Another milestone in the production of African-language Bibles was reached in August 2005. During that month, over 76,000 copies of the New World Translation in languages spoken in Africa were printed and bound at the South Africa branch of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Included in that number were 30,000 Bibles in the Shona language. This edition was released at the “Godly Obedience” Conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Zimbabwe.

During that memorable month, visitors to the South Africa branch were thrilled to see the production of new African-language Bibles. “I was very happy and excited to have the privilege of sharing in the production of the New World Translation in Shona and other languages of Africa,” said Nhlanhla, a member of the Bethel family who works on the bindery line. Indeed, he sums up the feelings of the entire South Africa Bethel family.

New Bibles will now reach the African public more quickly and economically than when they were produced overseas and shipped from there. More important, Africans now have readily available an accurate translation that uses the holy name of the grand Author of the Bible, Jehovah God.

[Picture on page 13]

Visitors from Swaziland view new Bibles being produced at the South Africa branch