News

The Provincial Synod of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini meeting in Benoni under the leadership of Archbishop Thabo Makgoba passed a resolution calling for a Moratorium on Data Centres.    THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF SOUTHERN AFRICA CALLS FOR A MORATORIUM ON DATA CENTRES The Archbishop called for “the championing of the integrity of God’s Creation … in an era characterized by “unbelievably radical technological change”. Whereas; We are entering the Fourth Industrial Revolution: artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cloud computing This Revolution is not free, it is  being powered by data centres: These  are enormous industrial facilities filled with thousands of powerful computers that generate intense heat and require continuous cooling. They consume vast quantities of electricity and, depending on their cooling systems, significant quantities of water. Water Impact: Huge data centres may be prioritised over domestic use once contracts are signed. We cannot justify allocating scarce potable water to cooling machines while communities struggle to secure reliable water for drinking, sanitation, food gardens and livelihoods Closed loop systems would increase electricity use significanctly Electricity is still unstable and we are moving slowly towards renewables. Data centres usage is enormous, for example currently  25 % of the electricity usage in Ireland. Singapore  20%, Germany 10% is now going to data centres. Noise pollution for the local community – and generators for back up -as data centres provide for 24 hour international customers. Many countries and States are now calling for moratoriums and restrictions on Data Centres  due to their impact on electricity prices, quality of water and noise pollution including 13 States in the USA , Ireland, Australia, the Netherlands. South Africa is being seen by tech companies and an open door for this ‘new era of technology” A moratorium does not mean rejecting technology or digital innovation. It means pausing the approval of new large-scale data centres until South Africa has the information, regulations and safeguards needed to make responsible decisions   This Synod Resolves : to Support a call for a Moratorium on new Data Centres in Southern Africa We call for a moratorium while government conducts a national assessment of the sector. This should establish transparent reporting of water and electricity consumption; assess cumulative impacts on stressed catchments and electricity networks; require meaningful community consultation; examine the climate and biodiversity impacts; establish minimum efficiency standards; and ensure that data centres do not compete with households and essential services for scarce water and electricity. South Africa should not become a place where global technology companies can secure our scarce resources while the environmental and social costs are carried by local communities.  Digital development must serve people and the planet, not place additional pressure on the very resources upon which life depends   Proposer: Canon Shaun Cozett Seconder: Ven. Mpho Mohale

The Parish of St John the Evangelist, Athlone hosted its 2026 Confirmation Group Camp from 18–20 September at Glencairn Youth Centre in Cape Town, bringing young people together for a weekend of faith formation, fellowship and learning. This year’s camp focused on creation and creation stewardship, with the Green Anglicans team invited to facilitate sessions on caring for God’s creation. The day began with fun ice-breakers led by Bino Makhalanyane, followed by a “Know Your Bible” session facilitated by Revd Canon Shaun Cozett. Working in groups, the young people explored biblical passages on creation and were introduced to the 2026 Season of Creation theme, “Living Waters.” Revd Canon Shaun also introduced the Anglican Five Marks of Mission, highlighting that caring for creation is not separate from Christian faith but forms an important part of the Anglican Church’s mission. As confirmation preparation includes learning from the Anglican Prayer Book Catechism, John-Paul Roberts connected it to creation care, helping young people reflect on how their faith calls them to live responsibly within God’s creation. The connection between creation care and human wellbeing was further explored by Dr Samantha Cozett, who spoke about the relationship between a healthy environment and healthy communities. She reminded the young people that protecting the environment can help reduce risks to human health and contribute to the well-being of friends, families and neighbours. Putting their learning into practice, the participants worked in groups to design posters that explore how people are harming the environment in the City of Cape Town, what the Bible teaches about creation, and what practical actions can be taken. The young people then committed themselves to three actions before the end of the year: a beach clean-up, an eco-restoration activity and a river clean-up in their community. Green Anglicans extend its sincere appreciation to the Parish of St John the Evangelist for the invitation to facilitate during the weekend. We also thank Revd Canon Shaun Cozett, Diocesan Canon Mission for the Diocese of Cape Town, and Dr Samantha Cozett for sharing their wisdom and helping to make the camp a meaningful experience for the young people.                                         

On Saturday, 5th of September, members of the Diocese of Christ the King Green Anglicans team, Mrs. Elsa Maphalla , Itumeleng Nkhi and Tlotliso Mangoenyane, gave a talk at the Girls and Boys Friendly Society (GBFS) diocesan conference, which was held at St Lawrence Anglican Church in Small Farm, Evaton, South of Johannesburg. The main aim of the visit was to introduce the GBFS Eco Champions initiative to the Diocesan GBFS.   The main purpose of the GBFS Eco Champion Initiative is to empower young people from the diocese to take responsibility for caring for God’s creation. The initiative encourages youth to move beyond awareness and become active environmental agents in their homes, churches, schools, and wider communities. GBFS members were encouraged to start with simple actions at home, such as saving water and electricity, reducing waste, recycling, and avoiding food waste. They are also encouraged to take part in community activities such as clean-up campaigns, tree planting, protecting green spaces, and raising environmental awareness. The initiative is supported by the GBFS Eco Pledge: STOP, START, TEACH and JOIN. GBFS members were also encouraged to Stop one harmful habit, Start a positive environmental action, Teach others what they have learned, and Join environmental preservation projects in their communities. Through these simple but meaningful actions, young people can become agents of change and help build cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable communities. By: Tlotliso Mangoenyane

2027 will be the year of the “Africa COP” to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia An interfaith campaign was launched on the sidelines of the 14th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa uniting faith communities across the continent behind one demand: that climate commitments finally become climate action, delivered fairly, and delivered where it’s needed most. The key Anglican representative  was Bishop Emily  Onyango – Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Bondo in the Anglican Church of Kenya The ask is simple. Implementation of climate finance, adaptation and just transition commitments must be: This campaign is being carried forward by a growing coalition of interfaith partners, including ACT Alliance, Norwegian Church Aid’s Advocacy Programme Africa, the All Africa Conference of Churches, GreenFaith Africa, the Laudato Si’ Movement, EOC-DICAC, among many others across Africa’s faith traditions, and we’re proud to be building this alongside such a wide network of colleagues working towards climate justice. You can read and sign the petition here: https://interfaithclimatecampaign.org/#

The South African Council of Churches (SACC) hosted a three-day conference from 27–29 August 2026 at UNISA in Pretoria under the theme “The Role of Faith Communities in Preventing Gender-Based Violence.” The conference brought together faith leaders, civil society organisations, academics and activists to address GBV and strengthen community-based responses. One of the significant presentations was delivered by Ms Boipelo Mojapelo, a member of Green Anglicans and the Climate YES movement, who examined the relationship between climate change and gender dynamics, showing how it can deepen existing inequalities. She illustrated that when water, food, land, and other essential resources become scarce, women and girls may shoulder greater responsibility for meeting household needs. Climate-related disasters can also lead to displacement, loss of livelihoods and disruption of social support networks. These pressures can increase vulnerability to violence and make it more difficult for survivors to access support. At the end of the presentation, the conference emphasised that climate change is not only an environmental concern but also a justice and gender issue. And that faith communities have an important role in responding by creating safe spaces, supporting survivors, challenging harmful social norms and promoting gender equality. The conference concluded on 29 August with a solidarity walk from UNISA to the Union Buildings, where delegates, church members, and community allies walked together to advocate for climate justice, policy enforcement and stronger judicial responses to violence against women and children.   Upon arrival at the Union Buildings, faith leaders, including Revd Rachel Mash from the Green Anglicans, formally handed over a detailed memorandum of demands to the Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, who is a Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and People with Disabilities of South Africa. By: Duduzile Koko Photo Credit: SACC