(ANS – Mokambo) – On Tuesday, 30 June 2026, the anniversary of the independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Salesians of the Central Africa Province (AFC) celebrated their traditional Day of Gratitude in honour of the Provincial. For the first time, the Salesians of the Province’s Southern Zone gathered outside Lubumbashi, meeting at the Salesian community of Mokambo. Confreres travelled from Lubumbashi, the Kafubu Valley, Kasenga, Sakania, and Kipusha, bringing together the various communities in a spirit of fraternity as they concluded the 2025-2026 pastoral year. The highlight of the celebration was the Eucharist presided over by the Provincial, Fr Guillermo Basañes, in the parish church of St Joseph. A fraternal gathering followed, after which Fr Basañes delivered the traditional Salesian “Good Night,” expressing his gratitude to the confreres for the fraternity they had shared throughout his six-year term, now nearing its conclusion. At the end of the celebration, the Salesians returned to their respective communities, strengthened in their communion and renewed in the Salesian spirit.