The Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (Dutch Reformed Church of Africa), or NHKA, had been excluded from the global Reformed alliance because of the theological and biblical backing the church gave to the system of white domination under which South Africa was governed from 1948 until the early 1990s.
The church has applied to rejoin WARC but the alliance’s executive committee said in 2005 that the NHKA first needed to demonstrate to the churches in South Africa and the world that it has renounced apartheid “fully and completely.”
WARC general secretary, the Rev. Setri Nyomi told the committee, “Our discussions showed a deep division in the church about moving beyond apartheid.” Nyomi, a Presbyterian from Ghana, added, “It was our determination that they were not ready for readmission.” He noted, however, “There were a few voices that … were committed to challenge the leadership of their church.”
