You might have recently read about Beauty and her inspiring sewing project – it’s been incredibly moving to see how her plight has taken hold in your hearts. We’ve received countless letters and we thought we’d share two with you today ...

“Thank you for your letter telling me of Beauty Ngcukayitobi, what a very courageous and remarkable woman. Until recently I have over my lifetime sewed clothes for my children and myself, and so I can understand how much she has achieved.” – Mrs. Gwendoline Jeffery.

“I was actually sitting at my own sewing machine when your appeal letter arrived! I have loved sewing all my life and if I were 20 or 30 years younger I would have volunteered to help!” – Mrs. Joan Hall.

Thank you to all of our friends for your special letters and gifts – you’ve answered Beauty’s prayers.

Mrs. Blackbeard, of Diep River, was also kind enough to give her own sewing machine to help with Beauty’s lessons. A sewing teacher for most of her life, she even wrote her own training manual, which she’s donated to Beauty.

This machine was Mrs. Blackbeard’s pride and joy, so it really is a special gift. Beauty, and the women and children that she teaches, are overjoyed. They promised that everything they received will be put to good use!

Thank you for bringing hope to her humble sewing school in Khayelitsha! And thank you for taking Beauty’s plea for help to heart. It makes such a difference.

7 year old Luvo was born with a brain defect, which affected his development. He can’t walk, sit up on his own, or speak ... and without a wheelchair, this meant he always had to be carried around on someone’s back.

His grandmother does her best to care for him, but you can imagine the burden ... And that’s why your response to our appeal for Luvo was such a tremendous help.

Thanks to your generosity, and the Coyote Foundation, Tshwaranang Resource Centre was able to buy 20 wheelchairs for people in need like Luvo.

These simple collapsible wheelchairs have transformed the lives of Luvo and many others. Life’s much easier – thanks to his new wheelchair, Luvo can attend a special school, he has freedom of movement, and can be around other children.

And Luvo can now go to church with his grandmother. She wrote to us to say a special thank you to everyone who contributed to this wonderful gift:

“Thank you for coming to my rescue. Words are not enough to describe how the wheelchair is going to change the life of my grandchild and I. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the donors, and say that they have fulf lled my greatest wish.”

Thank you for being a blessing in their lives!

In February this year, we received a visit from members of Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) from the USA, who wanted to learn about the Anglican Church’s work in Southern Africa, and to see some of South Africa’s beautiful sights.

We took our ERD friends to Queenstown in the Eastern Cape of South Africa to visit our Tshwaranang Resource Centre and the sites that both HOPE Africa and ERD support.

Tshwaranang is a Sesotho word, meaning, “hold each other” or “joining hands”, and Tshwaranang Resource Centre is committed to caring for and supporting those who are suffering.

The Centre supports a number of projects, including home-based care, orphans and vulnerable children, food security, job training, HIV and AIDS care and advocacy, as well as computer literacy.

The ERD team divided into small groups who visited all of our different sites – they went into the homes of people receiving home-based care, visited after-school programmes, schools, community gardens and many more projects.

Tshwaranang means more than just joining hands – it’s a bond between people, between HOPE Africa and ERD – bringing support to the people who need it most.

Thank you to you, our loyal friend, whose support is invaluable to the vulnerable families who receive it. And thank you to ERD for their partnership and sponsorship of spreading hope in Southern Africa.

An International Faith Communities’ partnership launched the “Stop Human trafficking” campaign in January 2010.

Linked to the soccer World Cup that was hosted in South Africa from 11 June – 11 July, it was expected that human trafficking would escalate during this event.

Human trafficking exploits the most vulnerable in society – it takes advantage of the social challenges and human hardships caused by poverty, unemployment, inadequate education and political instability.

Many African countries are sources of, and transit countries for, trafficking. According to the International Organisation for Migration, at least 1000 women each year are trafficked into SA from neighbouring countries for sexual exploitation.

The “Stop Human Trafficking” campaign aims to restore human dignity and uphold the sanctity of life by raising awareness and alerting the public to the issue of human trafficking.

As a society, it’s our duty to unite against trafficking and protect those most vulnerable of falling prey to sexual exploitation. We hope that you’ll support our endeavours to stop human trafficking in Southern Africa and bring hope to its victims.

Dear People of God

Well, the World Cup is finally over!  Spain has won, in a thrilling final, and the celebrations will, I am sure, continue for a long time. 
We also have cause for continuing celebration.  The first tournament on African soil was a resounding success, from almost every perspective, even if Bafana Bafana, and then the Black Stars of Ghana, did not progress as far as we had hoped.  It was the a vivid affirmation of all that is best in our societies – people of every background uniting in love of the ‘beautiful game’; and proof, if it be needed, that with focus, commitment, hard work and perseverance, we can achieve whatever we set our hearts and minds to do!

So let me encourage you, especially if you feel a little ‘down’ that it is over, to spend a few moments reflecting on all that you found best in the tournament – and thank God.  St Paul says ‘whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things’ (Phil 4:8).  And so we should, whether because we overcame all the sceptics’ predictions and so have given a huge boost to potential increases in tourism and investment and economic upliftment; or because crime fell;  or because for those of us in South Africa in particular there truly was a glorious sense of the whole nation coming together.  We can sustain and build on all these to develop healthy societies for all our people.  (I commend the Keep Flying the Flag campaign, as a visible sign of holding on to all we have achieved.  See www.keepflying.co.za.)

There is also a challenge here – particularly to politicians and government services.  If South Africa can deliver on the World Cup, the largest sporting event apart from the Olympics (and we may be bidding for that, next!), then really, any government ought to be able to deliver on health, education, housing, water and sanitation, and the other needs of its people.  All it takes is focus, commitment, hard work and perseverance.  Of course, we know that there are steep, high, mountains to climb in some sectors – but we should all be optimistic, because we now know what can be done, if we truly want to do it, and keep working at it. 

 Did you know that Danny Jordaan and his team first began planning for South Africa to bid for the World Cup 16 years ago, in 1994?  I mention this, because we can be encouraged to think big, and think long term, in our planning.  This is of course what we are doing in our ‘Vision 2020’ process at Provincial Synod at the end of September.  Do keep our Synod preparations in your prayers.

But I also want individuals – young people in particular – to dare to think big, and think long term.  Especially dare to think ‘on your knees’, asking God how he wants you to use your life so you can make the biggest possible God-shaped difference in the world!  Helping build God’s kingdom, pursuing a life of eternal significance, is a far more profound measure of success than seeking money or status.  Not everyone can be rich or famous, but everyone can become God’s valuable instrument.  For some this may mean becoming teachers, nurses, doctors;  or upholding the highest ethical values in some commercial walk of life.  If you marry and have children, it certainly means being the best spouse, the best parent, you can be.  And for some it will mean saying ‘Yes’ to God’s call to some form of full time Christian service – even the precious vocation of ordained ministry.We should encourage all our young people to listen to God’s calling on their lives, and consider the possibility of ordination.  This was one of the themes of the Anglican Students’ Fellowship Conference in Lesotho last month.  It was my great joy to join them there.  I’m also looking forward to the Annual Consultation of Diocesan Youth Councils in Swaziland in September.  ‘Protection and Nurture of Children and Young People’ is one of the eight priority areas of our Vision, not only within the life of faith, but also through promoting their safety and well-being across wider society.  We are also deliberately ensuring we take account of the perspective of young people in tackling our other priority areas, across everything from liturgical renewal to leadership development, health, and the environment 

The needs of young people have been in my mind in other ways recently.  Last month I participated in the hand-over to the Governing Body and Department of Education of Mzamowethu pre-primary school, in Mzam’omhle township, which had been built with the support of St Martin’s in Gonubie.  We congratulate the community on this achievement!  And last week, I joined the launch of an initiative of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Nelson Mandela Institute, and Equal Education (of which I am a patron) to promote reading and fully functioning libraries in all the public schools of South Africa, as a tribute to Madiba on his birthday.  I hope all your churches have received my message encouraging you to become collection points for books that can be donated to local schools.  If you haven’t seen it, you will find it on my blog at http://archbishop.anglicanchurchsa.org/.

If you have internet access, you can follow my latest news by ‘subscribing’ at the bottom of the web page.  Then you will get an email whenever anything is posted, to keep you up to date.  You can see there that I have had a busy few months, even though I have tried to be on holiday during July!  I was privileged to give an address at a UN Africa Consultation on the Status of Jerusalem earlier this month – and was able to speak up for our Palestinian Christian brothers and sisters, whose voice is so often unheard.  Do keep them in mind, as you ‘pray for the peace of Jerusalem’ (Ps 122:6).  Last month I addressed the annual USPG conference about ‘Mission Realities for Southern African Anglicans’ and spoke about how our hugely diverse Province holds together ‘in Christ’, finding our unity ‘at the foot of the cross’.  Do pray that the Anglican Communion may hold fast to Jesus as Lord and Saviour, as the source of both unity and truth.  You can read the full texts of my speeches on the blog or the ACSA website.

This month, please pray especially for the Diocese of Mbhashe that will be inaugurated on 16 July;  and for the Archdeacon Daniel Kgomosotho and his family, as he is consecrated the new Bishop of Mpumalanga, on 24 July/

Yours in the Service of Christ

+Thabo Cape Town

HOPE Africa developed a holiday club programme to provide safe spaces for children during the World Cup in South Africa. The programme has been disseminated to all Anglican dioceses throughout Southern Africa just before start of the spectacular event, so that it can be implemented. The fundamental aim of the programme is to provide safe environment, edutainment, and meals to children during the day. The six week long winter school holiday for children due the World Cup tournament stimulated the creation of the holiday club programme.

The organisation is pleased that parishes in dioceses across the Province are implementing the holiday club programme with young people in their communities. Through this programme, children enjoy various activities such as bible studies, theatre, sports, and awareness lectures on a variety of topics such as drug and alcohol abuse, human trafficking, HIV and AIDS, education, etc.

In the Western Cape province of South Africa, HOPE Africa is working closely with Scripture Union, Ultimate Goal and volunteers to roll out over 70 holiday clubs in communities. The programme received thumbs up from the Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba.    

This year will see the sitting of the Provincial Synod to be held in Johannesburg in September. It is important that we ensure that all congregants are well represented in this highest policy making structure of our church, that is fair representation of men, women, youth and persons with disabilities. We should not see the issues of representation as being important for government and political structures, but we should ensure that even in our church structures, fair representation is equally important.

These are the principles of Gender mainstreaming, which require changes in goals, strategies, and actions of all committees or groups so that both women and men can influence, participate in, and benefit from development processes. 

In this regard, the Provincial Synod of September 2002 requested the Metropolitan to establish a commission, which drafted a proposal for representation at all levels of governance of the ACSA, from Parish level up to Provincial level and to report to the next session of the Provincial Synod.  It recommended that:

1. In churches and congregations, known in the Canons as Parishes, archdeaconries and Diocesan structures, we must strive for equitable representation reflecting the Diocesan Profile.
2. The laity, in particular women and young people, comprise the greatest proposition of our church membership, we must ensure equitable lay representation in all structures of church governance, acknowledging that members of the synod of Bishops are subject to a separate and distinct prayer–infused, elective process in each Diocese. 

All Dioceses (should) enjoy the right to equal representation, i.e. a maximum of 7 people including the Bishop at Provincial Synod and Standing Committees

The commission used the Value Based Declaration as a critical system to the ethos and proposed structure of our church. It states that:

1. God calls the church to embrace transformation;
2. The Church is a microcosm of society, which is a process of transformation;
3. The Church is wonderfully enriched through its diversity and the unique giftedness, which each member brings to its life;
4. The Church must ensure that all its governing structures are truly representative.

We therefore hope to see well represented Diocesan groups at this year’s synod, to ensure that motions and recommendations are discussions and passed by a fairly represented group.

We already know that the Synod of Bishops is a 100% senior male dominated group as we have no female bishops. So let us ensure that woman and youth are fairly represented in the coming Provincial Synod.

Article compiled by: Pumla Titus-Madiba. ACSA Provincial Link to the International Anglican Women’s Network and HOPE Africa Board Member.

Dear People of God

Well, the World Cup is finally upon us!  As I have said to journalists, though I know I ought to pray for the best team to win, nonetheless my heart is with Bafana Bafana!  Nonetheless, I hope you will join with me in the following simple prayer, throughout the time of the Tournament.
                       
God bless the 2010 World Cup:  bless those who compete, and those who watch, 
bless those who host, and those who visit,  
and help all who love the 'the beautiful game'
grow in the love you have given us to share 
through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Meanwhile, the church’s year rolls on.  We have just observed Pentecost, which completes the cycle of Lent, Passion and Easter, with our celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the Advocate, the Helper, the Sustainer, the Sanctifier, the One who leads us into all Truth.  In Hebrew, the word for Spirit and breath are the same, and I sometimes think of the Spirit as being the oxygen of the life of faith – the breath of life, which we must keep on breathing if we are to stay alive!  Our baptism signifies the coming of the Spirit to live within us, as those whose lives are dedicated to God, and we pray for the confirmation and strengthening of the Spirit within us at confirmation.  The Spirit is for all of us, not just those we think of as leaders within the church.

In the confirmation prayers, we speak of the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, of discernment and inner strength, of knowledge and true godliness.   This should give us confidence that, whatever we face, the Spirit will help us know what to do, and give us the courage to pursue it. I thought of this last month when I was in the Diocese of Zululand, celebrating with Bishop Dino and his clergy and people the 140th anniversary of their founding.  The Diocese has seen many turbulent times during those years – from the Anglo-Zulu wars in its earliest period through to the troubled times of the struggle, especially as the promise of democracy began to dawn.  As I look back, I am sure it was the oxygen of the Spirit, whose inner strength gave courage to the people of God to hold fast in faithfulness, recognising the faithfulness of God to them through thick and thin.

As I visited Nongoma, Nquthu and Ulundi, meeting His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini, and iNkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi, as well as clergy and people of the Diocese, I realised how much we still need the discernment of the Holy Spirit, especially in understanding what is the authentic expression of the gospel within the various cultures of Southern Africa.  We know that we do not have to become Victorian ladies and gentlemen – as some of the early missionaries and clergy thought!  Yet we need great wisdom in understanding what parts of the traditional cultures of the countries of our Provinces are compatible with the eternal truths of the gospel.  It is the Holy Spirit, that not only spoke all the languages of those present at the first Pentecost, but who also can translate the gospel fluently into all the cultures of today’s world, to whom we must continue to look, in our quest for discernment.  Such discernment will also be our greatest help in knowing how to engage confidently with the many challenges and questions of contemporary politics. 

Sadly, one lady collapsed and later died, at the Eucharist at St Augustine’s Mission at Nquthu.  And yet her family said to me that there was nowhere where she would have wanted to be more, for such a thing to happen.  It was a wonderful testimony that our faith in our Lord’s resurrection is for us far more than just words.The week after my visit to Zululand, I was in London for more celebrations – the 50th anniversary of the Southern African Church Development Trust, founded by Harold Wilson and Arthur Spencer-Payne.  As many of you will know from their work in your own parishes, the SACDT supports the building of community centres and churches, classrooms and hostels, educational programmes and student bursaries.  It also funds special projects such as primary health care in mission hospitals and more recently Aids clinics, crèches and educare centres across Southern Africa.

We had a wonderful Eucharist at the Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields in London.  The Church community has long been a faithful friend of Southern Africa, almost next door to South Africa House on the side of Trafalgar Square, which, after so many years of demonstrations outside, now houses our High Commission – which was represented at the Service.  Members of both the Wilson and Spencer-Payne families were also there, along with Revd Dr Jack Mulder, the Trust’s Director of Projects.  Later this year, a plaque will be dedicated in the church of All Saints, Somerset West to mark the vision of the two founders.  I then  had an opportunity to speak at an inter-religious gathering at Blackburn Cathedral.

Back home, preparations continue for Provincial Synod.  I promised to say more about the eight priority themes for our 2020 Vision.  Let me address two here. First, liturgy – where we aim to strengthen the Liturgical Commission to do more in developing and disseminating resources that will support local congregations in worship that is vibrant, inclusive, contextual and life-changing, while remaining in touch with our liturgical heritage.  We also want to look more closely at inter-generational issues and the perspectives of young people.  Second, theological education, where the Province’s role is providing overall shape and direction, in both teaching and spiritual formation for lay and ordained Anglicans, in ways that serve the whole family of God in our Province, in the living out of our vision.

Finally, while I was in London, by chance was able to go to a service in the chapel at Lambeth Palace.  It was a few days after Pentecost and Archbishop Rowan Williams spoke about the Holy Spirit as the ‘Divine Intruder’, whom we cannot keep out of our lives.  Returning to Cape Town as winter is really upon us, and it is impossible to keep the wind from coming through the old window frames at Bishopscourt, I am reminded what a wonderful metaphor this is for the breath of God, which, as we read in John’s gospel, ‘blows where it will’ (Jn 3:8).

Yours in the Service of Christ
+Thabo Cape Town

The Diocese of Zululand held its consultative workshop on social development on the 07th – 08th May 2010. HOPE Africa facilitated the workshop which was attended by 40 participants, with a fair representation of women and young people, representing all 10 archdeaconries of the diocese. The workshop is a step further to strengthening the relations between HOPE Africa and the Diocese of Zululand.

Bishop Dino Gabriel welcomed both the participants and facilitators to the workshop. He reminded the participants that “development work is one of the essential ingredients of our Christian life”. The Bishop highlighted that the diocese is in the process of rethinking and restructuring social development initiatives in the diocese. “The profile will help us to respond effectively on social development issues”, Bishop Dino said.





The following are the participants’ expectations of the workshop:

• Understanding of the diocese
• Feedback on the survey (profile)
• Benchmarking
• How to use the information gathered
• Clear directions from the profile process
• Utilization of available resources
• Develop more skills
• Realistic dreaming

In the workshop, HOPE Africa also presented findings of the prolife that was done between September and November 2009. Participants discussed the findings in details including what they think the diocese need to focus on in relation social development. In their various group works, participants identified important issues that emerged from the profile.

The SWOT analysis of the diocese session paved way for the planning framework session.  The participants strongly felt that the diocese needs to establish a programme of action for social development work.  In their different geographical regions of the diocese, participants drafted plans for social development using social development priorities that they identified for the diocese. The six identified priorities are:  

• Orphans and vulnerable children
• Resources
• Agricultural programme
• Poverty and hunger
• HIV and AIDS
  
• Capacity Building and training programme

HOPE Africa organised a five day training of trainers for the Community Development and Christian Leadership modules of the Poverty and Development Course (PDC) in April 2010. The training took place in Cape Town and it was facilitated by Faranani Facilitation Services. The idea behind this kind of training is to have a pool of facilitators for modules throughout the Province to minimize the cost for future PDC trainings in dioceses.

The following people took part in the training: Percy Chinganga, Mario Muramua, Selwyn Engelbrecht, Rev. Natalie Simons-Arendse, Chuma Mduzana, Kebapile Matlhako, Rev. Vicentia Kgabe, Rev. John Klaasen, Isaias Chachine and Nomzamo Landingwe. Two participants represented the College of Transfiguration while others are from the dioceses of Cape Town, Saldanha Bay, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Grahamstown and Niassa. During the training participants grappled with the content and editing for both modules. Participants will co-facilitate with Faranani Facilitation Services during 2010 to gain further content experience. The training also highlighted the vast quality of skills that exit in the Province that just needs to be tapped into. There are already five people trained to facilitate the Theology and Development module. The organisation hopes to train five individuals as trainers on Public Policy and the Church module in 2011.

Douglas Fenton, the Episcopal Church’s Director for Young Adult & Campus Ministry and David Copley, the Episcopal Church’s Mission Personnel Director, visited HOPE Africa offices in April 2010. The purpose of their visit was to meet with Emily Beal (a HOPE Africa volunteer) and Revd. Suzanne Peterson (Public Policy & Advocacy Officer & Communications Manager for Archbishop Thabo Makgoba). From South Africa the Douglas and David, along with All Episcopal Church volunteers in Africa, attended a retreat in Kenya from 27 April to 03 May 2010.  Pictured with the Douglas and David are the CEO of HOPE Africa –Delene Mark (seated) along with members.

You may remember our appeal for wheelchairs in 2009, and particularly our appeal for a wheelchair for a young boy, Luvo.

Luvo was born with a brain defect, which affected his development and, without a wheelchair, meant that he always had to be carried around on someone’s back.

Thanks to the generosity and kindness of our friends and donors, and The Coyote Foundation in particular, Tshwaranang Resource Centre was able to buy 20 wheelchairs for people in need like Luvo.

Luvo’s grandmother wrote to us to say a special thank you to everyone who contributed to this miracle in their lives:

“Thank you for coming to my rescue. Words are not enough to describe how the wheelchair is going the change the life of my grandchild and I. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the donors, and say that they have fulfilled my greatest wish.”

Thanks to his new wheelchair, Luvo can attend a special school and has the freedom of movement to get around.

These 20 wheelchairs are a blessing in the lives of people like Luvo, because without mobility, they end up leading isolated lives. Thank you for giving them a better life and a better future!

After reading the article about Archbishop Makgoba’s visit to Beauty in December 2009, a Diep River resident was deeply moved to offer Beauty a special gift. Mrs. Blackbeard, a resident in a retirement village, called HOPE Africa to offer her own sewing machine to Beauty to help with her lessons.

Mrs. Blackbeard was a sewing teacher for most of her working life, and even wrote her own training manual, which she’s donated to Beauty as well. Unfortunately, she suffered a stroke a few years back and has been unable to continue with her sewing.

This particular sewing machine was Mrs. Blackbeard’s pride and joy, so it really is a special gift. She won the Husqvana sewing machine in a competition in 1975, and has since taught many people the tricks of the trade on it.

Mrs. Blackbeard wished Beauty well and prayed that the group under her care will grow from strength to strength. She was so happy to know that her machine would continue to spread the gift of sewing.

Beauty and the women and children that she teaches were overjoyed to receive the donation, and promised that the machine and materials would be put to good use. Beauty also thanked God for answering her prayers and continue to trust that God will continue to bless her work and her pupils’ efforts.

Beauty’s also grateful to the Archbishop and HOPE Africa for highlighting her plight and bringing hope to her humble sewing school in Khayelitsha.

During a recent visit to Beauty in February, HOPE Africa also donated soft toys and blankets crocheted by one of our regular supporters – Mrs. Summerville. The toys and blankets are gifts for the babies that Beauty cares for while their young mothers are still at school.

A special thank you to Mrs. Blackbeard and Mrs. Summerville, and all of our supporters, who have generously taken Beauty’s plea for help to heart.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We are barely six weeks into the year, as I write, but the good rest of the Christmas and New Year break is beginning to seem rather distant already! 

The theme that has come to dominate the start to my year arose from reflecting on Jesus’ healing of the deaf mute man (Mk 7:31-37).  All of us need his healing touch, unstopping ears and opening mouths, to hear what he is saying, and then declare his truths to his world.  God, it is said, gave us two ears and one mouth, with the intention that we should spend twice as much time listening, as talking!  In this way, first we receive, and then we are to share.

I began the year with a consultation of Christian leaders, an informal gathering from across the whole body of Christ.  We felt a strong conviction God was urging us to pursue greater unity and cooperation, with Jesus Christ at the centre.  For it is as members together of the body of Christ (rather than united around some external issue like apartheid or poverty) that we belong together.  Having had our ears opened in this way, we aim to come closer to each other, and hope we will go on to speak more effectively – demonstrating unity in Christ, even in our diversity.  Fundamentally, it is of course Jesus himself whom we most need to receive, and in turn must share with the world.

I had a different experience of listening and speaking when the electoral assembly of the new Diocese of Ukhahlamba (created from the northern part of the Diocese of Grahamstown) decided to ask the Synod of Bishops to make an appointment.  Sometimes, deciding to do what seems to be ‘nothing’ takes considerable courage.  It is a reminder to unstopped ears that God’s voice is often still and small, and may say ‘Wait’.  We must learn to listen carefully, and not be afraid to share that ‘wait’ with others, when it comes.

Later that same week I joined other faith leaders to bless the Cape Town 2010 Stadium.  Religious communities share so much in common, especially as we join in addressing increasing secularism.  Yet inter-faith events also require careful listening to how our Lord would have us speak.  I was glad to be the Christian voice in the Stadium’s opening, and unashamedly asked God’s blessing, in the name of Jesus, and by the power of the Spirit.  We should not be afraid to make clear our distinct belief in the God who is Trinity, and the salvation and redemption that come through the cross and resurrection.  My particular prayer is that in 2010 God may bless all who compete and who spectate;  and inspire us all to reach for excellence, to promote fair play, to share in team spirit, and to enjoy together the great gifts that sport offers humankind. 
More listening and speaking followed at the end of January when I travelled to Switzerland, for the annual meeting of global leaders in the World Economic Forum at Davos.  I am glad to say that faith leaders are increasingly seen as having a vital contribution to make to this gathering.  Many of us were discussion leaders in various sessions, and some contributed essays to a report circulated to participants, on ‘Values for the Post-Crisis Economy’.  The crisis of values and ethics in global economic policy-making has brought new possibilities for the voice of faith in the public arena – do pray that Christian leaders, not least our own highly respected Archbishop of Canterbury, will use these well.

Last week, I joined the Chief Rabbi in giving what we termed a ‘Moral State of the Nation Address’, each from the perspective of our own faith community.  My hope is that this might become an annual event, with other religious leaders also participating.  I argued that ‘morality’ is a word that describes how the whole of life is lived, and concerns the totality of what it is to be a human being and to flourish.  As I have done before, I underlined the three key areas of what this means, which we learn from the story of Noah:  the sanctity of life, the stewardship of creation, and the dignity of difference. 

I am sure the audience were wondering whether I’d comment on the news that President Jacob Zuma has fathered a child outside marriage!  I hope I made my views clear when I said that promiscuity, unfaithfulness, adultery, unprotected sex that risks spreading HIV or resulting in unwanted pregnancies and appallingly high numbers of abortions – all of these are offences against the sanctity, the sacredness, of life.  They are acts of emotional violence and physical peril, and demeaning to the human dignity of all involved.  Of course, sex is wonderful – it is one of God’s best gifts to humanity.  But the greatest gifts are open to the worst abuses, and therefore we must use the gift of sexuality wisely and well.  The full text is available on my blog (http://archbishop.anglicanchurchsa.org), on the ACSA website (www.anglicanchurchsa.org), and from Diocesan offices.

Many of us have been concerned to listen and speak, and also act, well in our response to the disaster in Haiti.  We need to listen to what is most needed – whether in urgent disaster response, or the long reconstruction process.  I was glad to endorse the ‘Africa for Haiti’ Campaign launched by Mrs Graça Machel.  Our continent has received so much support over the years.  Now we must stand in solidarity with the Haitians, and do what we can – including urging our leaders to make tangible and generous commitments.  This requires careful, respectful, listening to Haitians themselves, about their priorities for their own future.  We can also listen and speak, in solidarity with their pain trauma.  Through joining in lament, we can both allow ourselves to be drawn into their tragedy, and share in proclaiming that God listens to all who suffer.  Weeping with those who weep is a holy way of listening and speaking in response to disaster. 

Finally, may I thank you for your continuing prayers and support (including many messages of congratulations on my PhD – thank you!) for my ministry, and for our Church.  Please do hold the Diocese of Mpumalanga in your prayers, following the death of Bishop Les Walker last November, and the Diocese of Ukhahlamba as a new Bishop is chosen (the Synod of Bishops will be meeting as this letter goes out to you all).  And may our Lord bless you richly in the year ahead, and make you a blessing to others

Yours in the service of Christ

+Thabo Cape Town

The Synod of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) gathered with the Diocese of Swaziland in the blessing of their new Conference Suite at Thokoza (Joy), the Anglican Conference Centre in Swaziland.  We then continued our meeting in that tranquil setting, giving thanks for the spirit of joy and fraternal charity that undergirded all our proceedings and which enabled us to conduct our work in an atmosphere of prayer.

As we met, we wrestled together with Scripture and listened to scholars speak on the authority of Scripture and its interpretation – that is, questions of hermeneutics.  The problem of interpretation is crucial in a world of growing fundamentalism and we will continue to explore different hermeneutical ways of studying and interpreting Scripture.  We believe that the prayerful study of Scripture should be central in all parish life, and encourage parishes to promote such study.

We listened too to scholars speaking on the spirituality of traditional African religion and its relationship with Christian spirituality.  We recognise that we have only begun to scratch the surface of a deep and complex subject, and that there is still much that needs to be done in this regard.  We have formed a Task team to explore in greater detail the implications of African traditional customs and rites being incorporated into Christian liturgical practice.  But, because we are concerned that certain aspects of the two spiritualities might well be incompatible, we believe that, at least for the present, we must discourage any syncretism between the two.

As we sought to hear what the Scriptures are saying to us at this present moment, at the same time we listened to stories both from the Bishops and from civil society about what is happening in the nations within our Province.  There are clear signs of spiritual growth and much that is happening for which we give thanks to God.

However, we have also been disturbed by some of the reports we have received, that suggest that there are common threads running through all the countries within our Province, threads that appear to be unravelling in worrying ways.

We believe that those in power are called by God to wise leadership and exemplary lifestyle, exercised on behalf of all God’s people and for their upliftment and betterment – as St Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans.  Of particular importance within God’s economy are the poor, and those who live on the margins of society.  It is our observation that, though lip-service is widely paid to the notion of social upliftment, the reality is that most of the leaders of our respective nations seem more committed to self enrichment than poverty eradication.

We have listened to accounts of unbridled greed, a greed that is not simply limited to those in political power.  Nevertheless, we are especially concerned at the levels of greed of those in power, and at the manner in which political processes are manipulated and co-opted in the pursuit of self enrichment.  This has resulted in a serious undermining of democratic values to the point where, in some places, such values are non-existent.  We were distressed to hear of people living below the poverty datum line in the oil rich country of Angola, and of the huge number of people struggling to exist on less than $2 a day in Swaziland, where the average per capita income is over $5,000 per annum.  In some of the nations within our Province, this quest for self enrichment has given rise to blatant abuses of power to the point where, in Swaziland, for example, political leaders stifle all attempts at dialogue and silence opposition, preferring instead to rule by threats and intimidation.

We have also been concerned at reports regarding the moral degeneration within our societies and among their leadership.  The almost unprecedented levels of alleged corruption among those in positions of power within the Republic of South Africa, the seeming inability or unwillingness of the State to hold anyone accountable, and the recent revelations of the sexual misconduct of the President of that country do not bode well for the future and are cause for serious concern.  The people in our pews look at what is happening there and elsewhere within our Province, and ask who they can respect and look up to as role models in the political leadership of our nations. 

Much of this moral decay seems to disregard and undermine fundamental human rights.  Certainly some of the corruption allegations referred to above appear to have been at the expense of the poorest of the poor, and show scant regard for what are seen by many as basic human rights.  In the same way, the sexual indiscretions mentioned highlight the way women more widely face exploitation and abuse, and, in the case of Swaziland, are reduced to the status of the possession of a male through the denial of basic human, political and economic rights.

In response to the overarching call of God on all our lives, we therefore call upon the leaders of all the nations within our Province to covenant with us in a process of moral, spiritual and economic regeneration, in which we seek to model our lives and our societies more closely on God’s principles and purposes for humanity, as they are held in common by the great majority of faith groupings.  Through doing so, may we be servants of his blessing upon all his people.

Romans 13: 1-4  Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgement. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer.

Note for Editors:  The Province of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa comprises Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, St Helena and Tristan da Cunha.

Issued by the Office of the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town

Inquiries:  Cynthia Michaels on 021- 763-1320  (office hours)

Opening Greetings: Ladies and gentlemen, I’m glad to be with you this evening.

Introductory Comments

I have just returned from the World Economic Forum in Davos. 

There, religious leaders contributed articles on ‘Values for the Post-Crisis Economy’ and helped lead discussions, as part of our interdisciplinary consideration of economic, political, social and technological developments.

This underscored how religious leaders are expected to express views on the moral questions that set the context for our lives.

So I am grateful to the Chief Rabbi for proposing that we should address the moral state of the nation, from the perspective of our particular faith communities.

My hope is that we may sow the seed of something larger for the future:  that in years ahead, contributions will come from a fuller breadth of the faith communities – and that we will prompt a debate, in which all South Africans should share, on the broad questions shaping national life.

Nonetheless, I am aware that it might seem presumptuous to deliver a ‘Moral State of the Nation Address’.

Therefore, let me offer it as just one lens through which we might view our country. 

But I hope we will nonetheless bring a helpful focus on areas where we feel compelled to speak and act, and where we cannot allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by moral relativism. 

This is our reality. This is Holy ground. [click here to read the address]

An International Faith communities’ partnership launched a “Stop Human Trafficking” campaign on the 19th January 2010. The launch was attended by National Church Leaders who were meeting at their Fourth Consultation held in Stellenbosch. The campaign is linked to 2010 World Cup Soccer tournament in South Africa where it is expected that human trafficking will escalate. The campaign has received unanimous support from the Church Leaders.

Human trafficking, devious and exploitative by nature, takes advantage of the social challenges and human hardships caused by poverty, unemployment, inadequate education and political instability. Human trafficking also happens as a result of the degradation of moral fiber an exploitation of vulnerable groups.
The challenge of human trafficking is a global one. Many African countries are sources and transit countries for human trafficking; South Africa is a major destination country for its neighbouring countries. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) indicates that each year at least 1,000 women are trafficked into South Africa from neighbouring countries for sexual exploitation. Human trafficking also occurs within South Africa as people are taken from one part of the country to another.

The “Stop Human Trafficking” campaign in Southern Africa seeks to restore human dignity and uphold the sanctity of life through:

With the unanimous support that the campaign received during the consultation, church leaders were urged to makes use of various denominational interventions to counter human trafficking in the country and the region at large, and to familiarise themselves with issues around human trafficking. Church leaders at all levels were called to unite against the scourge of human trafficking.    

The campaign will include the following in the coming months:

The campaign is implemented by the Anglican Church of Southern Africa through HOPE Africa, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA) and Churches United Against HIV and AIDS in Eastern and Southern Africa (CUAHA), together with the Helsinki Deaconess Institute (HDI) from Finland. The campaign is funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.

Welcome to this blog, where we aim to try to create snapshots of regular information on the activities of HOPE Africa.

Rebecca Katunga is 47 years old and she’s been running her own business for two years now. As a nurse she used to sell bits and pieces for extra income, and started out crocheting plastic bags and hats. Rebecca attended night school to learn basic computer skills and finish her matric – one of the subjects that encouraged her in her dreams was business economics.

When a major store opened in Kraaifontein, she saw long queues of people buying goods – and an opportunity to open a take-away shop where people could quickly grab something to eat. Rebecca
didn’t have money to start her own business but she took out a loan and bought catering equipment.

As the shop gained popularity, Rebecca saw it change direction and shape. “People would ask for products I didn’t have. I’d write it down each time, and if I saw a clear demand then I would get few units to test the waters. I went from a take-away shop into selling basic family needs such as
bread and milk.”

Rebecca took part in HOPE Africa’s Entrepreneurial Development training. She said it was an eye-opener for her, learning about bookkeeping and advertising.

Today, she runs the shop with her husband, employs two people and business is growing. Rebecca can’t believe she’s come this far, but it just goes to show what the right training, determination and a dream can create!

Western Cape winters are infamous for heavy rainfall and flooding in poor communities. Every year, we’re inundated with appeals for help from parishes and community leaders. So in 2009, we launched a Winter Care Programme to provide disaster relief for flood victims. We made contact with NGOs that deal directly with the City’s Disaster Management Team, and provided resources and assistance when they called on us during crisis situations.

The Warehouse, an initiative of St. John’s in Wynberg, also partnered with HOPE Africa to appeal for donations, and teams of volunteers sorted and packed parcels, ready for distribution to communities in need.

We’re enormously grateful to The Warehouse, parishes, individuals and companies who generously donated and raised funds for the programme. Thanks to their selflessness, the communities of Khayelitsha, Phillipi, Gugulethu and Kraaifontein received food parcels, clothes, blankets and jerseys when they needed them most.

We especially want to thank our donors, who opened their hearts to assist after every disaster, and Ruth White and Evelyn Burn, who tirelessly knitted jerseys. We know that with your continued support, we’ll be able to respond to disasters much faster this winter – and care for poor communities all over Southern Africa. Thank you!

By  Delene Mark

It is crucial that the church must show leadership  on making society realize that the issue of stigma is most dangerous in the fight against HIV and Aids. Given the often glib link between the Aids pandemic and issues of morality  often emerging from the initial reaction of the church to the pandemic, it is the churches responsibility to educate their members and the nation as a whole that stigma is not welcome in the arsenal of dealing with Aids even in the faith community. The dictionary meaning of Stigma is ‘A mark or token of infamy, disgrace, or reproach’: here are many observers that have criticized the church rightfully so for fueling a sense of judgment, infamy and reproach  in dealing with the epidemic – sadly they are right.  Besides the approach of the church to bury their head in the sand on issues for example about the use of condoms, the perpetuation of stigma ranks as the worst form of denialism by the church – that their own members in the millions are infected along with the rest of the population and unless this issue is addressed urgently the Church will be complicit in thousands of death emerging from its own ranks and it will not be seen as a safe space for people to face the harrowing experience of having to deal with the reality of being positive and having nowhere to turn.  Needless to say the church should understand the calling of the scripture on the issue of stigma and judgement – let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

The over 5 million people who are infected in our country are God’s children and it would be wrong to ignore their plight. The church must instead answer the question of how they ensure that their treatment care and support is supported by the broader society as well as the faith community without the judgment that generates the stigma. The recent pronouncements by government in extending treatment to millions more, are heartening and will ensure that treatment is intensified in dealing with those already infected. The church should not just sit on the sidelines but must ensure that they encourage more people to know their status and underline the fact that for those who are positive the church will be there to create a safe space for them to pursue the treatment regimes that are now made available by government.   I believe that the new approach by government opens a new chapter in our common determination as a society to ensure that AIDS is no longer seen as a death sentence for any citizen.

This new determination will come to naught if people who are positive do not feel the safety especially in the faith communities – to come forward and be treated without fear of being ostracized. In some communities such marginalization can easily lead to death or the possibility of loosing a home or being driven out of your own abode.. At HOPE AFRICA we believe that in order to give our people hope in the defeat of this epidemic, the clergy need to lead by example in a variety of fronts to help in avoiding the ugly consequences of stigma. Along with broader society we need to ask the question what responsibility are we taking to be part of the solution. How do we support child headed households in the vicinity of our churches that have become so because of the scourge of Aids?  The clergy in particular must not stand by but must come up with programmes that must help restore these shattered lives. A call for example to people of faith to adopt these households or where possible adopt orphaned children is something that cannot be left to chance by churches. Surely the church cannot turn a blind eye to these children who have been robbed of life by this pandemic?

These initiatives will not take off If there is still fear based on ignorance and stigma – that HIV  positive living is a dead end a result of some indiscretions. It is crucial that the clergy in the first place must know their own status and make it known where they are brave enough to do so. The fight against Aids in a parish or a diocese will take a new turn if the leader is able to show fearlessness.  I am sure there are many clergy out there who are themselves infected or affected. – with a friend of family suffering from this disease – this is an opportunity to use this situation to minister to the community and ensure that the churches’ mission to deal with this disease is understood and it is embraced by the community.

The church is involved in a lot of HIV/Aids work. But its voice has been largely muted in the national discourse that has shaped the country’s response to the epidemic. This is unacceptable and betrays the churches’ role as the conscience of society. When government was dragging its feet we did not hear a loud enough voice from the church offering counsel on a matter of this nature. Fighting stigma  therefore is a good opportunity for the Church to play a constructive role in adding to the arsenal of defeating this monster. 

Finally the church has been at it for a while in term s of various response programmes. There is a need to review the strategy by getting feedback form those who have been beneficiaries of these initiatives and then develop partnerships that will defeat above all the stigma that militates against the war on the pandemic.   

Delene Mark is Chief Executive of Hope Africa – the Social Development Arm of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.  She writes in her personal capacity. For more information on the work of Hope Africa please visit www.hopeafrica.org.za   

On Monday the 14th December 2009, Beauty Ngcukayitobi from the impoverished Khayelitsha township in Cape Town was specially visited by Archbishop Thabo Makgoba who was flanked by Rev Rob Butterworth, representatives from HOPE Africa  and Mothers’ Union.

During his World Aids Day message under the theme “change starts with me”, Archbishop Thabo made a commitment to pray for Beauty, and to create time in his schedule during Advent, considered to be a season of Hope, to visit Beauty and share with her the Christian Hope in Jesus.

Beauty is a 51 year old mother of two. She touches many despairing, many HIV children and their young mothers. She attempt to deal with her status by teaching other HIV positive girls to sew and help them break their silence but is overwhelmed by physical illness from time to time.

The Archbishop blessed Beauty with a cheque of an undisclosed amount as a Christmas gift. He also donated food parcels to children from HIV and AIDS affected families that Beauty is linked with in the area. Archbishop Thabo’s generosity to Beauty and the people of Khayelitsha was inspired by his recent visit to the area during the recent floods.

Archbishop Makgoba was also encouraged by Beauty’s efforts to defy stigma and for actually coming “out” to tell her story.   

“It’s unacceptable for our people to go hungry and suffer due to HIV and AIDS”, said Archbishop Thabo. He further said “as the Church, we cannot afford be quiet while poverty and HIV and AIDS devastate our communities.

Among others present were Onica Louw-Msuthu, the Mothers Union (MU) president, and Mpho Mashangele, her deputy. “As MU members, we will take turns to assist Beauty on Saturdays to ease her burden”, said Mpho Mashangele. She continued saying MU will often bring food parcels “and support in buying her sewing project’s products such as aprons, bags, traditional wear, etc”.

Beauty appreciated and thanked the Archbishop together with everyone he was with. “I know that God will never let me down”, said an emotional and thankful Beauty. Some of the challenges that Beauty encounters in her sewing project are material and space for her sewing project.  She also needs help to repair her sewing machines.

[click to see more photographs]

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours’ proclaimed the heavenly host, as the Angel of the Lord amazed the shepherds with ‘good news of great joy for all people – for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour who is the Messiah, the Lord’ (see Lk 2:10-14).

This is the wonder that once again we celebrate, many of us at our Midnight Mass services, which are such a highlight of our church calendars.  The richness of our liturgical heritage is one of the great treasures of Anglicanism, and it recognisably binds us together, even though Provinces have adapted the historic Book of Common Prayer in ways appropriate to our own circumstances.  Here in Southern Africa we give life to our own Anglican Prayer Book though 13 languages, and worshipping in a myriad different styles across our cultures and communities – and yet all of us bound together in our shared liturgical life. 
One of the great joys and privileges of being Archbishop is travelling around both the Diocese of Cape Town and the whole Province of Southern Africa, and joining in true and authentic Anglican worship in such a breadth of expressions.  For the most part, what I experience is hugely uplifting, and bringing ‘Glory to God’, alongside the heavenly hosts.  As we say in the Eucharist, in worship we are caught up ‘with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven’ as we ‘proclaim God’s great and glorious name, for ever praising him and saying, Holy, Holy, Holy …’

Yet, as the Prayer Book itself reminds us (p.10), though its services provides a shape and structure for the worship of the Church, using the words within its covers ‘does not work automatically or magically’.  Rather, ‘liturgy becomes true worship when the people of God, clergy and laity, clothe it with devotion of heart and mind.  Then it becomes a flame, kindled and rekindled by the Holy Spirit, for our benefit and God’s glory.’  What a wonderful description!  So please do not ever be downhearted with the thought that the words of our services appear dull and dry, dusty with age.  Rather, they are a well-constructed skeleton, strong yet flexible, perfectly balanced, and ready to spring into life when invigorated with the vibrancy of our faith, and the breath of God’s Spirit.

How then, do we do this?  Careful preparation is key – preparation that includes much prayer.  It is also important to use the liturgy to create places, and spaces, for those present to be conscious of encountering God;  though recognising that we are different in our needs, and what works for some may not necessarily work for others.  That said, we do not need to try to do ‘everything’ at every single service.  Sometimes, as I travel around, I suspect that an Archbishop’s visit becomes an invitation to include all possible options!  But often ‘less is more’ and beauty in simplicity, with careful dovetailing of music and words or occasion, can better draw us into the presence of the God whose still small voice talks of love and hope, healing and wholeness. 

One of the emerging priorities in our visioning process is in the area of liturgical renewal for transformative worship.  For worship – the service in its entirely, from the opening greeting through to the blessing and dismissal – should be occasions not only of drawing us close to God’s presence, but of expecting this encounter to challenge and change us, refining us in Christlikeness, before sending us out as God’s people in God’s mission to God’s world.  Already there is an allocation of money for our Liturgical Commission to run workshops around the Province, to ensure that the good work that they have steadily been doing over many years is as widely known as possible.   These can also be occasions of sharing the best of more experimental approaches, especially those that connect with young people.  Our liturgical foundations, with their careful structuring – generally around preparation, praise, penitence, the reading and preaching of Scripture, of response in prayers of thanksgiving and intercession, the Great Thanksgiving of the Eucharist at Holy Communion services, and the final conclusion of blessing and being sent out into the world – are both supple and robust enough to be adaptable to all manner of styles.  And at the same time, they ensure we do not lose any of the essential elements that characterise the great strengths and riches that Anglicans have enjoyed over the centuries.

We also have great liturgical treasures for private, as well as public, worship, and regular readers will know how much I value the Offices of Morning and Evening Prayer, and the Lectionary, which, every two years, takes us through the whole of the Bible.  Often we, and others, do not realise that Anglicans, as much as, if not more than, any other Christian denomination, systematically read our way through Scripture so comprehensively. 

Recently a 13year old girl said to me “our church is dead”.  I understood better what she meant when the next day I attended the Carol service at my daughter's school. The story of the Christ child was told with such awe, drama, dance and music. I caught a glimpse of what it means to put soul and life into the liturgy, including waiving to the audience whilst singing.  As I write, I am humming a juxtaposition of O Holy Night  and O come all ye faithful.

Looking ahead, may I also wish you a blessed New Year.  Alongside the World Cup, we can only begin to guess at what 2010 will bring us.  But of one thing we can be sure:  that we can go forward with the same words of God ringing in our ears as Joshua heard as he prepared to cross into the Promised Land: ‘Be strong, be courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go’ (Josh 1:9).  I also hope that over the holidays, you will have a chance for rest and refreshment.  This is my aim too – so there will be no letter in January.

Once again this Christmas, let us rejoice as we, with the shepherds, worship the Word made Flesh, the Saviour who is born to us.

Yours in the service of Christ

++Thabo Cape Town

• Erect new fences and repair old and damaged fences.
• Construct a night storage water reservoir for irrigation.
• Lay a delivery water pipeline from the water source to the irrigation site. 
• Design a suitable irrigation system for the farm.
• Install an irrigation system at the farm.
• Prepare land for planting.
• Train the first group of farmers.
• Plant the first crop at the farm.

Four other phases for Jane Furse Farm include poultry production and fish farming, pig production, dairy production and value addition.

Dear People of God

Throughout our Province we observe August as ‘The Month of Compassion’.  Of course, we are called upon to share compassion throughout the year, but this month we take time to pause and reflect on the compassion we have received from God, and how he calls us to share it with the world around.

The word ‘compassion’ has roots that mean ‘to feel with’ or ‘to suffer with’.  Compassion is not only feeling sorry for someone, but to be with them in what they face.  God has compassion on all creation, especially humanity.  Coming alongside us in Jesus Christ, taking human form, to experience all that we go through.  As Scripture says, ‘We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who, in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need’ (Heb 4:15-16).

When we look at the life of Jesus, we see how certain circumstances drew out particular compassion in him.  We read how he had compassion for a leper, expelled from society and rejected by his faith community (Mk 1:41); for the multitude who ‘were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd’ (Mt 9:36);  for a hungry crowd (Mk 8:2); for the sick (Mt 14:14); and for two blind men (Mt 20:34).  He speaks of God’s compassion when healing ‘Legion’ (Lk 5:19);  and in his parables, compassion is shown by the God-like figures of the debt-forgiving master (Mt 18:27) and the prodigal son’s father (Lk 15:20).  We see compassion in Jesus’ treatment of the woman caught in adultery (Jn 8:11); and in his raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mk 6:41) and the widow of Nain’s son (Lk 7:13).  In all these examples, we see what ‘bothers’ God about humanity:  our predicaments not only as individuals, but within society, in need of direction and leadership so that we can live the life to which God calls us, and which Jesus both models and offers to us if we put out trust in him as Lord and Saviour.

We see Jesus’ compassion most fully in what we call his ‘passion’.  This is not about enthusiasm or desire, but the primary meaning of the word: suffering.  For Jesus, in his love for humanity, shared the suffering of mortality and death, as he gave his life for us on the cross.  As Jesus says at the Last Supper, ‘No one has greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends’ (Jn 15:12).

God in Jesus Christ shows us what is compassionate love.  It is acting.  It is coming alongside and walking with.  It is persevering and self-sacrificing.  Love that does not take action is mere sentimentality.  Love that does not come alongside is aloof and condescending.  Love that does not walk with is only being patronising.  Love that does not persevere is just a passing romantic daydream.  Love that is not prepared to give of itself is no more than an empty pretence – or, as St Paul might say, a noisy gong or clanging cymbal.  (I Cor 13:1)

How shall we show such love, such compassion, to those whom we meet?  Jesus tells us to love our neighbours as ourselves, and the story of the good Samaritan, in which a despised foreigner helps the assaulted Jewish traveller, reminds us that our neighbour is anyone who crosses our path – even someone whom we might never expect to encounter in everyday life.

Sometimes what is needed is to show people that ‘we are there for them’.  The Bible tells us that when Job, after losing all his children and wealth, was struck with sores from head to foot, his three friends came, and sat with him in silence for seven days.  When they finally opened their mouths, they got it all wrong!!  Sometimes our committed presence makes all the difference.

Last month I visited a hospital in Khayelitsha in Cape Town, where Hope Africa had donated equipment, as part of their annual partnership scheme with the South Africa Medical Foundation.  So much is done by a dedicated few, with limited resources.  Yet I pray that through my visit, and the lasting presence of the new equipment, we can demonstrate some measure of sustained compassion.  Sustained compassion is also present in long-running projects such as soup kitchens and winter care programmes.  It is in the establishment and support of foster care homes, and in home based care projects.  It is in vegetable gardens and prison visiting.  It is in skills training and capacity building and community development.  It is in reading to the blind, or just sitting holding the hand of someone who needs to know a loving touch.  It is in a million little acts of care.

Compassion can also be expressed through raising our voices – especially through Synods at Diocesan and Provincial level.  I am reminded of the words of the Roman Catholic priest in Brazil, Helder Camara, who said ‘When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint.  When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist.’  We too must ask our governments the difficult questions of what social justice means, and how it is to be enjoyed by all.  And we must be ready to be partners with our governments, at every level, to ensure that the infrastructure resources which we enjoy can be used to their full potential.  Perhaps we have buildings that can be used for clinics or in other ways so that services can be delivered to those who need them.

Earlier this month I joined the Diocese of the Free State’s annual Cave Service at Modderpoort, and was touched by the Anglican Women’s Fellowship’s generous spirit.  It reminded me of Christ’s compassion in feeding the multitude.  May our Lord continue to bless Bishop Paddy and Kirsty Glover and their team.

In South Africa, August is also women’s month.  In so many communities, women bear the burden of caring for those in need – but Jesus’ example shows that this is a responsibility all should share.  Yet let me salute those women who, whether through choice or force of circumstances, expend their time, their energies, their resources, for the well-being of others.  Women priest and deacons, members of the Mothers Union and the Anglican Women’s Fellowship, women lay ministers and wardens, treasurers and councillors, women who teach in Sunday School and clean and do the flowers, women who fill our pews, and the women of tomorrow who grow up among us – we honour you, as our sisters in Christ, our fellow-labourers in his vineyards, our companions on the journey, and our equals in the sight of God.

Yours in the service of Christ,

+Thabo Cape Town

The exciting Graduate Alive programme, which seeks to enhance existing students Peer Education programmes at institutions of higher learning in South Africa, trained 30 Peer Educators from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Female representation in this particular training was less compared to their male counterparts being in the majority.

The training took place from 24 – 26 July in Oatlands, Simonstown, and it was the last one for the year since Peer Educators from University of Limpopo (both Medunsa and Turfloop campuses) and University of Free State (Qwaqwa campus) were trained earlier in the year. Thus far, Graduate Alive programme has trained 98 Peer Educators and 20 HIV and AIDS coordinators from all participating campuses.

Some of the key messages covered in the training include: utilization of the bridge model, self esteem, values, gender stereotypes and myths, negotiation skills, abstinence, faithfulness, and encouraging the correct usage of condoms and family planning methods. The workshops are very alive as students engage each other in robust discussions looking critically at core issues that impact on their behaviours and the decisions they take. These life skills are intended to equip young people at institutions of higher learning to correctly make sound and informed decisions about their own sexual reproductive health and lead positive lifestyles.

The Peer Educators trained are expected to clearly communicate messages of hope and behavior change in relation to reproductive health, HIV and AIDS, and preventions strategies among their own peers on campuses. Each one of them is expected to reach out to atleast 25 students a year. This programme is made possible through a partnership that HOPE Africa and Family Health International SA (FHI) enjoy.  

[click to see more photographs]

Archbishop Makgoba and Local Councillor Mrs Landingwe, hand over food, blankets and clothing to flood victims in Gugulethu.

The Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, visited the flood affected Tambo Village on Tuesday 21st July in Gugulethu township, Cape Town. His Grace was accompanied by HOPE Africa and The Warehouse staff who donated food parcels, clothes and blankets to members of the community gathered at St Mary Magdalene parish.

In his support to the community members, Archbishop Thabo reminded everyone gathered that Jesus challenged all of us to meet the needs of the hungry, sick, stranger, prisoner, and the thirsty. “Today we are here responding to that challenge”, Archbishop Thabo said. “We are here because we love and care for you”, he said.

Belinda Landingwe, ward 41 councillor in Gugulethu, led the Archbishop and HOPE Africa staff members through the Tambo Village which was affected by the floods. The councillor appreciated Archbishop Thabo, HOPE Africa and the Church’s efforts to help the people in her community.    

The beneficiaries on the day were grateful for the warm clothes and blankets they received –especially because of the cold weather predicted in the coming days for Cape Town. Ms Mantoa Moshoeshoe, an unemployed single mother of a young girl, who lives in a house with five other family members said “we are thankful that there are still people out there that hear our cry”. Some of the clothes were left at St Mary Magdalene parish just in case a need arises in the area.

[click to see more photographs]

Operations Manager Sr Ntsodwa takes Archbishop Makgoba on a tour of the hospital.

On 21 July the Archbishop of Cape Town, The Most Reverend Thabo Makgoba, together with the Cape Town based Social Development arm of the Anglican Church in

Southern Africa, HOPE Africa, visited the Khayelitsha Site B hospital to donate and hand over medical equipment.

The recently built hospital, situated in an impoverished area in Cape Town, continues to service the community while facing insurmountable challenges – including a lack of medical equipment.

In partnership with the South African Medical foundation (SAMF), HOPE Africa could once again make its annual donation of medical equipment and supplies to the foundation. On behalf of the foundation, its Director Ms. Daine Pauls said; ‘We are heartened by non tiring organizations such as HOPE Africa which continue to support our cause. The need is much greater that the available resources – especially in these communities’.

While Archbishop Makgoba was doing the rounds with the hospital’s Operations Manager, Sister Ntsodwa to see how the donated equipment which included a vital signs monitor, a mounted ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) set and two baby scales were going to be used, he appreciated the work put in by the health care workers. “It is very clear that the facility is under pressure to provide the much needed health services to the people of Khayelitsha and the staff may be overwhelmed by lack of resources. We hope that this donation will go a long way to assist the doctors and the nursing staff to care for the patients”, said Archbishop Makgoba.

Following the visit to the hospital, the Archbishop stopped over in Tambo informal settlement near Gugulethu at the St. Mary’s Anglican Church to handover food, clothes and blankets collected by parishners to be distributed to the people who have been affected by the harsh recent rains in the Western Cape. Councillor Belinda Landingwe gratefully received the goods on behalf of the affected families. The Archbishop while addressing the families urged the community to be neighbourly and work together during times such as these. He emphasised the need to continue partnerships between the church and communities.

An urgent plea for help was sent because people were left with nothing but the mud-soaked clothes they were wearing. And thanks to your overwhelming response, we’ve been able to help replace clothes, warm blankets and even toys for the children.

The Archbishop of Cape Town, the Most Reverend Thabo Makgoba, and our CEO, Delene Mark, visited Soweto’s Meadowlands community to pledge a contribution towards a relief fund for flood victims. This will go a long way towards ensuring that they can start piecing together their lives.

We also provided essentials like rice, sugar, tinned goods, flour, salt, peanut butter, oil – and other basics like soap and dishwashing liquid.Your kindness ensured that school children also received new uniforms to replace the ones they lost in the floods.

Thank you to our friends who answered our call for help – and delivered aid to families who had to start over.

Your compassion is a rainbow of hope in our poorest communities.

I start in my own heart by giving thanks that I’m not alone in caring. In Africa’s darkest hours, you provide a light by which HOPE Africa can continue to walk with all who are in need.

And although the challenge is great, together we can widen the net to bring healing and hope to our nation’s weak, the poor, the homeless, the needy, the marginalised and the voiceless.

Your compassion and generosity help us to continue helping others. So when I look at all of the desperate needs in Africa, and think about how to ease suffering … I think of you.

Although the world may seem ‘broken’, our spirit is not. The spirit of healing and hope is spreading, thanks to you, because you walk with us every step of the way.

Grace and peace
The Most Reverend Thabo Makgoba
Archbishop of Cape Town

But Reverend Mbatha’s feeding scheme has been transformed! With your wonderful donations, the team was able to buy materials to finish building a proper kitchen – and a storeroom, which now houses the cooking utensils, children’s chairs and cutlery that you’ve also helped provide!

Some funds were used to supplement extra meals – keeping the pots filled and the children’s hunger at bay. And the team was grateful to have enough money leftover to buy two 5000-litre water tanks, to help with the food preparation.

This kitchen provides the one meal every day that these children can count on. Many of them live with grandparents who struggle to provide food, let alone school uniforms or books.

Now, after these children walk across the valley, they wash their hands and say Grace, to give thanks for this special kitchen … and for you, for blessing them with your kindness.

As one of the winners of the Hope Awards project, they planted cabbage, maize, beans, spinach, carrots and potatoes. It’s very dry in Ntlaza and the lack of water is a problem, since there are no water tanks, pumps or generators. But the women’s hard work paid off with their recent harvest of all of their vegetables.

These industrious women were able to sell their harvest to the nearest hospital – and demand was so high amongst the locals that they didn’t even reach the market before everything was sold!

Three of the mothers from the project also recently attended training to learn how to make jam out of citrus fruit. Hopefully our next newsletter will feature news of their first batch of jam…

With your support and the hard work of these entrepreneurial women, this gardening project is sure to grow from strength to strength.

Dear People of God

Last month I wrote directly after returning from the Anglican Consultative Council meeting in Jamaica, on which I have now had some time to reflect. 
The ACC is one of the Anglican ‘Instruments of Communion’, alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Primates’ Meeting, and the Lambeth Conference.  Every 3 years, a bishop, priest or deacon, and lay person from each of the larger Provinces, and 2 representatives from smaller Provinces, meet to review our common life.  We consider how to promote cooperation, including through the Communion’s many networks, and we review developments in mission and in relations with other Christian bodies.  I attended in the place of the late Bishop David Beetge, long our episcopal representative, together with the Revd Janet Trisk.  Unfortunately Nomfundo Walaza had other, unbreakable, commitments.

It was a great joy to be in Jamaica, a Diocese of the Province of the West Indies.  On our first Sunday, all the local churches cancelled their services, and joined us for a remarkable shared celebration.  The following Sunday, ACC members divided ourselves among parishes, to see the mission of the church in Jamaica first hand.  It was an enriching encounter, especially so soon after the Lambeth Conference challenged us on the role of Bishops as leaders in mission.

I found it hugely energising to hear reports from the Communion’s networks, which include Women, Families, Youth, Interfaith, Colleges and Universities, Peace and Justice, and the Environment.  There is a huge breadth of activity, mutual support and learning – and we must look at ways of sharing this more widely in our Province, and raising the profile of the Southern Africans involved.

It is also greatly encouraging to consider how much our relations with other Churches and Christian bodies broaden and deepen – often after centuries of division and mistrust.  Congratulations to my researcher, the Revd Sarah Rowland Jones, for compiling the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations’ report of nine years work, in ‘The Vision Before Us’.  I commend  this as a comprehensive handbook on the Anglican response to Jesus’ prayer that his followers ‘might all be one, so that the world may believe’.  (As some of you know, it was through IASCER that Sarah met the late Bishop Justus Marcus – who mentored a lot of us – moving to South Africa when they married, and taking up the post of Archbishop’s researcher on his death.  She is one of the important staff members at Bishopscourt, who are invaluable in making an Archbishop’s life possible – do please keep them in your prayers.)

Of course, one key matter was the proposed Anglican Covenant in its third, ‘Ridley’ draft.  We decided more work was still required, and sought comments from Provinces.  If you want to know more, your Bishop’s office has copies of the draft.  Please send views, by mid-August, via your Diocese or directly to peoadmin@anglicanchurchsa.org.za.  We shall look at this at Synod of Bishops and PSC in September.  You may have seen reports that this delay favours one or other ‘constituency’ within the Communion – my view is that there was ambiguity within the draft that must be clarified.  I can also report that, whatever the press and bloggers say, there was a very warm and cooperative atmosphere at the meeting.  This is not to deny that divisions, especially in some Provinces, are very deep and serious, but they do not bring everything else to a halt.  Please continue to pray our Communion may be ‘faithful and obedient’ in following God’s call.

On my way home, I visited New York, holding discussions with The Episcopal Church, particularly on their mission partnerships with us, through our Anglican AIDS and Healthcare Trust, Hope Africa and directly with a number of dioceses, and in supporting various individuals.  We thank them for labouring with us in the vineyards of the Lord in this way.  While there I was privileged to receive an honorary Doctorate from the General Theological Seminary ‘in recognition of outstanding service to the Anglican Communion’.  As I said then, I feel this degree is for all Southern Africans who were denied access to education by past circumstances.  Many of you, I know, would have loved to have been able to study, especially to study theology, and could not.  Nevertheless, God’s Holy Spirit guided and strengthened the churches in our efforts to bring an end to apartheid and build a new reality in Southern Africa, through justice, peace and reconciliation.
           
This new reality means we must continue deliberately to share God’s love, walking with all who are in need in today’s broken world.  Recalling Jesus command that we love our neighbours as ourselves, we must each ask ‘Who is my neighbour?’ and then treat every member of our global community in ways that uphold the sanctity of life, the dignity of humanity in all our differences, and the integrity of creation.  These are our touchstones as we follow God’s call for social justice here and now – whether the urgent demands of poverty, hunger, malaria, HIV and AIDS, and TB, or the adverse affects of global warming.  God’s loving concern for human well-being is best revealed through the attitudes, words and deeds of Christians acting together as the body of Christ, especially concrete cooperation, as we all walk more closely with one another on our common journey.
           
There is a similar spirit behind the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s call for a global Mandela day on his birthday, 18 July.  They want everyone to spend 67 minutes ‘doing something that would make a difference in their communities’, and so recognise the 67 years Mandela spent fighting apartheid.  I should like us all to take up this challenge, and not only act individually, but also with others, and especially in ways that bridge or break down the old divisions.  For the genius of Nelson Mandela is that he inspires us not only to be the best that we can be, but also to bring out the best in one another, for the healing of the soul of our nation.  For my part, conscious of the need for the healing of our very land, I shall plant an olive tree in the grove I have created in my garden to off-set the carbon footprint generated by the travel that my responsibilities entail.  And of course, I shall take time for prayer:  to thank God for the gift to us and to the world that Nelson Mandela has been, to seek his blessings of peace and contentment on Madiba in his retirement, and to ask that we may all take to heart the lessons we have learnt from this remarkable man and so, by God's grace, dare to dedicate our lives to the betterment of our planet and of all who live on it.  I encourage you to spend these 67 minutes doing good to all, especially to those of the household of faith.

Yours in the service of Christ,

+Thabo Cape Town

HOPE AFRICA and FHI will launch a portal where Students can interact on matters Of HIV AIDS – Speaking on SABC’s morning live this morning HOPE AFRICA.CEO Delene Mark said that 2000 STUDENTS are being targeted by the programme The portal will go live on 1 July 2009 www.Hopeafrica.org/ graduate alive

Dear People of God

South Africa’s elections fell between Easter and Pentecost, so I have been considering what it means to live as those who are raised with Christ, indwelt with the Spirit, and called and sent to be the salt in this complex messy world of ours.  I have been greatly helped by recent conversations with my predecessors – drinking from the well of many years of wisdom and experience in ‘speaking truth to power’.  I thank Archbishops Desmond and Njongo for all they have learnt and shared, and affirm my support for the public stance that each continues to take, particularly in South Africa, in calling on politicians to uphold all for which the Constitution stands.

After the leading role churches played in opposing apartheid and supporting the transition to democracy, I have found it extraordinary to encounter so many recent claims in the media that religion should have no place in political life.  Of course, I share others’ wariness of political parties claiming God as their supporter; but to believe that faith is irrelevant to the national life is a real failure to understand mature religion, and how much we can contribute to the flourishing of human society.   Anglicans have long believed engagement in public debate is inevitable, for God is either God of everything or of nothing.  Therefore there can be no area of human activity in which he has no interest, and into which he does not call us to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ!  Any attempted distinctions between the secular and sacred, the personal and the political, are artificial and unsustainable.

Yet this does not mean that churches should try to micro-manage government policy.  Instead, we must help people understand how the eternal truths of the gospel apply in whatever context they find themselves – from the voting booth, to community forums, to a seat in Cabinet!  This approach was set out by William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury in 1942-4, who said it is the church’s responsibility to ‘announce Christian principles and point out where the existing social order at any time is in conflict with them.  It must then pass on to Christian citizens, acting in their civic capacity, the task of reshaping the existing order in closer conformity to the principles.’  Because mature democracy offers the best context for debating Christian principles – and more general pursuit of mission and ministry – I see one role of the church as being to act as ‘the friend of the Constitution’.  This is why I took a lead role in election monitoring bodies, which encourage political tolerance, freedom of speech, healthy debate, and so forth.

South Africa’s Constitution is a wonderful document, bought at great price – many lives lost, others permanently scarred.  Its first commitment is to ‘heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights’.  As Christians, we also want to bring God’s healing and wholeness to humanity.  Many other principles that we want to promote are also reflected in the Constitution, such as upholding truth, honesty, accountability, transparency, justice, fairness, and all that exemplifies good governance.  We also want to prioritise those in greatest need – the weakest, poorest, neediest, marginalised, and voiceless – and in this, to ensure that for them the Constitution’s promises of equal rights and benefits are properly realised.  In practice, this includes adequate prioritisation of HIV and AIDS, TB, malaria, safety (I am particularly concerned at present about safety of our young people in school), and many other urgent areas of social need – as well as ensuring that urgent and critical environmental considerations are properly reflected in all policy-making.

Now the voting is over, here at least, though other parts of our Province will face elections later this year.  After the counting is done, the church must lend its voice to ensuring that those who are elected pursue the common good of everyone – not only of themselves and their families, friends and supporters.  We should be a vital part of the conscience of our nations.  As St Paul tells us, we will support our governments, our elected representatives, as long as they are ‘God’s servants for our good’ (Rom 13:4).  But where they fall short, we will be unafraid to tell them so – and it is to the best of our Constitutions that we will hold them accountable.
           
Jacob Zuma, just before the elections, spoke of Constitutional Court judges as being ‘not Gods’ and ‘only human’.  Quite so – but the same is true of politicians, and this is why we show loyalty to the Constitution and all its checks and balances, with none of judiciary, legislature or executive holding all the power. 
It is for us also to acknowledge that Jacob Zuma is ‘only human’, and affirm that, whatever his flaws, he has now been elected to the highest office in the land through a fully free and fair process (and let me here give warm congratulations to Hlope Bam and her colleagues at the IEC for a difficult and complex job well done).  As our new President, he deserves our congratulations, and our prayers that he will discharge the responsibilities now entrusted to him to the very best of his abilities, and for the good of every citizen and resident of this country.

That said, I remain concerned at the many unanswered questions around not only Jacob Zuma and the NPA, but also the entire arms deal.  Some politicians say we should draw a line, forgive and move on.  But – regardless of whether or not judicial proceedings are involved – one lesson that we learnt through the TRC (and which is intrinsic to all forms of ‘restorative justice’) is that people cannot forgive, unless they know who they are forgiving, and for what.  South Africans deserve to know the truth.  Unless this is uncovered and acknowledged, it will inevitably remain a festering sore in our political life.  I am convinced that the over-riding interests of our country would be best served by a full arms deal enquiry. 

However painful revealing the truth may be for those involved, this is the only path to the healing and fresh start South Africa and its new President crave and need.  As St John wrote, ‘If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ (1 Jn 1:8-9). 

May I end by asking your prayers for another of my predecessors – Archbishop Phillip Russell, who did so much to hold our church together in divisive times, inviting us to receive in greater measure the Spirit’s love and empowerment.  Remember him, in the increasing frailty of old age.  Please also remember me and everyone participating in the Anglican Consultative Council meeting of 1 to 13 May.

Yours in the service of Christ,

+Thabo Cape Town

Malaria is transmitted by infected mosquitos. A considerably large number of pregnant women who have malaria also suffer from Malaria anemia. World Malaria Day, 25 April, is a day of unified commemoration of the global effort to control malaria around the world.

The rate of the disease in Mozambique has dropped since we started distributing anti mosquito nets through our Malaria Prevention programme, in partnership with the Anglican Diocese of Lebombo and Episcopal Relief and Development (ER-D), together with many other caring organisations.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), some of the symptoms of malaria include fever, headache, and vomiting, which usually appear between 10 and 15 days after the mosquito bite. In the final stages of the disease, the patient’s liver and kidneys fail, and the victim enters a coma and eventually dies. If malaria is not treated, it can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs. Malaria, dubbed “Africa’s silent killer”, takes thousands of innocent lives every year.  
 
This year’s World Malaria Day marks a critical moment in time, especially in relation to meeting Millennium Development Goals set by the United Nations. As we near 2015, governments, corporate companies, NGOs and individuals can help HOPE Africa, ER-D and many other organisations to curb malaria in Mozambique and in many other African countries.

Everyone has a role to play and each one of us can make a difference, World Malaria Day represents exactly that.    
 
In a statement [read the statement] , endorsed by Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba, to mark World Malaria Day, Bishop Dinis Sengulane of the Anglican Diocese of Lebombo said “Malaria is a preventable and curable disease and it can be eliminated”.

Bishop Sengulale urges people acround the world to spread more information about malaria, assist in eliminating stagnant water and to provide mosquito nets or donations so that people can buy the nets to sleep under at night.

Bishop Sengulane argues that scientists needs to be challenged to invest more resources: human, financial and skills – to research malaria. People travelling to and fro malaria affected areas and those who live there are advised to rush to nearest health centres as soon as they display symptoms of malaria – headaches, fever, lack of appetite and general weakness.   

Bishop Dinis Sengulane will grace the celebrations which will start with a public demonstration in Matola on Saturday 25 April.

This is a joint programme through the partnership between the Roll Back Malaria movement and the National Malaria Programme in Mozambique. The HOPE Africa Malaria Prevention Programme has been invited to participate, conduct malaria prevention workshops and environmental sanitations in schools and areas vulnerable to malaria (Mafalala and Costa do Sol) in areas around Maputo.

The Anglican Students’ Federation (ASF) in the Western Cape had a house building project through Habitat for Humanity from the 07 – 09 April. This project took place at 8908 Umvoti Street section 6 in Mfuleni township, Cape Town. HOPE Africa Youth Desk linked ASF with Habitat for Humanity for this project to materialise.

The owners of the house are Nonkangeleko Sika, an unemployed mother and her husband, who have two daughters who are five years old and four months old. They have been staying a in a shack for over two years now.

“The shack was too small but now the house will be much bigger and enough for the entire family” said Nonkangelo. She said when winter and the winter rains come; they will be safe and warm unlike the previous years.

ASF and HOPE Africa Youth Desk were afforded the opportunity to present the house key and a bible to the Sika family. The students sang choruses and prayed with Nonkangelo in the newly built house. She thanked ASF volunteers and HOPE Africa Youth Desk for the efforts taken in assisting with the building of her house. “Please continue to do the same for others as well”, she said.      

When I tell you about the walk I took through my hometown of Soweto, outside Johannesburg, I hope you’ll understand the urgency of my plea for help.

Walking through the streets where I spent my childhood, my heart broke for all the poor families whose lives have been destroyed by recent flash floods. I was shocked to see the damage that water can cause – washing away walls as if they were never there, and carrying off people’s possessions and everything they’ve spent their lives building up.

Today I’m asking you if you’ll help them to rebuild their lives?

The Mbunjana family lost all of their beds and furniture in the flood, leaving only a folded blanket on the floor for the baby to sleep on.

Imagine starting a new day with nothing but the mud-soaked clothes you had on you when the flood came . . .
It brought tears to my eyes to see people digging through the debris to try and find something, anything, they could salvage from their previous life.

Families are relying on generous friends like you to get them through each day. Clothes, food, beds, mattresses, furniture,
school books, and uniforms – these are the bits and pieces they need to start again.

Will you help me to help them by donating right away? I’m asking for your urgent help today because these families are desperate – they’ve lost everything. Their time of need is now.

Will you let them know that in their time of shock and grief, they’re not alone? I hope you can find it in your heart to reach out after this disaster to make a difference in someone’s life.

I prayed with one of the women who lost everything in the flood, trying to comfort and re-assure her