Written by Emmerentia du Plessis

A local minister of religion, Dr. Wilhelm van Deventer, was honoured for his outstanding contribution to community life when he received the Calvary Empowerment Award at the national Calvary Christian Church (CCC) Honorary Awards Ceremony. Dr. van Deventer is blind. This ceremony was held in Lwamondo, a Village near Louis Trichardt in Limpopo Province, on Saturday, 26 February. His wife, Dr. Claire van Deventer, accompanied him.

The inscription on the award certificate is a testimony of Dr. Van Deventer’s journey from a humble beginning into greatness, touching the hearts of needy people and attending to their needs. By this award the CCC, member of the African Independent and Indigenous Churches, acknowledges that his leadership skills, selflessness and generosity has clearly communicated the message that a person’s greatness is not determined by what he receives, but what he gives, and they encourage him not to grow weary in doing good, for in due season he will reap the harvest.

Dr. Van Deventer views the award as an honour, and says: "I put it all down to grace - the grace of God and the grace of the communities who allowed me so many opportunities to serve and learn from them." He further states his belief that the beginning and end of all knowledge, insight and wisdom lie largely with the most marginalised people and not only with institutions of excellence. He views having had the privilege of a life of involvement in an integration of both these contexts as a gift to treasure and share.

The CCC Honorary Awards was attended by thousands of delegates, and traditional dancers and choirs provided joyous entertainment. The Awards aim to acknowledge and give honour to veterans and achievers in various fields in life. The recipients are nominated by the Calvary Christian Church Council and Advisory Board. The recipients are chosen from different spheres at local, provincial and national level, including business, politics, religion, sports, media, community building, leadership and education. Other recipients in the national categories awarded this year include Neil Tovey (former national soccer captain) en Rebecca Molope (well-known gospel singer and TV presenter).

The African Independent and Indigenous Churches have the largest membership of all churches in South Africa. CCC is part of this group of churches, becoming one of the bigger and faster growing of its kind.

Dr. van Deventer says he is honoured and humbled by this award. He currently serves as minister of religion at the Uniting Reformed Church, Promosa.

Background on Dr. van Deventer

Wilhelm van Deventer was born in Cape Town in 1952 and thereafter grew up in Swellendam and Bellville. He matriculated at the Pioneer School for the Blind in Worcester and completed his theological studies at the University of Stellenbosch. Wilhelm did a Master’s in Pastoral Family Therapy at the University of Pretoria and a MA and PhD in Dogmatics, Ethics and Practical Theology at the University of the North.

Upon receipt of his doctorate, Former President Nelson Mandela also acknowledged Wilhelm with honour for his life-long commitment and contributions to intercultural church and community work amongst marginalised Black, White, Coloured and Asian people in South Africa, including people living with disabilities.

From the age of fifteen Wilhelm was involved in such endevours in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Limpopo and Northwest Provinces. From 1982 to 1998 he, his wife and three children lived, worked and schooled in the Greater Thohoyandou Area.

Wilhelm is currently Minister of Religion in the service of the Uniting Reformed Church Promosa and also works with FAMSA POTCHEFSTROOM as Specialist Counsellor.