South African Council of Churches

The South African Council of Churches (SACC) is an interdenominational forum in South Africa. It was a prominent anti-apartheid organisation during the years of apartheid in South Africa. Its leaders have included Desmond Tutu, Beyers Naudé and Frank Chikane. It is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Councils in Southern Africa.

Value Proposition

The South African Council of Churches exists to lead common Christian action that works for moral witness in South Africa, addressing issues of justice, national reconciliation, integrity or creation, eradication of poverty, and contributing towards the empowerment of all those who are spiritually, socially and economically marginalised. [(c) SACC]

Leadership

The SACC is governed by a national conference that meets once every three years. The resolutions of the conference are implemented by a central committee that meets annually. The committee is chaired by either the president or a vice-president of the Council. An executive committee is elected by the central committee and meets at least four times a year. The officers of the Council include a president, vice-presidents, and a general secretary who acts as executive officer .

General Secretaries

[dates need verification]

• Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana (Ethiopian Episcopal Church), 2015 – Current
• Rev Mautji Pataki (Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa), 2011– 2014
• Mr Edwin Makue (Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa), 2006-2011
• Dr Molefe Tsele (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa), 2001–2006
• Rev Charity Majiza (Presbyterian Church), 1998–2000
• Ms Brigalia Bam (Church of the Province of South Africa), 1994–1998
• Rev Frank Chikane (Apostolic Faith Mission), 1987–1994
• Rev Dr CF Beyers Naudé (Reformed Church in Africa), 1984–1986?
• Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu (Church of the Province of South Africa), 1978–1984
• Rev John Thorne (United Congregational Church), 1977 (3 months)
• Mr John Rees (Methodist Church of Southern Africa), 1970–1977
• Archbishop Bill Burnett (Church of the Province of South Africa), 1967–1969

Presidents

[dates need verification] Bishop Ziphozihle Siwa ( Methodist Church of Southern Africa) 2014+ Current

• Bishop Jo Seoka (Anglican Church of Southern Africa), 2010–2014
• Prof. Tinyiko Sam Maluleke (Evangelical Presbyterian Church in South Africa), 2007-2010
• Prof. Russel Botman (Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa), 2003–2007
• Presiding Bishop Mvume Dandala (Methodist Church of Southern Africa), 1998–2003
• Bishop Sigqibo Dwane (Order of Ethiopia), 1995–1998
• Dr Khoza Mgojo (Methodist Church of Southern Africa), 1990–1995
• Dr Manas Buthulezi (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa), 1983–1990
• Bishop Peter Storey (Methodist Church of Southern Africa), 1981–1983
• Rev SPE Sam Buti (Reformed Church in Africa), ca. 1979
• Rev John Thorne (United Congregational Church), ca. 1975–1976
• Rev A.W. Habelgaarn (Moravian Church), 1971–?
• Archbishop Robert Selby Taylor (Church of the Province of South Africa), 1968

History of the SACC

1988 bombing of Khotso House

The SACC headquarters at Khotso House in Johannesburg were destroyed by a bomb in 1988. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission later found that State President PW Botha had personally ordered the bombing. Former Minister of Law and Order Adriaan Vlok and several senior policemen applied for and were granted amnesty for the bombing. The bombing party was directed by Eugene de Kock, then commander at Vlakplaas, a secret facility of the security branch of the South African Police force.^[1]

Alliance with the ANC

During the anti-apartheid struggle, the SACC was in alliance with liberation movements such as the African National Congress (ANC). In recent times, there have been claims that the ANC has marginalised the Council in favour of Pastor Ray McCauley's National Interfaith Leadership Council which the SACC was excluded from and that there are also tensions between the two organisations.^[2][3][4][5] The SACC has also been extremely critical of the ANC for its role in the September 2009 militia attacks on Kennedy Road informal settlement calling for an independent investigation into police inaction and the release of community leaders associated with Abahlali baseMjondolo and the Kennedy Road Development Committee.^[6][7]

See also

• Religion in South Africa
• National Interfaith Council of South Africa

References

1. ↑ "Amnesty Decision – Khotso House incident (AC/99/0242)". doj.gov.za. 1999. Archived from the original on 30 December 2004. Retrieved 2 November 2006. 
2. ↑ "SACC excluded from interfaith council". iol.co.za. 19 August 2009. Retrieved 20 November 2012. 
3. ↑ Mataboge, Mmanaledi (18 September 2009). "Why ANC dumped council of churches". mg.co.za. Retrieved 19 November 2012. 
4. ↑ "ANC, SACC reject claims of tension". mg.co.za. 19 September 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2012. 
5. ↑ Sosibo, Kwanele (23 March 2012). "Council of Churches in the wilderness". mg.co.za. Retrieved 18 November 2012. 
6. ↑ "SACC APPALLED BY VIOLENT ATTACKS AGAINST DEMOCRACY". SACC. Archived from the original on 2009-10-06. 
7. ↑ "Democracy Under Attack – A Statement by Bishop Rubin Phillip". Abahlali baseMjondolo. 

External links

• South African Council of Churches
• Come celebrate! 25 years of the SACC, 1968–1993
• South African Council of Churches submission to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, August 1997

Religion in South Africa
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Related	Freedom of religion SAHRC CRL Rights Commission Equality Act, 2000 Marriage Act, 1961 Witchcraft Suppression Act, 1957 Traditional healers SACC NICSA Public holidays Satanic panic
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Politics of South Africa
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Trade unions and Social movements	see South Africa trade unions Equal Education Mandela Park Backyarders PASSOP Poor People's Alliance Abahlali baseMjondolo LPM Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign SJC TAC UPM
Law	see South African law
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Political history of South Africa
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Events	1652–1815 Dutch settlement French Huguenot settlement Khoikhoi–Dutch Wars Xhosa Wars Battle of Muizenberg Battle of Blaauwberg Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814 1815–1910 Mfecane 1820 Settlers Great Trek Boer Republics Mineral Revolution Witwatersrand Gold Rush South African Wars South Africa Act 1909 1910–1948 Maritz Rebellion Rand Rebellion Great Depression 1946 African Mine Workers' Union strike Bantustans Apartheid era 1948 general election Apartheid legislation Internal resistance Coloured-vote constitutional crisis Defiance Campaign Congress of the People Freedom Charter Women's March 1956 1957 Alexandra bus boycott Sharpeville massacre 1960 republic referendum International isolation Academic boycott Disinvestment Sporting boycott Olympics Rugby union Rivonia Trial Tar Baby Option Durban Moment Border War Israeli alliance Israel–South Africa Agreement Soweto Uprising Weapons of mass destruction Project Coast Constructive engagement Church Street bombing 1983 constitutional reform referendum Rubicon speech Dakar Conference Third Force CODESA 1992 apartheid referendum Saint James Church massacre Bophuthatswana conflict Shell House massacre Post-apartheid 1994 general election Government of National Unity Reconstruction and Development Programme Truth and Reconciliation Commission Arms Deal Floor crossing African Renaissance Xenophobia Marikana massacre 2012 Western Cape farm workers' strike Nkandlagate 2014 platinum strike #RhodesMustFall protests #FeesMustFall student protests 2016 Tshwane riots
Political culture	Afrikaner Calvinism Baasskap Boerehaat Day of the Vow Greater South Africa Honorary whites Rooi gevaar Slavery Swart gevaar Uitlander Volkstaat
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Histories of political parties	African National Congress Democratic Alliance Pan Africanist Congress of Azania
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