ACTS: A Catholic Home for Catholic Students
For Catholic students at tertiary institutions, there is an association that offers fellowship, activities and help, while also building the faith.
South Africa’s university campuses will be abuzz with activity in February as first-years arrive for orientation and their 101 classes, and older students return to continue their studies. Especially the first-years, but also other students, will be keen to find associations and societies they might join for activities, help and friendship. For Catholics on campus, the Association of Catholic Tertiary Students (ACTS) provides all of these qualities.
“ACTS is an academic organisation which aims to help Catholic students encounter Christ and joyfully announce him to others, guided by the pastoral plan of the SACBC, and unite people in the Catholic faith, especially the young people in tertiary institutions,” said Boipelo Dladla, the national secretary for media and publicity of ACTS.
Full membership is open to full-time students in tertiary institutions who are baptised in the Catholic Church. For part-time students and former members there is the option of associate membership. “Those who are not Catholic but interested in the faith can join through the office of Liturgy and Evangelisation at their institution. The officer can help with the process of joining the Catholic Church with the help of the chaplain,” Boipelo added.
Congregants at a campus Mass of the Association of Catholic Tertiary Students,
Currently there are 37 ACTS branches across South Africa, with more yet to be formed. Each branch has a chaplain who is in charge of spiritual guidance. “The guidance is dependent on each chaplain and the needs of the individual,” Boipelo explained.
“Activities offered vary across branches and they can include outreach programmes, conferences, social recreational settings, and liturgy, among others,” she said. While ACTS encourages members to take part in these activities, it is not compulsory to do so.
Aside from providing opportunity for activities and interaction, ACTS is also a support system for members. If one has problems on campus, “ACTS offers help in any way possible, depending on the situation. Where direct help cannot be offered, the leadership will help the person find the appropriate person,” Boipelo said. “For example, in the cases of people with mental health issues, ACTS may not have psychologists, but the leadership can assist through hosting mental health awareness activities, to equip members with information and people to contact,” she said.
Friendship after graduation
And the relationship with ACTS doesn’t need to end after graduation, Boipelo pointed out. “Members have a choice to still be part of the association after graduation as associate members through the alumni office in their respective branches.”
ACTS was established in 1993 after both the Catholic Students’ Association (CASA) and the National Catholic Federation of Students (NCFS) at historically black and white campuses respectively were dissolved to form a united body. As a student-driven faith community, ACTS is located within the Catholic chaplaincies of universities. It has established branches at various universities, technikons and teacher training colleges around South Africa.
(Left) ACTS’s national secretary for media, Boipelo Dladla. (Right) ACTS logo
According to its constitution, the association seeks to empower youth spirituality and support the development of the Church within the context of South Africa, and is driven by the principles of ecumenism, non-racialism and non-sexism. Programmes and activities are intended to respond to “signs of the times”. ACTS also has an outreach programme that sees the association working with companies to generate funds towards community and social development.
Catholic students should join ACTS “so that they have an opportunity to enhance their Catholic faith even when they’re away from home; to advocate for the truth that the Catholic Church teaches us; and just so that they stay in touch with the Lord through the activities of the association,” said Boipelo. “The association also aims to assist students in the four pillars of formation namely: human, spiritual, doctrinal and academic.”
For more information on ACTS visit www.sacbcacts.org.za
How to Join ACTS
To join ACTS, simply look for its branches on campuses or contact the provincial chairpersons (details below) to be directed to their respective institutions.
Students in the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga may contact the ACTS national secretary-general Dominic Ntondini at .
- Furgione Graduates Rome Film School with Honours - March 3, 2026
- Mass Readings: 8 March – 15 March, 2026 - March 3, 2026
- Pope Leo: Jesus is Living Wisdom - March 2, 2026
