Who are we?
The Centre for Public Witness is a joint initiative of the DRC (Synod Western Cape) and the United Reformed Church (Regional Synod Cape). The chairman of the board is Dr Llwellyn MacMaster (URC).
What do we do?
The Centre conducts public theology with a specific focus on issues that affect the South African socio-economic context.
The main focus is the establishment and facilitation of multicultural dialogue sessions across South Africa (see #100DorpeDialoog); i.e., the growth of social cohesion.
- This includes mediation of conflict in various tense areas
- As well as the creation of models for cooperation between church, state and business.
We are also involved in education and skills development and look at alternative education models (e.g., after-hours teaching and entrepreneurship).
The challenge of homeless people is also high on our agenda, with practical interventions, policy formulation and conferences/workshops.
The Centre is also responsible for the Hope and Reconciliation Trust which focuses on rural development and early childhood development. The trust is currently responsible for the De Hoop housing project between Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn. Through the trust we are also involved in the provision of vegetable seed for community gardens and households.
The Centre also serves as the administrative office for the WCEN (Western Cape Ecumenical Network) which provides an ecumenical network for approximately thirty denominations and church organisations in the Western Cape. This network sometimes holds state departments, such as the Department of Home Affairs and the Master, responsible for their inhuman treatment of clients.
Ecological issues are of great importance to the Centre and Dr Hanekom also serves on the board of SAFCEI (Southern African Faith Communities’ Environmental Initiative).
The Centre has also recently published the following:
- Bybelse antwoorde op die uitdagings van ons tyd (Bible studies)
- Waarom glo ons? (Apologetics)
- iThemba is the Centre’s newsletter that appears three times a year.
Contact
Dr Daniël de Wet
(+27)21 957 7204
daniel@kaapkerk.co.za