South African Day of Courageous Conversation: An inter-faith initiative

South African Day of Courageous Conversation: An inter-faith initiative

The Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba,

Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town

Bishopscourt, 8 October 2015

Representatives of the faith communities here present,

Leaders of the mining sector, representing both workers and management,

Representatives of government, who were invited here,

Members of civil society,

Members of the Steering Committee:

Thank you all for being here today. I want to thank particularly those involved in the mining sector for coming, and for allowing yourselves to be vulnerable in taking these conversations forward. Why do I say that, and why are we calling this a day of courageous conversation? As many of you know, this is the South African step along a road which began at the Vatican two years ago, when the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace hosted a Day of Reflection in September 2013. It continued with an Ecumenical Day of Reflection at Lambeth Palace in London, hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the President of the British Methodist Conference, and more recently another Day of Reflection at the Vatican, which I was privileged to join.

Archbishop hosts mining industry discussions

Representatives of the South African mining sector, civil society and faith communities met at my invitation at Bishopscourt on October 9 in Cape Town to discuss the future of the industry in South Africa. 

The meeting, which we called a "Day of Courageous Conversations", was the first step in South Africa along a journey which began at the Vatican two years ago, when the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace hosted a Day of Reflection in September 2013. It continued with an Ecumenical Day of Reflection at Lambeth Palace in London, hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the President of the British Methodist Conference, and more recently another Day of Reflection at the Vatican. 

In this process, mining industry leaders are seeking to reposition the sector as one that can be a partner for long-term sustainable development with host communities and governments. A key outcome of the global-level discussions held so far has been a recognition that the dialogue needs to be replicated at a local level in regions and countries where mining is an integral part of the socio-economic fabric. 

To begin the conversations in South Africa, I agreed to host today's meeting and to invite leaders from the mining industry – including both management and labour – to join representatives from the faith communities, civil society and government for a day of conversations. 

About 60 participants were encouraged to share their perspectives and to hear those of others about what is needed to chart a different way forward for how the mining industry contributes to South Africa’s future. 

We shared a commitment to seek collaborative solutions to the problems which threaten the sustainability of mining and the communities in which mines operate. I have every hope that the process which today's discussion initiates will lead to action to develop creative new models of working constructively together.

Read the Archbishop's opening remarks at the Conversations >>

[VIDEO] "South Africa has inherited massive inequalities" - SABC Television Interview

An interview with SABC Television News on December 29, 2014:



"Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba says South Africa has become a society that has not only inherited massive inequalities but also accepts the continuation of such inequalities. Makgoba said this at a recent Mass at the St George's Cathedral. He also told the congregation that South Africans should be politically aware and participate in issues that would better their lives. Archbishop Thabo Makgoba joins us from our Cape Town Sea Point studios now to elaborate on his statement."

Blogging From Busan - In a Breathtaking Wetland, Reflections on Ecology, Economics and Development

Upo Wetland, near Busan in South Korea.

Today, delegates had 16 exposure visits to choose from and Lungi and I chose the BUSAN-ecology option. We travelled about 115 km by bus from BUSAN and, although long and uncomfortable, it was a scenic journey through the hills and valleys and thick forestation of this part of South Korea.

It was, however, disturbed by evidence of excessive development and the obvious disturbance of this beauty and tranquillity by a lack of integrity in the nature of the development. What we saw today can be summed up as the dichotomy of ecology and economics: though in Greek both have the same root, ecos, household, they did not seem to have an orderly coexistence in the area we travelled to. There was a clear wedge driven between the wetlands and the agricultural area, and the use of the river for power production resulted in a dearth of plants, birds and other fauna.

There were these massively tall buildings overshadowing the beauty of the streams and ravines. The pace of development for me as a stranger and visitor seemed too excessive and not sustainable. Because there is fast-paced development, there will be greater demand for energy and food, in the long run fomenting divisions between the people of this place. I am always cautious about predictions, and especially sensitive to the charge that when developing countries succeed there is always scepticism about it, but in this situation I am cautious about the fast pace of development everywhere I went. With big economies struggling, I hope this one will manage.

The Upo wetland, which has existed for centuries, was breathtaking with all sorts of bird life and plants, and surrounded by mountains. We experienced great generosity from a house church, called Disciples Church, as they invited us to pray with them and provided a meal for all of us in the bus. The 12-year-old girl of the house played the violin and a Korean instrument beautifully during lunch. She played a piece from the film, The Mission, which was so appropriate, as in this humble house church between two mountains we were surrounded by forest and thick vegetation; appropriate because in the film Jesuit missionaries were martyred protecting the indigenous heritage and context such as the one we were in.

I wondered as she played, what will become of this forest when development is so rapid in the next couple of years. This 12-year-old wished to work with the UN possibly to influence policies that affect her communities. It is my prayer that she attains this vision and that we join in encouraging development only if it's sustainable and serves the common good. Currently, development serves the few richest individuals of our world and this order is maintained by our economic policies which in fact should be declared obsolete or, like apartheid, evil.

These are my reflections on ecology and economics or development. What do you think of these reflections? What is your view, about southern Africa or your own country? Who is benefiting from your local and national economic prosperity? Does this augur well for peace and justice?

Tomorrow, we go to the local churches and have a Korean evening.

God bless
+Thabo