Brigalia Bam

Brigalia Ntombemhlope Bam (born 1933) is an Anglican women's and social activist and writer.

Personal life Brigalia Ntombemhlope Bam was born in 1933 in the former Transkei, in the Eastern Cape. Although Bam trained and worked as a teacher, she received further training in South Africa and abroad in the fields of social work, communication, and management. She is a qualified social worker with a post-graduate degree from the University of Chicago.

Professional life Bam has held various posts throughout the world. She was the Africa Regional Secretary and Co-ordinator of the Women’s Workers' Programme for the International Food and Allied Workers Association based in Geneva. She has co-ordinated the World Young Men’s Christian Association's International Training Institute and Programme, as well as its affiliate, the Development for Human Rights. She was also Executive Programme Secretary for the Women’s Department of the World Council of Churches. Between 1997 and 1998, Bam served as General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches from 1994 to 1999.

She is the chancellor of the Walter Sisulu University. She is currently a member of the International Elections Advisory Council.

Awards In 1999 the Order of Simon of Cyrene The Order of the Baobab in Silver The 2011 Shoprite Checkers Women of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation 2013 Honorary Doctorate in Literature, March 2019, University of the Witwatersrand

Publications 1971: What is Ordination Coming To? 1979: New Perspectives for Third World Women 1994: Women Voices Worldwide 1998: All about Eve: women of Africa in Anglicanism: A Global Communion 1986: Priorities for Women in South Africa in Speaking of faith: cross-cultural perspectives on women, religion and social change