The Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town and Primate of Southern Africa, has been announced as the new Chair of Christian Aid, a UK development and humanitarian agency, which works to eradicate extreme poverty and injustice all over the world.

Archbishop Thabo, who has worked previously with Christian Aid on climate and economic justice projects, will succeed the former Chair, who was recently confirmed as the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Sarah Mullally.

Speaking of his appointment in a message to Christian Aid staff, Archbishop Thabo said, ‘I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to be the Chair of Christian Aid… I have always followed the work of Christian Aid, sometimes from afar. So, this opportunity will [help] me to really get to appreciate your work commitment to Justice, faith, partnership and building a movement for change. I am particularly keen to look at how, across the world, you are tackling the causes of poverty.’

Christian Aid made the following announcement in London, February 16:

Archbishop of Cape Town Announced as New Christian Aid Chair

The Most Revd Dr Thabo Cecil Makgoba, the Archbishop of Cape Town and Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, was today announced as the new chair of UK development and humanitarian agency Christian Aid.

Archbishop Thabo has a strong track record of working on poverty and injustice in South Africa and globally, and has previously worked with Christian Aid on climate and economic justice. 

He has personally experienced marginalisation, spending his early years in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg, before his family was forcibly removed under apartheid laws and settled in Soweto.  

In 2009, after receiving the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, from the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in New York City, he described it as an award for all South Africans who were denied access to education.

Christian Aid CEO, Patrick Watt, said, ‘We are delighted to welcome Archbishop Thabo as the new chair of Christian Aid. Throughout his ministry, he has walked alongside people who are poor and marginalised, and strived for a just world in which everyone has life before death.  

‘Archbishop Thabo’s leadership will be invaluable as we work with partners across the world to tackle the root causes of poverty, in a fast-changing landscape.’  

Archbishop Thabo pioneered the concept of indaba in the worldwide Anglican Communion as a means of getting to grips with difference, and was decorated by the Archbishop of Canterbury with the Cross of St Augustine for his role in the Communion. Since 2012, he has served as Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape.  

His appointment comes after Christian Aid’s previous chair, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, became the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. 

Source of story: Christian Aid.

See the statement on the Christian Aid website.

See details of Christian Aid’s Board of Trustees here.

See the message Archbishop Thabo recorded for Christian Aid staff.

Find out more about the Province of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.