2004 News & Press Releases

Church Leaders Respond to Indian Ocean Tsunami

SACC President Prof Russel Botman and other church leaders responded to the "seaquake" and resulting tsunami that caused untold suffering in many countries bordering on the Indian Ocean. They announced the creation of a special relief fund and called on churches to take up special offerings to assist the survivors of the disaster.

SACC Christmas Letter Calls for Love, Respect and Dignity for All

In his Christmas message to all South Africans, the General Secretary of the SACC writes: "Poverty, in a world that currently produces a surplus of goods, is an affront to all that God intends for humanity." He reiterates the Churches' call for the introduction of a Basic Income Grant as a small, practical step toward making love, respect and dignity a tangible reality for the poorest in South Africa.

Challenge Magazine Publishes Beyers Naudé Memorial Souvenir

To celebrate the life and work of Dr. Beyers "Oom Bey" Naudé, the former SACC General Secretary who passed away in September, Challenge Magazine and the SACC Communications Unit have published a 16-page "memorial souvenir" entitled "Beyers Naudé: A Man of Faith".

SACC Urges Caution in Wake of Marriage Ruling

Following the Supreme Court of Appeals' 30 November ruling that the common law definition of marriage must be developed to include same-sex couples, the General Secretary encouraged churches to respond to the action thoughtfully and with respect for the Constitution. He proposed separating the legal and religious aspects of marriage and called on churches to assist the Law Commission in developing new legislation that respects both the Constituion's equality clause and the varied and deeply-held religious beliefs of South Africans.

Statement on Archbishop Tutu's Nelson Mandela Lecture

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu's Nelson Mandela Lecture in Johannesburg on 23 November touched off a vigourous public debate on matters such as black economic empowerment, the basic income grant, and HIV/AIDS policy. The SACC welcomes that debate as a sign of a healthy democracy, but urges participants, including the media, to "resist the temptation to highlight and sensationalise personal differences."

Transcending Racism Report Finds Both Hurt and Hope

The SACC's Transcending Racism programme, revived in November 2003, surveyed church leaders and congregations earlier this year to assess progress in dealing with racism and exploitation in church and community. The survey's findings provide the basis for a number of recommendations to the SACC National Executive and the Church Leaders Forum intended to help facilitate the process of social transformation.

South African Accompaniers Share Apartheid Experiences

Six South African participants in the WCC's Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel identified some of the lessons learned from the struggle against apartheid that might assist Palestinians struggling to liberate themselves from the Israeli Occupation.

SACC Pays Tribute to Struggle Hero Ray Alexander

The General Secretary paid tribute to the late Ray Alexander, calling her "a champion for the cause of the worker and the poor as well as a pioneer in the struggle for women's rights in South Africa".

Hamba Kahle, Dr. Beyers Naudé

The South African Council of Churches and the ecumenical movement mourn the passing of Rev. Dr. Beyers Naudé, who died on 7 September 2004. Funeral services will be held at 14h00 on 18 September at the Dutch Reformed Church (Aasvoelkop), Lawley Avenue, Northcliff, Johannesburg.

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Triennial National Conference Adopts Resolutions on Variety of Topics

The 2004 Triennial National Conference of the SACC met at the Cedar Park Conference Centre in Johannesburg from 11 to 14 July. Delegates from the SACC's 26 member denominations, 9 provincial councils and affiliated organisations adopted 21 resolutions on topics related to regional issues, economic and social justice, theological education, family life, and a variety of other matters.

First Group of South African Accompaniers Joins EAPPI

The first group of four ecumenical accompaniers from South Africa join a team of thirteen people from Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom to work with churches, community groups and non-governmental oragnisations in Palestine and Israel. The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) is modeled on the Ecumenical Monitoring Programme in South Africa, which operated from 1990 to 1994.

FOOD IS LIFE! Statement of an SACC Consultation on GMOs

The SACC held an ecumenical consultation on genetically modified organisms in Midrand at the end of May. The delegates' final statement affirms the right of access to food, condemns the delinking of science and ethics, and calls for action by churches and government to identify sustainable and responsible mechanisms to enhance food security.

Bishop Mpumlwana Delivers Homily at SACC World Cup Prayer Service

Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana, Bishop of the Northern Diocese of the Ethiopian Episcopal Church, delivered the homily at a prayer service on the eve of FIFA's announcement of the country chosen to host the 2010 football World Cup. He gave thanks for the unifying effect of South Africa's bid and called for "good stewardship of the opportunities that the success of our bid will bring".

SACC Supports South Africa's 2010 World Cup Bid

SACC General Secretary Dr. Molefe Tsele says that the Council backs South Africa's bid to host the 2010 football World Cup, in part because of the expected job creation and other economic benefits that will directly affect poor households in South Africa. He announced that the Council would hold a prayer service in advance of the announcement of the winning bid, due on 15 May.

SACC to Join Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel

With the backing of the Christian Council of Sweden, the South African Council of Churches will send ten "Ecumenical Accompaniers" to Palestine and Israel later this year to take part in a World Council of Churches programme intended to promote respect for human rights, express solidarity with Palestinian and Israeli peace activists and show that non-violence can promote justice, peace and an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine. Volunteers are invited to contact the Rev. Canon Luke Pato, head of the SACC's Reconciliation and Healing programme.

SACC Celebrates Peaceful, Transparent Elections

The South African Council of Churches says that the fair and peaceful elections are "an appropriate present as our nation celebrates the Decade of Freedom and Democracy". The Council commended civil society observers, the Independent Electoral Commission, security forces, the media and voters for their contribution to the success of South Africa's third democratic election. Noting the possible need for peace-building following the election, church leaders offered to assist in mediating any disputes that might arise from the election.

Civil Society Observers Say Election "Free and Fair"

The South African Civil Society Observation Coalition (SACSOC), an initiative co-ordinated by the SACC and other civil society organisations, pronounced South Africa's third democratic election "free and fair". The Coalition deployed observers in all nine provinces, including 1 800 volunteers in KwaZulu-Natal. Although obesrevers experienced difficulty in gaining access to polling stations in certain areas, these obstacles were overcome. SACSOC commended the preparedness and efficiency of the IEC, but said that there was room for improvement in the training of electoral officers at the polling stations.

SACC Asks President Mbeki to Spark Zimbabwe Talks

The South African Council of Churches has written an urgent letter to President Thabo Mbeki asking him to send a delegation to Harare to revive talks between the Government of Zimbabwe and the Movement for Democratic Change. The General Secretary of the SACC said that the Church in Zimbabwe is "counting on us to assist them in finding a resolution to their acute economic and political crisis".

Ecumenical Movement Mourns the Death of Archbishop Denis Hurley

Ecumenical leaders, including former SACC General Secretary Frank Chikane, have paid tribute to the late Archbishop Denis Hurley, who died on 13 February, aged 88. In a memorial service at Khotso House, Archbishop Hurley was remembered as a tireless advocate for social and economic justice, a courageous opponent of apartheid, and a man of humility. The Archbishop's body will lie in state at Emmanuel Cathedral on 26 and 27 February, before the funeral, to be held at Durban's ABSA Stadium on Saturday, 28 February.

Civil Society Organisations Object to GM Wheat Imports

The SACC and 38 other civil society organisations have written to South Africa's Registrar of Genetically Modified Organisms to express their joint opposition to the granting of permission to the US chemical firm, Monsanto, to import genetically modified wheat into South Africa. The letter raised concerns about the uncertain human and environmental impact of the modified wheat and warned that South Africa must not become a gateway for dumping GM crops throughout the continent.

Churches Commend Proposed Social Assistance Regulations

In a letter to the Director-General of the Department of Social Development, the Director of the SACC Parliamentary Office, the Rev. Keith Vermeulen, welcomed proposed amendments to regulations published in terms of the Social Assistance Act that would improve access to social grants, especially the Child Support Grant. The proposed changes would make forms of identification other than a birth certificate or a bar-coded ID document acceptable as interim proof of a child's eligibility for a grant.

SACC Calls for Peaceful and Fair Election

The General Secretary applauded President Mbeki's announcement of the April 14 date for South Africa's third democratic national elections and called on all political parties to ensure that the poll is peaceful and fair. He announced that the SACC would work with other non-partisan civil society organisations to observe the elections through the South African Civil Society Observation Coalition and offered the Council's support to the Independent Electoral Commission.

SACC Commends President Mbeki's Call to Celebrate Progress to National Unity

The SACC welcomed President Mbeki's State of the Nation address at the Opening of Parliament and applauded the government's continuing commitment to a "people-centred society". The General Secretary said that churches have a role in realising that vision and, in particular, in working with government to promote poverty eradication.

Hefer Report a Landmark for Democracy

The SACC has welcomed the release of the Hefer commission report on its inquiry into apartheid-era spying allegations against National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka. The General Secretary, Dr. Tsele, hailed the process as a sign of the strength and maturity of South Africa's democracy and urged further follow-up to address concerns raised in the report.