in south africa
In the mid-seventeenth century George Fox established the Religious Society of Friends in England. In spite of initial persecution, today the Society exists all over the world. They became popularly known as `Quakers', a nickname originally given by their opponents to mock them, but which turned into a highly respected name.
The centre of their belief is that there is that of God in everyone. Reaching out towards God in people, they seek peaceful and creative solutions to conflict and alternatives to war and violence. Quakers also believe that truth is not something to be discovered outside ourselves, but by finding that of God within and living accordingly.
In the silent Quaker Meeting for Worship, no person or document intercedes between the individual and their experience of God. In the stillness, people wait to communicate with God. The Monthly and Yearly Meetings fulfil the basic organising functions of this community of worshippers at local and international levels. With an emphasis on simplicity, there are no doctrines or creeds which must be accepted to become a Member of a Monthly Meeting. It is enough to share the beliefs and principles, and accept the responsibilities of being a member of the Society.
Throughout the world Quakers work to eradicate the causes of war, and promote social and economic justice. They involve themselves in education, development, reconciliation and the constructive striving for peace. Their commitment to a human rights culture inspires their tireless work against violence and injustice.
Though there are more than 200,000 Friends in the world, South Africa has less than a hundred at present. Many Friends have worked here over the last century. In the early nineteenth century at Salem, near Grahamstown, Richard Gush lived peacefully with his Xhosa neighbours. During the 1834 war, he rode visibly unarmed to meet a band of 500 Xhosa raiders. He gave them bread, tobacco and pocket knives. Years later a Xhosa man paid his respects to Richard's great-granddaughter for the trust and respect that was shown to his ancestors.
At the end of the nineteenth century, a stand against British imperialism in South Africa, motivated George Cadbury and Joshua Rowntree to support organisations like the South African Conciliation Committee and the Friends of South Africa Relief Fund. Rowntree visited South Africa with Emily Hobhouse, the British woman who tended Afrikaner families in the concentration camps of the second Anglo-Boer war. After the war, Quaker work continued through the handing back to Afrikaner families of 130 looted bibles, promoting home industries among women and providing bursaries for children.
Worldwide, the Friends have always been known in their work of reconciliation and peace. For the last three centuries, Quaker organisations were active in trying to bring about reconciliation or provide relief during numerous wars. In 1947 the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Quakers for their active labours of love and compassion to humanity, regardless of nationality, race or class, in their tireless search for peace.
In the last half of the twentieth century, projects relating to community development, agriculture, health and disarmament have been established all over the world. Amidst the social disintegration and violence that is tearing apart our own society, the Quaker Peace Centre in Cape Town which was established in 1988, continues to do the work of peace, day by day.
Alfred Nobel
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