Mennonite World Conference mourns with member church Kanisa la Mennonite Tanzania on the death of Bishop Steven Mang’ana Watson on 4 March 2021 of pneumonia. He served the global family as Africa representative on the MWC Executive Committee since 2015.

Steven Mang’ana Watson began serving Kanisa la Mennonite Tanzania as a church elder in the Arusha congregation in 1978. He was ordained as pastor in 1997 in the Sinza congregation, was elected diocesan secretary for KMT Eastern Diocese in 1998 and was ordained as bishop in 2004. He served on the Bishop’s Council as vice chair and chair. After his retirement, he served as board chair of Mennonite Theological College of East Africa (MTCEA).

Steven Mang’ana Watson (74) is survived by his wife Faustine, 5 children, 6 grandchildren.

“Steven’s unexpected departure has taken away from us, for a time, the possibility of continuing to share with him. His sense of humour, wisdom, and leadership are just a few of Steven’s characteristics that we remember with gratitude,” says César García, MWC general secretary.

—Mennonite World Conference release