Statement by Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town, September 2, 2009

My dear People of God

You may have seen and read the Sunday Times, this past Sunday concerning Archbishop Njongo and Mrs Nomahlubi Vokwana-Ndungane.  This is a difficult family and pastoral matter that has long been before us.  We want to affirm the integrity of both Archbishop and Mrs Ndungane as well as offer our pastoral support to both at this time.

Unfortunately, all the previous interventions within the church over a period of time, did not resolve this matter.  We hope that both Archbishop Njongo and Mrs Ndungane will be able to solve this matter, through appropriate legal means, and move on with their own lives.

We commend them and all God’s people who are broken and hurt and going through marriage breakdown at this time to God’s transfiguring and transforming mercy.

God bless

Yours in the service of Chris

+Thabo Cape Town

The following Statement is a supplement to the Archbishop’s letter above.

Statement regarding allegations – published in the most recent Sunday Times – against former Anglican Archbishop, Njongonkulu Ndungane.

Tuesday 1^st September 2009

___________________________________________________________________

Former Anglican Archbishop, Njongonkulu Ndungane, is deeply saddened by the story published in the Sunday Times of the 30 August 09, entitled “Cleric’s Wife Sues for Support” and the inaccuracies contained therein.

We believe that this story was deliberately aimed at tarnishing his image and casting aspersions on his integrity. People know of the exemplary leadership of the Archbishop within the church and in championing many causes which aim to improve the lives, not only of South Africans, but of people in other parts of Africa and the world. Since this story appeared on Sunday, he has received countless messages of support from those who know him, and who know that he is incapable of the behaviour of which he is accused.  

The court proceedings initiated, without notification, by his estranged wife Mrs Nomahlubi Vokwana-Ndungane have arisen from a difficult and strained situation which the Ndungane family has been trying, for some time, to resolve.  The legal process will now be taken further in an appropriate manner.

The Archbishop does not wish to settle this matter through the media but hopes that what is essentially a private issue will be finalised in the proper arena as soon as possible, and that all parties concerned will respect the outcomes thereof.

Statement released by Kaamilah Paulse

Attorney to the former Archbishop

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc.

021 481-6300

Gail E Allen (Mrs)

Provincial Executive Administrator

Provincial Executive Office

Anglican Church of Southern Africa

20 Bishopscourt Drive

BISHOPSCOURT 7708

Western Cape

Fax:   021 797 1329

Switchboard: 086 100 1171  ext 1328

International: 021 763 1300 ext 1328

e-mail: peoadmin@anglicanchurchsa.org.za

web:    www.anglicanchurchsa.org