Speaking notes for the Hounourable KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Mr. SE Mchunu during the African Gospel church convention and 80 years celebration
Programme Director
Congregants
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen, I must express my gratitude to the church for inviting me to share with you this wonderful moment of celebrating 80 years. I am sure that as a Church, you will still celebrate more anniversaries even in the next century because this church has been built on firm theological and leadership foundation. No one can deny the significance of the African Gospel Church in our history, especially in our movement, the African National Congress (ANC).
We are forever indebted to the church for taking care of our long-serving President Mr Oliver Tambo before he skipped the country into exile. Without your immense support in this regard, our movement would have been dealt a major blow. The role of the African Gospel Church and other indigenous churches in the life and evolution of the ANC cannot be over emphasised. The majority of the membership of this church played a pivotal role in helping the ANC to enter the promised land of peace and democracy when they voted the ANC into power. You courageously declared your support for the organisation that your forefathers created. I am here to thank you in the name of the leadership of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, and in the name of the Provincial Government of this province. Mine is to say, thank you very much for the role 2 that you have always played to assist us to build a new society.
The evil system of apartheid is dead and buried, but its effects continue to trouble our people. But as the popular government of the people, we are making steady progress in changing the lives of our people and building social cohesion through participatory democracy. We are forever thankful for your proud support and your unwavering relevance to the founding principles of this church. As the Bible says in Psalm 18:27 “you rescue those who are humble”. We also would like to pay tribute to widows of the church for their unending faith to God, and sticking with this church. We cannot say we know how you feel, but we are encouraged by your resilience and continued dedication to the church. On this special day I also pay tribute to you.
You are the true anchors from where our hope lie. We urge the Church to continue to lead communities in working to strengthen the families. The church as partners in moral regeneration, we need to continue to play a critical role in ensuring that moral values of Ubuntu such as respect for human life, and respect for each other are inculcated. We applaud and appreciate the selfless efforts by the church, it inspires the nation.
As you are direct product of the struggle for justice, freedom, peace and good value system, let us join hands in the struggle for spiritual reconstruction. With the 80th anniversary of this remarkable church. May the Lord Bless you as you continue with your mission to build a church that is rooted in preaching the true gospel of justice, peace and support for the poor and vulnerable in society.
We trust that you will continue to touch the lives of many in our society.
I thank you
