Attention: News Editors / PR Wires BACKGROUND BRIEFING ON THE PRESIDENT'S MEETING WITH RELIGIOUS LEADERS

Issued by The Presidency

13 December 2001

President Mbeki and Deputy President Zuma are meeting with Religious Leaders in Pretoria on the 13th of December 2001. The President and Deputy President will be accompanied by a high level delegation of Ministers, including:

• Thoko Didiza, Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs;
• Kader Asmal, Minister of Education
• Valli Moosa, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
• Ben Ngubane, Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology
• Ronnie Kasrils, Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry
• Aziz Pahad, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

Father Mkhatshwa, Executive Mayor of Tshwane and Chair of the Working Committee of the Moral Regeneration Movement will also attend the meeting.

Reverend Frank Chikane, Ms Angela Bester and Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba, Directors-General of the Presidency, Departments of Social Development, Health respectively, will also participate in the meeting.

The Religious Leaders met the President on an adhoc basis on previous occasions. At the last meeting in April 2001 an agreement was reached that the group would meet twice a year.

The aim of the regular interaction is to build national consensus on the value system that the post-apartheid South Africa needs to inculcate. In that sense the interactions have evolved into the status of another Working Group through which government and role players from various sectors are able to exchange views and develop common approaches to the country's challenges and opportunities.

Today's meeting is expected to continue discussion on poverty alleviation and eradication, nation-building and reconciliation and African Challenges and Development. Minister Asmal will brief the meeting on meetings he has held with various religious groups with regards to education matters. A discussion will also be held on the moral regeneration initiative, including matters of abuse against women and children.

A photo opportunity will be possible before the meeting begins at 16h00. Media should please arrive by 15h45. A briefing will be held at the end of the meeting at 18h00.

The following will be attending the meeting:

• Bishop Adam J Richardson: African Methodist Episcopal Church
• Pastor G Mahlobo: Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM)
• Rev. Isaac Hlet: Assemblies of God
• Rev. Paul Msiza: Baptist Convention
• Archbishop Ndungane: Church of the Province SA
• Prof. P Potgieter: Dutch Reformed Church (NGK)
• Dr W J Botha: Dutch Reformed Church (NGK)
• Bishop D Lilje: Evangelical Lutheran Church
• Archbishop N H Ngada: Federal Council of African Independent
• Pastor L L Rowlands: Full Gospel Church of God in SA
• Pastor R Mcauley: Int. Federation of Christian Churches
• Bishop M Dandala: Methodist Church of SA
• His Eminence W. C Napier: SA Catholic Bishops Conference
• Father Richard Menatsi: SA Catholic Bishops Conference
• Rev. Moss Nthla: The Evangelical Alliance of SA (TEASA)
• Rev.S Titus: United Congregational Church of SA
• Rev. AD (Diane) Vorster: Presbyterian Church
• Rev N J Tshawane: Presbyterian Church
• Rev. James Buys : Uniting Reformed Church
• Bishop B Lekhanyane: Zion Christian Church (ZCC)
• Rev. Dr Molefe Tsele: SACC
• Ntate Kgalushi Koka: African Traditional Religion
• Ms S Rawhani: National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is
• Ms. Heila Downey : Buddist Dharma Centre
• Adv. Ashwin Trikamjee: Hindu Maha Sabha
• Chief Rabbi C Harris: Union of Orthodox Synagogues
• Sheik E Gabriels: Muslim Judicial Council of SA
• Sh. A Gabier: United Ullama Council
• Dr. F Auerbach: National Religious Leaders Forum (NRLF)
• Bishop T Ntongana: African Instituted Churches Association
• Bishop N P Phaswana: Evangelical Lutheran Church in SA (ELCSA)
• Bishop A Markos: Coptic Orthodox Church
• His Eminence Seraphim Kkykodis: Greek Orthodox

Enquiries: Tasneem Carrim 083 650 7119