Date: 30/01/2007
Source: The Presidency
Title: Mlambo-Ngcuka: South African National Defence Force Moral Regeneration Movement Conference
Address delivered by the Deputy President, Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) Conference, Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC), Cape Town
Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Pallo Jordaan,
Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr Mluleki George,
Professor Charles Villa Vicencio,
Chaplain General of the SANDF, Brigadier General, Marius Cornelissen,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you Deputy Minister for the warm and kind welcome. I also want to add my personal welcome to all speakers and participants at this important conference.
This is a wonderful opportunity for Religious Bodies, the Government and the private sector, and all other sectors represented here to join hands on a common programme that will benefit our country, to discuss and get to some important guidelines to take the Moral Regeneration Movement forward at different levels within our society.
As this government we have long identified the need for the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) of the soul. Because development is not only about providing material needs to society it is also about healing within.
Stable democracy, thriving economy
We have more than a decade of stable, peaceful democracy behind us. Many of you in our forces have contributed to that and even our sister countries can attest to that, the most recent being the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Indeed, we ought to be proud of the strides we have collectively made since the dawn of freedom 13 years ago. We have also created safety nets to deal with extreme cases of poverty.
For instance, beneficiaries of social grants increased from 2,6 million in 1994 to 9,7 million in June 2005. By April 2005, over 5,6 million children were receiving social grants, with about 4,2 million receiving the Child Support Grant (CSG), 190 000 the Foster Care Grant, and 75 000 the Care Dependency Grant. About R6,9 billion and an additional R19 billion was allocated for the 2005/06 period for the further extension of the CSG to children under the age of 14 years. However, this trend is not sustainable. We have to make unconditional commitment to pensioners and categories of disabled people, but for others we must facilitate an exit to economically sustainable activities. Without taking away the safety nets from those who are either too old and or too disabled such that they cannot be self reliant, those must not be compromised.
Proud as we should be at the achievements and strides made, there is much more that needs to be done, and done fast. Unacceptable numbers of South Africans still live in poverty and deprivation. Too many of our compatriots are unemployed and do not have access to productive economic opportunities, the rest of the nation that must fight inequalities and the destitute together. We must have a shared moral responsibility to share wealth.
The work we do in poverty alleviation is morally correct! It shows that we are a caring and a moral state, a moral state must make an effort to care for those in need and that are vulnerable.
Our public servants are the enablers and at the coal-face of service delivery and for them too this is a moral issue, it is not acceptable for them to under perform in this regard, worse to cheat and steal from the state.
Under performance does not only violate Batho Pele principles, it is also immoral, Period! Under performance in service of the poor is even worse. That is something I hope you can interrogate further in this conference.
Our country's moral challenges
While we are trying to do all that must be done to improve the lives of our people there are those amongst us who see an opportunity to fraudulently enrich themselves with the money that is meant to be used to help poor people, there are cases of fraud and corruption that are perpetuated by public servants.
That again is even a higher level of immorality, which cannot be tolerated and must be rooted out. This is corruption of the highest degree.
Code of conduct for public servants
Our forces in uniform the army and the police force represent refuge and trust, that uniform is more than a piece of cloth. It is an identity that says: "I am here to serve, you can rely on me," so we cannot allow a few bad potatoes to change that; people in uniform have at all times to exhibit behaviour that is beyond reproach.
They have to be exemplary, helpful and must be seen to be going the extra mile in whatever they do without seeking to enrich themselves unjustly. Because this is a service and a vocation, it is not just another job.
Members must live according to the highest possible standards and exhibit higher public service ethos, spirit and public morality. Anything less is traumatising to society because our people need standards, they need heroes, they need people to look up to, and they need role models and mentors. In your line of duty as members of the forces you are expected to play that role and take that place of honour in society. Protectors cannot abuse or present danger to society. Just like health workers have to care and bankers cannot be robbers, Chief Financial Officers cannot be caught with their hands in the cookie jar. So are you in that special category that must be guardians of good values.
Disgracing one's uniform and profession takes away not only from the dignity of the affected member but it hurts the collective image of even the innocent so we all cannot watch and allow it. It is everyone's duty to protect the image of the force, to whistle blow and if you do not, you become part of the problem. Members must be trustworthy.
If trust has been broken we must address it. You are also our ambassadors and our forces have done many outstanding things for the good of the continent, we have to build on that. Where there have been mishaps and it has been proven we cannot be seen not to be taking required action following due processes.
Our vulnerable people have no one but us public elected and appointed representatives to champion their cause to act on their needs, unlike others for us it is a duty. So, officials who steal from feeding schemes or give sub-standard service especially to the poor, cross the line of decency. There is a moral crisis when officials forge documents in order to access money earmarked for Child Support Grants when they do not qualify to do so.
We also need to have compassion as social workers, nurses and care-givers in general but also as a people. We are facing the challenge of vulnerable children, orphaned children, poor children - all have none but us as assigned people to look after them.
In the lives of children at risk we must see the future of the nation. Saving our collective future lies in "Ubuntu", which in its depth means I am because you are - so there is no me without you - your well being is my well being and our well being. The well being of the orphaned and street child is my well being. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), business, communities, are all an important network and we must cherish their services and work.
Building strong partnerships I welcome this type of a conference as it seeks to explore what can be done in order to reflect together on this situation, and take correctional steps where needed. To come out with solutions and what each sector can do in order to bring about a change in our value system. The greatest majority of our society they are not abusers or criminals but they need to do more, they need to show they care by acting - not being a problem is one thing but being a spectator is unhelpful when the house is on fire!
I am happy that this conference today is much more representative with more people from other sectors of society and government departments that have been brought on board, such as Social Development, Correctional Services, Sports and Recreation. The partnerships are a key if the MRM is to make any lasting impact. These partnerships are also key for the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC). Government has to give leadership there.
We have as you know the MRM as a movement with a programme and a board. Different sectors of our society participate in different ways, including government departments, municipalities, non-governmental organisations, churches; government can do much more in the MRM.
Through the work of the MRM Board we work at a national, provincial and local level. A draft Charter of Positive Values has been produced and is meant to help us to generate a discussion and deepen the communication around them.
The positive values in the Draft Charter are:
* Respect for human dignity and equality
* Promoting freedom, the rule of law and democracy
* Improving the material well being of the majority and economic justice
* Enhancing family and community values
* Upholding loyalty, honesty and integrity
* Ensuring harmony in culture belief and conscience
* Showing respect and concern for all people
* Striving for justice, fairness and peaceful co-existence.
Core values of our society:
I want to go back to loyalty, honesty and integrity as a value that is of a particular significance to you as forces in service of others. People put their lives in your hands and they must know you are loyal, honest and you have integrity.
We depend on you to be loyal to the Constitution and to deal honestly with the officers you serve and your principals. When and if you break that trust through being disloyal the damage is very hard-hitting. How do you put your hands in the hands of people who are disloyal and lack integrity? That is indeed a scary place to be in.
MRM not only a faith based movement:
One of the most important things that this conference must deal with is the perception that MRM is a movement that is solely centred on faith-based organisations. Now the possibility to dispel this perception is greater. In MRM we are concerned about fair play in sports, corporate governance, government and business, education that is value based parenting and many more things.
Morality is at the heart of a well being of any society, and the family as an institution is at the core of that. The values of ubuntu and caring are well taught within a family unit. I cannot help to overemphasise the responsibility we all have to start instilling and promoting positive values in our families.
The Charter offers you with an opportunity to commit yourselves. Of course there are other departments in government who also play a very crucial role; everyone needs to commit themselves. We must respond to whistle blowers by making necessary follow ups to issues they raise until they reach their logical conclusions.
As we have not done as well as we can. We need you to participate in the work of MRM, for an example fight against corruption in your departments, upholding Batho Pele and Corporate Governance principles.
The importance of moral integrity in our society:
It is important to note that ethics and values are important in all sectors of our society. For example a prominent banker was recently quoted saying that unless there was a basis for morality in our society, then business was impossible. White collar crime is a problem and a challenge in our society and that statement is so true!
Religious communities have a large influence on the way our broader society behaves. Even our young people are very religious. In a study done in the 80s and another one done two years ago, it was shown that the highest number of organised youth in South Africa is in the churches followed by sports. The question is: "How can we build on that?" How much time do we invest in those formations of society? I think partnerships between the forces and the religious bodies in support of youth will be good especially in the context of the National Youth Service (NYS) and the Big Brothers-Big Sister initiative.
It is time that we should look away from our differences as different religions and faiths and focus on what we all agree on regarding positive values in order to build the moral fibre of this country. I encourage the leaders of our faith communities to work harder in order that positive values can become more visible in all our societies.
It is imperative for a Moral Regeneration programme to be implanted in our government departments to build the character of our people through positive values. May this be one of the fruitful outcomes of this conference! That we go out of our way to work with young people especially those who are at risk. Indeed, the army has a very important partner for our National Youth Service that will also go a long way to shape these young citizens.
I am glad that the Department of Defence is one of the departments that have come forward as NYS partners. We have at least two million young people with whom we must touch base in the NYS who need us.
We also have to take it upon ourselves to address sexual and all other forms of violence. You must in this conference help us understand why is it that more than 80 percent of murders are committed between people who know one another, 80 percent of rapes and other gruesome violations, the same thing. Why is it that our people are not safe in their homes, with friends, neighbourhoods and social places? That is an issue with which you have to be seized.
Why are so many men killing their families and themselves? We are now seeing a new trend of also women killing men, it is still rare but we do not need to wait until it is a major trend. Why are criminals so vicious? We need to support the positive trend of declining crime status, while we deal with the type and nature of our crime. I must also say that we share and feel the pain of those who have been victims. Your loss is our loss. We thank the hard working law enforcers who risk life and limb to serve our nation and those who fail in duty have to be brought in line.
I also know that the Department of Defence is spending enormous time in preparing its members to live a value based life; especially through its Chaplains Service value based ethical programmes and the programme to combat HIV/AIDS. (Combating AIDS Through Spiritual and Ethical Conduct -CHATSEC). Carry on the good work and please share the method, please take it to church groups, youth groups and families. As there are parents who have not yet stood up to be counted.
Let us work together for an HIV-Free South Africa.
1. It only needs you and me to stay negative.
2. If HIV positive, to not infect others and re-infect yourself.
3. To know our status so that we can take the necessary precautions.
4. To care, support and help those who are living with HIV.
I have noted that the Value-based HIV/AIDS programme is presented within many countries on our continent and chaplains services around the world and I want to thank the SANDF for the leading role they play through this programme. May this programme, along with other programmes help to lift not only the moral fibre of our communities but also make a difference in the lives of many. Please share it with us in SANAC and with other government departments. We will soon meet to take forward SANAC's work.
I hope we can be a strong voice there.
Conclusion
I would like to encourage the work and efforts that has been done so far around driving that MRM becomes institutionalised in government, where all tiers of government are now participating, and the mobilisation of more national departments to be part of this drive to bring about the restoration of moral values and renewal in our country.
MRM must ensure that this Charter is taken to all corners of our country and widely debated before it is finally adopted by all our people.
The Charter of Positive Values is not the responsibility of government and faith based communities only, it involves the whole of society, so MRM must strive to be the broadest front championing such positive values. All of us should work together towards an ethical and value-based lifestyle - Ubuntu.
I want to thank the SANDF for the initiative of this conference but also want to encourage all other government departments, academic institutions, faith based organisations, labour, youth, women's organisations and communities in general to support this work. Wear your uniform with pride, uphold integrity. Be the beacon of hope! I want to end by again calling on you to honour your uniforms, to be the refuge and shield for our people. To be loyal to this constitution and to serve with pride and integrity; there is no prize for honour and integrity. You cannot buy it, if you lose it.
You cannot buy integrity, so protect it for all our sakes.
I wish you a very fruitful two days of deliberations that will be of benefit to all in our country.
I thank you.
Issued by: The Presidency
30 January 2007
Source: The Presidency
Title: Mlambo-Ngcuka: South African National Defence Force Moral Regeneration Movement Conference
Address delivered by the Deputy President, Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) Conference, Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC), Cape Town
Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Pallo Jordaan,
Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr Mluleki George,
Professor Charles Villa Vicencio,
Chaplain General of the SANDF, Brigadier General, Marius Cornelissen,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you Deputy Minister for the warm and kind welcome. I also want to add my personal welcome to all speakers and participants at this important conference.
This is a wonderful opportunity for Religious Bodies, the Government and the private sector, and all other sectors represented here to join hands on a common programme that will benefit our country, to discuss and get to some important guidelines to take the Moral Regeneration Movement forward at different levels within our society.
As this government we have long identified the need for the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) of the soul. Because development is not only about providing material needs to society it is also about healing within.
Stable democracy, thriving economy
We have more than a decade of stable, peaceful democracy behind us. Many of you in our forces have contributed to that and even our sister countries can attest to that, the most recent being the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Indeed, we ought to be proud of the strides we have collectively made since the dawn of freedom 13 years ago. We have also created safety nets to deal with extreme cases of poverty.
For instance, beneficiaries of social grants increased from 2,6 million in 1994 to 9,7 million in June 2005. By April 2005, over 5,6 million children were receiving social grants, with about 4,2 million receiving the Child Support Grant (CSG), 190 000 the Foster Care Grant, and 75 000 the Care Dependency Grant. About R6,9 billion and an additional R19 billion was allocated for the 2005/06 period for the further extension of the CSG to children under the age of 14 years. However, this trend is not sustainable. We have to make unconditional commitment to pensioners and categories of disabled people, but for others we must facilitate an exit to economically sustainable activities. Without taking away the safety nets from those who are either too old and or too disabled such that they cannot be self reliant, those must not be compromised.
Proud as we should be at the achievements and strides made, there is much more that needs to be done, and done fast. Unacceptable numbers of South Africans still live in poverty and deprivation. Too many of our compatriots are unemployed and do not have access to productive economic opportunities, the rest of the nation that must fight inequalities and the destitute together. We must have a shared moral responsibility to share wealth.
The work we do in poverty alleviation is morally correct! It shows that we are a caring and a moral state, a moral state must make an effort to care for those in need and that are vulnerable.
Our public servants are the enablers and at the coal-face of service delivery and for them too this is a moral issue, it is not acceptable for them to under perform in this regard, worse to cheat and steal from the state.
Under performance does not only violate Batho Pele principles, it is also immoral, Period! Under performance in service of the poor is even worse. That is something I hope you can interrogate further in this conference.
Our country's moral challenges
While we are trying to do all that must be done to improve the lives of our people there are those amongst us who see an opportunity to fraudulently enrich themselves with the money that is meant to be used to help poor people, there are cases of fraud and corruption that are perpetuated by public servants.
That again is even a higher level of immorality, which cannot be tolerated and must be rooted out. This is corruption of the highest degree.
Code of conduct for public servants
Our forces in uniform the army and the police force represent refuge and trust, that uniform is more than a piece of cloth. It is an identity that says: "I am here to serve, you can rely on me," so we cannot allow a few bad potatoes to change that; people in uniform have at all times to exhibit behaviour that is beyond reproach.
They have to be exemplary, helpful and must be seen to be going the extra mile in whatever they do without seeking to enrich themselves unjustly. Because this is a service and a vocation, it is not just another job.
Members must live according to the highest possible standards and exhibit higher public service ethos, spirit and public morality. Anything less is traumatising to society because our people need standards, they need heroes, they need people to look up to, and they need role models and mentors. In your line of duty as members of the forces you are expected to play that role and take that place of honour in society. Protectors cannot abuse or present danger to society. Just like health workers have to care and bankers cannot be robbers, Chief Financial Officers cannot be caught with their hands in the cookie jar. So are you in that special category that must be guardians of good values.
Disgracing one's uniform and profession takes away not only from the dignity of the affected member but it hurts the collective image of even the innocent so we all cannot watch and allow it. It is everyone's duty to protect the image of the force, to whistle blow and if you do not, you become part of the problem. Members must be trustworthy.
If trust has been broken we must address it. You are also our ambassadors and our forces have done many outstanding things for the good of the continent, we have to build on that. Where there have been mishaps and it has been proven we cannot be seen not to be taking required action following due processes.
Our vulnerable people have no one but us public elected and appointed representatives to champion their cause to act on their needs, unlike others for us it is a duty. So, officials who steal from feeding schemes or give sub-standard service especially to the poor, cross the line of decency. There is a moral crisis when officials forge documents in order to access money earmarked for Child Support Grants when they do not qualify to do so.
We also need to have compassion as social workers, nurses and care-givers in general but also as a people. We are facing the challenge of vulnerable children, orphaned children, poor children - all have none but us as assigned people to look after them.
In the lives of children at risk we must see the future of the nation. Saving our collective future lies in "Ubuntu", which in its depth means I am because you are - so there is no me without you - your well being is my well being and our well being. The well being of the orphaned and street child is my well being. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), business, communities, are all an important network and we must cherish their services and work.
Building strong partnerships I welcome this type of a conference as it seeks to explore what can be done in order to reflect together on this situation, and take correctional steps where needed. To come out with solutions and what each sector can do in order to bring about a change in our value system. The greatest majority of our society they are not abusers or criminals but they need to do more, they need to show they care by acting - not being a problem is one thing but being a spectator is unhelpful when the house is on fire!
I am happy that this conference today is much more representative with more people from other sectors of society and government departments that have been brought on board, such as Social Development, Correctional Services, Sports and Recreation. The partnerships are a key if the MRM is to make any lasting impact. These partnerships are also key for the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC). Government has to give leadership there.
We have as you know the MRM as a movement with a programme and a board. Different sectors of our society participate in different ways, including government departments, municipalities, non-governmental organisations, churches; government can do much more in the MRM.
Through the work of the MRM Board we work at a national, provincial and local level. A draft Charter of Positive Values has been produced and is meant to help us to generate a discussion and deepen the communication around them.
The positive values in the Draft Charter are:
* Respect for human dignity and equality
* Promoting freedom, the rule of law and democracy
* Improving the material well being of the majority and economic justice
* Enhancing family and community values
* Upholding loyalty, honesty and integrity
* Ensuring harmony in culture belief and conscience
* Showing respect and concern for all people
* Striving for justice, fairness and peaceful co-existence.
Core values of our society:
I want to go back to loyalty, honesty and integrity as a value that is of a particular significance to you as forces in service of others. People put their lives in your hands and they must know you are loyal, honest and you have integrity.
We depend on you to be loyal to the Constitution and to deal honestly with the officers you serve and your principals. When and if you break that trust through being disloyal the damage is very hard-hitting. How do you put your hands in the hands of people who are disloyal and lack integrity? That is indeed a scary place to be in.
MRM not only a faith based movement:
One of the most important things that this conference must deal with is the perception that MRM is a movement that is solely centred on faith-based organisations. Now the possibility to dispel this perception is greater. In MRM we are concerned about fair play in sports, corporate governance, government and business, education that is value based parenting and many more things.
Morality is at the heart of a well being of any society, and the family as an institution is at the core of that. The values of ubuntu and caring are well taught within a family unit. I cannot help to overemphasise the responsibility we all have to start instilling and promoting positive values in our families.
The Charter offers you with an opportunity to commit yourselves. Of course there are other departments in government who also play a very crucial role; everyone needs to commit themselves. We must respond to whistle blowers by making necessary follow ups to issues they raise until they reach their logical conclusions.
As we have not done as well as we can. We need you to participate in the work of MRM, for an example fight against corruption in your departments, upholding Batho Pele and Corporate Governance principles.
The importance of moral integrity in our society:
It is important to note that ethics and values are important in all sectors of our society. For example a prominent banker was recently quoted saying that unless there was a basis for morality in our society, then business was impossible. White collar crime is a problem and a challenge in our society and that statement is so true!
Religious communities have a large influence on the way our broader society behaves. Even our young people are very religious. In a study done in the 80s and another one done two years ago, it was shown that the highest number of organised youth in South Africa is in the churches followed by sports. The question is: "How can we build on that?" How much time do we invest in those formations of society? I think partnerships between the forces and the religious bodies in support of youth will be good especially in the context of the National Youth Service (NYS) and the Big Brothers-Big Sister initiative.
It is time that we should look away from our differences as different religions and faiths and focus on what we all agree on regarding positive values in order to build the moral fibre of this country. I encourage the leaders of our faith communities to work harder in order that positive values can become more visible in all our societies.
It is imperative for a Moral Regeneration programme to be implanted in our government departments to build the character of our people through positive values. May this be one of the fruitful outcomes of this conference! That we go out of our way to work with young people especially those who are at risk. Indeed, the army has a very important partner for our National Youth Service that will also go a long way to shape these young citizens.
I am glad that the Department of Defence is one of the departments that have come forward as NYS partners. We have at least two million young people with whom we must touch base in the NYS who need us.
We also have to take it upon ourselves to address sexual and all other forms of violence. You must in this conference help us understand why is it that more than 80 percent of murders are committed between people who know one another, 80 percent of rapes and other gruesome violations, the same thing. Why is it that our people are not safe in their homes, with friends, neighbourhoods and social places? That is an issue with which you have to be seized.
Why are so many men killing their families and themselves? We are now seeing a new trend of also women killing men, it is still rare but we do not need to wait until it is a major trend. Why are criminals so vicious? We need to support the positive trend of declining crime status, while we deal with the type and nature of our crime. I must also say that we share and feel the pain of those who have been victims. Your loss is our loss. We thank the hard working law enforcers who risk life and limb to serve our nation and those who fail in duty have to be brought in line.
I also know that the Department of Defence is spending enormous time in preparing its members to live a value based life; especially through its Chaplains Service value based ethical programmes and the programme to combat HIV/AIDS. (Combating AIDS Through Spiritual and Ethical Conduct -CHATSEC). Carry on the good work and please share the method, please take it to church groups, youth groups and families. As there are parents who have not yet stood up to be counted.
Let us work together for an HIV-Free South Africa.
1. It only needs you and me to stay negative.
2. If HIV positive, to not infect others and re-infect yourself.
3. To know our status so that we can take the necessary precautions.
4. To care, support and help those who are living with HIV.
I have noted that the Value-based HIV/AIDS programme is presented within many countries on our continent and chaplains services around the world and I want to thank the SANDF for the leading role they play through this programme. May this programme, along with other programmes help to lift not only the moral fibre of our communities but also make a difference in the lives of many. Please share it with us in SANAC and with other government departments. We will soon meet to take forward SANAC's work.
I hope we can be a strong voice there.
Conclusion
I would like to encourage the work and efforts that has been done so far around driving that MRM becomes institutionalised in government, where all tiers of government are now participating, and the mobilisation of more national departments to be part of this drive to bring about the restoration of moral values and renewal in our country.
MRM must ensure that this Charter is taken to all corners of our country and widely debated before it is finally adopted by all our people.
The Charter of Positive Values is not the responsibility of government and faith based communities only, it involves the whole of society, so MRM must strive to be the broadest front championing such positive values. All of us should work together towards an ethical and value-based lifestyle - Ubuntu.
I want to thank the SANDF for the initiative of this conference but also want to encourage all other government departments, academic institutions, faith based organisations, labour, youth, women's organisations and communities in general to support this work. Wear your uniform with pride, uphold integrity. Be the beacon of hope! I want to end by again calling on you to honour your uniforms, to be the refuge and shield for our people. To be loyal to this constitution and to serve with pride and integrity; there is no prize for honour and integrity. You cannot buy it, if you lose it.
You cannot buy integrity, so protect it for all our sakes.
I wish you a very fruitful two days of deliberations that will be of benefit to all in our country.
I thank you.
Issued by: The Presidency
30 January 2007
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