“We thank you for the inspiration and strength
  That you have given to Madiba,
  Enabling him, over so many years, to draw out the best in others,
  rousing us always, by word and example,
  to seek the highest good for every child of this nation.”

So prayed Archbishop Thabo Makgoba with Nelson Mandela in his home in 2009 at the request of Graça Machel. This marked the start of a moving relationship between southern Africa’s Anglican leader and Mandela in his last years.

Join Makgoba in his journey towards faith, from his boyhood in Alex as the son of a ZCC pastor to Bishopscourt and praying with Mandela. He shares his feelings about his pastoral approach to the world icon, and how they influenced his thinking on ministering to church and nation.

What did praying with those nearest and dearest to Mandela mean? What was Madiba’s spirituality? In trying to answer these questions, Makgoba opens a window on South Africa’s spiritual life.

About the author

Thabo Makgoba is the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town. He has a PhD from the University of Cape Town and is chancellor of the University of the Western Cape. In the tradition of Cape Town’s archbishops, Makgoba is an outspoken spiritual leader, activist and driver of civil society protests against corruption, abuse of power and inequalities.

Faith and Courage – Praying with Mandela is published by NB Publishers