Cape Town activities

October 10, 2019May 16, 2025 Sarah Oliver Cape Town activities, CTII Schools Programme, News Article

Meeting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

During their visit to Cape Town, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex went to the Auwal Mosque where they interacted with six learners who have participated in the Interfaith Intercultural Youth Programme. Marlene Silbert gave a short overview of the programme and thereafter, the young people shared their experiences, spoke about the impact the programme has had on their lives, and their commitment to create a unified society in which we can all live together in peace and harmony.

(Photo above: Bashiera Parker, Channel24)

The Duchess said she was so emotionally moved to hear what the young people had said, and Prince Harry stated, ‘There are so many problems and hardships across the world, and it is truly heartening to listen to the voices of these young people who will become the leaders of tomorrow, and make this world a better place.’ While shaking our hands before departure, he said ‘I hope you will continue with this wonderful programme.’

(Photo above: Tim Rooke)

One of the learners, Banzi Bottoman, from Gardens Commercial High School had the following reflections to share from the experience:

Having met the royal dukedoms has been a very monumental moment in my life! As they entered the Mosque, my eyes grew ablaze to their graceful presence and humble appearance. For royals, they seemed rather welcoming, kind and very friendly. When it was my chance to speak, I spoke about how the interfaith programme has left an indelible mark in my life and how it managed to transform me from a ‘typical stereotypical’ individual to a non-judgemental and loving person, regardless of one’s religion, gender, race etc. And my focus was how stereotypes have been prevalent trait in society. I also referred to the dangers of conventional practices that are the predominant causes of fallacy in society. If I remember correctly, Prince Harry subsequently sang my praises and said that I spoke with passion, confidence and in a thought-provoking and intriguing manner.

I must say that it was a wonderful experience and all of us in the conversation successfully swept them of their feet with our thoughtfulness.

We were so incredibly proud of the learners for speaking from their hearts and sharing the important message of interfaith with the Duke and Duchess. Following this exciting event, Banzi, Imaad and Zaafierah were interviewed by Berry on Open Studio, on Cape Town TV. Watch what they had to say below!

September 29, 2019May 16, 2025 Sarah Oliver Cape Town activities, Peace

International Day of Peace – DANCE!

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…It’s about learning to dance in the rain!”

This quote epitomised our celebrations for International Day of Peace, as we joined Soul Circus and Faith Hope Love Communities in a joyful dance of Peace, despite the rainy weather! This event was the launch of Soul Circus’ Caravan journey of inspiring action from the Cape to Cairo. You can follow their incredible journey here.

It was also our chance to celebrate International Day of Peace. As CTII we support the ideal of Peace by 2030 as outlined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and we feel that Goal No 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions by 2030) is particularly close to our hearts. We will be doing all we can to implement this vision, along with our partner organisations at home and abroad!

June 3, 2019June 5, 2019 Sarah Oliver Cape Town activities, Interfaith

A celebration of Interfaith Iftar meals this Ramadan

During this holy month of Ramadan, we have witnessed the love and hospitality of the Muslim community across Cape Town, who have opened their doors and dinner tables to host non-muslim friends for Iftar, the evening meal that breaks the day’s fast. These dinners have been opportunities for connecting, sharing and learning about our different traditions, and particularly the significance of Ramadan.

As Stuart Diamond, Director of the Cape SA Jewish Board of Deputies and CTII Board Member said, speaking at the Turquoise Harmony Institute’s annual Friendship and Dialogue Iftar on the 28th May,

“When we share bread and break bread, and we start to speak as people, over something as simple as food, we break down the boundaries and the walls that keep us apart”

Here we have a collection of photographs from various Interfaith Iftar meals hosted during this holy month.

Berry Behr and Mary Frost join members of the Turquoise Harmony Institute for the Home Iftar

Interfaith Iftar at the Ahlul Bait Islamic Centre, 19th May.

A special interfaith young women's Iftar with students from the THI Star College student house — A special young women’s Iftar with students from the THI Star College student house

The Unitarian Church opens their doors to an Iftar meal

c86b9442-63d8-40d7-9731-b58be95077e2 — The NGK in town, also hosted an Iftar Dinner

A huge turn out for the Shabbat Chessed Ramadan Iftar at Temple Israel in Wynberg — A wonderful turn out for the Shabbat Chessed Ramadan Iftar at Temple Israel in Wynberg

May 20, 2019June 3, 2019 Sarah Oliver Cape Town activities

CTII AGM 2019

The CTII Annual General Meeting was held on the 15th May 2019,at the Cape Town Unitarian Church in Cape Town. To open the occasion, interfaith prayers were shared by different members of the community. This was followed by a special presentation from Berry and James about their experience in Jordan, where they represented CTII and Faith Hope Love Communities to receive the first prize for World Interfaith Harmony Week, from the King of Jordan himself. (Read more about this experience here)

Berry Behr then presented the Chairperson’s Report, followed by the Financial Report, presented by CTII Treasurer Mark Bind. Read the Chairperson’s Report here – Chairperson’s Report 2018-2019 (Final Version)

We were also blessed with a musical performance by Nic, Anne and Ruby Paton, in collaboration with Nur Felix.

We closed the evening with a sacred water ceremony, merging together water from the River Jordan, which Berry and James had brought back from their World Interfaith Harmony Week Prize ceremony, with water from Zeekoevlei, one of Cape Town’s nature reserves. Members of the CTII community were invited up to connect these two bodies of water both physically and spiritually, marking the significant connection of building peace across the world.

We are very pleased to announce our new Executive Board members for the year. Berry Behr, Sarah Oliver and Kirtanya Lutchminarayan, who have all already served one year on the Board, will be joined by Uzair Ben Ebrahim and Stuart Diamond. Photographed below, from left to right, is Sarah, Berry, Kirtanya and Uzair.

Thank you to all who attended, and contributed in celebrating a successful year with CTII.

May 10, 2019May 16, 2025 Sarah Oliver Cape Town activities, CTII Schools Programme

The Radiant Current of Interfaith – Interfaith Indaba 2019

In Collaboration with Novalis Ubuntu Institute, The Gatehouse Community and URI, we co-hosted a highly successful Interfaith Indaba from 26-28 April.

The three day bonanza started with a workshop at which David Karchere, Spiritual Director of Emissaries of Divine Light, shared some of the teachings expressed in his recently published book, Becoming a Sun. The morning session was followed by an Intergenerational workshop facilitated by Sarah Oliver and Uzair Ben Ebrahim, during which we engaged with learners from New Eisleben School in Crossroads received insights into how young people experience the concept of Freedom. We looked at how perceptions and ideas have changed over the years since the euphoria and hopes of 1994.

Exploring our understandings of freedom, through creativity and intergenerational dialogue

Our Freedom Day Bus Tour took our intergenerational group to Tana Baru, the Slave Lodge, Groote Kerk and finally, to the Planetarium where we watched an amazing presentation on the role of the Sun in caring for our planet.

Mohammad Groenewald briefing the group at the entrance of Tanu Baru

Students from the MSYIIP joined in the fun for the Freedom Day Bus Tour

The Interfaith Indaba concluded on Sunday 28 April with Sacred Connections. Novalis Ubuntu hosted it this time and between Anne-Lise Bure and Howard Goodman an enriching programme was presented. We were treated to a Hawaian dance, Khoi San poetry, drumming and musical gifting from Nic Paton and friends. Berry Behr and David Karchere shared messages from their heart… concluding that Interfaith as a movement has the power to save all our religions by creating a safe space where we watch out for each other.

Category: Cape Town activities