The Southern Africa Alliance of Reformed Churches (SAARC) was established on January 1 1989 by sixteen member churches of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches in southern Africa. In the same year, the 22nd general council officially recognized SAARC as the third WARC area. Since then, two member churches in South Africa have united, and three churches have been accepted as new members of SAARC.

When SAARC was being established in 1989 southern Africa was overshadowed by the conflicts in Angola and Mozambique, the struggle against the apartheid regimes in Namibia and South Africa, one-party states in Malawi and Zambia, and many social and economic problems. Seven years later the political landscape has changed dramatically. In Angola, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia, there are democratically elected governments. The emphasis in these new democratic states is on nation-building, respect for human rights, cultivation of a culture of participatory democracy, transparency and accountability.

Needless to say, these political changes have raised high expectations among many people in southern Africa who expect a better deal from the new dispensation. Will the fledgling democracies deliver the goods? The answer to this question depends partly on how effectively the new democratic governments deal with the following issues: the widening gap between the haves and have-nots, the place and role of women, youth and differently abled people in society, ethnic conflict, corruption, accountability, over-dependency and the menacing threat of HIV/Aids.

Greater regionalization

In the past few years, there has been an interesting movement towards greater regionalization all over the southern African region. This phenomenon highlights the growing importance of closer working relationships across national boundaries. New social, ethical and political values are emerging as a result of greater regionalization and it is not possible to foresee all the future ramifications of these developments on the societies of southern Africa.

While there is this kind of development on the social, economic, political and cultural level there doesn't appear to be a close parallel on the ecumenical level. One might be excused for raising the following questions: What is the future of ecumenical relations especially when several councils of churches are in financial and spiritual disarray? What are the new sets of responsibilities for the ecumenical movement in the fast-changing sociopolitical situation? How can the church enter into a meaningful and effective dialogue with these social, political, economic and cultural developments at the regional level in the absence of a strong ecumenical or ecclesiastical presence?

SAARC is convinced that over the past seven years we have been able to do certain things better, with greater impact and with more success because we did them together as member churches of WARC in southern Africa.

SAARC and the relevance of the church

"Decolonization of the church and theology in southern Africa" (1991)

One of the perennial issues facing the church in southern Africa is its relevance to the societies in the region. To underscore the urgency of this matter, the first major SAARC consultation was on the "Decolonization of the church and theology in southern Africa". The target group was mainly faculty members of theological institutions of member churches of SAARC. The consultation took place in Gaborone, Botswana from August 27 to 29 1991 and was attended by twenty-one people. Some of the objectives of the consultation were: a) to begin a critical analysis of the state of theological reflection and theological training in the Reformed churches in southern Africa, b) to begin the process of liberating the church conceptually, structurally and economically, and c) to facilitate the sharing of ideas and research materials among theologians in southern Africa. A statement from the participants was sent to member churches for study and action. SAARC is planning a second consultation in the near future.

Consultation on Reformed faith and economic justice (1995)

From 12 to 17 October, 1995 the World Alliance of Reformed Churches sponsored a SAARC consultation on Reformed faith and economic justice at Mindolo ecumenical foundation in Kitwe, Zambia. Twenty-six participants discussed the economic, social, political, ethical and theological aspects of the theme from an African perspective. At the end of the consultation the participants produced a four-page working document with recommendations to SAARC, WARC and governments in southern Africa. The document ends with the following affirmation, drawn from the Confession of Belhar: "We affirm life against death. We have to share the dream of a just society, and refuse to let it die. We proclaim the triune God as the God of life, of creation, of care, of hope. We believe that God has revealed himself as the one who wishes to bring about justice and true peace among people, that in a world full of injustice and enmity he is in a special way the God of the destitute, the poor and the wronged and that he calls his church to follow him in this."

SAARC and the political responsibility of the church

Statement on the political situation in Malawi (1992)

In May 1992 the SAARC regional conference, meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, issued a statement deploring the deterioration of human rights in Malawi, the interrogation of Roman Catholic bishops, the expulsion of Monsignor John Roche, the detention of Rev Aaron Longwe and an elder of the Mzuzu congregation and other similar harsh actions including the arrest of Chakufwa Chihana. It called upon the government of Malawi to release all those detained for exercising their human rights. One of the recommendations was that WARC should send a delegation to Malawi in support of the churches and people. A delegation led by Hon. Benjamin Masilo, vice-president of WARC, delivered a statement written jointly by WARC and the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian to Dr H Kamuzu Banda, then head of state. This initiative eventually led to the opening up of a dialogue between the government of Malawi and the public affairs committee. A referendum followed and in 1994 a democratically elected government took office in Malawi.

Workshop on the political responsibility of the church (Cape Town, 1993)

SAARC launched its programme on the political responsibility of the church at Belhar, Cape Town, in October 1993. The purpose of the programme is to encourage member churches of SAARC to equip and empower church members to play an active role in society as informed and responsible citizens. WARC sponsored the workshop and a similar one in Malawi.

Involvement of SAARC in monitoring elections(1994)

In conjunction with WARC, the Southern Africa Alliance of Reformed Churches participated as an international observer during the elections in South Africa, Malawi and Mozambique. WARC also sent an observer to Lesotho during the elections which brought the government of Prime Minister Ntsu Mokhehle into power.

Letters to the South African government, Angolan government and UNITA (1989, 1994)

SAARC wrote to the National party government of South Africa on the situation in Namibia before that country's independence in 1990 and on the situation in South Africa before the 1994 elections, urging the then government to speed up reforms. Letters were also sent to the Angolan government and UNITA, urging them to make peace.

SAARC and the unity of the church

Since its inception SAARC has committed itself to promoting the unity of the body of Christ. In 1993 SAARC decided to support the efforts of those churches which were engaged in unity talks and encourage those which were not involved in unity discussions to put the matter on their agenda.

Consultation with churches of the Dutch Reformed Church Family

In 1991 SAARC organized a pastoral meeting with the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) with the purpose of finding out its stand on apartheid since its suspension in Ottawa. After that meeting, we recommended to the WARC executive committee to consider paying a pastoral visit to the DRC. Our initiative resulted in a WARC consultation in March 1993 which was attended by the DRC, the Dutch Reformed Church in Africa (DRCA), the Dutch Reformed Mission Church (DRMC) and the Reformed Church in Africa (RCA). A few other churches from South Africa and southern Africa also attended. At that meeting the leaders of the DRC agreed in principle that the "acid test" of their renunciation of apartheid would be their willingness to join the unity process already in progress between the DRCA and DRMC. At present (September 1996) the DRC, the Uniting Reformed Church and the Reformed Church in Africa are engaged in unity discussions.

Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (Malawi): Search for greater unity

SAARC has been concerned about the fragile unity of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian. We have written to the church urging the various parties concerned to sort out their differences. We have also offered to mediate if they need a third party.

Women and men in church and society

Since Seoul 1989 the partnership of women and men in church and society has been one of our top priorities. Women's representation at SAARC meetings and events is generally very poor. The main problem is with the church structures of our member churches.

In 1991 we decided to establish a women's committee to help promote the partnership of women and men in SAARC and our member churches. In 1992 the women's committee organized a regional consultation on women's concerns in church and society. Recommendations from the consultation were discussed at the regional conference and then sent to member churches for study, comment and action. In 1995 the women's committee organized a workshop on the training of trainers and gender sensitization. A report and recommendations were sent to member churches for their study and action.

Since Seoul 1989 three member churches of SAARC have agreed in principle to ordain women to the ministry of word and sacraments. A fourth church, which had already decided some time ago, ordained its first woman minister four years ago.

Ethnicity and nation-building

One of the things bedevilling nation-building in southern Africa is ethnic identity, especially where it is used by politicians to fragment the nation along ethnic lines. The problem has surfaced with varying degrees of intensity in Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Sadly, the church sometimes finds itself on both sides of the divide, making it extremely difficult for it to play the role of reconciler and peacemaker.

SAARC commission on human rights and reconciliation

A joint meeting of the executive committee and church leaders held in May 1995 recommended that SAARC should establish a commission on human Rights and reconciliation. This recommendation will be discussed at the regional conference in Lesotho in September 1996.

Time is running out

One of the weak points of SAARC is lack of financial security. Since 1989 it has depended heavily upon financial assistance from partners in the north. Efforts to develop local support from member churches and individuals in southern Africa have yet to bear fruit. Hence, the future of SAARC depends largely on how soon SAARC member churches and the SAARC leadership address this issue. Time is running out!

Whither SAARC?

In May 1995 SAARC carried out an internal review of its work. After identifying its strengths and weaknesses the executive committee and church leaders reaffirmed the need for SAARC and agreed that it must continue. They also decided on certain corrective measurers to enhance the credibility and effectiveness of SAARC. The following are the priorities of SAARC as it approaches the year 2000:

SAARC should

become more self-reliant;
stress mission and evangelism;
work towards the establishment of a human rights culture in southern Africa;
develop a regional focus on issues(eg the economy, standing with the poor, oppressed and marginalized, health care, education and the environment);
promote church unity.

A word of thanks

SAARC is grateful to the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and our ecumenical partners for their support and encouragement during our formative years, that is, between Seoul and Debrecen.