Pretoria – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a caring society where there is no place for violence against foreign nationals, intolerance and lawlessness.
Speaking at the Gauteng Inter-Faith Prayer Day held at the Ellis Park stadium, in Johannesburg, Deputy President Ramaphosa called on communities to reaffirm their commitment to unity and solidarity, development, prosperity and equality.
“It is in our hands to remake our continent and to leave a legacy of hope and prosperity for our people.
“The faith community is crucial in the attainment of the African Union vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena,” he said on Sunday.
Deputy President Ramaphosa said relations between people of different faiths were particularly important at a time when violence is being perpetrated in the name of religion in various parts of the world, including on the African continent.
“We need to speak out against those who will corrupt and misuse religion in pursuit of their own reprehensible ends. As social movements and forces for good, communities of faith play an important role in mobilising people around moral regeneration,” he said.
He said communities of faith should advance tolerance and understanding among people from different backgrounds and belief systems.
“We pay tribute to communities of faith for working in partnership with government and other stakeholders to improve the lives of our people.
“The fight against poverty, unemployment and inequality is being fought daily and innovatively and courageously by all communities of faith in this country,” he said.
Deputy President Ramaphosa said he is humbled by the many ways in which communities of faith are taking up the task of transforming society.
“Faith-based organisations provided shelter, food and counselling to victims of violence and displacement.
“It is therefore particularly poignant that we are together on Africa Day to reflect on how all of us can participate in the realisation of the AU’s Vision 2063,” Deputy President Ramaphosa said.
He said today South Africa joins other African countries in celebrating Africa Day.
Africa Day is celebrated on 25 May within the African continent and marks the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) now known as African Union (AU) by 32 governments in 1963.
South Africa re-joined the continent and the international community in 1994 following the dawn of freedom and democracy. Africa Day 2015 marks the celebration of 21 years since the country's reintegration into the OAU/AU. – SAnews.gov.za
