Father Josef Steger, commonly known as uMaqhude eqana, was born on February 18, 1939, in Forchheim. He attended elementary school in Weppersdorf, then the Aloysianum high school in Lohr am Main, where he graduated from high school in 1960. He then went to the novitiate in Brig (1960). From 1961 to 1967 he studied philosophy and theology in Würzburg. On July 23, 1967, he was ordained a priest in the Pius Seminary, Würzburg. He celebrated his first mass in his home parish in Adelsdorf.
Before he was transferred to Mariannhill 1969 he was chaplain for some time in the children’s health home of the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood in Bad Kissingen, in the Juliusspital and for several months he went to London England to learn English.
Arriving in Mariannhill in 1970, he went to Lumkp near Lady Frere a few months learning the Zulu together with Fr John Bouma who writes, “In my experience he was a friendly person. I started dealing with him at our Zulu Course years ago. Both of us were ignorant and it was for both of us tough going. Thank God Joseph had a car at his disposal which gave us a few tines a chance to leave the place of study and watch a film somewhere.”
Then he began his Missionary work in Mhlabashane as Babomncane from 1970 – 1973 assisting the late Fr Hilmar who was then Parish Priest. From 1973 – 1984 he was appointed Parish Priest in Mariathal by the late Bishop Paul Themba Mngoma eplacing the veteran Fr Valentine Faulhaber, who was commonly as ”Mabhinca.” There after he was transferred to St Michael’s Mission, at Ndonyane. Whist in St Michael’s Mission he was then made the Dean for Ixopo Deanery, and also served as a Provincial Councillor for the province of Mariannhill.
Father Joseph writes in his review: that It was a beautiful work to visit the sick, often involving walking all over the hills of KwaZulu Natal around Ixopo and Highflats. But the patient’s joy at the visit rewards the effort many times over. I also had three churches to build especially the beautiful Church in Hluthankungu. But the greatest joy for the Catholics of St. Michael’s was that five priests came from the parish, three Mariannhillers. At the moment there is one Seminarian from St Michael’s who will be ordained Deacon on the 22nd May Frt Thembelani Mzizi, CMM and is supposed to come home for holidays on the 25th May. He was looking forward to meet his former Parish Priest; also two diocesan priests. Several sisters were joined CPS Congregation and other Congregations outside the Diocese of Mariannhill. There is also a lay Brother Bhekithemba who is here in the Monastery. From Mariathal he also had a hand in the formation of Fr Thulani Victor Mbuyisa who is currently Bishop of Kokstad. A sign that faith has taken root among the Local people here in the Diocese of Mariannhill.
Fr Joseph happily went on Home Leave in 2017, little did he know when he said good bye to the people at St Michael ‘s Mission, this was the end of his stay, as their Parish.
Whilst at home enjoying his home leave with his beloved family, he ended hospitalised and had to postpone his return to his beloved St Michael’s Mission. The Cancer of Prostrate finally spread from December 2023 when he was admitted at Ahmed Alhad Hospital in Mayvile, Joseph was from then no longer the same.
The Climax was from the 26th April when the Dr. noticed that his Blood Pressure went down, and he could no longer walk even with the help of a Walker, he did not eat as Fr Joseph we knew with good appetite. On Friday the 3rd whilst our staff was cleaning him, together with the Deacon Gabriel CMM, he told brother that he is going home. Bishop knows but does not tell him anything.
That same morning Fr. Lindelwa Dlamini CMM came and gave him the Sacrament of the Sick. He was then no longer eating nor even drink water. Finally on Monday the 6thMay between 3:30 and 4:00pm he finally breathe. I then realised that he had stopped breathing and quietly faded away.
Our House Doctor came later and certified that he was clinically dead.
May he rest in Peace.
By; Bishop Emeritus Paul Mandla Khumalo CMM