Moffat Mission Kuruman March 1999 Dear friends: Greetings from Kuruman Moffat Mission. It was an exciting day for us on Saturday, March 13. The library and offices were opened, two new programs launched, and ground broken for an addition to Maphakela Centre. The new building to house the Robert Moffat Library was opened by a representative of the Northern Cape provincial government, Mr Thabo Makweya MEC, on behalf of Premier Manne Dipico. Mr. Makweya spoke about the importance of partnerships between government and non-governmental sectors in promoting social development in rural areas. He expressed his excitement at the developments at the Mission. The Chairperson of the board that manages Moffat Mission, Anglican Bishop Itumeleng Moseki, spoke of the importance of building up people, affirming their culture and guarding their dignity. He pledged that the Mission would continue to do that in the years that lie ahead. The Director of the Mission, the Rev. Dr. Steve de Gruchy said, "It is important to remember that we are not just a museum, but a Christian mission station. We are still busy working as Christians to make a difference to people's lives. This new complex will provide a home base for many of our community projects." Carol addressed the gathering and said: "The Robert Moffat Library has a beautiful new building to house our collection of books and archival material. "We have many wonderful old books, such as Robert Moffat's, Missionary Labours and Scenes in Southern Africa, published in 1846. We have biographies of people important in the history of Southern Africa: David Livingstone, Cecil Rhodes, and Chief Albert Luthuli, - to name a few. We have theological reference books - such as The Interpreter's Bible, New Dictionary of Theology and Cruden's Concordance. We have books of cultural anthropology - such as Henri Junod's Life of a South African Tribe. We have historical books: Parkenham's The Boer War, Desmond's The Discarded People, Cartwright's Gold Paved the Way and Snyman's History of Kuruman. Students of theology with the Theological Education by Extension College will use our collection of required textbooks and recommended reading. People engaged in community development work can consult books related to training community leaders, such as Training for Transformation by Anne Hope and Sally Timmel. General Science teachers should find our Science Reference Dictionary, new books on Mars and Space exploration, and an Atlas of Archeology helpful. Biology teachers will be pleased with the new books about the indigenous trees, grasses and mammals of South Africa. They can study a new resource book about the Human Body. Pastors will find books on pastoral care and preaching. Sunday school teachers will find lovely teaching pictures and lesson ideas. Youth group leaders will find ideas for lively programs. "The Robert Moffat Library building is being dedicated today as a community resource. It is intended to serve people in our community who are studying history, theology, leadership, development, anthropology, and sociology. It is intended to support those who are teaching: school teachers, pastors, and development workers. "Its value as a Library will only be realized if it is used. The vision of those who have contributed to it over the years and the hope of ISCOR in funding the new building, will be fulfilled as we make use of this wonderful resource. Come with your questions, seeking information. I will try to point you to useful resources. We are not a lending library but you can read our books here. I invite you to come make use of our books and enjoy a beautiful place to read and study." In addition to opening the library complex we officially launched MEALI, the Moffat Education And Leadership Institute. Our colleague, Ms Pelonomi Diemeng, spoke of the importance of education and leadership development in the Kuruman area, and of the historic role the Mission has played in the community. MEALI has started a community leadership course and will be doing voter education in preparation for the June elections. Several of us at the Mission were responsible for promoting the idea of a community radio station and organizing people to get it started. Mrs Lydia Merementsi is the first chairperson of the Board of Management of Radio Isago. She spoke about their vision of the radio as a community resource that would make a difference in the lives of people who struggled with literacy and with distance. She thanked the Mission for taking the initiative in launching the radio and expressed her hope that Radio Isago would soon have a license and equipment so that they can begin broadcasting. We also had a ground breaking ceremony. An addition to Maphakela Conference Centre has been planned which will increase the ability of the Centre to host conferences, workshops and community educational events. Mr Makweya and Bishop Itumeleng Moseki did the first shovelfuls, but soon had lots of eager hands to take the shovels from them and celebrate the event, though the ground was so dry that no one made much of a hole. The city has approved the plans and we hope that construction will begin a few weeks after Easter. We are grateful for your interest in and support for us and our ministries here on the edge of the Kalahari Desert. Yours faithfully, Lawrence C. Gilley Return to index page