President Cyril Ramaphosa has hosted the first engagement between government and the leadership of the church since the start of the Seventh Administration.
The President hosted the leadership of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Friday under the banner of the Government of National Unity.
The meeting presented an opportunity for the SACC to introduce its new and recently elected leadership.
“We welcome the opportunity to be introduced to the new leadership of the SACC and to discuss matters that concern the church and the people of South Africa,” the President said.
The meeting discussed a wide range of issues of national interest ranging from the National Dialogue initiative, government’s ongoing fight against crime and corruption and the access of state services.
President Ramaphosa committed that the National Dialogue will bring together all sectors of society and encourage the participation of all South Africans.
“Importantly, the National Dialogue must be informed by extensive public consultation in localities facilitated by various sectors of society. It needs to give a voice to those in society who are not often heard, to people who are marginalised, to those who are most vulnerable to poverty, violence and exploitation,” the President said.
It is envisaged that the National Dialogue will build on the achievements of 30 years of democracy.
Among other things, it will need to address challenges of low growth and job creation, poverty and hunger, governance, corruption and fiscal constraints. It will also need to address gender-based violence and femicide, social fragmentation, racism and sexism, violence and the potential for instability.
Government also briefed the SACC on South Africa’s Group of Twenty (G20) Presidency along with regional and international issues of concern.
“The meeting heard about government’s ongoing work in implementing the recommendations of the State Capture Commission. This includes criminal investigations and prosecutions, the recovery of stolen funds, legislative amendments and strengthening institutions.
“Furthermore, government remains focused on strengthening and resourcing key institutions in the criminal justice system, like the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority], Hawks and SIU [Special Investigating Unit], this includes the establishment of the NPA’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption as a permanent entity to prosecute state capture and other significant corruption cases,” the Presidency said.
The President also committed government’s support for greater cooperation between churches and government bodies that are on the frontline of providing services to people – most notably the Departments of Home Affairs and Social Development.
He highlighted South Africa’s drive for an inclusive G20.
The President said dialogue with civil society and other non-government institutions will be conducted through various engagement groups.
“Following the approach of the Brazilian Presidency, a G20 Social Forum will be convened. This will bring together representatives of the existing engagement groups and other segments of civil society including various faith formations.
“The President assured the church leaders that South Africa will continue to pursue an independent foreign policy and will not align itself with any of the major powers or blocs in the world,” the Presidency said.
Ramaphosa asserted that South Africa remains engaged in efforts to bring about peace and stability in various parts of our region and continent, especially through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union initiatives.
“South Africa continues to use its participation in fora like the G20, BRICS, Non-Aligned Movement, African Union and United Nations to advance a rules-based multilateralism that is fair and inclusive. We are committed to the reform of global institutions to ensure that they represent the needs and interests of all countries,” the President said. -SAnews.gov.za
