On Thursday the 18th September 2008, the South African Council of Churches issued a statement intended, among other things, to plead with the ANC NEC to allow the President of the Republic to complete his term of office.

We made this plea conscious of the complex nature of the state of affairs in our land and trusted that the NEC of the ANC would "live up to their track record which, in challenging times, has always put the interest of the country ahead of either the party or individuals within it". Our views and concerns were expressed to the leadership of the ANC after they graciously agreed to meet with us a day before the meeting of their NEC - an opportunity for which we are equally grateful.

The SACC expresses its regret on the manner in which the President of the Republic was led to resign from the highest position in the land. Indeed the SACC prayed and hoped for a different outcome. In the light of the decision by the NEC of the ANC to recall the President of the Republic, the SACC wishes to submit as follows:

• That the leadership of the ANC takes the nation into their confidence by expeditiously filling the subsequent leadership void and by reassuring the citizens of the country as well as the international community that neither government nor governance is under threat.

Politics of Disgrace and Affirmation

The SACC further reiterates its position with regard to the politics of disgrace vis-à-vis the politics of affirmation in our political landscape. Prior to the Polokwane Conference, the SACC condemned the disgraceful manner in which political leaders, the media and civil servants were bent on publicly disgracing one another. The disturbing lack of affirmation in developing and strengthening open discourse in our new democracy even in this particular instance remains unacceptable.

The Contribution of the President of the Republic

The SACC expresses its appreciation of the strides made by President Thabo Mbeki as he is now poised to step down and calls on the next administration to build on those accomplishments essential to assure South Africa of her prosperous and peaceful future.

For further information, please contact: Mr. Eddie Makue, General Secretary (011 241 7817) or Prof TS Maluleke, SACC President (082 925 5232).