Fr Augustine Makhomba Khanyile OFM has been elected Minister Provincial of the Franciscans in Southern Africa, in succession to Fr Vincent Zungu, who was elected at the Order's General Chapter in Assisi in June 2009 to become a member of the General Definitory in Rome for Africa. 
Born in Newcastle on 9^th June 1954, and educated at various schools in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Hammanskraal and Groblersdal, he made his novitiate at St Joseph’s, Besters, and was professed as a Fronciscan in January 1979.
His studies for the priesthood were done at St John Vianney Seminary, Pretoria.  Later he completed a B.A. degree and obtained a University Education Diploma at the University of Zululand.  A Master's degree and Licentiate in Canon Law were completed at St Paul’s University, Ottawa, in 1999.
Having been ordained to the priesthood in July 1986, Fr Makhomba exercised the pastoral ministry at Flagstaff, Holy Cross Mission outside Gingindlovu, Ezakheni, Sebokeng and later Newlands East, Durban City.  In between he had a spell as Provincial Secretary for a few years, and for a short while taught at St John Vianney Seminary.
Under his predecessor, he was Vicar Provincial  of the Franciscans in Southern Africa.
To replace him in this capacity Fr William (Bill) Lovett OFM has been elected the new Vicar Provincial.  
He was born in a farming community outside Dingle in the west of Ireland on 29^th July 1942, and did all his schooling in that part of the country through the medium of Irish.   After qualifying as a teacher, he taught for three years at Dungarvan CBS before moving to Booterstown National School  in Dublin.  
Having completed his novitiate in Killarney, he made his profession as a Franciscan in September 1968, did his philosophy studies at the Galway University and his theology studies in Rome and in Leuven, Belgium. 
His ordination to the priesthood took place in July 1974.  He worked in Galway  for a year and a half, before volunteering for missionary work and being sent to Kokstad diocese.  After working in Mount Frere and then in Hardenburg mission outside Matatiele, he was assigned to Pretoria as student master to the Franciscan students and later dean of discipline at St John Vianney Seminary.  A further period at Hardenburg began in 1990, preceding his appointment as Guardian of the community and Parish Priest of Grahamstown, to which the Franciscans moved their postulancy three years ago.