale

Michael Zikomakuka Khombe was a pioneering minister and mission leader in the Nkhoma Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian in Malawi. He was born at Mang’umbi Village, in Dedza District on January 31, 1942. His father hailed from Nyangu Village, while his mother was from Mang’umbi Village, both within the Traditional Authority of Kaphuka. His mother was a second wife; his father already had another family with children before he married Michael’s mother. Michael was second-born of six children, five boys and a girl. His siblings were: Bright, Zeneleti (Mrs Chinamale), Teddy, Filipo, and Harison. He was a fluent speaker of Chichewa and English. [1] In 1975 Michael married Enala Mtonya from Chamkondo Village in Traditional Authority Kalolo, Lilongwe District, and together, they had a family of two sons and three daughters.

Although Michael’s home village had a strong Christian presence, his own family practised African Traditional Religion during his childhood. Later they were converted to Christianity and became Presbyterians, with his mother joining the Nkhoma Synod Women’s Guild. Michael was raised by his brother Bright who was a Christian and influenced him to join the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian. In 1961 he went to South Africa under the Employment Bureau of Africa (THEBA), where he worked in the mines. [2] While in South Africa he was baptised by Rev. ManLatsi at Kwa Thema Springs Dutch Reformed Church on 17 September 1961. [3] Later, he had an experience of being “born again” during his time at University.

On returning from South Africa, Michael went to Zambia and was employed by an Indian businessman to work in his shop. He then crossed to Zimbabwe without any travel documents and found a job as a remover of tree stumps in the cane fields. [4] After working on the farms in Zimbabwe for some years, his brother called him back to Malawi to continue his education. He completed post primary school education through private reading before enrolling at the University of Malawi Polytechnic to train as a motor vehicle mechanic, graduating in 1971. [5]

He was employed as a motor mechanic by Southern Bottlers in Blantyre and settled in the Chimwankhunda area of the city. He used to visit a Christian library run at Wenela bus depot by a European lady named Miss Perk who encouraged him to read spiritual books. [6] One day Michael heard a voice speaking to him but could not see the speaker. The voice was telling him to go into the world and spread the word of God to the people of God. This prompted him to start lunch hour prayer services at his work place. Every day he was preaching to his workmates. [7] In his free time he used to go to Mount Soche for prayers and one day, on his return, he made a decision to enrol at theological college. [8]

Soon afterwards, on his way to work one morning, he heard a voice calling him to go and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ not only to his workmates but to the whole world. He did not see the one who was speaking but only heard the voice. He changed his route and went straight to Miss Perk to ask for money to make the journey to Nkhoma. On arrival, he found that the College was already in session but he was examined and admitted straight away. Though his studies were disturbed when the College was closed in 1974 as a result of political tension, he finally completed the course.

In 1976 he was ordained at Balang’ombe CCAP. He served there for three years and experienced serious challenges, as the community was heavily attached to the local fetish priest, Simbazako, and lived in fear of their village chiefs, some of whom had a hostile attitude to the church. Khombe preached without fear, however, and managed to win back church members who had been afraid to attend. [9] From Balang’ombe he was called to Ntchisi CCAP where he served as the third minister. Here he built a new church hall and extended the church building to accommodate the growing numbers who were attending worship. From Ntchisi CCAP he was called to Dzenza CCAP where he served from 1983 to 1987, remembered for the many trees he planted around the mission station to keep encroachers away.

During his tenure as warden of the Namoni Katengeza Church Lay Training Centre (1987-1991) he introduced cattle farming so as to generate income for the Centre, which has continued to this day. [10] From Namoni Katengeza he was called to Chikoma CCAP, where he served from 1991 to 1992 and was responsible for planting a new congregation at Chimimbe. From Chikomahe he was called by the Synod office to manage Nkhoma Printing Press, which he did successfully from 1992 to 1995. He was then called to be the first minister at Kapaza CCAP, serving from 1995 to 2000. A notable part of his work at Kapaza was the construction of a magnificent manse, based on plans prepared in South Africa.

From Kapaza he was called to Kaning’a CCAP where he served from 2000 to 2003. As Chatha Msanga’ambe recalled, Khombe “was a pioneer minister, establishing a system and training leaders for the new church. He initiated the construction of a wall around the church grounds which helped to secure a reasonable piece of land.” [11]

In 2003 he was appointed head of the Nkhoma Synod Mission Department. He was the first black minister to take this role, serving until 2008. Msanga’ambe noted that, “He helped the department to acquire a vehicle for the office. In his tenure he managed to connect the Mission Department with congregations and planted churches in Mozambique using the evangelists he recruited.” His final appointment was at Mtunthama CCAP to which he was called in 2009. Here he initiated the construction of a new manse. He retired on September 4, 2011 and settled with his wife at their retirement home in Linthipe.

His leadership of the Synod’s mission work drew on experiences he had overseas, including training in evangelism with the Hagai Leadership Training Institute in Singapore in 1982 and with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in the Netherlands in 1986. During his term as Vice Synod Moderator in 1999 he led missionary outreach programmes in Mozambique and established a Nkhoma Synod congregation in Johannesburg. [12] He was also instrumental in establishing Bungwe la Abusa Opumula ndi Amayi Amasiye (Association of Retired Ministers and Ministers’ Widows).

Khombe was unafraid of death. His son Abel recalled that, “he chose a coffin for himself and a spot at his private cemetery. He even imagined his funeral, urging people to dig his grave quickly.” [13] On his last Sunday, he told the congregation, “You will no longer hear me preach,” which left a profound impact. He died in a road accident on May 31, 2023, at Linthipe 2 Bridge in Dedza. While riding his motorbike, he was struck by a Toyota Prado whose driver lost control.

Khombe’s legacy is a blend of faith, community service, and education. He dedicated himself to preaching the gospel, empowering others, and promoting spiritual growth. As a visionary leader, he uplifted retired ministers and their families. His journey from humble beginnings to become a respected minister reflects his belief in education and strong moral values. He built up a well organised personal library and always encouraged his children to prioritise their education. [14] He inspired communities and nurtured his family with love and perseverance, leaving a lasting impact on those he mentored. Khombe’s memory lives on through the lives he touched and the lessons of resilience and compassion he imparted.

Moses Alexander Undi

Notes:

1. Enala Khombe, widow of Rev. Michael Khombe, interview by author, August 29, 2024, Dedza.
2. Enala Khombe, interview by author, August 29, 2024, Dedza.
3. Rev. Michael Khombe, personal file, Nkhoma Synod Human Resource office.
4. Abel Khombe, son of Rev. Michael Khombe, WhatsApp interview by author, October 12, 2024.
5. Abel Khombe, WhatsApp interview by author, October 12, 2024.
6. Enala Khombe, interview by author, August 29, 2024, Dedza.
7. Enala Khombe, interview by author, August 29, 2024, Dedza.
8. Abel Khombe, WhatsApp interview by author, October 12, 2024.
9. Enala Khombe, interview by author, August 29, 2024, Dedza.
10. Rev. Dr. Chatha Msanga’ambe, interview by author, September 22, 2024, Dedza.
11. Rev. Dr. Chatha Msanga’ambe, interview by author, September 22, 2024, Dedza.
12. Rev. Dr. Chatha Msanga’ambe, interview by author, September 22, 2024, Dedza.
13. Abel Khombe, WhatsApp interview by author, October 12, 2024.
14. Abel Khombe, WhatsApp interview by author, October 12, 2024.

Bibliography

Khombe, Abel. WhatsApp interview by author. October 12, 2024. Khombe, Enala. Interview by author. August 29, 2024, Dedza. Khombe, Rev Michael. Personal file. Nkhoma Synod Human Resource office. Msanga’ambe, Rev Dr Chatha. Interview by author. September 22, 2024, Dedza.

This article, submitted in December 2024, was researched and written by Moses Alexander Undi, minister of Madzimayera congregation in the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Nkhoma Synod, under the supervision of Professor Kenneth R. Ross as one of the requirements of the Church History course on the MTh in Contextual Theology at Zomba Theological University.

Photo Gallery

Note: Kapaza CCAP Manse pictured below