At a meeting with various Church leaders yesterday (Friday, 6 February), Dr. Molefe Tsele, General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches warmly welcomed President Mbeki’s State of the Nation address and commended the President for measuring the progress of South Africa's democracy against former President Nelson Mandela's "vision of creating a people-centred society."

Tsele acknowledged Mbeki's reference to the 1994 elections as a turning point from despair to hope in the history of relationships between government, state and, especially, the black people of South Africa. Tsele said that the Churches have a fundamental ongoing role to engage South Africa's people in the lessons of national unity, dignity, justice and peace if the vision for a people centred society is to be realised.

"Unquestionably," said Tsele, "the nation has progressed by putting in place and strengthening the basis for democratic institutions, such as the electoral system and other bodies that monitor the progress of our democracy. It is important to build on these gains in the second decade of our democracy in a spirit of co-operation so that all including the poor may be part of partnerships that provide for human need and the creation of a caring society."

Tsele went on to applaud the announcement that the Constitution would not be amended to provide for a third Presidential term saying that such a decision was indicative of the democratic and political maturity of the nation. While Tsele agreed with President Mbeki's comment that a decade was not sufficient to redress three centuries of colonialism and apartheid, a major challenge would lie in how the First and Second economies related to each other in order to overcome the scourge of poverty. Tsele indicated that the SACC would continue to accept the challenge of "critical engagement" with government in terms of poverty eradication as well as with socio-economic policies that are in place in order to ensure the realisation of a 'people centred society'.

The General Secretary indicated, however, that continuing to face such challenges is a sign of progress of a democracy seeking justice, peace and dignity for all and that, as such, our ten years of democracy is indeed cause for celebration. "Being a people of hope, Good News and dignity," said Tsele, "is equally important if we are to make a significant impact for peace, justice and dignity on the process of globalisation, renewal on the Continent as well as on a new world order."

Statement issued by:
(Rev.) Keith Vermeulen
Director: SACC Parliamentary Office
Contact: 021 423 4261