Mr Edwin Makue
General Secretary
South African Council of Churches

Geneva, 06 May 2010

Dear Mr Makue,

We have received the news of the death of Ms Sheena Duncan with a deep sense of loss and sadness.

We would like to join the South African Council of Churches and several others around the world who were committed to the vision of an apartheid free South Africa to thank God for her life and witness on the one hand and for the memories and models that she has left behind on the other.

While paying these tributes to her in gratitude for her partnership in the struggle, I would also like to acknowledge for what she was known for- for her exemplary leadership to the church organizations that she was responsible, for the Black Sash movement and for her outstanding contribution to the causes of justice, human rights and political freedom. The Black Sash movement has inspired other movements of “women in black” in their witness for reconciliation and just peace.

My heartfelt condolences to the family and to the SACC.

Sincerely yours,

Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit
General secretary
World Council of Churches