In 2006, he made headlines when he became one of the first rabbis to receive smicha in Germany since the Holocaust.

Matitiani read for a Masters degree in Jewish Studies at the University of Cape Town and University of Potsdam, passing with distinction. Matitiani is currently the rabbi of Temple Israel Greenpoint in Cape Town.

"Being elected to chair the SAAPR for the next two years is a great honour, not only for me, but also for my alma mater," says Matitiani. "As the first graduate of the Abraham Geiger College to hold this position, I feel I'm making a bit of history. But I have a lot to live up to as I am stepping into a role occupied by many highly regarded and accomplished rabbis."

Although Matitiani received smicha only two years ago, he had been working as a rabbinic student/spiritual leader under various long-standing South African rabbis for more than eight years, and as a lay reader and religion school teacher for four years. Currently, he is the longest serving rabbinic leader in the country after Rabbi Hillel Avidan (16 years), who stepped down as chairperson of the SAAPR at the recent rabbinic kallah. Avidan chaired this association for eight years in total (1995-1999 and 2004-2008).

According to Avidan, Matitiani is well-suited to this position. "I have worked with, and mentored, Malcolm for many years and his knowledge of Progressive Judaism and the maturity he brings to the rabbinate will serve him well.

"He has achieved so much since he first began his journey to become a rabbi, and I believe that the work experience he gained while simultaneously studying through correspondence with the Abraham Geiger College has ensured his success in the community. I am happy to hand over the reigns of the SAAPR to Malcolm and wish him well in his new position," says Avidan.

"I look forward to working with my rabbinic and lay colleagues to build a strong Progressive Jewish movement in South Africa that espouses liberal and democratic values," says Matitiani. "The SAAPR is important as a platform of support for the rabbis of our movement and as a forum for policy-making and discussion of rabbinic issues that affect our movement.

"I am fortunate to have wonderful colleagues on whom I can rely to assist me in this important task, and I hope that by the end of my tenure as chair of the SAAPR, the Progressive rabbinate will present a stronger presence in the greater South African Jewish community," he says.

Says Steve Lurie, national chairperson, South African Union for Progressive Judaism (SAUPJ): "Rabbi Matitiani has done his country and community proud with his achievements. His ordination was a first for Germany, a first for the Abraham Geiger College and a first for South Africa, and now he's added a first for the SAAPR.

"Rabbi Matitiani has developed into not only a knowledgeable rabbi, but also a wonderfully kind and caring person. The Geiger College's method of training allowed for him to spend the bulk of his time growing with his congregation during his studies and we believe this method should be encouraged by all smaller communities in the outlying areas of the World Union.

"We wish Rabbi Matitiani great success in his position as chairperson of our rabbinic association and look forward to working with him closely in the future," says Lurie.