Government is looking up to the church as a partner in building a society that is founded on sound family and human values that also that places a high premium on morality, human solidarity and collectivism, North West Acting Premier and MEC for Finance, Paul Sebegoe assured the Platinum Circuit of the Methodist Women’s Prayer and Service Union Manyano Convention that ended on Sunday.
In his keynote address delivered at the reception service for the over 4 000 women who had gathered for the 58th convention held at the Mogwase Stadium near Sun City on Friday evening, Acting Premier Sebegoe said that Crime, corruption, gender based violence and the abuse of women and children threaten to dim the flame of hope that was lit in 1994 at the dawn of freedom and democracy.
“Religious institutions, like the church, continue to play an important role in nurturing our young democracy. They are centres of influence in society. They are especially powerful because they play a major role in forming and informing the consciousness of our people. In the African context in particular, religion is a major source of the development of worldview and values,” Sebegoe highlighted.
Sebegoe said that the church is better positioned to foster meaningful change as it one of the necessary institutions that the government can tap in and partner with in a fight for better life for all.
“The task therefore of the church is to encourage positive collaboration amongst community organs so as to work for the improvement of people’s conditions,” the Acting Premier emphasised.
He appealed to the women prayer and service union that had earlier in the day gone to pray at the infamous Marikana koppie and plant a tree of hope and remembrance to be at the forefront of efforts to build moral, humane and caring communities and to assist spread the message of respect as well as good, honest and ethical behavior in communities.
Evangelist Elise Ledwaba from Magalakwena Circuit in Limpopo who was part of the prayer service at Marikana said that the visit was to show love and to signify that the church cares for the families of those who lost their loved ones in the tragic incident.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele (Spokesperson)
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
