Christian Aid first began working in South Africa in the 1950s with ‘clandestine’ grants, given to Black community programmes to signal support and solidarity. Over the next 60-70 years the programme evolved in different ways, responding both to shifts within South Africa and within the organisation.

The final stage of this journey was for Christian Aid, along with other European members of the ACT Alliance, and Southern African civil society organisations to establish ACT Ubumbano, a solidarity hub fighting for economic, environmental and gender justice. Throughout its long history solidarity was a key value in the programme, but what this meant in practice shifted as needs changed.

This review explores key themes in Christian Aid’s engagement in South Africa, noting in particular the depth of political analysis and strength of national partners in South Africa, and how this shaped the type of relationships and contribution that Christian Aid was able to make in this context. This was not a one-way process as our partners also influenced Christian Aid’s thinking and practice.

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Twelve organisations participated in a series of interfaith dialogues to identify opportunities for engaging more effectively within faith communities. As a result, twelve case studies and 3 interfaith briefs addressing issues of gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health and rights and teenage pregnancy were produced.

Themed, “We Can No Longer Be Silent as We Are Called to Uphold Human Dignity for All Creation,” the dialogues convened organisations of Bahai, Christian, Muslim and Traditionalist faiths from seven countries in southern Africa. These publications were supported through micro-grants and technical assistance from Faith to Action Network and ACT Ubumbano.

Case Studies

1. #FAITHACTINGTOGETHER – Towards Improved Collaboration to end GBV in South Africa
2. ACT Alliance – Joint Ecumenical Action Responding to Gender-Based Violence
3. ACT Alliance Malawi Forum – Faith Based Approach to addressing Gender Based Violence
4. ACT Alliance Zimbabwe – No longer silent, raising Faith- Gender Champions
5. Anglican Diocese of Natal
6. Blantyre Synod Health and Development Commission
7. Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa
8. Freedom from Fear – Methodists Against Gender Based Violence
9. Inclusion, Dignity and Justice in Human Sexuality
10. Mobilising the Prophets and Prophetesses in the Apostolic Community for Women and Girls’ Rights in Zimbabwe
11. No longer a myth
12. Voice for Youth – Promoting young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights