JRS in South Africa: new Regional Director appointed

Father David Holdcroft SJ has been appointed Regional Director of Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in Southern Africa.  The former Director of JRS Australia has served as JRS Country Director in South Africa since August 2009.  When he takes up his appointment officially on 20 June, he will take charge of all JRS operations south of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including Angola, Malawi and Zimbabwe, as well as South Africa.

Assessing the challenges ahead in his new role, Fr Holdcroft said: 'The main migration flows affecting us at present are the huge and continuing outflow of around two million people from Zimbabwe to the surrounding countries, the outflow from North Kivu province of DRC where there is ongoing conflict and, with lesser impact in our region, the continuing exodus of Somalians from that part of the world.'

The Jesuit Regional Superior of South Africa, Father David Smolira SJ, described Fr Holdcroft's appointment as 'inspired'. 'David has already worked in Zambia and in South Africa for JRS, so knows much of the local situation well,' he said. 'He is very gifted in both leadership and administration.'

Fr Smolira said the JRS Country Director in South Africa had done 'an excellent job, in quite a difficult and demanding situation', adding that the Jesuits in the country will be sorry to see him move on from his post as Country Director so quickly, but are nonetheless delighted that he will remain in South Africa while undertaking his new Regional Director's assignment. 'I wish him well with his new responsibilities and look forward to working with him on the JRS Regional Advisory Council.'


 Jesuits in South Africa

 Jesuit Refugee Service