Sarah Oliver Tribute

A tribute to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

If ever there was a reason for our country to unite in compassion, it lies in the life and spiritual leadership of our beloved Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu who has died on 26 December 2021 at the age of 90.

The Arch, as he remains affectionately known, was closely allied to Cape Town Interfaith Initiative, particularly in our promotion of the Charter for Compassion. He was an integral part of the birth of the Charter for Compassion when, in 2008, he participated in the milestone “Seeds of the Compassion” event alongside the Dalai Lama and Charter for Compassion founder Karen Armstrong.

In 2010, when CTII celebrated its 10th birthday by launching the newly established Charter for Compassion in Cape Town, The Arch was the guest of honour.

CTII’s 10th Anniversary was also marked by the publication of a booklet, The Dignity of Difference. In his message published in the booklet the Arch wrote: “How we love to separate and divide – whether it is class, colour or creed. We in the monotheistic religions have not done well in affirming that God is one and everything and everyone bears the divine image – a sure sign of the unity within the diversity.”

Even for those who never met the famous Nobel Laureate, his impact on our world and on our thinking has been profound. His clear and decisive spiritual leadership has helped us navigate the often turbulent path from the inter-cultural fear and separation of the apartheid era to a place of progressive reconnection through the cathartic process of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Archbishop Emeritus Tutu showed us how to show up, fearlessly speaking truth to power through two very different governments, and somehow always maintaining his special brand of humour, grace and compassion within the demands of a world at odds with itself. He always said that daily spiritual practice was foundational to his life and leadership, and his deep reverence for the Divine in all its forms was evident in his authentic and deep relationships with world leaders of diverse spiritual paths, most notably HH the Dalai Lama.

We at CTII will always remember the Arch’s authenticity, curiosity and humble servant leadership. We will continue in his blessed memory to promote the Charter for Compassion that was so dear to his heart. We will continue the critical conversations between people of diverse faiths, to learn from and be enriched by each other, seeking always a more inclusive, kinder world for the benefit of all.

We extend our deepest condolences to his beloved wife Nomalizo Leah and to his children Trevor Tamsanqa, Thandeka, Nontombi and Mpho Tutu van Furth, and all of their families.

We include the Arch’s many friends and loved ones across the globe in our prayers.  His love for humanity made him a universally loved man, a statesman and a force for justice, compassion and peace.

The significance of a life lies in the way it inspires transformation in behaviour and thought. In his memory, we invite you to join us in a renewed commitment to Compassion. You can sign on to the Charter for Compassion at this link, and leave a tribute or message of condolences here.

May he rest in peace and rise in Glory.

https://charterforcompassion.org/
Sarah Oliver Parliament of World Religions

2021 Parliament of the World’s Religions


CTII was the hosting organisation for the Africa Symposium, an event within the 2021 Parliament of the World’s Religions. Covering two hours of air time each day on Sunday 17 and Monday 18 October, we shared with the world examples of interfaith engagement that has enriched lives and communities across the continent.

With the overall theme of this Parliament being Opening our hearts to the World: Compassion in Action, we highlighted the ability of the people of Africa to rise above challenges, reaching deep into our roots to find the wisdoms and teachings that guide us to sustainable solutions for today.

We chose also to seek out the voices of some of Africa’s unsung heroes, ordinary men and women who work daily to uplift and support communities.

Our keynote speaker on Day 2 was endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh, recently returned from a multiday swim across Greenland’s Illulisat Icefjord. Lewis’ message was a call to action, and his urgent appeal for a “radical tactical shift” went to the hearts of our high level panel of experts who were on hand to unpack what melting glaciers in Greenland mean for the people of Africa.

We realised that leaders of all faiths have a responsibility to guide their communities through teaching, encouragement and modeling changed behaviour. We also realised that the earth herself is marginilised in our world of corporate greed, profiteering and exploitation.

We also realised that silo-ism is not a sustainable solution for any of us. Inclusivity is an essential tool for survival, and so we looked at marginised and minority groups whose voices and whose energy need to be brought into the collective mainstream.

What a blessing to wrap the Africa Symposium with a perfect bridge! Yashika Singh, head of Religious Content at SABC, was at the 2nd Parliament in Chicago, the 3rd Parliament in Cape Town, and was present at the 8th Parliament to take us from the past into the future with a powerfully delivered closing speech that spoke into the critical role of interfaith engagement in creating the inclusive world that would benefit, heal and sustain everyone.

Special thanks to PoWR Chicago for allowing us to livestream the event on our Facebook page, thereby ensuring access to the event to the People of Africa.

Please visit our Facebook page to view the recorded sessions.

Sarah Oliver Statements

Stop the proposed River Club Development

CTII stands in solidarity with the Observatory Civic Association, the Philippi Horticultural Association, Claremont Main Road Mosque, and others who have objected to the proposed Amazon development at the site of the Two Rivers in Cape Town.

Our objection is based on environmental, historical, and moral considerations. At a time when reconciliation and common purpose are paramount, we see the creation of yet more division, anger, and hatred by separating sibling from sibling, a nation from its land.

Our history is a shared history. This land is the site of two of the world’s oldest civilizations: the Khoi and the San. It is a site of resistance to invasion, dispossession, and slavery – a resistance that began almost 4 centuries ago. This is sacred land that carries the memories of the earliest ancestors of humankind itself. National and world heritage cannot be for sale. Neither can the environment.

This is the convergence of two rivers that have run since the dawn of time. It is a flood plain that plays an important role in the balance of Nature and the changes of seasons. It is home to endangered indigenous species. The survival of humankind and our planet depends on the mitigation of climate change by protecting, not destroying our natural resources.

CTII cannot reconcile with any form of epistemic violence that ignores the voices of the unseen, the unheard, the marginalized, and the forgotten; nor that which desecrates or tramples sensitive ecologies or sacred histories. Instead, we seek respect for the preciousness of history, the dignity of our ancestors, and the sanctity of Mother Earth. We urge this in the knowledge that Nature requires humanity to work with, not against her; and the threat of rising sea levels and predicted climate change-related extreme weather events may well exact an act of tragic revenge when we seek to colonise the natural order that God has ordained.

International best practice for climate resilience and building a future that will be sustainable for all, says we should protect our waterways, our biodiversity, and our ecologically sensitive areas which are our natural filtration systems, our lungs, and our temples.

While we welcome investment and job creation, there are other places within our city where such endeavours can be effectively maximised. New construction is not always necessary. In our pandemic-gripped world, there are many existing buildings reaching out for new life and a rejuvenated purpose.

Riches lie not just in capitalism but also in history and in spiritual wellbeing. Through various structures including CoCT’s own Environmental Management Department and Environment and Heritage Resources Information Centre, the City of Cape Town aspire to ethical custodianship of our land and our unique heritage. We call on our City fathers and mothers to uphold the standards they have set themselves to ensure legacies that our children and future generations may be proud of.

Let us never forget who we are as a people and where we have come from.

Sarah Oliver News Article, Statements

Calling our country to prayer

Cape Town faith organisations are calling for a daily two-minute period of silence at 12 noon from Monday 12 July until South Africa is cleared to return to Level 1 in the Covid19 response.

The call echoes a practice which originated in Cape Town during World War 1 when the entire city came to a standstill for two minutes every day at the sound of the noon day gun. The first minute was to pray for those whose lives had been lost in the war, and the second was to give thanks for those still living. The practice was the brainchild of Cape Town City Councillor Robert Brydone in 1918, and it became a worldwide observation of respect for the victims of war and compassion for those left behind.

Now, Cape Town faith organisations are calling for a return of the daily practice of communal silence as it represents a moment of solidarity when everyone is focused on the same desired outcome, namely acknowledgement of shared grief, comfort for the bereaved, and a prayer for healing and peace in our troubled land.

The organisations, which include international award-winning organisations Cape Town Interfaith Initiative, Religions for Peace and Faith Hope Love Communities as well as the Western Cape Chaplaincy, represent a broad cross-section of faiths that live side by side in Cape Town. 

The groups are inviting all South Africans to participate in the daily two-minute silence.

Rev Dorothea Gopie, Chairperson of the Western Cape Chaplaincy, said the call would go out across their membership to begin the practice from Monday 12 July.  She said: “This is a call to realign ourselves with God and to bring our communities together in united prayer for something that we all want, which is the good health and wellbeing of all the people of South Africa.”

James Ellman, Director of Elsie’s River based NGO Faith Hope Love Communities, said the situation for many people was worsening daily as the Covid19 lockdowns impact job security, food security and push people out of their homes. He said 12 noon was already the set prayer time in the Catholic guide. He urged people of all faiths to participate, saying: “There is power in prayer, especially communal prayer.”

Cape Town Interfaith Initiative‘s Chairperson, Reverend Berry Behr,  said the call from the Interfaith communities is based on the understanding that although people of different religions pray differently, all prayer is powerful and represents the solidarity of a common intention and plea to the Divine. She urges everyone to participate:

“Even if you are not affiliated or do not identify with any specific religion, just observing a moment of silence is powerful not only to align with the flow of life but also to bring peace into your own heart and mind. Covid19 does not recognise race, religion, nationality, economic status, or gender. It affects all of us and all of our loved ones, colleagues, and communities. Standing together at this time will give citizens a sense of purpose, and a feeling of contributing to the greater good. It will also send a clear message to Divine Creation that we are seeking healing now.”

Action points to participate:

  • Set an alarm for 11.59 every day, and again at 12.01.
  • When your alarm sounds, stop whatever you are doing. Hold silent stillness for two minutes. If you do not pray, simply focus on your breath.
  • Think about those who have passed away during this pandemic, and about the continued safety of the rest of us.
  • Pray that we all take steps to stop the spread of this pandemic, like wearing our masks and maintaining social distancing.
  • Invite others to join you. 

Together we are stronger.