Abstract:
The arrival of Jan van Riebeeck in the Cape in 1652 brought the reformed faith to
Southern Africa. For nearly two hundred years the government in the Cape not only
protected the reformed religion, but also prohibited any other form of religion. This
changed with the introduction of the Church Order of de De Mist in 1804. Other
Christian denominations and even other religions were then allowed. This article describes
the changes that took place with the introduction of the Church Order of De
Mist. It then compares the Church Order of De Mist with the current Constitution of
the Republic of South Africa in order to illustrate that the introduction of the Church
Order of De Mist was indeed the start of religious freedom in South Africa.
