South Africa is a secular democracy with freedom of religion.
Section 15 of the Constitution of South Africa states that everyone has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion. Section 31 protects the right of persons belonging to a religious community to practise their religion together with other members of that community, and to form, join and maintain voluntary religious associations.
On 25 July 1993 a shooting was carried out at the St James Church in Cape Town.
Eleven members of the congregation were killed and fifty-eight wounded. In 1998 the attackers were granted amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Twenty years on, Naomi Meyer speaks to the rector, Mervyn Eloff.
Thank you for taking the time to speak to us. Were you involved with the St James Church at the time of the shooting twenty years ago? If so, what do you remember about that day?
I was not actually present on the night – at that time I was the minster of our church in Stellenbosch. We heard the news of the attack shortly before the end of the evening service. We were obviously deeply shocked, as were all who heard the news.
What has changed in the church since the massacre, if anything? What has remained the same?
Our point of view regarding the attack remains the same as it was all those years ago. We view the attack as an atrocious act of evil, an event which, whatever the motives of those who were involved, contributed nothing toward the struggle for freedom in South Africa.
The people responsible for the massacre were granted amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission a few years after the event. How did you feel about this?
As Christian people, who are very conscious of God's undeserved grace, we were willing at a personal level to forgive those involved. This offer of forgiveness was extended to them at the time and, of course, played a key part in the proceedings of the TRC.
What message do you have today, and is this message different from one you might have on any other day of the year?
Like all of us, those who attacked St James 20 years must one day stand before God and give an account for their actions. It has been and remains our prayer that they, like us, will have found peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ before that time. Although the attack at St James put us into the spotlight, the events of that night did not actually change who we are or what we stand for – from the very first day our calling has always been to introduce people of all ages to Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord and to help them grow to maturity in Christ. That remains our calling to this day.
As you will see from our website, www.stjames.org.za, and facebook page we are holding a special service of remembrance tonight.
Kommentaar
Naas die gebeure by die St James Kerk, Kenilworth (25.07.1993, 11 mense dood) was daar soortgelyke slagtings, bv in Kerkstraat, Pretoria (20.05.1983, 19 dood), die Amanzimtoti-winkelsentrum (23.12.1985, 5 dood) en die Helderberg Taverne, Observatory (31.12.1993, 4 dood). Twee van hierdie terreurdade word aan die ANC en die ander twee aan die PAC toegeskryf. Dit sal interessant wees om te sien of die burgemeester van Kaapstad, wat 'n PAC-lid was, vandag se herdenkingsverrigtinge bywoon.
Wat my hinder is dat die bomontploffing op Worcester (24.12.1996, 4 dood), wat aan verregse blankes toegeskryf word, jaarliks in herinnering geroep word en publisiteit in die pers kry, terwyl die eersgenoemde vier slagtings hoogstens dekadegewys genoem word en dan min publisiteit ontvang. 'n Ander verskil is dat diegene wat die Worcester-bom geplant het in die tronk sit, terwyl die misdadigers wat die ander vier terreurdade gepleeg het WVK-kwytskelding ontvang het.
Johannes Comestor