South African church leaders urge president to act against poverty

Catholic education officials also held consultations with government officials last week to address challenges facing the sector.

The leaders of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) met President Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss what they said are urgent matters affecting South Africa. 

During the meeting on 11 April, the president committed to continued church-state dialogue, while the SACC president Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Umtata raised concerns about the government of national unity and levels of poverty in the country.

“We welcome the opportunity to be introduced to the new leadership of the South African Council of Churches and to discuss matters of that concern the Church and the people of South Africa,” President Ramaphosa said.

“The SACC is a cherished institution in our country. Over many decades it has made an invaluable contribution to peace, unity, development and transformation. We appreciate the willingness and determination of the SACC to work with the government, with other faith formations and with other sectors of society,” he added.

The meeting came at a time when the economy – still the largest in Africa – faces a raft of challenges including high levels of poverty and unemployment, while society is blighted by gender-based violence and crime.

The coalition government has been plagued by divisions which at one point delayed the approval of the national budget, drawing criticism for delaying funding for social services.

“We support the National Dialogue initiative but emphasise that for it to have legitimacy, the process must be protected from being hijacked by political, economic, and societal elites,” said Bishop Sipuka.

“We must confront our declining values and moral conduct, and address the dehumanisation caused by poverty and inequality. As church leaders and congregants are deeply concerned by the political gamesmanship within the Government of National Unity, when urgent national challenges – especially those affecting the poor and vulnerable – demand serious and united attention.”

Catholic education officials also held consultations with government officials last week to address challenges facing the sector.

Representatives of the National Catholic Board of Education and the Catholic Institute of Education met the education minister to discuss areas of collaboration, with the government official encouraging the Catholic Church to table its concerns to “avoid a crisis of collaboration”.

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