This page is available in:
EN

Navaya, Edina Pengani

1969-2023
Church of Central Africa Presbyterian
Malawi

Edina Pengani Navaya was the first woman to be ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament, as well as the first female minister to be elected moderator of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Blantyre Synod. [1]

Edina was born on October 31, 1969, at Mlambe Hospital in the Lunzu district of Blantyre, where her Yao Muslim family had settled and converted to Christianity after leaving their original home in Mangochi. Her parents were Robert Pengani of Chisupuli Village, Traditional Authority Malemia, Zomba, and Ethel Asma of Mtonda Village, Traditional Authority Chowe, Mangochi. She was fifth-born of six children: Peter, Nesta, Willard and Bessie (twins), Edna, and Annie. She was baptised in 1970 at Mariana CCAP (Chisenjere) in Lunzu. At the age of six, she went to live with her elder sister Nesta who raised her in her home at Thondwe in Zomba District. She enrolled at primary school in 1975 at Nankumba Primary School before going on to Stella Maris Secondary School in Blantyre, where she graduated in 1988. In her youth Edina participated actively in church programmes for young people and was a choir member. [2]

In 1990 Edina enrolled at Domasi Teachers Training College where she graduated with a T2 Grade. She embarked on her teaching career at Namadidi Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) where she was later promoted. [3] In 1990, she married fellow teacher Lovemore Chinangwa of Chingale, Chiputula Village, Zomba, who was the Headteacher of Namadidi School. Together they had three children: Blessings (b.1992), Chikondi (b. 1993), and Chimwemwe (b. 1995). That the same year her husband died, and she sensed a calling from God to serve in ministry. [4]

After consulting church elders who confirmed her as an ideal candidate for ministry, she applied to study theology, but she was not selected. She applied again in 1997, and this time was successful. While she was a student at Zomba Theological College, the CCAP Blantyre Synod approved the ordination of women. After being admitted to the programme for ministerial formation she graduated in 1999 and went on to be ordained as Minister of Word and Sacrament in 2001. In the same year Edna married fellow minister Rev. Rabson Navaya and they had one child, Faith (b. 2002). [5] During her ministerial career of over two decades, Edina served in ten congregations. [6]

She was elected Vice Synod Moderator while she was serving at Mulunguzi CCAP in 2013 and as Synod Moderator while she was serving at Balaka CCAP in 2021. [7] When she bade farewell at Balaka CCAP, the church members said, “we are confident that we are sending the right person to lead the Synod.” [8] On August 25, 2021, during her acceptance speech for the Synod Moderator position, she promised to work together with the other members of the Management team in the “transformation of the CCAP Blantyre Synod.” [9]

In 2016, Edina pursued further studies at the University of Malawi, where she took a University Certificate of Education (UCE) in advanced Psychology with a special focus on psycho-social support. [10] After attaining her UCE, she started lecturing at the University of Blantyre Synod in Elementary Psychology. [11] As the Moderator of Blantyre Synod, she was installed as the first female Chancellor of the University of Blantyre Synod (UBS), established in 2017. Her installation was conducted by the University Council Chair Address Malata and the Vice Council Chair Nancy Chitera, in the presence of State President Lazarus Chakwera. Soon after her installation, she presided over the graduation of the first cohort of graduates on March 26, 2022. [12]

As a spiritual mother of the CCAP Blantyre Synod, Edina insisted on the multicultural character of the Church and encouraged the introduction of a Yao service of worship. She launched Yao speaking services at Naisi CCAP in Zomba. [13] As a spiritual mother she also encouraged the Church to be prayerful and encouraged free expression of worship in all CCAP congregations. She did this so that Church members should not defect to Pentecostal Churches. She also took the initiative to encourage fellow women not to look down on themselves but to exercise their powers, skills, and potential to serve God faithfully. This was a theme she emphasised during Synod Women’s Conferences and again during her Moderatorial visits. [14] As Synod Moderator, she took responsibility to ensure that unity and discipline among ministers was maintained. She also encouraged the church to work together with the government and not to be partisan. [15]

As well as enhancing spiritual growth, she also took responsibility to look after the physical needs of the church. In 2023, when the southern part of Malawi was badly hit by Cyclone Freddy, she led efforts to assist people who were affected by sourcing help from well-wishers and distributing food items and clothing. [16] Edina also served as board chairperson of the Christian Literature Association of Malawi for two consecutive terms. Outside of church life, she was a member of Chiwanja cha a Yao, a cultural grouping that celebrates Yao culture and tradition. [17]

Edina also played a leading role in fostering ecumenism in Malawi. Together with the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Upper Shire, in 2022 she presided over a certificate presentation to 41 women who completed training on community homecraft work at Chilema Ecumenical Training Centre. In her speech she encouraged churches to promote entrepreneurial training programs as well as provide for spiritual welfare and growth. [18] She also participated in international ecumenical events such as meetings of African Women Church Leaders organised by the World Council of Churches. She was a delegate to the WCC Assembly at Karlsruhe in 2022. [19]

Edina served for 22 years as a Minister of Word and Sacrament and held the positions of Vice Moderator and Synod Moderator for two years each. Early in 2023 she was diagnosed with cancer, and she died of the disease on October 29, 2023 in Blantyre. Her funeral took place at the Synod headquarters on October 31, 2023, which would have been her birthday. She was survived by her husband, four children, and three grandchildren.

As a pioneering woman minister, Edina encountered challenges during her early years because people, especially men, were not used to such ministry. Some men were unwilling to receive Holy Communion when she was presiding. However, as time went on, she won the acceptance of everyone, paving the way for other women clergy who would follow in her footsteps. [20]

Ruth Kalonga

Notes

  1. Rev. Dr. Billy Gama, former Blantyre Synod General Secretary, telephone interview by author, October 8, 2024.
  2. Nesta Pengani, interview by author, August 28, 2024, Zomba.
  3. Wonder Msiska, broadcast interview, Times Television, September 27, 2021.
  4. Nesta Pengani, interview by author, August 28, 2024, Zomba.
  5. Nesta Pengani, interview by author, August 28, 2024, Zomba.
  6. The congregations in which she served included: Lunzu CCAP (2000- 2003); Phalombe CCAP (2003- 2005); Likhubula CCAP (2005- 2007); Mbenjere CCAP (2007- 2009); Mulunguzi CCAP (2009- 2013); St James CCAP (2013- 2016); Ndirande Kachere CCAP (2016- 2019); Balaka CCAP (2019- 2022); Mlombwa CCAP (2022- 2023); and Limbe CCAP (2023). Rev. Rabson Navaya, Edina’s husband, interview by author, September 7, 2024, Blantyre.
  7. Rev. Rabson Navaya, interview by author, September 7, 2024, Blantyre.
  8. Wonder Msiska, broadcast interview, Times Television, September 27, 2021.
  9. Rev. Edina Navaya, recorded acceptance speech when elected Moderator of CCAP Blantyre Synod, August 25, 2024, Blantyre.
  10. Wonder Msiska, broadcast interview, Times Television, September 27, 2021.
  11. Rev. Dr Billy Gama, former Blantyre Synod General Secretary, telephone interview by author, October 8, 2024.
  12. Chisomo Phiri, “Edina Navaya is now University of Blantyre Synod Chancellor,” Maravi Post Reporter, March 28, 2022.
  13. Personal observation.
  14. Personal observation.
  15. Personal observation.
  16. Rev. Dr Billy Gama, former Blantyre Synod General Secretary, telephone interview by author, October 8, 2024.
  17. Personal observation.
  18. Raphael Likaka, “Blantyre Synod calls for Quality Vocational and Entrepreneurial Training,” Malawi 24, May 10, 2022.
  19. Lloyd Gumbi, Blantyre Synod Radio broadcast, September 8, 2022.
  20. Wonder Msiska, broadcast interview, Times Television, September 27, 2021.

Bibliography

Gama, Billy. Telephone interview by author, October 8, 2024.

Gumbi, Lloyd. Blantyre Synod Radio broadcast, September 8, 2022.

Likaka, Raphael. “Blantyre Synod calls for Quality Vocational and Entrepreneurial Training.” Malawi 24, May 10, 2022.

Msiska, Wonder. Broadcast interview, Times Television, September 27, 2021.

Navaya, Edina. Recorded acceptance speech when elected Moderator of CCAP Blantyre Synod, August 25, 2024, Blantyre.

Pengani, Nesta. Interview by author, August 28, 2024, Zomba.

Phiri, Chisomo. “Edina Navaya is now University of Blantyre Synod Chancellor.” Maravi Post Reporter, March 28, 2022.

This article, submitted in December 2024, was researched and written by Ruth Kalonga, minister of Chiradzulu congregation in the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Blantyre 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.