South Africa
Our Harbours
“The CSO aims to bring the Good News of God’s Love to each person involved in a maritime life.”
Harbour 01
Cape Town
Founded on 9 November 1944, the CSO began by caring for the needs of Dutch soldiers and seafarers on their way to and from Indonesia.
For many years, only Dutch ships were given any attention but gradually it became clear that there were immense opportunities for mission work to be done amongst ALL the seafarers in the Cape Town harbour.
Over time the work became fully interdenominational, opening its doors to maritime workers of every background and nationality.
Harbour 02
Durban
Since 1972 the work really showed progress. From Cape Town, Durban, South Africa's largest harbour, became the next harbour we started working.
Harbour 03
Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Coega
In 1991 we started working in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) harbour. We started off with a half-time worker but it has now grown to a full-time post!
We have an office near the harbour where the missionary can store Bibles and other literature as well as use it to talk to seafarers.
We started working in Coega in 2010.
Harbour 04
Richards Bay
Although we were not there to meet the first ship in Richards Bay, we started working in the harbour shortly after.
We have two different storage areas we rent in the harbour for our harbour worker.
Harbour 05
Saldanha Bay
At the end of 1975 we decided to appoint our first harbour missionary in Saldanha Bay.
We were fortunate in finding a retired couple who could speak several languages.
The work officially began in 1976 and today there is a full time minister working in the harbour.