MEETING OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS WITH PRESIDENT MBEKI
Tuesday, 3 April 2001 Issued by: Office of the Presidency
The leaders of 30 of South Africa's major religious communities
met with President Mbeki at Union Buildings this afternoon.
Christian denominations, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Bahai's, and African
Traditional beliefs were all represented.
The President raised five central issues which focused the discussion on the
common quest of government and religion to transform South African society.
These included accelerating the process of building a non racial united
nation; to enhance programmes to eradicate poverty; to develop the capacity
of government; moral regeneration; and to participate in the renewal of the
African continent.
Discussion ranged over a wide range of related subjects including:
* ways to accomplish the moral regeneration of our society demanded by crime,
corruption and violence; * a commitment to social and spiritual transformation
of the nation which goes beyond party or denominational differences; * the
necessity of close co-operation between government and religious bodies in
analysing the causes and seeking the solution to poverty, racism and moral
regeneration.
Differences and difficulties were frankly recognised, as were ways in which
common supportive activities could be undertaken.
There was unanimous agreement that much closer communication be established
between Government and the Religious Communities on specific matters
affecting the transformation of our country. More structured interaction is
envisaged to this end between the Presidency and the National Religious
Leaders Forum
Enquiries: Bheki Khumalo on 083 200 1900 or 012 337 5227
processed Wed 4 Apr 2001 06:03 EDT by Omar C. Jadwat (newswire@bibim.com).
©Copyright 2001, South African Office of the Presidency
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