About South Africa
The current population of South Africa is 61,489,859 (2023), based on the latest United Nations data, with a median age of 27.6 years. There is large disparity between rich and poor with unemployment stats of 41.1% (Q1, 2024).
South Africa has 40 spoken languages of which 11 are officially recognised (Zulu; Xhosa; Afrikaans; English; Sotho; Pedi; Tswana; Tsonga; Swazi; Venda; Ndebele). Although the literacy rate is listed as 82.4% this is much lower in reality. The Bible has been translated into 16 langagues, and the New Testament into another language.
There is freedom of religion however an emphasis on pluralism and diversity has given high profile to ethnic African religions, Islam, Hinduism, humanism and the interfaith movement, somewhat at the expense of South Africa's Christian majority (approx. 80%). African Traditional Religion is embedded in many of the African-initiated churches as is the prosperity gospel, which has led to exploitation of the poor and other abuses. Good Biblical training is needed to inform and strengthen believers and church leaders.
Training
Above: Evangelists from Dorothea Mission
Veritas registered as a non-profit organisation in South Africa in 1997. We have more than 250 facilitators country-wide and work in all provinces. Our training year runs from 1 July to 30 June annually.
How training is offered
Veritas College Training in South Africa is offered face-to-face, online, or via a combination of face-to-face and online classes, depending on the context and location of the participants and the facilitator. Our material is available in Afrikaans, English, Sesotho, isiZulu and isiXhosa.
Where the training is offered
Training is integrated into the life and ministry of the local church, with facilitators making use of church facilities or other available venues. Participants usually sit around a table on which they can conveniently work from the Bible and their Veritas Workbook.
Left: Exegesis is hard work. Right: Training by lamplight in KwaZulu-Natal
Accreditation
The Committee Of Accreditation (COA) of the Association of Biblical Higher Education in the USA has granted full accreditation to VCI's MA, MDiv and DMin degrees. The first Masters class with South African students launched in September 2023. Prospective students who would like to study further are welcome to contact Dr. Tiesie de Coning at
More information?
Click here to download our VCI South Africa brochure
Partner with us
Local volunteers - can you help us with your knowledge, talents and experience?
Bible training - would you like to become a facilitator and facilitate Bible training for your own church or community?
Newsletters & website info - can you help us with your media skills? We need people who can take photos, produce short videos, write newsletters and keep our website info up to date.
International volunteers - Contact us if you want to discuss how your skills and experience could be put to use. We would be delighted to discuss it with you.
Testimonies
"I learnt so much more than was just in the book, thanks to you. I know that God reveals Himself to us through his Word primarily, but I have never really understood how the Psalms & Wisdom books, especially the prophets, do that. Module 3 has unlocked a large part of the Bible for me and I have gained knowledge and understanding that has really contributed to my spiritual growth and my getting to know the Lord even more. I am so grateful for the skills that I have learnt through Veritas."
