Originally published in Israel Today
A high-level delegation of South African Christian leaders visited Israel in mid-November with a clear mission: to witness the reality on the ground, strengthen long-standing ties with the Jewish state and return home as “ambassadors for truth” at a time when diplomatic ties between Jerusalem and Pretoria are under intense strain.
Three members of the delegation — Shaun Zagnoev, chairman of the South African Friends of Israel (SAFI); Pastor Bert Pretorius, founder and president of the South African Community of Faith-based Fraternals and Federations (SACOFF); and Prophetess Anthea Gordon, founder and lead pastor of the Rock Christian Church in Cape Town — spoke out during a visit to the JNS studio in Jerusalem on November 11.
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Their message, delivered with deep conviction, was that the true story of Israel cannot be understood through headlines, slogans or social media. It must be seen, felt and experienced firsthand.
Zagnoev, an Orthodox Jew who lives in Johannesburg and organised the trip together with SAFI’s CEO Daniel Yakcobi, said SAFI was established to counter the growing misconception that South Africa is uniformly hostile to Israel. That image, he said, is promoted by a small but vocal ruling class that does not represent the hearts and views of ordinary South Africans.
“Christianity is the dominant religion in South Africa,” he said. “When you look beyond the politics, the overwhelming majority of South Africans want to engage with Israel, not isolate it. We have millions of friends of Israel in our country. Our purpose is to ensure Israelis know that — and to ensure South Africans have access to the truth.”
He argued that South Africa is an “anomaly” in today’s polarised landscape: a country whose government takes some of the harshest anti-Israel positions on the world stage, even as its society remains one of the least antisemitic anywhere.
“Jews walk freely with kippot, our synagogues are safe, our campuses are safe,” Zagnoev said. “The government’s stance is totally out of step with the people.”
A spiritual journey
For Pretorius, whose church network represents more than 10 million South African evangelicals and who is considered “the voice of evangelical Christians in South Africa”, the visit carried profound spiritual significance.
“Being here is always emotional,” he said. “Israel is part of our Christian identity. When we walk the land of the Bible, we don’t only feel connected — we feel responsible. We want to stand with Israel in truth, but also in the hope of peace and reconciliation.”
Pretorius said that South Africa’s difficult history — its legacy of apartheid, trauma and national healing — gives its Christian leadership a unique perspective.
“Our history teaches us that accusations and shouting never bring change,” he said. “Continual engagement is what transforms societies. You engage, you engage again, and you keep engaging. This is how healing happens. And it’s how we want to contribute to Israel.”
The delegation, which included Reverend Kenneth Meshoe, the founder and leader of the African Christian Democratic Party, visited sites across the Holy Land — from Shiloh to Jerusalem’s Old City, and from Christian pilgrimage sites in northern Israel to communities devastated in the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023.
Pretorius said that these encounters with the biblical past and Israel’s present-day challenges helped the South African Christian leaders understand the complexity of the region.
“When you stand in this land, you see how simplistic and destructive the propaganda is,” he said. “What we want is honest engagement. That’s why we came.”
‘False narratives’
Gordon, a respected religious leader and legal advocate, said her first trip to Israel had been an overwhelming spiritual experience. She described seeing the landscape of the Bible, walking through Yad Vashem and meeting Israelis of all backgrounds affected by terrorism as “life-changing.”
“Propaganda is designed to be propaganda,” she said. “But when you come to Israel and you see people, families, children, communities — when you see the coexistence, the diversity — you can no longer accept the false narratives.”
Gordon said her impressions had reaffirmed her belief in the central role of faith education back home. “Everything begins in the home. If we want the next generation of South Africans to understand Israel truthfully, we have to teach our children the foundations of Christian faith. We must prepare them to walk in truth and in peace.”
Zagnoev said that bringing South African leaders to Israel has proven to be the most effective tool in countering the “apartheid” libel frequently leveled by the government in South Africa, which was ruled by an apartheid regime from 1948 to 1994, when the country held its first multiracial democratic elections and chose Nelson Mandela as its president.
He recalled one pivotal moment more than a decade ago when Meshoe — a veteran member of Parliament and one of South Africa’s most respected Christian leaders — visited Israel. After seeing Israeli society up close, Meshoe concluded that the “apartheid” label was not only inaccurate but morally offensive.
“He said, ‘This comparison insults the memory of what we endured,’” Zagnoev recounted. “Anyone who fought apartheid knows that Israel is nothing like it. So when our leaders see Israel for themselves, the truth becomes undeniable.”
A message of hope
Pretorius stressed that South Africa is a nation at a crossroads, struggling with political instability, corruption, economic challenges and social fragmentation. Many South African Christians, he said, are looking to Israel as an example of resilience, innovation and national purpose.
“South Africa is worth fighting for, and so is Israel,” he said. “We want our two nations to benefit from each other’s strengths — whether it’s in agriculture, water technology, education, innovation or shared spiritual foundations. We believe that Israel has a role to play in South Africa’s rebuilding.”
He cautioned, however, that changing public narratives requires patience and perseverance. “It doesn’t happen overnight,” he said. “But every visit, every relationship, every honest conversation helps. And we are committed to this work.”
For Gordon, the guiding principle of the delegation was simple: “This is not about politics or race. It’s about recognising good and standing against evil. It’s about truth, justice and faith.”
She said her message to South African Christians upon returning home would be clear. “Come to Israel. See the truth. Build relationships. Pray for peace. Stand for righteousness.”
Zagnoev echoed that sentiment. “We are building a movement of South Africans — Christians, Jews, people of all backgrounds — who believe in the partnership between our nations,” he said. “We want to create bridges, not barriers.”
Despite diplomatic tensions and legal battles between the South African government and Israel, all three members of the delegation expressed optimism that people-to-people relations can create a new foundation for the future.
“Governments change,” Pretorius said. “But hearts, faith, relationships — those endure.”
The delegation’s visit ended with meetings in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, where they spoke with Israeli officials, church leaders, survivors of terrorism and young volunteers. At a farewell dinner in Jerusalem, they said they were leaving Israel determined not only to share facts, but also personal testimony.
“In the end, the most powerful message is the truth,” Gordon said. “And the truth is here. We have seen it. And we will speak it.”
Their mission, they emphasised, was one of faith, friendship and a shared belief that South Africa and Israel — two nations with painful histories and resilient spirits — have much to learn from and contribute to one another.
“Our friendship is real,” Zagnoev concluded. “And we are here to strengthen it.”
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