On Thursday, 12 September, the Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, Hon. Supra Mahumapelo kick started the launch of the programme for the Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal Prayer Service at Tlokwe City Hall in Potchefstroom, to relay a message of forgiveness and advance on the objective of building a national democratic society.
The programme aims to continue taking place at other local and district municipalities; where ultimately it will advance into a united rally of all municipalities in the province planned on the 16 December 2013.
Those expected to attend will be members from various structures on the different sectors such as traditional leadership, religious, arts and culture, higher learning, people with disability, elderly, women, youth, children sectors and every other member of the society.
As Pastors, Reverends and Bishops from various Methodist, Evangelic Assemblies raised their hands united in prayer and giving inspiring sermons of hope, forgiveness and healing to all political leaders who attended the session, many were shifted in consciousness to bury the hash of political thwarts and to stand united in leading the struggle against current socio- economic conditions in the province.
Speakers and Mayors of municipalities, and leaders from various union structures such as COSATU, SANCO, SACP as well as the African National Congress Women and Youth League structures present at the session, were all in agreement to the prayer session stating that it was a necessary platform in preparation to celebrate for the 20 years in democracy.
In his speech, the Speaker emphasised that in preparation to celebrate the hard earned 20 years in democracy, leaders and the society should never cease to remember where they come from, under the gruesome clutches of oppression.
When articulating further in his speech he said that we should draw strength from our unshaken belief and demonstrate collectively as a country that nothing is insurmountable. He mentioned that the purpose of this event was not appear as agents but assert that we are a people who have made mistakes and are a people who are prepared to correct them.
The aim of the Prayer service was to reconcile, heal and renew the people of the North West Province to work together in order to promote peace, service delivery and economic prosperity in the community at large.
This programme emphasised importance of forgiveness and healing to fight the proper battle against women, children abuse, rape, racism, sexism in the province.
Spiritual leaders emphasised that this platform was necessary for the progress of socio-economic freedom in the province.
