Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Human Rights Day, 21 March 2012

Dear Groundbreakers,

Today we celebrate humanity. As Christians we believe that all people are created by God, we have equal rights and responsibilities. We should treat each other with dignity, respect, love and care regardless of our status, social or cultural background.

Let's reflect on humanity and God's involvement in our lives through the poetic word's of King David: 

13 For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
   all the days ordained for me were written in your book
   before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
   How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
   they would outnumber the grains of sand—
   when I awake, I am still with you. 

(Psalm 139:13-18)

Your BCYD


If you want more information regarding this public holiday read below:

21 March [Human Rights Day]

The Bill of Rights contained in the Constitution is the cornerstone of democracy in South Africa.
The Constitution provides for the establishment of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The aim of the Commission is to promote respect for human rights, promote the protection, development and attainment of human rights, and to monitor and assess the observance of human rights in SA. The SAHRC was launched on 21 March 1996, 35 years after the fateful events of 21 March 1960 when demonstrators in Sharpeville were gunned down by police.
The Native Laws Amendment Act of 1952 extended Government control over the movement of Africans to urban areas and abolished the use of the Pass Book (a document which Africans were required to carry on them to ‘prove’ that they were allowed to enter a ‘white area’) in favour of a reference book which had to be carried at all times by all Africans.
Failure to produce the reference book on demand by the police, was a punishable offence. The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) proposed an anti-Pass campaign to start on 21 March 1960. All African men were to take part in the campaign without their passes and present themselves for arrest.
Campaigners gathered at police stations in townships near Johannesburg where they were dispersed by police. At the Sharpeville police station a scuffle broke out. Part of a wire fence was trampled, allowing the crowd to move forward. The police opened fire, apparently without having been given a prior order to do so. Sixty-nine people were killed and 180 wounded.
In apartheid South Africa this day became known as Sharpeville Day and although not part of the official calendar of public holidays the event was commemorated among anti-apartheid movements.
 (http://www.info.gov.za/aboutsa/holidays.htm#21march)

Monday, March 12, 2012

AABYF 30th Anniversary Assembly (Invitation)


BCYD NEC Meeting March 2012 (news)

On the 10th of March National and Regional Youth Leaders met to discuss, plan and reflect on matters concerning our Youth Department. Some things on the agenda were our National Summit, the BCYD constitution, AABYF Conference, collecting stats, updates regarding Youth Ministry in the regions and so on.

We had a great time of fellowship, discussion and glorifying God together. Please continue to support our department with your participation, active involvement and especially in prayer!

!Impacting Lives!

Your BCYD


Below you find some pictures of our meeting: