PIONEER
Kenneth Raselabe Joseph Meshoe
Teacher | Religious leader | Negotiator
Born: 18 January 1954
“The ACDP would like to see a Constitution that is the supreme law of the land, a Constitution that protects not only the rights of individuals but also those of unborn children. The ACDP wishes to see a Constitution that will be legitimate, enduring and that upholds biblical, family and traditional values.”
Who is
Kenneth Raselabe Joseph Meshoe?
Founding President of the African Democratic Christian Party (ACDP) who participated as a negotiator in the transition to a democratic South Africa.
Professions
and Roles
Reverend, politician, teacher, and acting Member of Parliament (MP) for the ACDP in Parliament.
Best Known For
Founding the ACDP and becoming its first President.
Life highlights
- Meshoe studied high school teaching in 1975 from the University of the North and had a brief teaching career.
- Meshoe then moved into preaching and studied Theology in the United states in 1983.
- In 1993, Meshoe established a Christian political party called the ACDP and he became its first President.
- In 1994, he was elected into Parliament and represented the ACDP throughout the Constitution making process. Meshoe has served as a Parliamentarian since 1994.
- Meshoe has an honorary doctorate from the Bethel Christian College in Riverside, California, and another from the Logos Graduate School in Florida, United States of America.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
“We argued, among other things, for the inclusion of freedom of religion, belief, conscience and opinion in the Bill of Rights. These were all granted. This clause helped to promote cultural and religious diversity in our society that made tolerance and acceptance of all faiths to be the norm.
Even though the ACDP was the only political party that voted against the Constitution because of some provisions in it that offended our religious beliefs, once adopted, we accepted it as supreme over all other laws in the land.”
– Kenneth Meshoe
“I learned many invaluable lessons during the two years of drafting a Constitution that is hailed by many in the world today. Looking back at those two years of debates, I can truly say our democracy is maturing, and there is much more tolerance and understanding between members of different political parties, and am delighted for the opportunity I was given by God and the CDP to be part of a historic moment of crafting a very important document that protects and guarantees our freedom.”
– Kenneth Meshoe
IN THE WORDS OF OTHERS
“A great visionary and leader, Reverend Kenneth Meshoe MP started out as a teacher before embarking on a successful career as a pastor and political leader.
Rev Meshoe founded the African Christian Democratic Party in December 1993, believing that Christians should be in positions of leadership at the forefront of change in South Africa, to ensure that our country is a blessed and prosperous nation.”
– ACDP Official Statement
