In The News

Today we celebrate Ascension Day and soon Pentecost Sunday. This provides us with an opportunity to lift our eyes above the chaos and remember eternal truths that reframe everything happening around us. In 1 Peter 1:3-5, the apostle reminds us of a living hope – a hope that is not rooted in wishful thinking or naive optimism, but rather an unshakeable hope grounded in what Jesus has already done and where he is now.  

When a language disappears, it takes a unique world view, centuries of cultural heritage and a living bond between generations. Bible translations offer more than spiritual nourishment – they create a foundational text that anchors a language in written form, encourages literacy and instils pride in communities, who often face social or cultural pressure to abandon their mother tongue.

When the story of Jesus’ crucifixion is told or preached, Jesus is often portrayed as a hopeless figure on the cross who lost the battle against the ruling powers of the time, a helpless man whose only way of convincing people of the truth of his message of hope was to submit to failure. It would seem many people want to create sympathy for Jesus, who surrendered his life for mankind. Others find it difficult to accept the invitation to follow a leader who died by hanging helplessly on a cross.

Human Rights Day in South Africa, celebrated on 21 March, is a time to reflect on the dignity, freedom and equality all human beings are entitled to. While human rights are often discussed in legal and political terms, their foundation can be traced back to the Bible, which offers a powerful framework for justice, equality and the inherent worth of every individual.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. This period lasts forty days leading up to Easter, not including Sundays. For many Christians, these forty days are a time of deep introspection and self-reflection. Also known as the season of Lent, this period traditionally involved abstaining from meat and sweet treats or indulgences.

The year 2024 marked a transformative period for both the broader socio-political landscape and the Bible Society of South Africa (BSSA). Guided by the theme The Word as a Guide in the Winds of Change, the organisation adeptly navigated numerous challenges with unwavering faith and strategic innovation. Our commitment to our vision and mission—providing every South African with access to a Bible in their heart language—has been ongoing for over 204 years.