11 March 2007
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele joined thousands of congregants
singing hymns of the Bible which resonated in and around Eshowe today, 11 March
2007, a place where 130 years ago religious practices such as Baptism cost the
life of Maqhamsela Khanyile, a soldier, who embraced Christianity.
Today in Eshowe and in South Africa the freedom to practise religion of any
kind is enshrined in the Constitution. To give impetus to this right, the
KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier is celebrating the heritage of our
predecessors, and is bringing to the fore the value of their teachings which
have made KwaZulu-Natal a better place to live in.
Maqhamsela Khanyile was killed 130 years ago on the hills of Empondweni,
near the Lutheran Evangelical Church Mission Station in Eshowe, where he first
encountered Christianity. History records that his death was ordered by King
Cetshwayo because Khanyile wanted to embrace Christianity and become
baptised.
Premier Ndebele said the Provincial Government was carrying a message of
freedom and equality. He said government believed that religion could play a
fundamental role in rekindling the values of higher morality in our
society.
Premier Ndebele added: "A free religion will teach us again how to be better
fathers. A new found spirituality will teach the girl and boy child how to be a
better citizen of the future."
"Spirituality will teach the rapist to stop raping, the robber to stop
robbing, and the murderer to stop taking the lives of others. It will teach the
community to be responsible citizens, by refusing to serve as a market and
storage facility for criminals."
"They will no longer buy stolen plasma screen televisions, laptops, music
systems and cellphones. They will also stop using stolen credit cards to
purchase the latest clothes, shoes and expensive watches. We cannot depart from
this script which teaches us that hard work, honesty and patience are
fundamental values that will in the end make this KwaZulu-Natal a better place
for all of us to live in.
"The Faith Based Community has played a major role in advancing development,
peace, democracy and partnerships in this part of the country. It made
significant interventions in education; created mission hostels for learners;
spearheaded, literacy; researched and published crucial manuscripts on our
culture and history; facilitated black participation in Science and Technology;
built hospitals and access roads.
"The Faith Based Movement openly sided with the liberation movement and
sacrificed much in our struggle for liberation. Many practising priests and
people of the Church such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Reverend Mcebisi Xundu,
Reverend Allan Boesak, Reverend Motlalepule Chabaku and countless others took a
definite position against apartheid and stood up to be counted," the Premier
said.
Premier Ndebele asked the community for a partnership to fight crime, and to
play a role in the regeneration of our morals and the creation of a society
whose work ethic is undisputable.
The Premier, accompanied by the Lutheran diocese, led by Bishop Louis
Sibiya, laid a wreath to pay respect to the slain martyr. His body was never
found.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Spokesperson to Premier Ndebele
Cell: 083 644 4050
E-mail: maistryl@premier.kzntl.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
11 March 2007
