Around eighty guests witnessed the signing of the Trust Deeds. Dr Graham Catto led the sacred proceedings. I remember him asking everyone to come forward and in the spirit of the moment release the founding board and appointed CEO, Mapule Khanye, to serve the envisioned mandate: “Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles and refuse to let the world corrupt us.”
Thirteen years later, the Trust is fully functioning and delivering on this mandate. According to the Trust’s acting CEO, Rudi von Staden: “The mandate of the Trust is as relevant today as it was thirteen years ago, and it is my privilege to be able to serve it in this new season. The philosophy of care, integrity and engagement which it encapsulates is at the heart of everything we do. It is why we have continued to care for the beneficiaries we have had since the founding of the Trust. It is why we build systems to support not just our own care, but that empower the care of our partner organisations. We have a responsibility to contribute to a society which cares for every person.”
For my part, I have the deep satisfaction of seeing a prophetic seed having been planted, watered and grown into a fully living expression of organisational life. Having formally resigned on 10 September to allow the Trust to grow into its next season, I am excited to see the good work continue. My hands are now full with the James Social and Ethics Consultancy.
To our many partners, donors, clients, friends, children, and stakeholders who have been part of our thirteen years, thank you! Without your prayers, encouragement and financial support the seed will have died--the implications of which we cannot measure. Your faith in our endeavours has made this Kingdom enterprise possible.
Robert Botha