Bringing people together at the Dolphin Coast Book and Film Club

Driven to make a positive impact and inspired to create togetherness, Clint Le Bruyns is a pioneer for the rainbow nation – one book at a time.

The Westbrook-based social activist, public theologian and radio presenter started the Dolphin Coast Book and Film Club in 2017 with the mission to connect people and start conversation.

“I strive to facilitate social spaces that bring people together who are and think very differently and by nurturing these spaces it gives people a safe place where they can be authentic, open and honest. We can say things we usually would not say and talk about real, difficult issues as long as we are there in a spirit to learn from each other,” said Clint, who has about 300 members in the club that meets monthly in different homes across Durban and the coast.

While the conversations go deep, Clint said people should not be discouraged to join the club as it is not an academics only, formal bookworm setting.

“We are not reading the New York Time’s best sellers. We read books written by young, local people. Stuff that is relatable, helps us get to know one another better and learn from life experiences. It is about making topics that seem heavy and overwhelming interesting and accessible.”

Clint organises meet ups with about 12 people max at a time and said new members often take a while to show up, but when they do, they stay.

“I have two members who are the prime example of what I strive for: a black medical doctor from Limpopo in her early 20’s and a retired white school teacher who met at the club and are now best friends going out for coffee, liking each other’s Instagram posts and talking about love and life.”

The Cape Town born man was not always so open and embracing of all people and said it was thanks to his theology studies that he changed.

“Growing up, I was a conservative, fundamentalist Christian and very judgmental thinking I was helping God by wanting to convert everyone I met. My studies have enlarged my theological imagination and made me a very secular and open person,” said Clint, who has gone on to do his masters in California, then returned to the University of Stellenbosch and completed his doctorate and post doctorate in Ecumenical Systematic Theology.

He has been the director of a theology and development programme at the University of KZN at the Pietermaritzburg campus since 2011 – a unique post graduate course looking at theology and social transformation that attracts people from all over the world.

“I confuse people because I do not fit into boxes. I always tell my students that I do not care what you believe in, as long as your belief is life-giving and life-affirming and does not do damage to earth or any of its beings.

“Studying theology is not about becoming a pastor – we have enough of them. For me it is about contributing critically and constructively to advance the ideals that we dream about such as justice and dignity.”

Far from the stereotype of an academic sitting in a lecture room all day, Clint walks the streets with activists and gets involved in real issues.

“I often get into trouble because of my involvement with human rights activism. I journeyed with the students involved in the #FeesMustFall movement and I am passionate about issues surrounding Palestine – a crisis that is misunderstood and distorted. It is important for the typical student to get out of the classroom and integrate their academic life into everyday issues and see how it enriches and critics what they are studying. It is exhausting but very fulfilling.”

To find out what the club will be reading or watching next or to become a member, check out their Facebook page Dolphin Coast Book and Film Club.

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