KZNCC is the official affiliate of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) in KwaZulu-Natal. Our governance structure — set out in our Constitution — runs from the Assembly down through the Council, Executive, Management and Sub-Committees, with eleven District Christian Councils carrying our work into the regions.
The KZNCC Constitution (adopted 20 August 2024, Pietermaritzburg) places governance in five inter-dependent bodies. Each has a defined remit — from the broad consultation of the Assembly down to the specialised oversight of the Sub-Committees.
Convened every third year as a consultative body to discuss relevant topics and general issues. Each full member church or District Council sends up to five delegates; Christian organisations send two each. The Assembly makes recommendations to the Council.
The highest decision-making body of KZNCC. Meets at least twice a year, including an Annual General Meeting. Constituted by delegates from member churches, District Christian Councils and Christian organisations — with delegate numbers scaled to membership size. Chaired by the KZNCC Chairperson.
Comprises the Chairperson and four Church Leaders elected by Council, plus Chairpersons of fully-mandated District Christian Councils, and the CEO ex officio. Up to two further members may be co-opted for specialist skills. Provides strategic leadership and oversight.
Consists of the CEO, Deputy CEOs and the Finance Manager. Meets monthly to plan and review programme work, and reports to the Executive Committee on financial, programme and administrative matters at the Executive's quarterly meetings.
Established by the Executive Committee to oversee specialised fields: Management; Finance; Human Resources; Constitutional Matters; and Ethical Self-Regulation & Self-Discipline. Each sub-committee reports to the Executive Committee in writing.
Per Annexure 1 of the Constitution, the following District Christian Councils carry KZNCC's mandate into the regions. Each has its own executive committee, derives its constitution from the Provincial Council, and accounts to the KZNCC Executive Committee. District chairpersons sit on the KZNCC Executive Committee with full voting powers.
The priority role of KZNCC is that of servant leadership — facilitating ecumenical relationships with church leaders, member churches and member organisations, drawing on the strengths of each grouping and helping to respond to new challenges as they emerge.
The KwaZulu-Natal Council of Churches works with senior church leaders of ecumenical organisations and denominations to strengthen the ecumenical movement.
It promotes a prophetic voice and pastoral care to ensure that a Christian influence is brought to bear on the legislature, religious bodies and local business — so that social services and care are effectively delivered, especially to the poor, marginalised and the weak.
Per the Constitution, KZNCC pursues these objects in a non-profit manner with altruistic intent, including: the healing of memories and reconciliation through narrative therapy; pastoral support to children and youth at risk; promoting social cohesion between locals and foreign nationals; mobilising government and corporate resources in situations of violence or disaster; training clergy in mediation and conflict resolution; and running community-based self-help projects through church-owned farms.