During this year the SACC will unveil a series of events marking its fortieth anniversary. The South Africa Council of Churches was formed in Observatory, Cape Town, on 29 May 1968 out of the Christian Council of South Africa. The Council kicked off a year of celebrations at its Triennial National Conference in July 2007. The next celebratory event is a service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving at 12h30 on Saturday, 23 February 2008 at Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown, Soweto.

In April 1989, the luggage of Rev Frank Chikane was intercepted by state agents at the then Jan Smuts Airport. They then proceeded to lace the clothing in his bags with a deadly poisonous substance which was meant to kill him. Dr. Chikane, who served as the SACC’s General Secretary from 1987 to 1994, will be one of the worship leaders for the service. At this service we will thank God for the miracle of his survival. But his story reflects the many similar stories of Christian heroes and heroines who paid a price for their opposition to apartheid on the basis of their faith. For this reason the service will recognise and give thanks for the countless church and community based activists who helped to build the Council and who were instrumental in the nation’s struggle for liberation, democracy and human rights.

“We will therefore use the prominence of the likes of Rev Chikane as an entry-point in the celebration of the many sacrifices made by men, women and children of the church in the fight against the evil system of Apartheid” said the Council’s President, Prof. Tinyiko Maluleke. “There is therefore intimate relationship between the sacrifices of our celebrated leaders and those of ordinary people who made extraordinary sacrifies” During the service, SACC leaders will honour more than 30 individuals as “unsung” heroines and heroes of South Africa’s liberation struggle.

For more information, contact: Prof. Tinyiko Maluleke, SACC President (082) 925 5232