Abakhululi Foundation

The Abakhululi Prison ministry had a humble beginning in Pollsmoor prison in 1996 when the South African government recognized the importance of offender rehabilitation. Many churches participated in activities aimed at helping prisoners, and various ministries started to offer their services.

However, it was Mr. van Hansen, the Spiritual Care Coordinator, who identified the need for greater efficiency by having ministries with similar objectives work together. Thus, a fraternal Prison Ministry was established between five church groups, headed by Pastors Theunissen, Williams, and Clayton.

In 2005, Pastor Theunissen and the fraternal leadership hosted a forest summit where they decided to change the ministry’s name to Abakhululi Prison Ministry, meaning ‘to liberate’ in Xhoza. The new objective was to help people get free from slavery to sin and emphasise the re-entry of offenders coming from prison.

Pastor Theunissen identified properties on which ex-offenders could receive further assistance, but the ministry could not secure the funding needed to make it a reality. However, the ministry persevered and, with coaching and counseling, many ex- offenders integrated into the Abakhululi system, becoming part of the Abakhululi outreach.

To expand their reach, the ministry began to visit schools, broken communities, and prisons, helping many incarcerated individuals. They grew to cover a vast area of the Cape Flats, spreading from the Western, Southern, Northern, and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa to Namibia. Additionally, Pastor Theunissen established a Church congregation in Willowmore. In 2014, due to his responsibilities pastoring two churches in different provinces, Pastor Theunissen decided not to be re-elected as the chairperson of Abakhululi Prison Ministry.

 Pastor Bergover took over the leadership of the ministry, and they changed their name to Abakhululi Foundation.

With persistence and hard work, the ministry has since grown to 100 members, continuing to impact many communities with increased momentum. Despite the loss of some founder members, the Abakhululi journey is proof that one person’s idea can lead to a significant impact on society, even with limited resources. Through serving others, the ministry has liberated many people, bringing hope to the once-lost. 

In conclusion, the Abakhululi Ministry has come a long way and will continue their mission to touch the lives of many people in the future.