The timing of the announcement of a concentrated period of seismic surveys on the seabed of the Wild Coast was sudden and deeply cynical. It appears to have been a coldly calculated move, during a time when the world’s attention was on the new Covid-19 variant and just before the Christmas season, at the end of a long, hard year which has exhausted everyone. And yet, we must reach deep down into our faith, our indigenous roots and from the depths of our belonging on this plan

It is with great excitement that we announce that the third issue of our own newsletter, Ithemba (the Xhosa word for hope) is now available. This newsletter, packed with stories of hope and reports on current issues such as homelessness, politics and ecology, is issued quarterly. "We know that South Africans who stand together can make a difference and we hope to achieve cooperation and a sense of community with this newsletter," says Braam Hanekom. The newsletter can be down

The Centre for Public Witness along with Gregory Modungwa from Unashamedly Ethical recently facilitated a Courageous Conversation discussion in Klerksdorp. Thirty individuals from diverse backgrounds and sectors attended the event. Braam Hanekom is grateful to everyone who formed part of this conversation. He believes that the people who have dedicated their time to this event have already rendered an invaluable service to South Africa. During this Courageous Conversation, th

We are working hard through the Hope and Reconciliation Trust to write a story of hope at De Hoop in Oudtshoorn. The church does not want to do development work to make any money. We want to ensure the long-term survival of the beautiful old church building as a source of hope at the center of a life-giving community for the poor. In particular, we hope to provide a refuge for farmworkers who have to leave farms for a variety of reasons and seek a safe haven for their old age

Last week we conducted the third of a series of discussions between the URCSA and the Dutch Reformed Church in Piketberg. This series focuses on the facilitation of conversations with the purpose of healing, reconciliation and unity. The church is often accused of trying (especially during sensitive conversations) to manipulate the conversation with a specific text from the Bible. That is why Braam Hanekom decided to simply discuss Luke 19, the text he read during his quiet t

Cape Town is currently facing a huge challenge of homelessness. However, it is not only the Mother City that is experiencing this challenge, but also numerous other towns in our region. The question is: where does the solution lie? In Cape Town alone, a place of refuge for over 10 000 people is sought (this excludes general housing shortages). New research indicates that churches are in an excellent position to address this issue. Small groups of people, where community life

The Institute for Sustainable Social Development invited the Centre for Public Witness to facilitate a conference for emerging farmers in De Aar. This event took place at the end of September 2021. Experts from the commercial agricultural sector were asked to present the course. 52 emerging farmers from towns such as Noupoort, De Aar, Richmond, Britstown, Philipstown, Hanover and Victoria West attended the conference. Basic training in agriculture was provided. The conferenc

In a recent interview with Overstrand Herald, Braam Hanekom talks about the number of possibilities that are being investigated to expand the Kleinmond Learning Centre's curriculum. "We have noticed that especially high school students lost their motivation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only have thousands of learners dropped out of the education system, but more and more learners are asking why they have to work hard in matric when work after school is becoming scarcer a

How to make your town a better place... On 9 September, Barend la Grange, formerly of South Africa Day, Mari Hudson from RSG's program My Mooi Dorp and Braam Hanekom of the Centre for Public Witness presented a webinar. They talked about how South Africans can improve social cohesion in their towns and what practical things can be done to make our country's towns more beautiful and overall better places. Practical examples of towns where a difference has already been made wer

On 9 September at 10:00 a webinar will take place where Barend la Grange (formerly from South Africa Day) Mari Hudson (RSG - My Mooi Dorp) and Braam Hanekom (Centre for Public Witness) will discuss how South Africans can improve social cohesion in their towns and what practical things can be done to make our towns nicer and better. Practical examples of towns where a difference has already been made will be given. A few other people who have already been involved in the impr

According to the Quarterly Labor Force Survey (QLFS), young people are still struggling to enter the South African labor market. The official unemployment rate peaked at 34.40% in the second quarter of 2021. But according to Statistics South Africa, the country's young people are being hit the hardest - 46.3% of young people between the ages of 15 and 34 have indicated that they are currently unemployed. In other words, almost one in two people under 35 in the labor force are

Braam Hanekom In 14 August 2021's Rapport, two letters were published that further stimulate the narrative that there are actually only two currents in the Dutch Reformed Church. This can create the impression that the Dutch Reformed Church actually only consists of these two camps and is currently engaged in a struggle over right and wrong, the soul of the church and the heart of our faith. That the conversation is going on, no one can ignore or doubt. For me, however, the D

by Leopold Scholtz Often, when I open my Bible, I find that the Word turns the world upside down. People are often naturally inclined to approach the world in a certain way - to show strength, to impress others, you name it. But when you read the Bible well, you notice that God preaches the exact opposite. The apostle Paul's statements in his second letter to the Corinthians are a typical example. In 2 Cor. 12: 9 he writes what God said to him: “My grace is sufficient for you

Die versterking van sosiale kohesie by steeds baie hoog op ons lys. Twee inisiatiewe het die afgelope kwartaal aandag gekry. Die eerste was die fasilitering van die ‘n “onafgehandelde familiegesprek” tussen die VGK en die NGK op Piketberg (foto onder). Ons het opnuut bewus geword van die hoeveelheid seer wat onder die oppervlak, oral in ons samelewing, lê. Die gewilligheid, moed en ywer om die saak aan te pak, het ons inspireer. ‘n Opvolggesprek is bepan vir 23 Junie. Daar he

Soos berig deur Kerkbode op 15 Junie 2021. Die konsepwysigingswet oor gelykheid en ongeregverdigde diskriminasie verteenwoordig ’n wesenlike bedreiging vir demokrasie en vryheid in Suid-Afrika en moet op daardie gronde teengestaan word, luidens ’n skrywe deur dr Gustav Claassen, algemene sekretaris van die NG Kerk. Pepuda (kort vir Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act) sal ’n dubbelstandaard handhaaf deur diskriminasie deur die staat toe te laat,

Verlede Sondag was die Biddag vir Ekologie. In die video gee Dewald Hoffmann (van Getuienisaksie se Groenspan) 'n paar riglyne oor hoe jy hierdie spesiale dag van gebed nog steeds kan herdenk. Hier is ook vyf voorstelle waarvoor ons kan bid en kyk gerus onder vir 'n gebed vir planeet aarde en sy mense wat jy gerus ook kan gebruik.

Dit is met groot opgewondenheid wat ons aankondig dat die tweede uitgawe van ons nuusbrief, Ithemba, binnekort uitgereik gaan word! Ithemba is die Xhosa woord vir hoop. Ons weet dat Suid-Afrikaners wat saamstaan 'n verskil kan maak en ons hoop om samewerking en 'n gevoel van gemeenskap met hierdie nuusbrief te bewerkstellig. Klik hier om vir die nuusbrief in te teken: https://af.publiekegetuienis.org/contact-us

Deur dr. Braam Hanekom. Met dank ontvang van Godsdiens Aktueel (Beeld & Die Burger) Die konflik tussen Israel en Palestina is die afgelope weke, vir die soveelste keer, intens in die media en deur gelowiges bespreek. Dit wil voorkom asof daar tans geen ander konflik op die planeet is, wat soveel emosie losmaak, soos die een in Israel en Palestina nie. Profetiese uitsprake word links en reg aangehaal en opvallend is die verskille oor dié konflik wat binne ‘n bepaalde geloof aa

Braam Hanekom het in 2014 na besoek aan Israel en die Wes Oewer die onderstaande artikel geskryf wat in die Jerusalem Post gepubliseer is. Dit is vandag nog relevant. “Finding a solution is not the end of a problem but the key to a new and sometimes difficult journey… But then a journey with hope.” It is always difficult and dangerous to try and be a prophet and broker in a peace process after a relatively short exposure to any conflict. So let me first clarify my position: I

Lede van die kerkrade van die NGK en VGK op Piketberg het verlede Dinsdag vergader om saam te gesels oor die toekoms van die pragtige dorp. Dit kom na die gesprek onlangs op Koringberg wat ook deur die Sentrum vir Publieke Getuienis gefasiliteer is. Hoe gaan dit, Piketberg? Sedert 2019 is die Sentrum vir Publieke Getuienis besig om kerkgroepe op dorpe te help om oor hierdie vraag aan hul dorpe na te dink. By so ‘n dorpsgesprek word die volgende vier vrae gewoonlik gestel: · W