Africa-Press – South-Africa. There has been much interaction between religious institutions and politicians in the lead-up to Easter weekend.
Party leaders have used this weekend to interact with churches nationwide, calling on them to work collectively. ANC members have engaged with leaders at church services in various parts of the country in search of support.
Thus far, Deputy President Paul Mashatile and national party chairperson Gwede Mantashe have addressed large congregations in which they discussed the fundamental and vital role of the church.
President Cyril Ramaphosa was expected to join the St Engenas Zion Christian Church in Polokwane on Sunday. During Mashatile’s speech at a Good Friday service at the Grace Bible Church at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, he congratulated Bishop Mosa Sono for marking 40 years since its existence.
He said the church has been integral in shaping him and other leaders throughout the country since its establishment at Hlengiwe Primary School.
“Since then, the church has grown and has produced great leaders who serve our country in different capacities. I have always seen senior officials in government and private sector leaders when I visit the church.”
He added that religion had played a significant role in the ANC, founded on the “teachings of [the] faith” that helped the party persevere through the griefs of apartheid. South Africa will be marking 30 years as a democracy on 27 April.
Mashatile called on the church to utilise the values that shaped him and the ANC to “characterise our actions, and we must build ethical leadership across society.”
He asked for the Grace Bible Church to be at the centre of the dialogue in transforming society and addressing societal challenges.
“Guided by the commitment to build a culture of positive values, we must fight all social ills in society, fight corruption and ensure we rid our society of lawlessness.”
Gauteng Premier Panyazi Lesufi and ANC national executive committee members Dakota Lekgote and Alvin Botes were also in attendance.
Johannesburg mayor Al Jama-Ah’s Thapelo Amad has also reached out to church leaders to partner with the local government to help resolve the decaying state of the City.
This comes after a video taken on Sunday of Bishop Stephen Moreo criticising the government for the stench and lack of collection of garbage in front of the Cathedral of St Mary the Virgin in the CBD. In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, SA Council of Churches, Gauteng member Bishop White Rakuba said the council had met on Thursday to discuss the church’s concerns and the current political climate.
“We are really worried now. The politicians seem to be fighting over control of metros, and service delivery is a major concern to us. You go anywhere in this Gauteng province you see, a lot of things are not being done nicely.”
He said that although the church maintained neutrality, it was pleading with politicians to focus on assisting citizens. “When most political parties were banned, the church kept the candles light burning by challenging those in power.
“I think it is the right time as well that we should start challenging our politicians to say ‘you have been elected to serve the people and not yourselves’.”
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