The history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cape Town can be traced back to the 1850s, when the first congregation was established in Mowbray, Cape Town. Missionaries began preaching around Cape Town in April 1853. By 1855, 176 converts had joined the Church, and six congregations were formed. Many of these new Church members decided to emigrate to North America, as was common practice at the time, and missionary work ceased in the late 1800s. A few converts remained in South Africa when missionaries eventually returned in 1903.
In the early twentieth century, the Church grew slowly but steadily. Congregations were established throughout the country. Local members and missionaries built and dedicated the Church’s first two meetinghouses in South Africa in Johannesburg in 1925 and Cape Town in 1933.
Today, members come together to worship in almost 20 Chapels across Cape Town (and over 150 in South Africa). Every year, our members offer many hours of service to their local communities through personal service as well as our ‘Helping Hands’ and ‘Light the World’ projects. We have weekly/monthly youth programs where youth have fun and are equipped with knowledge and skills. We also run multiple self-reliance workshops to help members of our church and our communities to get better work, study further, start their own businesses and prepare for their futures.
The Cape Town Stake includes the following Wards and Branches:
- Strand Branch – 55 George St, George Place, Cape Town, 7140
- Montana Branch – Stand 75 Downing St, Montana, Cape Town, 7750
- Mitchells Plain Branch – Cnr Renoster &, Klipspringer St, Cape Town, 7785
- Masiphumelele Branch – Solaris 2, Lekkerwater Rd, Sunnydale, Cape Town, 7975 (opposite TEARS)
- Langa Branch – Junction ERF, 4330 Brinton St, Langa, Cape Town, 8001
- Hermanus Branch – Erf 1796 10 Argon Way, Cape Town, 7200
- Gugulethu Branch – ERF 3133, 25a Khanyisa Street, Gugulethu
- Somerset West Ward – Mousebird St, Somerset Ridge, Cape Town, 7130
- Meadowridge Ward – cnr Bergvliet, Firgrove Way, Bergvliet, Cape Town, 7806
- Mandalay Ward – Shop 8, Merrydale Centre, Mandalay, Cape Town, 7784
- Khayelistha Ward – 97 Sulani Dr, Village 3 North, Cape Town, 7784
- Fish Hoek Ward – cnr Chapmans Peak &, Ou Kaapse Weg, Cape Town, 7975
The Cape Town City Centre is part of the Mowbray Ward in the Bellville Stake and is not a part of our Stake.
Stake Presidency
A stake president is the lay leader of a stake. A stake president is a man who is asked to serve as a volunteer in this position. He oversees Church programs in a defined geographic area composed of individual congregations called wards/branches and is responsible to help the members of his stake in their efforts to follow Jesus Christ. He also oversees the activities of the bishops or ward leaders, counseling them as needed. A stake president is assisted by two counsellors.
From Left: Vincent Zokufa (Second Counsellor in the Cape Town Stake Presidency), Dylan Holmes (President of the Cape Town Stake), Imani Mwaipopo (First Counsellor in Cape Town Stake Presidency)
Area Presidency
Area Presidencies live in the area where they serve. The Area Presidency presides over and counsels with stake and mission presidents in the area. They also travel often within that area to teach and support Church members, missionaries, leaders, and temple presidents and matrons. Read More
From Left: The Africa South Area Presidency as of Aug. 1, 2024: Elder Denelson Silva (First Counselor), Elder Carlos A. Godoy (Area President), and Elder Vaiangina Sikahema (Second Counselor).
First Presidency
Members of the First Presidency are Apostles of Jesus Christ. Along with the other Apostles, they are special witnesses of Jesus Christ, called to teach and testify of Him throughout the world. They travel frequently, addressing and encouraging large congregations of Church members and others, as well as meeting with Church leaders. They seek direction from Jesus Christ as they oversee matters that affect the millions of Church members all over the world. These matters include missionary work, humanitarian aid, temple service, gospel instruction, and much more. Read More
From Left: Dallin H. Oaks (First Counsellor First Presidency), Russell M. Nelson (President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), and Henry B. Eyring (Second Counsellor in the First Presidency)