May 22, 2026

Dear People of the Province,

Deeply disturbed by the circulation of messages on social media throughout Africa, threatening the welfare and even the lives of migrants living in South Africa, I appeal to you to circulate – among your friends, colleagues and contacts throughout South Africa and the continent – the following appeal:

To every citizen of South Africa and all people living among us

The Anglican Church of the Southern Africa (ACSA) has observed with great sadness incidents of violence spreading virally against foreign nationals living in our country.

Be it known that we strongly condemn such actions, as they compromise and defeat our core values of Ubuntu and kindness to one another. Irrespective of our race, our religion, our nationality, or whence we come, we are fellow human beings, brothers and sisters created in the image of God.

God is love. He has sacrificially, generously and indiscriminately loved us and shared his love with us, his people. As a people who have experienced the love of God, we should know and act on what it means to love and to be loved.

It is for this reason that on behalf of ACSA, I call upon all South Africans who are up in arms against migrants living in our country, and therefore treating badly our fellow brothers and sisters from other countries, to stop hostile and threatening action against them, and love them as Christ loved us.

We have no problem with the authorities enforcing our immigration laws. But, as the Synod of Bishops did in 2017, we once again condemn attacks and violence against foreign nationals living in South Africa. We appeal for peace, hospitality and kindness, and further call upon citizens of our country to make this our country a place in which everyone, citizen or foreign national alike, is safe from threats of violence.

And so let us join hands and pray for peace, compassion, mutual tolerance and unity.

God bless Africa. Amen.

Blessings,

Bishop Stephen Diseko

Dean Of the Province & Provincial Vicar-General