The response of churches to the violence of 2008

“Jesus was once a refugee. We were giving to God – a vital part of our ministry”

“We felt, as God’s servants and ambassadors of Christ, where we take our stand – we felt we had to be that catalyst and really come in there with an attitude of peace and assisting government …”

Researched and written by Sizwe Phakathi of the Gauteng City Region Observatory


1. Churches in South Africa and Africa as a whole have long been fighting injustice against the humankind. This was particularly the case in South Africa’s liberation struggle. Churches alone and in coalition with other civil society organisations responded to the xenophobic attacks in various ways, in some cases involved in very high-profile work. They provided premises for shelter, mobilised volunteers, raised funds and garnered supplies. This case study discusses the response of Christian churches to the xenophobic violence from the perspectives of pastors and church members who were directly involved.

2. The case study concludes and recommends that there is a need for the South Africa government to partner with churches and other faith-based organisations in tackling service delivery and creating cohesive, caring and enabling communities for sustainable development.