The Southern Cross, December 23 to December 29, 2015
LOCAL
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Churchmen on mission to South Sudan STAFF REPORTER
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(From left) isaac Kenyi, Bishop Abel Gabuza, Bishop Emeritus Paride Taban, Archbishop Jabulani Nxumalo, Fr Charles Abbud, Mgr Thomas Oliya and Danisa Khumalo at the meeting in Juba, South Sudan, between South African and South Sudanese churchmen.
EFLECTING on his recent solidarity visit to South Sudan, Bishop Abel Gabuza of Kimberley said he was deeply touched by seeing students at the Catholic University in Juba who were preparing for a future which is full of darkness and uncertainty. South Sudan, which gained independence in July 2011 after seceding from Sudan, has been embroiled in a civil war between soldiers loyal to President Salva Kiir and those loyal to former Vice-President Riek Machar. “This conflict has taken a tribal route and it has become a fight largely between the Dinka and the Nuer tribes,” said Danisa Khumalo, director of the Denis Hurley Peace Institute (DHPI), an associate body of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, which facili-
tated the visit at the invitation from the Catholic Church in South Sudan. Travelling with Bishop Gabuza was Archbishop Jabulani Nxumalo of Bloemfontein. For both bishops this was the first visit to South Sudan. The DHPI has been involved in working for peace in South Sudan dating back to 2007, well before independence. The Southern African delegation was met by John Ashworth, the DHPI’s contact person, who briefed them about the current situation in South Sudan. They then visited the Anglican Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul; met with students at the Catholic University in Juba; and with Catholic Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro, his auxiliary bishop, priests and religious of the archdiocese of Juba. During the latter meeting, many
priests shared their experiences of the war and said they believe they are currently at the ceasefire stage. One priest explained how he left his mission area because of the war. Since he left, the priest’s house has been taken over by the governor and the convent and church have been occupied by soldiers who have dug trenches around the church property. While many had hoped for peace for the newly established state, now ordinary people are the casualties of the war, the meeting heard. Bishop Gabuza said that the Southern African Church identifies itself with the Church of South Sudan, which is in distress. He described the religious and priests of South Sudan as “foot soldiers in the difficult times, witnesses of Christ, beacons of hope for the people of South Sudan”.
Get traditional shweshwe cloth with Archbishop Hurley’s face STAFF REPORTER
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N keeping with the Zulu tradition of commemorative fabrics, a shweshwe has been produced for the centenary of the late Archbishop Denis Hurley of Durban. The fabric, in a strong red colour, features images of a younger and an older face of the archbishop, showing him across the decades. It has the distinctive brand Three Cats printed on the back and was made at the Da Gama factory in Zwelitsha township in King William’s Town—the only factory left in the country where
original shweshwe is produced. Helen Bester, chief designer, was delighted to be invited to work on the project. Da Gama had previously produced a Mandela shweshwe. The cloth has been described as “the tartan of South Africa”. It has its origins in fabrics introduced in the 19th century to Sotho culture by German and French missionaries. The name derives from Moshoeshoe I (1822-70), the first king of Lesotho. The Hurley shweshwe in heavy 100% cotton is available to buy at R80 per metre.
The shweshwe cloth is available in sewn items such as tablecloths and table runners, or by the metre.
In addition, Sewing for Africa at the Denis Hurley Centre—a group of women learning sewing skills as an empowerment initiative—has been making and marketing various products using the commemorative fabric. These include a Hurley stole for priests, at R120, as well as items such as cushions, table runners and napkins, dresses, skirts and scarves. n For more information, or to order fabric or have products made to order, contact centenary@den ishurleycentre.org or call 031 301 2240 and speak to Raymond Perrier.
Catholics pray for rain on top of Qoqodala mountain in Queenstown diocese, Eastern Cape.
Nozipo Tembe of the sewing group at the Denis Hurley Centre with a traditional use of shweshwe. The South African print fabric was produced to mark the late archbishop of Durban’s centenary.
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