Delegates and participants of the Council for World Mission (CWM) Assembly were brought to six different locations that showcased the footprints of various missiological bodies and their work in providing Christian outreach and support for vulnerable groups.
One of the destinations of the mission exposure was Inanda Seminary, a boarding school for black girls ages 13-18.
That the visit falls on 16 June is not insignificant as it also coincided with Youth Day, a public holiday and a significant date for the country as it commemorates the Soweto Uprising in 1976. The uprising witnessed South African black youth arising to challenge the white apartheid government – a rebellion that marked a turning point in South Africa’s political history.
Nurturing women of change
This year, Inanda Seminary, located in its namesake township, celebrates its 155th year since its establishment by the Lindley Mission, one of the three missions founded by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions in the Durban area in the 19th century, the other two being Groutville Mission and Adams Mission – the former 60km north of Durban and the latter 30km south.
Built on 1 March 1869, Inanda Seminary is the oldest independent board school offering secondary education to black female teenagers in South Africa. With its motto of “Shine Where You Are” inspired from Philippians 2:15, the school has produced many illustrious alumni such as Joyce Sikhakhane Rankin, who played an important role in South Africa’s resistance against apartheid, truly living out its mission in producing strong and independent women who shone where it was darkest.
A display of youthful energy
About 50 Assembly delegates and participants who were welcomed into the school chapel were treated to an exuberant display of youthful energy as the girls, comprised of final year students, performed a rousing song and dance before taking turns to take to the podium to present on the school’s rich history as well as painting a vivid picture of how a day in the life of an Inanda student was like.
Thereafter, the visitors were brought on a short tour of the school grounds that included key locales such as the Lucy Lindley Hall – a stately structure that doubled as the school’s archives showcasing artifacts that exemplified the institution’s storied history.
At the same time, the girls freely moved around and mingled with the visitors exchanging and sharing stories and experiences.
A joyous session of group photo-taking brought the short yet heartwarming visit to a close as the visitors left the girls with plenty of well-wishes and prayers for their future.
May they all continue to shine, where they are.
