National Church Leaders' Consultation Statement
16 October 2013
The National Church Leaders’ Consultation gathering at OR Tambo International Airport from the 15 -16th October 2013the consultation re-affirmed the quest for a united ecumenical witness and action, in dealing with several of our national challenges. A special task team, a think tank of senior church leaders under Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, will guide the process of closer collaboration between different initiatives and networks and other ecumenical organisations in South Africa.
The meeting addressed a number of critical national challengesand how these can be tackled by the Church in partnership with others and with specific emphasis on promoting active citizenship and participation at the grassroots level of communities and local congregations across the country.
The challenges discussed included education;social and welfare policy; children and early childhood development (ECD); primary and affordable healthcare; sexual and gender-based violence and the National Development Plan. The two-day deliberation identified these as issues of critical concern for and intervention by the Church.
At the meeting the Church Leaders agreed on the following:
- Education: the meeting re-emphasized its serious concern about the poor state of education delivery and output -especially in basic education and called for a special national, church-based campaign in 2014 to address this challenge. The meeting resolved to continue working with all stakeholders (government, unions, civil society, etc.) to bring about the necessary and effective change. As part of this, the meeting decided to engage with the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) and other unions, as a matter of urgency.
- Social and Welfare Policy: the meeting expressed deep concern about the possible detrimental effects of the current underfunding of social welfare services delivered by NGO’s including FBO’s in South Africa.
During the meeting a report was tabled highlighting the fact that approximately 71% of all social welfare services in this country are delivered by the NGOsector. Over the last few years 122 NGO’s however, had to either downsized certain programmes or had to shut down some programmes completely as a direct response to the underfunding. Very recently the financial and Fiscal Commission of the national parliament also alluded to the fact that social welfare services to children and families are largely under-funded and the Department of Social Development to take up this matter urgently.
Because of the crisis dimensions of this matter the Church Leaders’ Consultation commissioned the National Religious Association for Social Development (NRASD) to urgently draft a position paper on this matter to be used for further deliberation on this looming crisis in social welfare services delivery.
- Early Childhood Development and children: the meeting recognized the critical importance of early childhood development and the need for adequate nutrition of a pregnant mother and her fetus. A sound foundation for the emotional intellectual and physical development of children between the age cohort of 0-5 is very important;
As national church leaders we commit ourselves to utilizing our institutional capacity and teaching and programmes to focus our energy and attention of our congregations, our parishes on the importance of early childhood development.
- Health:The Minister of Health, Dr. A. Motsoaledi, was the keynote speaker – focusing passionately on the challenges of quality and affordable Health Care for all South Africans – which is the main intention of the National Health Insurance plan. The meeting agreed on strengthening the partnership with the Department of Health. One of the initiatives flowing from this meeting will be the implementation of a national Health Literacy Programme with church networks – as part of strengthening primary, preventative health programmes.
The meeting of the church leaders received a report from the SANAC religious sector, and affirmed the ongoing work in the Provinces.
- Sexual and Gender-based violence: Dr. Catherine Sozi, South African Director of UNAIDS, reminded church leaders of the plight of women and children who are violently and sexually abused. She appealed to church leaders to play an active role to stop this scourge in the South African society.The meeting committed themselves to work in support of the challenges outlined by Dr. Sozi, in particularly engaging men and boys on their attitudes and views on women and girls.
- The National Development Plan: this meeting was addressed by Commissioner Pascal Moloi on the NDP. The meeting noted the intensive debates around key aspects of the NDP and to seek partnerships in the implementation of the plan around issues and challenges of mutual concern.
- Mr. Zwelinzima Vavi: Mr. Vavi addressed the meeting at his request to seek forgiveness for his well publicized extramarital incident. Church leaders prayed for him as well as all the other affected parties.
- Election 2014: the meeting urged members to pray for the upcoming elections and encourage citizens to register and vote, engage in policy debates in a tolerant and peaceful way. The meeting emphasized the need for the IEC to ensure that the elections are managed in a credible manner.
The consultation concluded by adopting a social action plan which is in progress and will be launched during Pentecost in 2014. The intention is to seek the involvement of other churches to participate in this church-based initiatives as we seek to improve the quality of life for all people. A pastoral letter on this initiative from church leaders will follow in due course.
Participating leaders
1. Archbishop Dr. Thabo Makgoba – Anglican Church of Southern Africa
2. Bishop Lunga kaSiboto – Ethiopian Episcopal Church
3. Rev. Motlalentwa Betha - Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa
4. Archbishop Dr. ZandisileMagxwalisa – Jerusalem Church in South Africa
5. Dr. Jerry Pillay – Uniting Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa
6. Fr. Richard Menatsi – NRASD / Catholic Church in South Africa
7. Bishop Ziphozihle Siwa – Methodist Church of Southern Africa
8. Rev. Vuyani Nyobole – Methodist Church of Southern Africa
9. Rev. Braam Hanekom – Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa
10. Rev. Willie Van Der Merwe – Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa
11. Dr. Kobus Gerber – Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa
12. Rev. Hermy Damons – International Federation of Christian Churches
13. Canon Desmond Lambrechts – Anglican Church of Southern Africa
14. Rev. Vasco Da Gama Seleoane – African Enterprise
15. Rev. Moss Ntlha – The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa
16. Rev. Marlene Mahokoto – NRASD / Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa
17. Dr. Renier Koegelenberg – NRASD
18. Dr. WelileMazamisa – NRASD
19. Mr. Marcus Van Wyk – SACLI
20. Rod Botsis – Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa
21. Rev. MkhuseliDukwana – Presbyterian Church of Africa
22. Rev. Luxolo Plaatjie – Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa
23. Dr. Donald Katts – Volkskerk van Afrika
24. Bishop Purity Malinga – Methodist Church of Southern Africa
25. Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana – Ethiopian Episcopal Church
26. Rev. SenamoMolisiwa – AIC
27. Rev. Peter Tarantal – SACLI
28. Bishop MelumziNorhushu – Ebenezer Christian Church
29. Pastor Xola Skosana – Way of Life
30. Mr Miles Giljam – SACLI
31. Rev Luvuyo Makalima – Baptist (Calvinist)
32. Ms. Shirley Moulder – NRASD / Anglican Church of Southern Africa
33. Rev. Edwin Arrison – Kairos SA
34. Bishop SithembeleSipuka - Catholic Church in South Africa