Nic Paton CTII Schools Programme

Schools Project 2025: Session 2, Stalwarts of Struggle

Monday 17th March saw the second meeting of the CTII schools project, at Erin Hall in Rondebosch.

We featured a number of “stalwarts of struggle” from South Africa’s past, including Mary Burton (Black Sash), Horst Kleinschmidt (Christian Institute, International Defense and Aid Fund), as well as the CTII’s own Mary Frost, Geordie Ratcliffe (director of Sustainability Matters), and Benjy de Kock, UCT Mandela-Rhodes Scholar. Most belong to Masibuyisane, a civil society group discussing and acting on current societal issues.

Mary Frost and Mary Burton

Sensitively led by Pippa Jones and Laurie Gaum, some 48 learners from 8 schools across the metro had time to interact with these elders in activism, and submit interesting questions to them around creating a life worth living, especially in the South Africa with so much still undone and where so many issues are still causing suffering.

While religion was not overtly central to the discussion at this event, the multi-faith learners were treated to an expansive view of the lives of people who responded to their consciences in a dark time and stuck with their convictions despite exile and imprisonment, for decades thereafter.

Savannah du Plessis, an invited observer, said “Enriching; I loved the way the students sparkled! To be in the presence of people who were and are absolute radicals was extremely inspiring and motivating.”

Laurie Gaum, Horst Kleinschmidt, Mary Burton, Georgie Ratcliffe, Benjy de Kock, and Pippa Jones.

For further viewing

The Black Sash Legacy: Mary Burtons work

Being a Neighbour: Equity and Justice – Horst Kleinschmidt

Parliament of World Religions 5 min Intro

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission: what you need to know

Nic Paton Announcements, News Article, Tribute

Queer Imam Muhsin Hendricks murdered.

Imam Muhsin Hendricks, the openly gay Islamic leader based in Cape Town, was assassinated on the 15th February 2025 by masked assailants in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), reportedly as he prepared to officiate at a gay wedding in an Islamic context. Details are still unclear, and no-one has at present or been identified or claimed responsibility.

Muhsin was a friend of the Cape Town Interfaith Initiative, and a brave and compassionate human being. He led the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation (denoting in Arabic the “strange or weird”), a shelter for LGBTQIA+ refugees from harsh orthodoxies.

Muhsin Hendricks (left in black cap) leads a meditation during a CTII interfaith hike.

While Muhsin’s murder is devastating, it is unsurprizing. This comes at a time when the worst of us is being emboldened by the new demagoguery, which does what it likes decisively and thinks itself righteous.

Mushin’s assassination raises difficult questions for Interfaith and its dialogue, around questions of inclusivity and the morality of so-called “outsiders” to faith orthodoxies.

His story is told in the 2022 documentary film, The Radical. As the subtitle suggests, he chose faith over fear:

Brother Muhsin, we salute your contribution to creating a more compassionate world.

May you rest in Peace. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.

Nic Paton Cape Town activities, News Article

Meditation and meandering: the Tibetan mastery of Mingyur Rinpoche

Members of the CTII attended a weekend workshop called “Joy Of Living” featuring the teachings of Tibetan meditation master Mingyur Rinpoche. It was held at the Michael Oak Waldorf School in preparation for the visit to South Africa by Mingyur between August 27 and September 10 2025.

Taught by Nepal-/Costa Rica-based George Hughes of Tergar, the global community supporting the teachings, the workshop was a great success. George, (with video recordings from Rinpoche) focused on awareness in a very practical manner.

Continue reading “Meditation and meandering: the Tibetan mastery of Mingyur Rinpoche” →
Sarah Oliver Statements

CTII Response to Religious Atrocity, Burkina Faso

Cape Town Interfaith Initiative (CTII) is appalled by an incident of religious extremism in Burkina Faso on 11 January which resulted in the execution of nine senior members of the Ahmadiyya Jama’at in Mahdiabad, Burkina Faso.

Imam Bidiga Boureima and eight elders were amongst their community preparing for Isha prayers when their mosque was invaded by extremists declaring the Ahmadis to be infidels. Imam Boureima was taken to another venue where he was questioned about other Ahmadiyya communities in Burkina Faso. He was then taken back to his mosque where he and the elders were threatened with death unless they renounced Ahmadiyyat. The Imam refused, and was executed. One by one, the elders also refused to renounce their religion and were executed. We understand that following further threats, more than 600 community members fled the village.

Our hearts share the grief of the Ahmadii community worldwide, and we denounce religious persecution in all forms. None of our religions call us to hate, and all of our religions promote peace, tolerance and compassion.

We further declare our abhorrence of violent extremism in any form.

Cape Town Interfaith Initiative stands with our colleagues at the Ahmadiyya Jama’at of South Africa at this tragic time. We redouble our efforts to bring about religious understanding through dialogue, through our Interfaith/Intercultural Schools Programme and through continually bringing together people of diverse religions to pray and take action together for the greater good.

This horrific atrocity highlights the need for communities of diverse religions to protect one another by building community and personal relationships that unite us all as a human race, no matter which religion we choose to follow. Religious freedom is a constitutionally protected right which we are committed to upholding.

All crises and tragedies have a hidden potential for us to learn. May we as humanity, and as Africans, explore the timeless ethos of Ubuntu, in which all our divisions are shown to be ultimately illusory.

We call on all religious communities to redouble their efforts at seeking larger circles of inclusion and peace, both within their own traditions as well as beyond them.

CTII adheres to the principles of the Charter for Compassion which states: “The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves”.

When we lose the right to be different, we lose the right to be free. – Nelson Mandela

Sarah Oliver Sacred Connections

7 Days of Rest and Sacred Renewal

From 1 – 7 January each year, a global event takes place called 7 Days of Rest. This year, under the theme of Sacred Renewal, we spoke to seven of our members and friends of interfaith, and asked them to share with us their secrets to sacred renewal, intention setting and deepening understanding of what this time of year symbolises.
You can watch our videos here to learn more about the perspectives on faith and practices of our diverse members. We spoke to

1: Cecil Plaatjies, Nichiren Buddhist (Rebirthing)

2. Rev Laurie Gaum, Queer Activist (Nourishing)

3. Bishop Yvette Moses, Methodist Church (Cultivating)

4. Rev/Ven Nima Taylor, Unitarian (Communing)

5. Bishop Thembekile Gqwaka,United Methodist and African Traditional (Sharing)

6. Rabbi Emma Gottlieb, Temple Israel Progressive Jewish Community (Valuing)

7. Imam Salieg Isaacs, Kalksteenfontein Masjied (Celebrating)