Programme Director

Pastor Bret Pretorious Founder and President of SACOFF

Pastor Bob Roberts

Moderators

IEC Officials

Leaders of the South African Community of Faith-Based Fraternal

Leaders of The Institute for Global Engagement (IGE)

International, Regional and Local Religious Leaders

Political Parties Leaders and Representatives.

Ladies and Gentleman’s

Honoured Guests

Ladies and Gentleman’s

Members of the Media

Fellow South Africans

It is an honour and a privilege for me to share this platform with renowned and esteemed leaders of the people of our country and the continent, coming from religious and political formations.

This is a historic conference occasioned for constructive conversation in the interests of the African people and their governance systems and models.

It is an important Interfaith gathering to draw the lessons on the relationship between church and state, in building a united South Africa and a better Africa.

Based on the theme of this conference is:- “Catalysing Impactful Collaboration between Government and Faith Communities”.

I understand that our mission based on the philosophical basis of this great meeting of minds, is to promote flourishing and progressing societies and nations, by equipping citizens with the necessary principles of Faith, based on respect and love, solidarity and protection, capacity development and power of engagement.

Secondly, equip them with the necessary governance institutions and systems to use to advance their course of social transformation, based on honesty, trustworthiness, service and servanthood, and effective leadership.

Thirdly, for the political formations to appreciate their different ideological orientations as the basis of the contest for hegemony in society, they do have a common denominator is to serve the people by providing leadership based on their vision, purpose, and core values.

Given the orientation of ideology and power, the complex societies we are leading, and the need for social progress as a result of peace and stability, political parties should understand and acknowledge the politics of inclusion and tolerance, of cooperation without trust, and provide responsible leadership for human development and growth.

Without this our relevance as political leaders gets eclipsed by the dark sides of wrong decisions, which plunge societies into mayhem and agony. And the prime value of our tireless efforts remains in vain.

Understandably this conference is destined for a social influence process that could be measured by its overall productivity, depending on our collective and individual contributions in shaping the national discourse on the society we seek to create.

Esteemed Leaders.

As we navigate the intellectual and political landscape to shape the course of our national and continental politics, we must draw our strength and zeal from the preamble of our Constitution which states that: Quote “We the people of South Africa, recognize the injustices of our past. Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity” Unquote.

Our Constitution urges us to heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice, and fundamental human rights.

 It further urges us to lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in which government is based on the will of the people and every citizen is equally protected by the law.

In contextualizing the discussion in this conference, the founding Father of our democratic government, President Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela on the 10th of May 1994 in his inaugural speech said:-

“We deeply appreciate the role that the masses of our people and their political mass democratic formations, religious, women, youth, business and traditional and others leaders have played to bring about this conclusion.

 We trust that you will continue to stand with us as we tackle the challenges of building peace, prosperity,non-sexism,non-racialism, and deepening democracy”.

Further on the 17 of  July  1998, at the Triennial Conference of the Methodist of Southern Africa in Durban, he said:-

“Religious Communities have a vital role to play in this regard, in the struggle against apartheid, so too you should be at the forefront of helping to deliver a better life to all our people. Amongst other things, you are well placed to assist in building capacity within Communities for effective delivery of a better life.”

The founding values of the democratic South Africa as enshrined in the Constitution, are the fundamental basis of our belief systems, that we believe in the creation and existence of a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, united, and prosperous society.

Where the predominance and supremacy of the rule of law is uppermost, based on Constitutional democracy.

We can clearly conclude that President Mandela believed that the church had an important role to play in South Africa’s democracy.

We can only succeed in working together and have high levels of emotional intelligence because the process of building a truly non-racial society is tedious, protracted, and complex.

And we shall dare not fail.

This is the journey we have traveled since 1994 to date, 30 years into our democracy working together with social formations and society in general.

Our constitution directs us to improve the quality of life of all citizens and build our country.

The report on the work of government in the last 30 years, i.e. Thirty Years Review Report of South African Democracy between 1994 and 2024, of Freedom and Democracy, extensively gives us an account of the work done, evidenced by many milestones.

Notwithstanding, the myriad of challenges that need attention, compounded by unemployment, poverty, and inequality, still characterises the socio-economic conditions of many South Africans.

We acknowledge that the government has made a number of interventions to address these social problems, but there is a need for a greater mobilisation of society and serious interventions.

A task that remains central in our political and governmental work.

As we reflect on the 30 years of freedom and democracy, we need to appreciate and understand the systems and institutions we have put in place to carry out the developmental agenda.

The ones that we should continue to use and adjust as we serve the people of our country.

Over the three decades, we have witnessed the democratic government and its systems evolve and develop to meet the needs and aspirations of the people.

Today we are meeting here convened and invited by the church, once more demonstrating its primacy on matters of societal development, to give perspectives on how we could ensure the greatness of this nation.

In doing so, we need to answer this critical question directed to all of us.

What should be the characterization of the relationship between the church and the state?

Clearly, the church has a huge responsibility in engaging with the government on matters of justice, challenges of corruption, education, health care, economic development, housing, safety and security, and leadership the nation requires going forward.

We should be illuminated and inspired by Proverbs 11: 14:- ” Where there is no guidance a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety and progress.”

Also, Ernest Che Guevara once said: ” A True Revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love.It is impossible to think of a genuine revolutionary lacking this quality”.

We are meeting here today because we love our country and her people, we love Africa her people.

We are led and driven by the spirit of love, through which we are seeking solutions to the problems and challenges facing our country.

Through our collective efforts and united in diversity, nothing is insurmountable.

We shall triumph and occasion this country for prosperity to all.

Historically, the relationship between the church and the state went through different phases to be where we are today.

At different times of societal evolution, the Church has been prevalent and made magnificent contributions in shaping the political landscape for a democratic South Africa.

It had vehemently opposed the oppressive system of government and stood with the oppressed people.

Understandably based on cooperation and contradictions, where others provided foundational theological motivation for the rational existence of the then system.

Secondly, the Church played a mediation role when the time came for the transition to a democratic government.

It took part in peacekeeping efforts in many parts of the country, that were engulfed by violence and was impactful and significant based on critical solidarity with the oppressed.

Post 1994, subject to correction, I suppose it withdrew or retreated from public platforms to denominational responsibilities.

It began then to focus on providing pastoral and theological accompaniment to state events with inadequate involvement in matters of governance, leadership, and political life of the country, unlike prior to the democratic breakthrough.

As we catalyse and build networks of relations for good governance and impactful ethical leadership, the church should be deliberate and intentional in reconnecting with the systems that are managing the life of the nation.

Amongst others and not only limited to that, but an important endeavor to undertake, and ensure socio-ecclesial analysis:- to contest or affirm issues of national importance relating to safety, the rule of law, human rights, accountability, and transparency, delivery of basic services and development, democracy in public and private spaces, functioning of government and the role of business, on policies and legislations.

Non-racialism is one of the values that are central to nation-building and social cohesion and in the deepening of nationhood.

The extent to which we have consolidated the rainbow nation, since then to date, and the national discourse and posturing on many issues, demonstrate our snail space in this regard and also shows that it’s like we have lost the momentum.

This is the matter that should receive our attention and reflect on it, for a sustainable approach to really building a non-racial society.

At all times those who are responsible for daily decisions on matters of public administration and governance, should ask themselves whenever we are about to take decisions, what is the non-racial character of the decision I am about to take?

This requires a high level of consciousness to deepen and sustain the founding values of our democracy.

From this conference, we need to rekindle the consciousness of South Africans about this historic task bestowed on us, by a democratic dispensation and that needs leadership provision and guidance.

In Building a Better Africa:

It is true that today in our continent and Region, our politics are based on democracy and nothing else.

And the only difference could be the extent to which our democratic practices as countries reflect deepened values of democracy.

Because beneath the progressive veneer of democratisation lie a lot of ambivalence and contradictions that need our attention.

As we are gathered here today, we are cognisant that there are many concerning developments that are taking place within our continent and further afield.

There are worrying developments right on our doorstep where Mozambique is showing signs of volatility following their recent disputed elections.

The government has deployed soldiers on the streets to help keep order following weeks of protests, against the ruling party that has been accused of rigging last month’s election to extend its hold on power.

The religious leaders have been trying to mediate in this impasse to ensure that there is peace.

They are making efforts to have the Head of States of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) intervene in this matter.

 This outlines the important role that religious leaders play within the SADC Region and beyond in resolving conflicts.

At the opposite end, we express our congratulations to Botswana’s 6^th democratically elected President his Excellency Adv Duma Boko, who was inaugurated into office last week Friday.

In his inaugural speech, he called for unity after an election that brought an end to the former ruling party and praised the willingness of his predecessor to concede power without incident.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains turbulent following the recent attempted coup by the rebels and some foreign fighters.

 While the religious leaders are fighting each other based on their faith and belief.

As a government, we are appreciative of the work of the Institute for Global Engagement, the South African Community of Faith-Based Fraternals in co-convening government, political parties, and faith leaders across the SADC region to explore new paradigms of cross-faith and cross-sectoral collaboration “To address critical governance and societal issues.”

One of the main goals of this conference is to catalyse new networks of leaders in government and faith in the SADC region, that will be able to engage in innovative and collaborative efforts to address critical national issues.

Fundamental to the theme of this conference, is that we are expected to spend time collectively analysing characteristics of states through the optics of the developmental institutions.

Noting that the success of any state, is the function of its governance systems and models that are based on key principles of representative and participatory democracy.

Where the involvement of the citizens is uppermost and gives expression to the universal principle, that there is no government that can claim authority unless is based on the will of the people.

And leaders are accountable and answerable to the people.

A principle is well articulated in the preamble of our constitution.

However, the character of the state we seek to create should be characterised by being capable, ethical, and developmental with the technical capacity to plan and implement development programmes.

Equally, it should have the capacity to deal with malversation and malfeasance, addressing corruption in all it’s manifestations.

In this regard,  both the church and leaders in government should stand together to defend the resources of this country, for our national efforts to make sure they generate higher material standards of living for the people and address basic needs like water,roads, sanitation, electricity, etc.

As we look at our relations with the continent and our region in particular, it is important to reflect on what former President Thabo Mbeki once said:-“. The thinking at the time of the creation of New Partnership for Africa”s Development (NEPAD), was that the success of this programme would require buy-in from all countries for the development of the of Africa -“.

The problems emanating from electoral processes in many countries attest to the fact that elections are a facade behind authoritarian indulgences and indifferences to include democratic establishments.

Given these patterns of electoral outcomes, we need to see the reinvigorated clamour for genuine democratisation and introduction of inclusive political systems in the interests of the people.

What happened to this programme and other peace-making initiatives to silence the guns in the continent and set Africa for greatness on behalf of her people?

This Strategic framework indicates that good political, economic, and cooperative governance is a prerequisite for sustainable socio-economic development.

However, our Region and Continent is still faced with:-

. Economic challenges and poverty

.HIV and AIDS pandemic

.Inter and Intra State conflicts

.Refugees, illegal migrants, and internally displaced persons

. Corruption and misuse of national productive resources.

This conference should reflect on all these matters.

I am personally aware of the role that the convenor of this session Pastor Brent, organized religious leaders and actively participated in the May 2024 election as Independent Election Observers through the support of the church, thus ensuring free and fair elections.

FELLOW PARTICIPANTS

South Africa has demonstrated the importance of respecting the voice of the people, the recently held election on the 29th of May 2024 did not produce a clear winner, whilst the African National Congress received majority votes and extended a call to other parties in the 7^th Administration for the formation of a second Government of National Unity.

 The first GNU was established in 1994 to promote nation-building and inclusivity from a racially divided past during a period of political transition.

Among its main tasks was to ensure the passage of a new democratic Constitution. 

It is critical that efforts must be made to ensure that the GNU remains true to its founding spirit, of collaboration in good faith, to drive a programme that improves the lives of all South Africa’s people.

The development trajectory that we have chosen, guided by the National Development Plan, remains and continues to be the development path towards concrete events over time, as a result of contradictions, which require synchronisation of progression along different dimensions.

A matter of leadership based on dialectical thinking and reasoning.

The success of the GNU will be measured by the extent to which we are prepared to focus not on who will govern, but on how we will govern, together.

As the ANC Deputy Minister, working very well with Minister Hlabisa who is the President of the Inkatha Freedom Party, who will later address this gathering virtually, as he is in Parliament attending to Cabinet matters.

Our relationships go beyond party politics, I am proud that after two weeks in office, we signed the delegation of responsibilities, and we started working.

Because Municipalities in the country need supportive leadership given the challenges they are facing, in the course of serving our people.

The GNU Statement of Intent provides a solid base for genuine cooperation between parties across the political spectrum who have signed up of their own accord.

It commits the signatories to a set of foundational principles that include respect for constitutionalism; accountability, transparency, and community participation in government; evidence-based policy and decision-making; professionalisation of the public service and merit -based appointments; integrity and good governance.

The parties to the GNU have agreed on priorities for the 7^th Administration, at the top of the list of priorities is the achievement of rapid, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth to create jobs, tackle poverty reduce the high cost of living, and build a capable, ethical and developmental state.

It will be critical that the GNU stays the course of the structural reform that is underway to improve the business operating environment and establish South Africa as an investment destination of choice.

These reforms are necessary to resolve longstanding challenges in key industries and create more jobs and opportunities.

We will need to build on the progress that has already been made while accelerating the pace of reform.

The fact that there is broad consensus on the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024-2029, a plan that will guide the work of the GNU in the next 5 years, by the parties on the priorities of this administration gives us encouragement that the GNU will indeed take the country forward.

Emanating from the priorities outlined in the Statement of Intent, the parties will further refine the GNU’s programme, including through the proposed National Dialogue process.

We remain committed to consensus-building and to the representation of a broad range of interests and viewpoints within government.

At the same time, we are all keenly aware that South Africans expect action, implementation, and results.

In a robust defence of the first Government of National Unity in 1994, President Nelson Mandela described it as an enduring national consensus QUOTE “That is neither an imposition of one party over others nor a honeymoon premised on the fickle whims of a fleeting romance” UnQoute.

The same is true today, we need to demonstrate in both words and deeds that our programme is clear, coherent, and sustainable, that our collaboration is genuine, and that the interests of the people will always come first.

Distinguished Guests

Today, we should declare that we take responsibility for establishing a movement that will create a South Africa we all want to live in.

Whilst there are many success stories, there are areas that require great improvement, as we reflect and the moral regeneration agenda should be prioritised and taken to another level.

For there is a generation that would be lost due to social ills occupying space in society.

 We have sadly witnessed people burning community halls, and libraries to indicate that they want houses or clinics. Others burn trains because these arrive late.

 The following day, they have no train to take them to work and they become more frustrated and angry.

We have seen parents stopping children from going to school to demonstrate to the government that they need a road.

The role of Religious Leaders is important to have an assessment about these developments, for they cannot define who we are.

But a misrepresentation of peace-loving South Africans,  who would like to see their children progress in schools and protect the much-needed infrastructure for social and economic use.

It is in such moral and ethical challenges that “We look up to Religious leaders”. We need to work together to find ways of channelling these energies toward solutions.

The government can succeed in working together more meaningfully with the assistance of leaders gathered in this room the faith-based sector and leaders of political parties.

The government cannot undertake this work alone. It needs the support of all

sectors.

Programme Director.

We have gazetted the Standard By-Law for Townships and Villages businesses regulation and management, given the national problem that has arisen.

Municipalities are expected to convene Special Council meetings and adopt the By-Law.

This legal instrument empowers Municipalities supported by other spheres of government, to ensure the rule of law and compliance with the applicable legislation.

PROGRAMME DIRECTOR

Today our churches, our mosques, our synagogues, and our temples should continue to remain as pillars of society, doing valuable work in education, feeding the poor and needy, and being a consistent and powerful voice that speaks out against injustices and corruption in our country, fight gender-based violence, drugs and substance abuse.

As Government and Parliament, we have always appreciated the role of Faith-Based Organizations in guiding us as we continue with our mission to unite and develop our country.

And now you have an equally important role to play, in the renewal of our society, and in using your positions in the community to restore basic human values in our society, of humanity and Ubuntu.

It is the excellent work you are already doing in our communities that we want to harness and build upon.

Whether it is in providing education and awareness around alcohol and substance abuse, in offering counseling and support to couples and families, or in mobilising people around anti-crime initiatives, you have been our valued partners as we seek to address these social problems.

 As faith community stood at the forefront during our days of struggle, so now too,   we would want you to be at the forefront of a new social movement to renew our society.

We remember the words of Chris Hani, a great hero of our struggle when he said Quote “We can’t just preach good ideas when concretely life is difficult for the people.” UnQoute

It is our shared responsibility not only to preach, but to undertake the challenging, but necessary tasks to make the daily lives of our people better.

IN CONCLUSION

Leader Haile Selassie states that Quote “Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.”
UnQoute.

Today, we should declare that we take responsibility for establishing a movement that will create a South Africa we all want to live in.

We commit to work in partnership to advocate for a society rooted in the values enshrined in our Constitution that affirm the worth and dignity of every human being.

We will jointly mobilise communities to end gender-based violence and femicide and create a society where women, girls, and boys can live free of this scourge.

We will go all out working with law enforcement agency create safe social spaces for women and children, where they will freely without fear in their community.

We will fight side by side to end drugs and substance abuse in communities and protect the youth from the devastating effects of these challenges.

Let us work towards a society that is tolerant of diversity in terms of race, gender, sex, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language, etc.

We will work cooperatively to create a society that will eradicate crime, corruption, and violence.

We will work jointly to rid the Faith-Based Sector of spiritual abuse by those with bad intentions and its harmful and illegal consequences through the appropriate platforms provided in the Constitution.

Let us declare today that we will work to raise awareness around the effects of the harmful use of alcohol, drugs, and substance abuse.

We must do all we can to ensure our democracy remains sturdy and resilient, that those who come after us will continue to be able to rely on it, to lean in its shade, and to enjoy its benefits and protection.

Let us forge ahead in the spirit of partnership and mutual understanding, for we share a common responsibility and a common goal, to realise a better South Africa and Africa for ourselves, for our children, and for the children of tomorrow.

I Thank you.