Frank Chikane: defiant preacher

Abstract

Frank Chikane, who served as a missionary before he was ordained a pastor at the age of 28, spent a large part of his adult life defying the apartheid system. From his initial involvement in student movements opposing apartheid to his role in church structures and the mass-based United Democratic Front (UDF) that resisted white minority rule, Chikane epitomises that generation of South Africans who chose defiance in the face of mounting repression, resulting in great personal sacrifice. The son of James and Erenia Chikane, he was born on 3 January 1951 in Orlando West, Soweto. His father was a preacher in the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) church in Naledi, Soweto, where the young Chikane became an active parishioner. He began to serve as secretary of the congregation from the age of 18. Chikane attended Orlando High School in Soweto, and became a member of the Student Christian Movement. His membership of this movement led to debates with non-Christian students who questioned his beliefs by pointing out that white Christians used the Bible to justify their oppression of black people in South Africa. After Chikane matriculated, he registered at the University of the North (Turfloop) in 1972 to study science (majoring in mathematics and science). This was the year in which Abram Ongopotse Tiro was expelled from the university for political activities, leading to a walk-out on campuses around the country.