Stories from the Wild

In our inaugural episode, we have a conversation with Bishop Paul Verryn, Methodist minister, human rights advocate, captivating mystic and champion of the poor. He describes the work he is currently doing around South Africa, hearings in communities called Spaces of Hope. Reminiscent of, but not related to the TRC, these hearings invite anyone to bring any subject matter to the fore. This ranges from apartheid wounds still wide open, to current human rights violations and all the trauma, difficulty and sadness in between. Its a phenomenal initiative that can play a critical role in South Africa’s health and functionality. The second part of the interview is much more personal. We wanted to know how he not only survived decades of trauma, his own and those around him, but how he remains functional, focussed, active and passionate in the world. We asked him what he did to survive the public attack on his person by Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in 1998 when she accused him of molesting children, a charge he was cleared of. In this tender conversation, Bishop Verryn talks frankly and generously about how he overcame this devastating trauma. He also tells us what he draws on to do his work, and why he is so focussed on poor and marginalised people and what that means spiritually. Credits: Interview by Stella Horgan Sound recording and edit by Becky Harmon Final Mix by Brendan Jury Music by Rooiboklaagte B Assemblies of God Youth Choir https://soundcloud.com/storiesfromthewild

In our inaugural episode, we have a conversation with Bishop Paul Verryn, Methodist minister, human rights advocate, captivating mystic and champion of the poor. He describes the work he is currently doing around South Africa, hearings in communities called Spaces of Hope. Reminiscent of, but not related to the TRC, these hearings invite anyone to bring any subject matter to the fore. This ranges from apartheid wounds still wide open, to current human rights violations and all the trauma, difficulty and sadness in between. Its a phenomenal initiative that can play a critical role in South Africa’s health and functionality. The second part of the interview is much more personal. We wanted to know how he not only survived decades of trauma, his own and those around him, but how he remains functional, focussed, active and passionate in the world. We asked him what he did to survive the public attack on his person by Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in 1998 when she accused him of molesting children, a charge he was cleared of. In this tender conversation, Bishop Verryn talks frankly and generously about how he overcame this devastating trauma. He also tells us what he draws on to do his work, and why he is so focussed on poor and marginalised people and what that means spiritually. Credits: Interview by Stella Horgan Sound recording and edit by Becky Harmon Final Mix by Brendan Jury Music by Rooiboklaagte B Assemblies of God Youth Choir