At the end of May 2025, the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network – Africa (JENA), participated in the Southern Africa Province's (SAP), first-ever Social Justice Assembly.

The two-day gathering brought together Jesuits and lay collaborators from across the province under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”

Over thirty participants gathered for this inaugural assembly, representing nearly all of the province’s key social institutions. Among those present were delegates from the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) in Zambia, the Jesuit Centre for Ecology and Development (JCED) in Malawi, Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre (KATC), the Jesuit Institute South Africa (JISA), and Silveira House in Zimbabwe. Together, they represented the many faces of the Jesuit commitment to justice, ecology, and reconciliation in the region.

The energy and spirit of the assembly were unmistakable. From the very beginning, there was a palpable sense of shared mission and mutual encouragement. For many attendees, it was their first opportunity to meet colleagues from across the province. The response to the invitation had been enthusiastic and immediate—an early indication of the hunger for connection and deeper collaboration within the apostolate.

One of the highlights of the gathering was the session of apostolic sharing. Each institution took time to present its mission, its context, and the unique challenges it faces. These presentations were far more than organizational updates; they were powerful testimonies of service and solidarity, rooted in the realities of people and communities across Southern Africa. From climate resilience and food security to policy advocacy and civic formation, the diversity of work on display was a striking reminder of the depth and reach of the Society’s social mission. Participants expressing gratitude for the opportunity to learn more about the breadth of the social apostolate within the province.

Capacity-building was another important focus. Sessions on safeguarding and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) were particularly well received, highlighting the appetite for skills development among social justice practitioners. These sessions not only enriched the participants’ professional knowledge but also sparked conversations about future training and mutual support.

Collaboration emerged as a central theme throughout the assembly. Through guided exercises and informal discussions, several opportunities for partnership were identified. For example, a number of social centers expressed interest in Ignatian formation programs for their staff, and JISA (Jesuit Institute South Africa) offered to explore how it might support this need. At the same time, conversations around advocacy highlighted the potential for JCTR (Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection) to accompany other apostolates in developing stronger, coordinated public engagement.

The presence of adjacent works such as St. Peter’s School and the Province Delegate for Spirituality added another layer of richness to the gathering. Their contributions affirmed the value of inviting a wider range of apostolic voices to future assemblies—not just those working in explicitly social centers.

JENA’s presence was also deeply felt throughout the assembly. All three members of the Secretariat played active roles: Fr. Rampe Hlobo, SJ, Director JENA, presided at the opening Mass and offered the final reflection and exhortation; Esther Muraguri, JENA's Programmes Coordinator, facilitated a collaborative brainstorming session; and Cyrus delivered a capacity-building session on advocacy. Their engagement helped reinforce the role of JENA as both a convener and a companion to the social apostolate across the continent.

The SAP Assembly offered a valuable opportunity to reflect on how the Society of Jesus lives its commitment to justice in the region, while also offering practical insights for organizing similar assemblies elsewhere.This Assembly was, in many ways more than a pilot—an experiment in convening, dialogue, and co-creation. It reminded all those present of the power of gathering, the richness of our diversity, and the common mission that binds us. For JENA, it also affirmed the importance of accompaniment, learning, and building a shared path forward. As the network looks ahead to supporting similar assemblies across other provinces in JCAM, the lessons from SAP will serve as both inspiration and guide.