Grief has befallen the community of the Church of Africa following the death of its leader, acting Bishop Zach Ngetujame Makari.

Bishop Makari died Saturday morning at his home in Windhoek, aged 58.

Mourners gathered on Sunday morning to pay tribute to a man described as a unifier, activist and charismatic spiritual leader.

Mbakumua Hengari, a family member of the late bishop, expressed their shock at the passing of their family patriarch.

"He was an orator of our traditional customary folklore. He is the guy who would entertain us. He is the guy who would also educate me on some of the things that I did not know. So, to us as a family, it is a loss. Because there is no one we have. Nowadays, each family has a social platform where you share information and also, you know, communicate on issues. He would never make an announcement without going into the oratory background of the clan. So, from that end, the family is at a deep, deep, deep loss." 

Those who served alongside him described late Bishop Makari as a man who was fully committed to spreading the word of God. 

"The bishop was a very devoted person. He had nothing else on his mind apart from spreading the word of God. Upon spreading the gospel of the church, he was devoted; he had time, everything. His only focus was just the church, delivering the message to the people, devoting his time, and dedicating his time. So he was a people's person; he was just the one, like the chosen one, to spread the word of the message. Not only to his church members, but all over, within his community, he was everywhere," said Norman Kaurivi, spokesperson of the Church of Africa Secretary in Windhoek Branch.

Makari served as deputy bishop and later stepped in as the acting bishop of the Church of Africa earlier this year.

His death is felt not only by members of his church but also by the broader Christian community.

Among those is Kavezemburuka Mujoro, an elder at the ELCRN Macedonia Parish.

"His death is a big loss. It's a big loss to the Christian world. It's a big loss to the Church of Africa. In January, the Church of Africa lost a bishop. He was a deputy bishop. He was then a standing bishop who was running the church. The Church of Africa is in a terrible, terrible loss. He was the uniting factor between the Church and all people. So the Christians have lost. He would go around comforting; it doesn't matter which church the person belonged to, a pastor, or the members of that family. So he was not just a pastor to the Church of Africa. He was a pastor to many. He saved the people of God."

The church will host a memorial service this Wednesday. 

Bishop Makari is survived by his wife, Katjiziua Makari, and three sons.