Faith and Courage

We thank you for the inspiration and strength that you have given to Madiba, enabling him, over so many years, to draw out the best in others, rousing us always, by word and example, to seek the highest good for every child of this nation.So prayed Archbishop Thabo Makgoba with Nelson Mandela in his home in 2009, in response to the request of Madiba’s wife, Graça Machel. This moment marked the beginning of a moving relationship between southern Africa’s Anglican leader and Mandela until his death in 2013.Join Makgoba on his journey towards faith - from his boyhood in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg, as the son of a ZCC pastor, to Bishopscourt and spending time with Mandela. The archbishop reveals his pastoral approach to this world icon, and writes eloquently about the influence Mandela had on his ministry to church and nation.What did praying with those nearest and dearest to Mandela mean? What was Madiba’s spirituality? In trying to answer these fascinating questions, Makgoba opens a window on the spiritual life of South Africa.

A riveting account of one young black South African who beat the odds to become head of the Anglican church and courageously holds the government’s feet to the fire., A moving tribute to Madiba whom Archbishop Makgoba celebrates as an exemplar of the faith and courage which should inspire all those who would be makers of history!, Archbishop Makgoba was a pillar of strength in our spiritual lives during Madiba’s last days. A true moral compass who brought calm and strength through his words., . . . of all the books generated in the legacy of Mandela, this is the one that I will most cherish and retain. Makgoba is clearly a blessing to our Church in South Africa. But he is also leader of the design team for next year’s Lambeth Conference. So we shall see him as a treasure for the whole international Christian movement. His book gives us some hope for this lumbering old enterprise.

The Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba is Anglican Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. He became Archbishop of Cape Town on December 2007, the youngest person ever to be elected to this position. In 2008 he was awarded the Cross of St Augustine, the second highest international award for outstanding service to the Anglican Communion, by the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is chair of the planning group for the Lambeth Conference in 2020.