By Celani Sikhakhane
- Reverend BK Dludla inspired Ramaphosa and other church leaders to join politics.
- Dludla helped spread black theology that turned churches into anti-apartheid platforms.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s journey from a devoted Christian to a political activist started when a KwaZulu-Natal reverend challenged him to fight apartheid.
That’s according to senior ANC leader Jeff Radebe, who spoke at the home of the late Reverend Bhekizipho Khulekani Dludla in Melmoth. Dludla died on 8 March at the age of 99.
Radebe said Dludla was one of the church leaders who convinced young Christians like Ramaphosa and African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe to take their faith beyond the pulpit and into the political struggle.
“Ramaphosa and Meshoe were devoted Christian students. But after hearing black theology from Reverend Dludla and others, they turned to politics to fight apartheid,” Radebe said.
He said Dludla worked closely with ANC struggle veteran Mandla Msibi in Soweto, helping change Western Christian teachings into a powerful black theology message. That shift inspired many Christians to join the political fight, including Reverend Frank Chikane.
“Ramaphosa’s leader in the Christian movement at the time was Meshoe,” Radebe added.
Dludla became a minister in 1955 and was key in forming the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) in 1967. He was the first president of the Soldiers of Christ Movement.
He believed strongly in education and served as chair of Inanda Seminary from 1965 to 1981.
He also played a critical role in presenting the brutal reality of apartheid to former prime minister PW Botha. Dludla later became the group’s spokesperson as they challenged the apartheid government.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) also paid tribute, remembering Dludla’s lifelong friendship with the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The party described both men as freedom fighters who worked for South Africa’s democracy.
Pictured above: Struggle stalwart Reverend Bhekizipho Khulekani Dludla of the UCCSA, who passed away last week, helped the young President Cyril Ramaphosa to leave church and become a politician
Image source: UCCSA
