North West Premier Thandi Modise has called on communities not to heed calls for them not to exercise their hard won right to vote.
Premier Modise made the appeal at the Methodist Church Easter service held in Kanana outside Orkney on Sunday where she handed over 13 wheelchairs and food parcels to people with disabilities.
“For as much as God gave Adam and Eve the ability to make their choices, we must exercise our right to choose by voting,” Premier Modise who was accompanied by MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Motlalepula Rosho, Provincial Chairperson of Disabled People South Africa and Member of the Provincial Legislature, Pastor Aucharle Mothupi and Provincial Head of Department for Social Development, Advocate Tshidi Mogale said.
Modise said that Jesus’ life was about bringing peace and development; hence leaders must emulate this by having integrity and being trustworthy.
“We must exercise tolerance, respect one another, and remember that we are all made in the image of God, regardless of our culture, ethnicity, race, or even gender. We are a caring and compassionate government, we love you in times of pain, in times of disability, in times of poverty, in times of prosperity; we love you all the time!,” she emphasised to the church that was filled to its full capacity to the extent that other congregants had to listen from outside.
Monnapule Mothubu, one of the wheelchair recipients said “I’m extremely happy to be receiving this wheelchair, I use to sit on my bed from sunrise to sunset, with very little movement; I’m glad that now I will be able to move around with ease.”
In expressing appreciation on behalf of his congregation, Rev Claupus Molokoane said that the Methodist Church continues to assist the less fortunate and is grateful for the support that it is receiving from government and will be encouraging all its members to cast their votes on elections day.
In her second address delivered at the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Provincial Easter conference also held in Kanana, Premier Modise urged the church to pray against wrong things experienced across the world, in the country and province and for peaceful and orderly elections.
“I speak with my God everyday as I was raised with the saying that, do not fight your own battles, let God fight for you!” The premier told the worshipers.
In his vote of thanks, the local Pastor Abaiel Khubeka echoed Pastor Aucharle Mothopi’s introductory message read from 1 Timothy Chapter 2 verse 2 that there cannot be government without God “This is not the Premier’s first visit to our area, which shows that she loves us and doesn’t come only during Easter / election time! She has managed to leave her high glory office and come down to the people; this is the service delivery we want!,” Pastor Khubeka said.
“We are deeply touched and honoured by the Premier’s gesture of good deeds. We can see that her government cares” said 18 year old Tisetso Mabalane. “I was inspired by the Premier’s message and feel positively confident about the future,” said Dipuo Moremi a community member of Kanana.
Solomon Damene from Jouberton echoed Moremi’s sentiments saying, “ I have always asked myself about how politicians and government leaders perceive the Lord almighty; however today I have been answered, these are respectful and God fearing leaders whom I am proud to follow!”
Enquries:
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