South Africa is renowned for its natural and cultural beauty and for being one of the world’s youngest democracies. It is also known as one of the world’s most violent nations. Crime, unemployment, gender-based violence, and government corruption are all hallmarks of this southern African nation of 59 million people.
Located at the University of Cape Town (UCT), the YMCA Christian Study Centre has been shaping the hearts and minds of students for nearly 80 years. UCT is regularly ranked as the best university in Africa and trains many future leaders of South Africa and beyond.
The UCT YMCA Christian Study Centre (the Y) is a diverse, inter-denominational community in which students learn to integrate faith in Christ with their learning and with all of life. We equip students with a vision to serve God and to pursue the common good wherever God places them in society after they graduate.
We host a range of activities designed to form body, mind and spirit. Throughout the week we offer seminars on theology, vocation and culture; Bible studies; reading groups for postgraduate students; and prayer meetings. Weekly highlights include our midweek Community Meal on Wednesdays and Wisdom over Waffles on Friday afternoons.
During weekdays, students visit our Hall for free tea and coffee and to study, rest or meet friends. We also host an annual conference that explores how the gospel of God’s Kingdom informs how we view ourselves, God’s world, and our role within it his plan of redemption.
Nine students participate in our Living and Learning Community – our yearlong residential life program – and another half dozen take part in our Student Leadership Committee. These groups have many opportunities for leadership, discipleship and growth, and for the slow but vital work of life-on-life discipleship.