THE YEAR OF THE Celebrating 200 years of Bible work in South Africa with the Bible Society
200 YEARS OF BIBLE WORK IN SA IS AN ACHIEVEMENT. WELL DONE! PLEASE SHARE WITH US YOUR JOURNEY WITH THIS GREAT WORK YOU ARE DOING. In a nutshell, the Bible Society journey has been one of hope throughout the past 200 years. God’s Word, when received in faith, inspires faith, hope, and love. We live in a beautifully diverse nation, with many different languages contributing not only to our conversations but also to our South African litany of prayer and praise to God. It follows that we should all hear God speaking to us in our very own heart languages. It has been a journey to ensure that all South Africans have the Bible available to them in their heart languages. Thus far, the Bible Society has ensured the translation of the Bible into all eleven official languages. Work is continuing for smaller language groups in South 34
Africa. It has been a journey to ensure that all South Africans, no matter where they live, what their circumstances or any special need may be, may have direct access to God’s Word. The Bible Society produces Bibles in print, audio, digital, and braille formats, and seeks to ensure Bible distribution throughout South Africa – well over 44 million Bibles since 1950 alone. It has been a journey to ensure that, through these Bibles, God’s Word finds its way into our hearts. Bible engagement, literacy, and increasingly, Bible advocacy, are also part of the journey. It has also been a journey of incredible Kingdom partnership. None of this would have possible without the prayers, involvement, and financial support of the churches, individuals, and foundations that help to complete the Bible Society story. And the journey continues.
Dirk Gevers, CEO of the Bible Society of SA HOW AND WHEN EXACTLY DID BIBLE SOCIETY BRANCH OUT IN SA? On 23 August 1820, the founding meeting to establish the South African Bible Society took place in Government House (currently Tuynhuys) with Sir Rufane Donkin, the Acting Governor of the Cape, as Chairman. It was established by the British and Foreign Bible Society as an auxiliary. Over the years, work began in other parts of the country with offices in Durban and Johannesburg. In 1948, Bible Society work began to function as a unit throughout South
