South Africa
Archbishop Desmond Tutu: father of South Africa’s ‘rainbow nation’
By P. Pratap Kumar — December 28, 2021
(The Conversation) — Archbishop Tutu earned the respect and love of millions of South Africans and the world.
Desmond Tutu, archbishop, activist and apartheid foe, is dead at 90
By Adelle M. Banks and B. Denise Hawkins — December 26, 2021
(RNS) — Tutu said a disciplined prayer life helped him through apartheid and continued to sustain him decades later.
Mural of South Africa’s Desmond Tutu is fixed for his 90th
By Andrew Meldrum — October 7, 2021
The mural enlivens a wall of the Rainbow Academy which offers training to young artists from disadvantaged communities.
New book explores how Desmond Tutu’s Christian mysticism helped unite a nation
By Yonat Shimron — April 14, 2021
(RNS) — In his new book, ‘Desmond Tutu: A Spiritual Biography of South Africa’s Confessor,’ Michael Battle delves into the ways Tutu’s religious formation shaped a vision that helped topple apartheid and unite a riven nation.
How Tutu’s spirituality incorporated Christian mysticism with the African notion of interdependency
By Michael Battle — April 14, 2021
(RNS) — Tutu’s worldview of Christian mysticism counteracts the system of apartheid. His Ubuntu incorporates the African Bantu perspective of personhood with a mystical image of God’s diversity in unity.
Without church or internet, many South Africans turn to liturgies at home
By Ricardo da Silva — July 10, 2020
(RNS) — ‘The church in South Africa, still, is rooted in the Mass experience,’ said a parish priest of Our Lady of Peace in Johannesburg.
What living apart has taught me about #StayAtHome church
By Bronwyn Lea — April 27, 2020
(RNS) — Our longing shows that church is not just a routine (or a necessary chore). It's a holy home.
Alarmed African churches demand end to persistent xenophobic attacks in S. Africa
By Fredrick Nzwili — September 24, 2019
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — As the latest wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa dies out, churches in the country and others on the continent are demanding an end to the persistent problem, affecting economic migrants in one of Africa’s biggest economies.
South African pastor’s resurrection stunt draws mockery and memes
By Fredrick Nzwili — March 5, 2019
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — A viral video of a man purportedly being raised from the dead has punctured the credibility of Africa's increasingly influential Pentecostal churches.
New South African church celebrates drinking alcohol
By Associated Press — April 21, 2018
(AP) — The South African Gabola Church, which celebrates the drinking of alcohol, was started eight months ago and has found an enthusiastic following.
South Africa bill could end religion-based discrimination for same-sex marriages
By Rumana Akoob — March 12, 2018
JOHANNESBURG -- A proposed amendment to South Africa’s Civil Union Act, which legalized same-sex marriage in 2006, would prevent civil servants from refusing to marry same-sex couples on the basis of conscience, religion or belief.
As Cape Town’s water crisis nears ‘Day Zero,’ faith groups spring into action
By Brian Pellot — February 7, 2018
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (RNS) — South Africa’s crown jewel is experiencing its worst drought ever. As government officials threaten apocalyptic comparisons to World War II and 9/11, faith groups offer hope and a way forward.
A mother fights queer bias in South Africa
By Carl Collison — February 4, 2018
JOHANNESBURG—Mally Simelane’s daughter was murdered for her sexual orientation, a tragic event that she has channeled into promoting LGBTI acceptance at her church and in KwaThema.
LGBTQI+ South Africans struggle to fund higher education
By Pollen Eixab — January 5, 2018
CAPE TOWN -- Amid social and religious discrimination, sexual and gender minorities are often shunned by traditional support networks and struggle to access higher education.
South African court bars schools from promoting any one religion
By Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo — June 28, 2017
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) The Organization for Religious Education and Democracy had argued that it was in the interest of South Africa's democracy that public schools not be allowed to favor a specific religion.
