A Service of Thanksgiving to mark the 30th year of South Africa’s democracy was held in Westminster Abbey on Tuesday 16th July 2024.
The service was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, who said in his Bidding:
‘We meet under God and in good company to give thanks for thirty years of democracy in South Africa. In 1994 South Africans held their first non-racial, democratic elections. After voting in those elections, Nelson Mandela spoke of ‘a new era of hope, reconciliation and nation building’. Thirty years down the long road to justice and righteousness we now honour those who have carried that flame and worked so tirelessly in that cause. Giving thanks for their courage and their witness, we recommit ourselves to the vision of a nation free from dominion of any kind. We pledge ourselves to effort and to hope. Here we will pray for ourselves and for South Africa and the welfare of all her people.’
About the service
Lord Boateng, a former British High Commissioner to South Africa, gave the Address.
The service included performances by South African tenor Innocent Masuku who sang Todd Matshikiza’s Uxolo (Peace), composed to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Johannesburg; David Motsamai, written by Mohau Mogale as a tribute to Nelson Mandela; and Shosholoza, a traditional gold miner’s song in a mix of Zulu and Ndebele.
Reflections were given by Christina McAnea, 4th General Secretary of UNISON; and by the Honourable Ronald Lamola MP, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, representing the government of South Africa.
Mr Bassim Haidar, Honorary Consul of South Africa to the United Kingdom, on behalf of all Honorary Consuls, affirmed the call to unity given by President Nelson Mandela.
Lord Collins, Deputy Leader of the House of Lords read Revelation 21: 1–4.
The Right Reverend Rosemarie Mallett, Area Bishop of Croydon, led the Penitence.
Source link : https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-news/a-service-of-thanksgiving-in-the-30th-year-of-south-africa-s-democracy/
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Publish date : 2024-07-16 15:48:19
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