South Africa
South Africa began righting structural wrongs with the end of apartheid in 1991, electing Mandela in 1994, and holding hearings with the Truth and Justice Commissions under Desmond Tutu. Twenty years later, post-apartheid South Africa is coming to terms with the consequences of racial oppression, and exploring the possibilities of multiracial democracy, especially in context of high HIV-AIDS rates and increasing immigration from neighboring countries. Local pastors and community leaders have continued the long walk to freedom, and ask that facilitators in non-violence, anti-sectarianism, and creative problem-solving join in their struggle for dignity and equality.
South Africa began righting structural wrongs with the end of apartheid in 1991, electing Mandela in 1994, and holding hearings with the Truth and Justice Commissions under Desmond Tutu. Twenty years later, post-apartheid South Africa is coming to terms with the consequences of racial oppression, and exploring the possibilities of multiracial democracy, especially in context of high HIV-AIDS rates and increasing immigration from neighboring countries. Local pastors and community leaders have continued the long walk to freedom, and ask that facilitators in non-violence, anti-sectarianism, and creative problem-solving join in their struggle for dignity and equality.
Personal
Dan and Kathryn were born in Africa to parents who were teachers in fledgling African democracies. They met in Northern Ireland, where they were both doing peace-work amidst the Catholic-Protestant conflict, and eventually moved to Africa one year after being married. From 2000-2003 they lived in northern Uganda, working with the Acholi Religious Leaders' Peace Initiative, an ecumenical group united to stop the violence of the Lord’s Resistance Army rebel forces. They then served from 2006-2009 in the Republic of Chad providing organizational support to the Chadian Association for Nonviolence. This stint in South Africa is a continuation of the Smith Derksens' conflict resolution training and commitment to non-violence and justice in Africa.
Dan and Kathryn were born in Africa to parents who were teachers in fledgling African democracies. They met in Northern Ireland, where they were both doing peace-work amidst the Catholic-Protestant conflict, and eventually moved to Africa one year after being married. From 2000-2003 they lived in northern Uganda, working with the Acholi Religious Leaders' Peace Initiative, an ecumenical group united to stop the violence of the Lord’s Resistance Army rebel forces. They then served from 2006-2009 in the Republic of Chad providing organizational support to the Chadian Association for Nonviolence. This stint in South Africa is a continuation of the Smith Derksens' conflict resolution training and commitment to non-violence and justice in Africa.
Mennonites in Southern Africa - History
Mennonites have a long history of work in the southern African region. Mennonites began to work in South Africa primarily through Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). In South Africa this work intensified as MCC began a supportive role in the struggle against apartheid. This support, along with the Mennonite peace stance, made it difficult for Mennonites to live in South Africa during apartheid. Mennonites, however, continued to provide support through advocacy for victims of apartheid, support for nonviolent struggle, and resourcing for reconciliation. Since the early 1980s, Mennonites have also been involved in providing theological, biblical, and leadership training for many leaders within primarily African Indigenous Churches who may lack formal education. Since the 1990s, there has also been an emergence of Brethren in Christ churches in South Africa, first planted by the BIC church in Zimbabwe. This history, both through the presence of Mennonites and BICs, has led many to encounter and appreciate Anabaptist values and perspectives in the pursuit of living as faithful disciples of Jesus within the South African context.
Mennonites have a long history of work in the southern African region. Mennonites began to work in South Africa primarily through Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). In South Africa this work intensified as MCC began a supportive role in the struggle against apartheid. This support, along with the Mennonite peace stance, made it difficult for Mennonites to live in South Africa during apartheid. Mennonites, however, continued to provide support through advocacy for victims of apartheid, support for nonviolent struggle, and resourcing for reconciliation. Since the early 1980s, Mennonites have also been involved in providing theological, biblical, and leadership training for many leaders within primarily African Indigenous Churches who may lack formal education. Since the 1990s, there has also been an emergence of Brethren in Christ churches in South Africa, first planted by the BIC church in Zimbabwe. This history, both through the presence of Mennonites and BICs, has led many to encounter and appreciate Anabaptist values and perspectives in the pursuit of living as faithful disciples of Jesus within the South African context.
