Addressing over 4 000 religious leaders in Pretoria this morning, at the South African Christian Leadership Assembly (Sacla) conference, President Mbeki said there were still many in the country who, nine years after the dawn of democracy, did not accept the need for active and conscious efforts to reconcile the people.
“To these people, apartheid has been defeated and there is no need to talk about racism even as its legacy continues to characterise the lives of all our people”. South Africans ought to recognise the profound impact that racism had had on society, materially, psychologically, spiritually or morally, Mbeki said. “We need to recognise that many South Africans are still hurt and still feel the pain and consequences nine years later.
“If we deny the fact that we have not yet dealt with the century-old effects of racism, these consequences may very well be with us for a long time”.
President Mbeki implored the religious community to play an active role in accomplishing the feat of reversing the effects of apartheid, saying they were uniquely placed to play a meaningful role in the process.
“As religious leaders, perhaps it would be important to take an active role in fighting the legacy of racism, ensuring that we find practical ways and means of reconciling our people and communities, such that we would speak in reality about a unified non-racial and non-sexist society,” he implored. Meanwhile, President Mbeki received divine sanction, when delegates at the conference prayed to the Almighty to bless him in his duties.
Methodist Archbishop Mvume Dandala led the prayer, asking for the President’s protection day and night. The leaders are meeting until Sunday, to consider a Christian response to the issues of national interest such as HIV/AIDS, poverty and underdevelopment and crime, amongst others.
The aim of the initiative is to challenge and motivate leaders at all levels to take seriously the issues facing the country and to begin to take action in dealing with them in a spirit of servant hood to God. – BuaNews.
EMAIL THIS ARTICLE SAVE THIS ARTICLE FEEDBACK
To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
