On December 15, 2024, the parish of St. John Climacus in Cape Town held a charity fair in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The event was organized by parishioners, led by Matushka Anastasia Esterhuizen, with all proceeds directed towards purchasing Christmas gifts for children from Steinthal Child and Youth Care Centre in Tulbagh. This was reported by the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.  

The parish of St. John Climacus is one of the younger Orthodox communities in South Africa. The church was established through the efforts of the rector, Fr. Nicholas Esterhuizen, and the active involvement of parishioners. The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated in April 2023. Services are conducted in Church Slavonic, English, and Afrikaans, reflecting the diverse congregation, which includes Russians, Ukrainians, Serbs, English, and Afrikaners – descendants of Dutch settlers.  

Community members play an active role in parish life and beautification. In October, new icons, painted by parishioner and artist Ksenia Zimmermann, were blessed and installed.  

Additionally, construction of a chapel dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord is underway near Tulbagh in the Western Cape Province. The chapel is being built by the parishioners of St. John Climacus through their own efforts.