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Our Story

The Bible Society of South Africa’s origin is inherently linked to the story of Mary Jones and the founding of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

In 1800, 15-year-old Mary Jones traversed 40 kilometres on foot through North Wales to buy her own Welsh Bible. She had saved money for six long years before her journey to Bala, where she met with Reverend Thomas Charles, who was so touched by her determination to own a Bible that he sold her three for the price of one.

Mary’s story soon spread among church leaders and opened the discussion around the availability of affordable Welsh Bibles. During a Religious Tract Society meeting on 7 December 1802, Reverend Joseph Hughes asked, “If for Wales, why not for the world?”

Thus began the development of the Bible Society as we know it today, which soon expanded across the globe.

VIDEO: Mary Jones and her Bible (animation)

ABOUT US

On 23 August 1820, a group met at Tuynhuys in Cape Town, where the Bible Society of South Africa was founded. 

Our organisation has served South Africa for over 200 years under sound business principles directed by Christian values to render effective and efficient service. 

The Bible Society of South Africa is a full member of the United Bible Societies, a family of around 150 Bible Societies operating in over 240 countries and territories.   

For more information on global Bible Societies, visit www.unitedbiblesocieties.org. 

Board of Directors

The Bible Society of South Africa is a non-profit company governed by a Board of Directors who advise and support the Chief Executive Officer, Rodney van Wyk, in implementing our vision and mission.
RANTOA LETŠOSA

RANTOA LETŠOSA

CHAIRMAN

Rantoa joined the Board of Directors in 2023. In 2024 he was elected to Chairman of the Board. He is the Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Pretoria and a member of the Reformed Churches in South Africa.

Dawie Theron

Dawie Theron

Honorary Treasurer

Dawie was elected as the Honorary Treasurer of the Board of Directors in 2023. He is the owner and director of FHBC, a tax and accounting practice. Dawie is an ordained minister of the Dutch Reformed Church.

PAUL DU PLESSIS

PAUL DU PLESSIS

BOARD MEMBER

Paul has served on the Board of Directors since 2017. He is an emeritus minister of the Dutch Reformed Church. Paul has previously served as Chairman of the Board for a tenure of six years. He was re-elected to the Board in 2024.

BEN VERMOOTEN

BEN VERMOOTEN

BOARD MEMBER

Ben was elected to the Board of Directors in 2024. He is a mature corporate executive with over 30 years of experience in senior executive roles in listed, public and private companies. He serves in non-executive director roles in various companies.

NDUMI MEDUPE

NDUMI MEDUPE

BOARD MEMBER

Ndumi was elected to the Board of Directors in 2022. She qualified as a chartered accountant in 2002 and has more than 25 years of experience in internal auditing, risk management and financial management in both the public and private sectors.

RODNEY VAN WYK

RODNEY VAN WYK

BOARD MEMBER

Rodney is an ordained minister of the Reformed Churches in South Africa. He had previously served on the Board of Directors for 11 years, six as Chairman. He was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Bible Society in 2023.

WAYNE WALLANDER

WAYNE WALLANDER

BOARD MEMBER

Wayne was appointed Finance Lead in October 2022 after serving as the Bible Society's accountant since 2014. After obtaining a CA(SA) qualification, he spent several years in the finance and audit industry as an auditor and financial reporting accountant.

Global Bible Work

The Bible Society of South Africa is a member of the United Bible Societies

Since 1946 Bible Societies have been working together as a fellowship of partners seeking to serve Bible needs worldwide.

The Bible Societies are an expression of the fellowship of God’s people sharing their resources. These include spiritual gifts, knowledge, money, time, talents and technology.

For more information on the Bible Societies at work in more than 200 countries and territories visit www.unitedbiblesocieties.org.