South African Council of Churches (SACC) calls on the religious community to encourage a free and open debate on the selection of leaders of the land.

Representatives from SACC member churches called on the religious community to encourage diversity of opinion and a free, frank and open debate in the processes leading to the selection of the new ANC leadership and all political leaders of our country. Processes relating to elections are critical for the strength of democracy in our country.

On Tuesday (16th October), SACC brought together more than 30 church leaders, at Khotso House, to engage in conversation on matters related to succession and moral/ethical leadership. The SACC believes that succession matters. Similar conversations are planned with church leaders in other provinces.

The conversation was facilitated by presentations from the President of SACC, Professor Tinyiko Maluleke, the second Vice President of SACC, Dr Puleng Lenka-Bula and a member of the National Executive Committee, Bishop Paul Verryn. In his welcoming address the General Secretary, Mr Eddie Makue said “the December ANC Conference in Polokwane will decide on future leadership for the ANC and the country. Whether we like it or not, this conference will determine who the next President of our country will be.”

“Succession matters are of critical importance to us as churches”, said Professor Maluleke,because issues of governance affect the poorest of the poor”. He went further to say that “succession matters when palace politics consume all the energies of political parties and all influential worker and civic organizations to the detriment of the poor, who are crying out for service. Succession is everything and not only about leadership”. In this regard he called for leadership that is vulnerable, loyal and accountable to God and the electorate, among other things.

Bishop Verryn expressed similar views when he asserted that the succession debate offers an opportunity to highlight issues of justice. “This is another moment (Kairos)”, said Bishop Verryn, “given to the Church to identify with the voiceless and dispossessed in the struggle for a just society”. He spoke to the religious community in particular when he pointed out that this moment offers an important challenge for self scrutiny and repentance as the ministry to the poor is popular only in ideal but almost impossible in practice.

Dr Lenka-Bula argued that responsible political leadership ought to engender social and economic justice. “Responsible leadership in Africa”, she said, “will thrive when respect, integrity, and full participation by all are encouraged”.

Participants also urged the media and leaders to be discerning on how we deal with ethnicity, broad people’s participation and addressing poverty as we search for justice for all. Leaders in Church and society must guard against the abuse and vulgarity of our calling. The liberation ethos of unbridled care and concern for justice, equality and decent livelihoods and obedience to God need to be recovered and promoted.

The message from the participants to the South Africans and the religious community in particular is simple : guard against selfishness and the abuse of power while concentrating on service that inculcates realistic hope, especially for people and communities on the margins of society.

For more information, contact: Mr Eddie Makue, General Secretary of the SACC at 011 241 7817 or 082 853 8781