The National Executive Committee of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) held its first meeting of 2006 on Tuesday, 7 March, at Khotso House.

The meeting took place against a backdrop of national celebration following the announcement that the South African film, Tsotsi, had won the US Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film of 2005. The members of the Executive expressed their delight with the award and the international recognition of South Africa's actors and film industry. The Council extended congratulations to Tsotsi's Director, Gavin Hood, and the film's cast and crew, including Terry Pheto and Presley Chweneyagae. "From humble beginnings, you have risen to well-deserved acclaim on a global stage," said Dr. Molefe Tsele, General Secretary. "You have made us proud."

The NEC discussed a wide range of topics of concern to the Council's 26 denominational members. Other issues on which the NEC took action included:

Municipal Elections

SACC leaders expressed appreciation to the Independent Electoral Commission, political parties, the police and South African voters for the relatively smooth and peaceful municipal elections held on 1 March. The NEC applauded the maturity and responsibility of political parties for their magnanimous acceptance of the election outcome. It extended particular congratulations to IEC Chair Dr. Brigalia Bam and Chief Electoral Officer Patsy Tlakula for their skillful administration of the election. It also noted the continuing need for voter education, particularly in order to combat apathy and build a culture of responsible citizenship among young people.

The SACC coordinated the South African Civil Society Observation Coalition (SACSOC), which trained and deployed election observers in all nine provinces. The Council joined SACSOC in articulating the hope that the elections would lay the foundation for more efficient delivery of local services. "As councilors and ward representatives, you have entered into a contract with the people you represent, and you have a moral obligation to do your best to fulfil the promises you made during the campaign," the NEC said.

The Executive articulated continuing concern about areas affected by border disputes. "The Council believes that the Khutsong issue could have been handled better. We urge government to engage constructively with the people of Khutsong and Matatiele to find solutions to the communications problems that seem to have plagued the process of border demarcation." The NEC commended efforts by the Gauteng Council of Churches to negotiate a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Khutsong.

Building Democracy in the Region

The Executive responded warmly to a request to accompany church leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo as they prepare for national elections scheduled to be held by June 2006. Churches in the DRC are planning to send a delegation to South Africa to meet with their South African counterparts to share experiences and explore ways of working together to build peace and democracy in the DRC. The NEC welcomed the opportunity to partner with DRC churches and to assist them where possible. The meeting also accepted an invitation from the Council of Churches of Swaziland to send a pastoral delegation to Swaziland.

Interchurch Dialogue with Refugees

The NEC expressed concern over the number of people being displaced from their homes due to conflicts and human rights abuses throughout Africa and southern Africa in particular. Members of the Executive were particularly dismayed about continuing xenophobia and mistreatment of Zimbabweans and other refugees and asylum-seekers living in South Africa. The Council committed itself to initiating a series of interchurch dialogues with refugees to explore ways of improving the living conditions and protecting the human rights of uprooted people living in South Africa.

Palestine and Israel

The NEC received the report of the South African Observer Mission to the Legislative Elections in Palestine, which took place on 25 January. The Council congratulated the Central Election Commission of the Palestinian Authority for a well-run election in the face of extreme adversity. It expressed concern about continuing reports of widespread human rights violations in the region. Recalling the role of international sanctions in hastening the demise of apartheid, the Council commended international religious organisations that are exploring the possibility of disinvesting from certain firms doing business with Israel.

Small Arms

Alarmed by statistics that indicate that more than 1 000 people die every day from gun-related violence, the NEC joined more than 45 governments and 600 civil society organisations in endorsing the call for an international arms trade treaty to curtail the extensive and largely unregulated international trade in small arms. The Control Arms initiative, which is being co-ordinated locally by Ceasfire and Gun Free South Africa, also considers the developmental impact of arms spending and calls on governments to enhance human security by ensuring that police and security forces do not abuse their right to carry weapons. The call for the treaty is being supported by the "Million Faces Petition", a picture petition in which endorsers submit either a photograph or a drawing of themselves.

Same-Sex Marriages

The Executive received a report of the Ecumenical Seminar on Same-Sex Marriages convened by the SACC at Kempton Park, 6-7 February. The NEC acknowledged that there continues to be a diversity of deeply-held beliefs on this subject and that differences of opinion and scriptural interpretation cut across denominational boundaries. However, the Executive affirmed the broad areas of consensus that began to emerge from the seminar, namely:

• The Bible must be the Church's primary guide to decisions affecting same-sex marriages.
• Adopting a strictly literal interpretation of particular Biblical passages is inconsistent with an understanding of God as present and active in human society, constantly shaping our grasp of scripture in response to a dynamic society.
• The church is called by God to accept, affirm and love all people and should therefore be slow to condemn and quick to listen to lesbian and gay people in our churches.
• A secular state is an appropriate way of giving all faith groups equal space to articulate their views.
• The obligations incumbent on the state may differ from the obligations incumbent on faith communities. The Constitution must remain the starting point for legal discussions of the state's obligation to same-sex couples.
• The current definition of marriage does not encourage same-sex couples to establish faithful, lasting relationships or to celebrate their sexuality within the grace of God.

Seminar participants urged the SACC to promote further study and dialogue among churches on the issue. The NEC responded to this request by approving plans to prepare and circulate a reader on same-sex marriage and to convene a follow-up discussion later in the year.

For more information, contact: Mr. Eddie Makue, Deputy General Secretary (082 853 3781)