Bible Society of South Africa's (BSSA)

Presentation to Standing Committee on Private Member's Legislative Proposals and Special Petitions

21 November 2007

·         Thank you for the invitation "to have in-depth discussions" and the BSSA's "guidance" regarding the proposed repeal bill. (Letter from Committee Secretary 25/10/2007)

 

·         The BSSA took note of Hon P-J Gerber's submission of a private member's bill to repeal Act 15/1970.

 

·         The BSSA earnestly desires to work fully with the Committee to reach a responsible decision regarding the incorporation or regulation of the activities of the BSSA. May we all seek a win-win solution to a not so obvious and straight forward answer regarding the matter. I personally appreciate the frank and friendly discussion of the matter between myself and hon. P-J Gerber.

 

·         In the folder provided to all honourable members you will find the following documents:

 

-          Who we are and what we do

 

-          A letter dated 29/ 10/2007 to the hon. Chairperson of the Committee

 

-          Bible Translations in South African official languages and

 

-          An opinion from Adv. JCW van Rooyen SC: The Constitutional Incompatibility of the Repeal of Act 15 of 1970

 

·         Today I humbly request the Committee, on behalf of the BSSA, either to consider

 

-            Not to repeal Act15/1970 or

 

-            To allow more time for in depth research into the best option for the BSSA to be incorporated or regulated without losing any present benefits e.g Income tax exemption.

 

·         Act 15/1970 states that the BSSA

 

-            is an educational and religious organization - 2( 1);

 

-            with the objects to translate, publish and distribute into every language the Bible - 3(1);

 

-            without any dogmatic or doctrinal note - 3(2).

 

·         Allow me and my colleague, Rev. Josiah Mazibuko, to share with you briefly the work of the BSSA.

 

-            Translations for all our 11 official languages (see enclosed document). This contributed to the development of written language and literacy.

 

-            We serve 80% of our population who are Christians according to the latest sensus.

 

-            We serve all churches. There are more than 50 churches represented on the11 Regional Boards which make the BSSA the biggest ecumenical organisation in SA.

 

-            Our task is to provide affordable Bibles and a Bible can be purchased for R38.

 

-            According to a Markinor Survey (Nov 2003) there is a need for 19 million Bibles in SA. We distributed this year 775 000 Bibles and our goal for 2008 is one million.

 

-            We provide Bibles also to the blind (braille), the deaf (request for a sign language Bible), those in prison (free of charge for last 40 years) and in large print, even on cell phone (a first in the world).

 

-            Rev Mazibuko will briefly tell us what we started to do for mainly the illiterate... ..

 

-            Apart from full Bibles we address the social challenges of our time e.g. booklets for HIV / AIDS sufferers, the caregivers, the women, employers and employees etc.

 

-            Make a major contribution towards the moral regeneration of our peoples and promoting of biblical values. We want to continue to serve proudly our new democracy through the distribution of Scriptures.

 

-            Since the start in 1820 in Tuynhuys till today the BSSA was and is politically neutral. It was the Book of Hope for many during the times of the struggle - provided by the BSSA.

 

-            We are governed by a National Board (36 members) representing the 11 Regional Boards.

 

-            Our annual audit is totally transparent and done according to GAAP.

 

·         In our letter dated 29/10/2007 to the hon. Chairperson of the Committee we share with the Committee reasons for staying incorporated under Act 15/1970.

 

·         Adv. JCW van Rooyen's SC concluded his opinion:

 

"I have now doubt that Act 15 of 1970 is not Constitutionally incompatible. The Bible Society has a constitutional right to not have its very foundation and its vested rights removed by legislation. Any legislation that attempts to repeal Act 15 of 1970 will, to my mind, undoubtedly be Constitutionally invalid...... There is no deprivation in Act 15 of 1970 of the rights of other religious groupings to distribute their religious publications or even to have their statutes placed in legislation."

 

·         On the basis inter alia

 

-            That all work and activities of the BSSA are presently regulated through Act 15 / 1970;

 

-            That the BSSA has a vested right regarding income tax exemption and that it is crucially important in helping to keep Bibles affordable to continue to enjoy income tax exemption;

 

-            Of Adv. JCW van Rooyen's SC opinion

 

The BSSA humbly appeal to the Committee either to consider

 

-            Not to repeal Act15/1970 or

 

-            To allow more time for in depth research into the best option for the BSSA to be incorporated or regulated without losing any present benefits and vested rights ego income tax exemption. Transitional measures - without cost to the BSSA - need to be put in place in case other options of incorporation/regulation of the BSSA are to be implemented.

 

Thank you for your understanding. The BSSA promise the Committee its total co­ operation regarding this matter.

Respectfully submitted

Revd.
Gerrit Kritzinger