Date: 11/05/2006
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Title: Xasa: Moral Regeneration Movement
Speech by Eastern Cape MEC of Social Development Toko Xasa addressing stakeholders on Moral Regeneration Movement
Chairperson,
Councillors,
Ladies and gentleman,
I thought that I should start by introducing the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) to those who might not have been aware of its existence more specifically in the province. The MRM was launched in our province on 19 September 2003 which was a result of the moral summit that was held in Johannesburg in 1998.
The purpose of its establishment was to ensure proper co-ordination, facilitation, monitoring and evaluation of implementation of the Constitution and other national and provincial frameworks, policies and programmes that are aimed at the regeneration and restoration of the moral fibre of society towards the creation of a society, governed generally by acceptable human values and moral standards and the true spirit of “Ubuntu”.
The kind of news that we read or hear about on our media is testimony that indeed there is a problem of decay in morals of the society. The question is how bad is this problem specifically in our province.
Ladies and gentlemen, to begin to address this challenge of moral decay we should as all sectors of society commit ourselves to working together within our areas of influence and responsibility, to make sure that this movement lives within each and every one of us. As this is a programme that requires a collective effort, we have to constantly ask ourselves as members of the media, business sector, individuals and communities at large what is expected from each one of us to realise the ideal of a confident society with a strong moral fibre? This programme is geared towards involving all sectors of society in instilling positive values to individuals and communities alike.
It is heartbreaking and saddening for the province and the country as a whole when we see our young people going in and out of jails as a result of lack in positive role models. In this regard we must build on the vast pool of positive role modes we have in all sectors, to make them an inspiration for our youth.
This further puts before us a task of winning the battle for the hearts, minds and souls of our people, young and old, so that they walk with us in this journey that is designed to bring back nostalgia.
The business sector in the province has a role to play in ensuring that we keep our young cadre, the future of this country, out of the streets and those who have already fallen pray to the ills of this world be assisted to rebuild their live so that they too can benefit in our newly found freedom. “Building a caring society together.” This could be done in the form of skills development programmes partnering government and all sectors that have vested interests in the development of the Eastern Cape and South Africa as a whole.
“This caring communal approach is the answer to corruption, crime and violence. Morality is not individual goodness but a co-operative project of survival. It recovers a community consciousness which thrives because people feel involved with one another” (President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela 1998).
Through the MRM, we will ensure that our ongoing work is connected to a framework of intended outcomes, based on time frames that can effectively be monitored. There is clearly a lot of work that needs to be done, even in terms of structuring the MRM itself as an organisation and spreading it to other parts of the province. The MRM is an opportunity to redouble our efforts as a full partnership of the people, to translate our words and commitment into actions and a strong commitment amongst all citizens to stay the course. As this matter is pressing in its nature, we have to be prompt to ensure that we meet our vision of a healthier, loving and caring society guided by commonly acceptable human and moral values.
Our quest for moral rejuvenation provides a solid foundation for our children, and theirs, to become ethical and socially responsible citizens. It is critical though that all of us understand that the MRM is a movement of the people. Therefore, its success will largely depend on the extent to which people work successfully, closely, together at all levels of society.
I am convinced that what we have discussed in the past and we are about to discuss today will soon bear fruit and will become a strong catalyst for developing a caring and humane society.
I thank you, enkosi, dankie!
Issued by: Department of Social Development, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
11 May 2006
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
Title: Xasa: Moral Regeneration Movement
Speech by Eastern Cape MEC of Social Development Toko Xasa addressing stakeholders on Moral Regeneration Movement
Chairperson,
Councillors,
Ladies and gentleman,
I thought that I should start by introducing the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) to those who might not have been aware of its existence more specifically in the province. The MRM was launched in our province on 19 September 2003 which was a result of the moral summit that was held in Johannesburg in 1998.
The purpose of its establishment was to ensure proper co-ordination, facilitation, monitoring and evaluation of implementation of the Constitution and other national and provincial frameworks, policies and programmes that are aimed at the regeneration and restoration of the moral fibre of society towards the creation of a society, governed generally by acceptable human values and moral standards and the true spirit of “Ubuntu”.
The kind of news that we read or hear about on our media is testimony that indeed there is a problem of decay in morals of the society. The question is how bad is this problem specifically in our province.
Ladies and gentlemen, to begin to address this challenge of moral decay we should as all sectors of society commit ourselves to working together within our areas of influence and responsibility, to make sure that this movement lives within each and every one of us. As this is a programme that requires a collective effort, we have to constantly ask ourselves as members of the media, business sector, individuals and communities at large what is expected from each one of us to realise the ideal of a confident society with a strong moral fibre? This programme is geared towards involving all sectors of society in instilling positive values to individuals and communities alike.
It is heartbreaking and saddening for the province and the country as a whole when we see our young people going in and out of jails as a result of lack in positive role models. In this regard we must build on the vast pool of positive role modes we have in all sectors, to make them an inspiration for our youth.
This further puts before us a task of winning the battle for the hearts, minds and souls of our people, young and old, so that they walk with us in this journey that is designed to bring back nostalgia.
The business sector in the province has a role to play in ensuring that we keep our young cadre, the future of this country, out of the streets and those who have already fallen pray to the ills of this world be assisted to rebuild their live so that they too can benefit in our newly found freedom. “Building a caring society together.” This could be done in the form of skills development programmes partnering government and all sectors that have vested interests in the development of the Eastern Cape and South Africa as a whole.
“This caring communal approach is the answer to corruption, crime and violence. Morality is not individual goodness but a co-operative project of survival. It recovers a community consciousness which thrives because people feel involved with one another” (President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela 1998).
Through the MRM, we will ensure that our ongoing work is connected to a framework of intended outcomes, based on time frames that can effectively be monitored. There is clearly a lot of work that needs to be done, even in terms of structuring the MRM itself as an organisation and spreading it to other parts of the province. The MRM is an opportunity to redouble our efforts as a full partnership of the people, to translate our words and commitment into actions and a strong commitment amongst all citizens to stay the course. As this matter is pressing in its nature, we have to be prompt to ensure that we meet our vision of a healthier, loving and caring society guided by commonly acceptable human and moral values.
Our quest for moral rejuvenation provides a solid foundation for our children, and theirs, to become ethical and socially responsible citizens. It is critical though that all of us understand that the MRM is a movement of the people. Therefore, its success will largely depend on the extent to which people work successfully, closely, together at all levels of society.
I am convinced that what we have discussed in the past and we are about to discuss today will soon bear fruit and will become a strong catalyst for developing a caring and humane society.
I thank you, enkosi, dankie!
Issued by: Department of Social Development, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
11 May 2006
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