South African Council of Churches (SACC) calls on politicians and the media of our country to stop and remember where we come from as a fledging nation and as a people recently formed.

On Sunday (18th November), SACC in Limpopo brought together more than 100 people to Turfloop to pray for peace, stability, the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the processes leading to the ANC national conference in Polokwane. The preacher at the service was the President of the SACC, Professor Tinyiko Maluleke. Emphasizing the importance of prayer and the need to pray at this point in time, Maluleke said, “I cannot over-emphasize that we could lose it all – much more easily than we gained it. Thirteen, fifteen, twenty five years later, it can all be gone!” He further warned that we move into serious trouble when our leaders and when the people of the land think that they are i) entitled to what they have, ii) self-assured that what they have will always be here and iii) are convinced that what we have has been acquired magically and that it will all be retained through magic. “These are dangerous assumptions”, said Maluleke.He called on the nation not merely to intervene, but to intercede for the country, for our people and for our leaders. Referring specifically to the ANC as it prepares for its 52nd conference Maluleke said, “we want to pray with you and for you so that God may help you to understand the immensity of your calling in this country at this point in time.”

Maluleke informed both our media and our politicians that the people of this country find no entertainment in the scandals with which the public is fed week after week. The people of this country find no entertainment in these tragic shenanigans. “Enough! Stop!” called out Maluleke. “We have watched you disgrace and smear one another in ugly media wars of words and more recently the fist scuffles and fights inspired by your own conduct. We have heard our leaders call one another names in public. We have come to ask you all to stop and remember where we come from, as a fledgling nation and as a people recently formed", said Maluleke.

Maluleke went on to remind the people of South Africa that the entire continent of Africa expects a lot from our country. “Above all”, he concluded, “we as a people have accountability towards God regarding the spreading of justice and mercy even as we build a new country and a new world”

The call from the SACC to all South Africans and the religious community in particular at this time is simple : pray for our country, our people and our leaders.

For further information please contact Professor Tinyiko Maluleke, the President of SACC at 0829255232 or Mr Eddie Makue, the General Secretary of SACC at 0828538781