The link at the end of this paragraph will download a tract published in 1860 describing the ups and downs of the life of Richard Gush, after whom the Richard Gush Lecture is named. It is one of the few documents from that time about him. Unfortunately the writer uses the equivalent of the K-word a number of times, which is of course offensive and unacceptable. We reject such language, and distance ourselves from it. We trust that readers will understand the context and the intention.
The life of Richard Gush
2021 Lecture
The 2021 Richard Gush Memorial Lecture was delivered by Marie Odendaal of the KwaZulu-Natal Monthly Meeting. It is titled Creating our world in love’s image — journeying beyond apartheid, and can be viewed on the Quaker Community in Southern Africa YouTube channel.
Lectures from past years
The text or other lecture documents in PDF format can be downloaded by clicking on the links below. There are many lectures for which we do not have documentation. If anyone has copies, please send them to Heath and they will be made available here.
- 2023 — Dr David Niyonzima, Vice-Chancellor of the International Leadership University – Burundi and President of Trauma Healing And Reconciliation Services (THARS): How the Light is Leading Friends. (Good Shepherd Retreat Centre, Hartbeespoort, North West Province)
- 2019 — Helen Vale, Namibia Quaker Community: Re-envisioning the Quaker Testimonies in turbulent times: seeking from the silence. (eMseni Christian Centre, Benoni, Gauteng)
- 2018 — Nancy Fee: Travelling on Inward and Outward Journeys. (Good Shepherd Retreat Centre, Hartbeespoort, North West Province)
- 2016 – Jennifer Kavanagh: No Other: a journey into oneness. (Modderpoort, Free State)
- 2015 abstract — Rob Thomson: Human Economic Activity: Holding Organisations Accountable for an Environmentally, Socially and Economically Sustainable future. (Good Shepherd Retreat Centre, Hartbeespoort, North West Province)
The YM 2015 lecture was based on a then unpublished doctoral thesis. - 2013 — Shelagh Willet: Reverence for Life. (Cape Town, Western Cape)
- 2012 — Gudrun Weeks: Art as Testimony: in praise of music. (Cape Town, Western Cape)
- 2011 — John Schmid: Life. (Kwa-Zulu Natal)
- 2008 — Vernon Gibberd: On Turning the World the Right Way Up. (Grahamstown, Eastern Cape)
- 2007 — Martin Wilkinson: Prophets of Equality. (Hlekweni, Zimbabwe)
- 2006 — Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge. 2006: Speaking Truth to Power – Peace is a Struggle. (Heronbridge, Gauteng)
It may be important for us as a small marginalised religious group to say ‘I am a Quaker and I am proud’ (quoted in Living Adventurously 2008:66).
- 2005 — Jennifer Kinghorn: Mystery, Mysticism and Daily Living: A Quaker Adventure in Difficult Times.
We are not creatures learning to be spiritual; we are spirits learning to live. (quoted in Living Adventurously, 2008:33)
- 2004 — Sheldon Weeks: My life as a Friend and Fellow Traveller
- 2003 — Geoff Harris: Is Peace Possible?
- 2002 — Simon Lamb. A faith worth living
- 2000 — Richard Knottenbelt: Recognition, Identity and Belonging.
- 1999 — H.W. van der Merwe: Quakers and my Pursuit of Justice and Peace in South Africa
- 1996 — Christo Lombard: Reconciliation, Truth and Justice – Breaking the Wall of Silence: Namibian Experiences. (Cape Town, 11 December 1996)
- 1996 — George Ellis: Is Quakerism Viable in the Light of Modern Science?
- 1994 — Guy Butler: African Values that shapes us as African Quakers. (Port Elizabeth)