Habits of the Heart, founded by St John’s College in partnership with the Anglican Board of Education in Southern Africa, is set to return for its fourth year from 3 to 6 October.
Anchored in the teachings and musings of the late Nobel Peace Price Winner, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu—an icon of our country’s democracy and a global figure of humanity and restoration—Habits of the Heart IV attempts to offer a response to the questions of our times, providing an opportunity for meaningful engagement.
This year’s event will take place over four days, including the Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu Memorial Mass and Parents' Conversation with Thandi Chaane on Thursday, 3 October, the Habits of the Heart Student Forum on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 October and the Tutu Memorial Walk on Sunday 6 October.
We invite our greater community and representatives from Anglican schools across South Africa to come together to collectively discuss, learn, walk, and pray for a more just and equitable society.
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu Memorial Service
When: Thursday, 3 October 2024 at 07h30
Where: The Memorial Chapel, St John’s College
Habits of the Heart will commence with the Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu Memorial Service in memory of the late global icon Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
Parents' Conversation with Thandi Chaane
When: Thursday, 3 October 2024 at 18h00
Our parents are warmly invited to an important conversation on Sustaining our Collective Humanity with well-known speaker and facilitator Thandi Chaane, Chair of the Board at our sister school, St. Mary's School, Waverley. Join us as we explore how, together, we can nurture compassion, empathy, and unity within our community and beyond.
Habits of the Heart IV Student Forum
When: Friday 4 October, and Saturday 5 October 2024
Theme: Social Sustainability
This year’s Habits of the Heart Student Forum will be entirely student-led, welcoming participants from fellow Anglican schools, neighbouring and partner schools, and other institutions. Guided by Desmond Tutu's words: "Give young people a greater voice. They are the future, and they are much wiser than we give them credit for," the forum will centre on Social Sustainability.
Key topics will include sustaining school leadership, promoting social equity, enhancing community service, and how we can encourage high school graduates to invest in our country's future. The forum will feature guest speakers, workshops, a community service project, and a panel discussion. The student leaders will compile the findings into a report to be published and shared with our broader community.
The Student Forum aims to provide students a platform to lead, discuss and problem-solve.
The Habits of the Heart Student Forum is by invitation only
Give young people a greater voice. They are the future, and they are much wiser than we give them credit for.
Tutu Memorial Walk
When: Sunday 6 October 2024 at 07h30
Where: Departing from D Field at St John’s Pre-Preparatory.
Distance: 6kms
The Tutu Memorial Walk is a 6km community journey that brings together our students, staff, parents, and community leaders to reflect on Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s teachings and engage about our shared humanity and the quest for a just society.
Led by students and leaders of schools and churches, we will walk the streets of our diverse precinct of Houghton, Hillbrow, Berea and Yeoville to symbolise the movement of our hearts and minds toward a future where all individuals can feel safe, loved, and free. Together, we’ll explore the pathways of collective well-being and healing as a global family.
Everyone is welcome, and tickets for the Tutu Memorial Walk will be available through Webtickets from 10 September 2024.