Premier Sihle Zikalala calls on church to play a leading role in revival of KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has challenged the Faith Based community to assume its place in the effort of reviving the economy and social life of KwaZulu-Natal following the devastation caused by the COVID 19 pandemic.

Addressing the Farewell function for Bishop of the Natal West Synod Rev. Thamsanqa William Dlamini held in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday, Premier Zikalala said the Church had played a pivotal role in the liberation of South Africa as supporters, activists and keepers of bearer of moral standards. The Premier said in the same way that the Church had been a central role in ending apartheid, this unusual time also called for a greater role of the Church again.

“While no atomic bombs were dropped this time, the economic challenges are threatening to destroy all that we have worked to build since 1994,” said Premier Zikalala.

Premier Zikalala said “the Economic Recovery and Reconstruction of our country focuses on how we can lift our country from the depths of despair and deprivation, back to a semblance of normality in order to kick-start our economic growth. Perhaps what is missing in our Economic Recovery and Reconstruction Plan is an appreciation of the role that the Faith-Based Community must of necessity play if we are to rise again. What is missing is our appreciation of the integral role that the Church, occupies in the lives of millions of our fellow citizens, and how an embrace of this reality can make our recovery and reconstruction faster and more sustainable”, said Premier Zikalala.

“This is how we are going to resolve the challenges we face today. The triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality. The challenges of Social Ills such as Crimes like Rape, Gender-Based Violence, Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Teenage and Premarital Pregnancies and such ills. We call on the Church to play a leading role in the Social Cohesion and Moral Regeneration Council where we seek to rebuild the moral fibre of our fellow citizens,” said Premier Zikalala.

Congratulating Bishop Dlamini, Premier Zikalala said he hoped that Bishop Dlamini was taking a rest merely to assume a new role as he moved from active deployment in the Church to working from home.

“We wish to congratulate and salute Bishop Dlamini for a race well run. We thank you for selfless dedication to the people of KwaZulu Natal and South Africa over the past 35 years,” said Premier Zikalala.a

“We hope to be able to draw from Your Worship’s valued experience for years to come. As another chapter closes, another chapter begins,” Premier Zikalala told the congregants.

“For as Madiba once said, as you pause to rest new challenges emerge. Madiba said and I quote: “I have walked that long road to freedom. ….. I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.”

Enquires:
Mr. Lennox Mabaso
KZN Provincial Government Spokesperson
Cell: 082 884 2403

Province

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