Address at the signing by political parties of South Africa's Electoral Code of Conduct

Remarks by Archbishop Thabo Makgoba on behalf of the Electoral Code of Conduct Observer Commission at Dulcie September Hall, Cape Town, on April 18, 2024:

Colleagues and Friends, 

It is no exaggeration to say that we in civil society must prepare ourselves for our biggest task as election observers and peace-makers since the elections which liberated our country. 

That is because the parties which have dominated politics for the past 30 years are facing the most heavily-contested elections since 1994. Incumbents will have to fight harder than ever before, possibly bringing out hidden sides of their parties we have not seen before, thus giving rise to the dirtiest elections we have seen so far.

Secondly, technical difficulties in the complexity of voting might generate frustrations, leading to cries and actions born of desperation. We could see Election Day and the days that follow turn ugly, with accusations of “institutional exclusion” flying about and followers of smaller parties crying foul. 

For the first time, our constitutional democracy runs the risk of the Independent Electoral Commission and the election process being robbed of their well-earned integrity. 

Against the backdrop of the things we must protect, there is a need in our society in the coming days to exercise tolerance, to strengthen our corporate integrity, and to focus our attention on and embrace the bigger picture. 

All of us must avoid trying to make short-term, expedient gains at the cost of long-term political security. 

Also, a culture of caring and capacitating the poor and giving agency to the marginalised is key. 

These concerns must be the cornerstones of any scenario in which parties have to form coalitions after the elections. 

The uprooting of poverty, the good of all the country's people and good and honest governance must underpin all coalitions.

May wisdom guide us and give us justice as we enter this election season.

Let us pray:

Lord God, as this critical day in the life of our democracy dawns,

We again give thanks for the sacrifices of those who over many generations fought for the right of all to vote,

We pray that all will perform this solemn civic duty with the dignity that honours the sacrifices of those who have gone before us, 

We pray that you will guide and protect all those responsible for ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections,

We pray that political leaders and representatives will act responsibly and with due reverence for the process,

We pray that those who come to vote will choose wisely in accordance with their aspirations and their consciences,

We pray for tolerance and respect among all,

And that once they have voted, all will accept the outcome of the elections and work together for the good of all South Africans and our environment.

Now may the peace of God which passes all understanding be and remain with us all, now and always.  Amen 

Ad Laos - To the People of God - April 2024

 As published in Good Hope, the newsletter of the Diocese of Cape Town:

During Eastertide this year, in the weeks leading up to Pentecost, we have embarked on the Diocesan Mission Season announced by Bishop Joshua in last month’s Good Hope. During this process, we are looking at the Anglican Communion's Five Marks of Mission in order to move us to a more mission-focussed Diocese in the wake of Covid-19.

The Five Marks of Mission:
The mission of the Church is the mission of Christ
    • To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom,
    • To teach, baptise and nurture new believers,
    • To respond to human need by loving service,
    • To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation, and
    • To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.

We are  being asked in this season: when did we last invite another to church for a discipleship occasion; and when have we given testimony of the workings of the Holy Spirit, Jesus, in our lives? At a Mass for the 175th anniversary of Bishops Diocesan College recently, I spoke about spiritual renewal, emphasising that connecting the concept of the Kingdom of God to the regeneration of the Spirit was important to Jesus, because it described the essentially spiritual character of that kingdom, and the way in which our experience of it impacts our lives. 

This must lead us to ask: where and how do we see the Spirit moving in our personal lives and places? For myself, I felt it and touched it in an informal settlement recently, when I went with Bishop Josh and others on a Walk of Witness to provide a ministry of support to people who had lost their homes and their possessions in a devastating fire. Those of you who responded so generously, both with your monetary donations and your prayers, touched me deeply. Thank you. Enkosi. Baie dankie. Do please continue to give to the Provincial Disaster Fund so that we can make a difference to those who have lost everything. (ACSA-Provincial Trusts Board, Standard Bank, Account no: 070562423 / Universal code: 051001) 

Thinking of those and others who suffer in their daily lives, I dedicated honorary degrees which I recently received from Rhodes and the University of the Free State to those excluded and on margins of society. I also gave thanks to all of you and to God for having given me a voice as your Archbishop, enabling me to speak out and recommit our church to working for peace and justice. (You can find the texts of the addresses I delivered on this blog. 

When you read this, it will be less than six weeks before our national and provincial elections. Please study the manifestos of the political parties, then go and vote. Then ensure that you hold to account those you have voted for, especially in ensuring a change in our socio-economic architecture—what I describe as the New Struggle for a new society, a society in which there is equity and equality of opportunity, the kind of society in which the promises of the Constitution are fulfilled. We cannot go on like we are at the moment, with people aggrieved and struggling to meet their everyday needs—we need real socio-economic change and for all to benefit, not only those with power.

I write this as our roads are shut and those wonderful athletes run through our city, enjoying our good roads and the beautiful weather, hoping to finish, to earn a medal and celebrate their achievement. Like those runners, no one can just compete, we all have to practise. So I commend to you the Mission Season Bible studies as an opportunity for us to sharpen our relationship with Christ Jesus, as well as our resolve to seek his justice and peace in God’s world. 

Let me conclude by saying thank you to Dean Michael for his leadership and pastoral care within our diocese and cathedral. As St Paul would say about runners, well done, good and faithful servant, you have run and finished the race. Thank you for your leadership, friendship and ministry. We hope that the race is not ended for you and your beloved spouse, Dr Bennett, in public ministry.

God bless.

††Thabo Cape Town

Address accepting the award of the degree, Doctor of Theology (honoris causa), University of the Free State, Qwaqwa Campus

 

University of the Free State

ARCHBISHOP THABO MAKGOBA

Remarks on receiving the degree

Doctor of Theology (Honoris Causa)

12^th April 2024, Qwaqwa Campus

Honourable Chancellor,

Vice-Chancellor,

Director of Ceremonies,

Parents, Students,

Fellow Graduates,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am so pleased to be here, not least because the last time I was in this beautiful part of the country, I departed under less auspicious circumstances!

Address on the acceptance of an Honorary LLD from Rhodes University, Makhanda

 

Rhodes University Graduation

Acceptance Remarks on the award of the degree

Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa)

The Most Revd Thabo Makgoba

Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town

4^th April 2024

Honourable Chancellor.

Vice-Chancellor,

Director of Ceremonies,

Parents, Students, and, I am proud to say,

Fellow Graduates,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

It goes without saying that it is a great honour to receive this honorary degree from Rhodes, especially in the company of the other distinguished recipients at this week's ceremonies. My heartfelt thanks to the university for the privilege of being admitted into the halls of this institution.

A homily delivered at Bishops School, Cape Town

 175th Anniversary, Bishops Diocesan College, Rondebosch

9th April 2024

Readings:    Acts 4: 32-37; Psalm 93: John 3: 7-15

Christ is risen, hallelujah!! May I speak in the name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.     
    Brothers and sisters in Christ, dear people of God, head of the college – Mr Reeler, heads of departments, educators and support staff, distinguished guests, learners, friends, and families, I am pleased to join you to share in this important year in the life of the school. I claim this as my home for it is here where I was elected to be the Archbishop in 2007. Each time I stand here I am always reminded of that day of great anxiety. So, it is good to be home again.