The Universal Church started in a basement in Johannesburg CBD (Park Station) and this Cathedral is definitely a great achievement. What do you have to say about this?

When the Universal Church started here in Johannesburg thirteen years ago, we faced many challenges, we could not speak English, and we were also told not to go to Soweto as it was a dangerous area due to apartheid.

But we had a dream of growing and coming out of that basement, today our dream has become a reality because of our faith, we did not give ears to those negative words and we went ahead, believing that God's will was for us to help those in suffering, build families and above all lead people to salvation. Today we have this beautiful cathedral for people to come and worship their God in comfort. It is all the result of a persistent faith.

Why did the Church chose to build a beautiful Cathedral like this in a location like Soweto, why not in town or a suburb area?

Soweto is a place that holds a lot of history for South Africans; it is where most of the incidents of the apartheid era took place. We could not have looked past all those factors. Soweto is well-known world [over] as a place of violence, suffering and racism, so this cathedral will bring a new aspect to Soweto - as a township that has the biggest cathedral in South Africa.

Its capacity is for 8000 people. It is indeed a huge cathedral, if not the biggest in Africa. What made the Church to build such a colossal building instead of a smaller one?

The population of Soweto is much more than 8000. We are used to seeing big Churches in suburbs, so why not in the townships where people are really suffering and are in greater need to see the power of God in their lives.

Who financially supported this construction?

The members of the Universal Church donated towards this project with their faithfulness (tithe).

What kind of challenges/difficulties did you face for this dream to come true?

There were many challenges along the way, from the purchasing of the land to the actual construction taking place. Our faith, however kept urging us on, above all the words of discouragement, we trusted in the Living God.

Why did the Church never give up when facing many challenges?

We did not give up because we knew God's will for His people - to have a proper place of worship, where they could come to seek His face, His blessings and above all to praise and glorify His Name.

What does this accomplishment mean to the Church?

It is indeed a great achievement to have built such a big cathedral, and it is the reward for our trust and faith in God. Most importantly, it will lead to the salvation of many lives - those who had previously only heard about the power of God will now experience it in their lives.

What would this mean to the people of Soweto?

It is a great blessing for them, Soweto is known in South African history as a place of unhappiness and suffering, to some it even brings painful memories. But now it will also be known as a place with the biggest Cathedral in Africa, and that will bring joy to their hearts.

Is everyone welcome to the Cathedral or is it only for the members of the Church?

The doors of the Universal Church are opened to everyone; the House of God is a place where all can come to praise His Name.

The greatest moment from this day was the consecration of Pastor Sipho Frank Rathebe as a Bishop. Please comment.

It was a great moment, especially given the fact that he was born in Soweto. The Universal Church came to build families and, among other things, to build families and raise men of God. We did not come to build our own lives, no. It was also an unusual occurrence in South Africa, especially in Soweto, to see a [black] South African being honoured for his work and efforts. Pr Frank has had many experiences as a pastor, both joyful and painful ones, but he never gave up, but served God always.