From three congregations to one autonomous church: The Swaziland Reformed Church

This article covers the time from 1985 to 1992 in the history of the Swaziland Reformed Church (SRC). In 1985, for the first time in its existence, the SRC had four missionaries working in the four districts of the country. At this stage the SRC formed a presbytery within the synodical region of the Dutch Reformed Church in Africa (DRCA) of Northern Transvaal. In 1989 – at its own request – this church became a regional synod within the DRCA. However, not long thereafter, in 1992, it was forced to become an independent Reformed church, even though it still remained part of the family of Dutch Reformed churches. Making use of original documents, this article records this history of the SRC

A pandemic of inequality: reflections on AIDS and COVID-19 in the southern African context

This article is part of a special issue on AIDS in the time of COVID-19.In 2020, COVID-19 started spreading from Wuhan in China to the USA, the UK and Europe and then to the rest of the world. In Africa, the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Egypt on 14 February, while South Africa’s first case was identified on 5 March. On 11 March, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic. At the time, it was said that COVID-19 would become the great equaliser because the virus made no distinction between first and third world countries, between the rich and the poor, and nor was it influenced by gender, sexual orientation or race. When someone contracted SARS-CoV-2, no guarantee could be given that the patient would survive, regardless of who they were or their status in the community. This stood in contrast to the early experience of AIDS before antiretrovirals existed and when HIV was spreading like wildfire in sub-Saharan Africa and other countries with low or lower-middle-income status. It seemed as if these countries were doubly cursed — by poverty and the AIDS pandemic that was causing as many as 6 000 mortalities per day in sub-Saharan Africa. This led to the South African president at the time, Thabo Mbeki, to assert that poverty was an even greater problem than HIV and AIDS. It did not take long to see that COVID-19 was not the anticipated equaliser. As lockdowns were enforced within most countries across the globe and resulting in economic slumps, differences between rich and poorer countries and their respective citizens were thrown into sharp relief once again. This article reports how both AIDS and COVID-19 adversely affected women, the impoverished and those without access to sustainable souces of food and medicine.https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/raar20am2023Science of Religion and Missiolog

From three congregations to one autonomous church : the Swaziland Reformed Church

This article covers the time from 1985 to 1992 in the history of the Swaziland Reformed Church (SRC). In 1985, for the first time in its existence, the SRC had four missionaries working in the four districts of the country. At this stage the SRC formed a presbytery within the synodical region of the Dutch Reformed Church in Africa (DRCA) of Northern Transvaal. In 1989 – at its own request – this church became a regional synod within the DRCA. However, not long thereafter, in 1992, it was forced to become an independent Reformed church, even though it still remained part of the family of Dutch Reformed churches. Making use of original documents, this article records this history of the SRC.http://www.hts.org.zaam2019Science of Religion and Missiolog

Eskatologiese dimensie in die Wêreldsendingkonferensies 1910-1938

Text in AfrikaansThis thesis attempts to explore the relationship between eschatology and mission. This is done in the context of three ecumenical mission conferences held from 1910 to 1938. In the first chapter an overview is given of a number of the most important eschatological models, as well as an evaluation of these models to explore the author's own viewpoint. The broad eschatological lines through the ages are then followed and the relationship between eschatology and mission is indicated in a few important areas, namely the involvement of the church in social questions, unity in the church and the Christian hope. In the second chapter the mission conferences held in New York (1900) and Edinburgh (1910), which both occurred at a time of great optimism in the church, are discussed. At that time mission was especially seen as the salvation of the soul. In the third chapter the meeting held in Jerusalem in 1928, which took place in a time of great uncertainty for the church, is discussed. Here emphasis was laid upon the social task of the church. In chapter four mission in the shadow of the Second World War is discussed, concentrating on the meeting held at Tambaram (1938). During this meeting eschatology played an important role. There was a greater balance between the salvation of the soul and the salvation of the body. Church unity and a living hope also played an important role amongst the delegates. In the fifth chapter some conclusions are drawn for the church in general, while a few principles are indicated regarding eschatology and mission specifically for the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk (Dutch Reformed Church).Christian Spirituality, Church History and MissiologyD. Th. (Sendingwetenskap

The Dutch Reformed Church mission in Swaziland - a dream come true

This article covers the time from 1652 onwards when employees of the Dutch East India Company – most of whom were members of the Reformed Church in the Netherlands – arrived at the Cape of Good Hope in present South Africa. With time, a new church, the Dutch Reformed Church, was established in the Cape. In 1836, a number of pioneers moved from the Cape to the east of South Africa and some of them eventually made Swaziland their new home. Although most members of the white Dutch Reformed Church opposed any integration with Christians from other races, there was nevertheless a desire that they should join a Reformed Church. In 1922, the first Dutch Reformed congregation in Swaziland was established in Goedgegun in the southern region of the country, intended for the exclusive use of white, Afrikaans-speaking church members. In 1944, the first Reformed congregation for Swazi members was formed, which later became known as the Swaziland Reformed Church. This article documents the history of this church and concludes with a description of the Swaziland Reformed Church in 1985, with four missionaries from South Africa ministering in the four regions of Swaziland.http://www.hts.org.zaam2018Science of Religion and Missiolog

Manifesting the grace of God to those with HIV or AIDS

‘The most terrible poverty is loneliness and feeling unloved’ (Mother Teresa). Swaziland is in the unenviable position of having the highest HIV infection rate in the world, with an adult prevalence rate of 42%. This is a national crisis which, in the Swaziland context, has led to feelings of severe hopelessness and rejection and which needs to be addressed through a multidisciplinary approach. The church is in the unique position to demonstrate the love and grace of God in the midst of this pandemic. A small congregation of the Swaziland Reformed Church situated in the southern Shiselweni district of the country decided to take up this challenge. This article showed what the effects could be when the church becomes a vessel of love and grace within the community.http://www.ve.org.zaam201

Addressing the spiritual needs of people infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS in Swaziland

Researchers seem to be in agreement that spirituality is an important component of the holistic care approach commonly found in palliative care. Shiselweni Home-Based Care (SHBC) is a faithbased organization in Swaziland working among people with HIV and AIDS in the poorest and most affected areas of the country. They endeavor to restore and build up each client’s dignity through the way in which they are approached, not only when giving physical assistance, but also when they address their spiritual needs. This article emphasizes the need for spiritual care as part of the caregiving program and then also illustrates the positive feelings of both the SHBC caregivers as well as their clients as they share some of the experiences encountered during spiritual care.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wswe20hb2017Science of Religion and Missiolog