Interfaith leaders to engage President on societal renewal

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday, 10 April 2019, hold discussions with interfaith religious leaders who are developing a values-based initiative to engender social cohesion, nation-building and societal renewal.

The engagement between the President and religious leaders from a broad range of denominations and African traditional religion is aimed at enabling  leaders of different faith groups to take leadership in renewing South African society and to “develop positive values that advance our country to the  South Africa we want”.

Interfaith leaders will present the initiative to President Ramaphosa in response to the President’s Thuma Mina call for all sectors of society and   individuals to contribute to improving social and economic conditions in the country.

Interfaith leaders believe social renewal and the positive framing of South Africa’s national character is at the heart of South Africa’s growth and renewal.

This initiative will focus on addressing disturbing social phenomena such as unemployment, inequality, gender-based violence, crime and lawlessness and violence against foreign nationals. 

This movement will motivate South Africans to coalesce around the values of tolerance and ubuntu, which are shared across the entire spectrum of South Africa’s diverse society.

The religious sector foresees itself playing a critical role within communities and in assisting government in restoring the moral fibre of society, in the restoration of common values and in advancing social cohesion.

Interfaith religious leaders wish to see this sector replicate the role the faith community played during the anti-apartheid struggle in mobilising communities, in building resilience through the provision of community-based and other services, and in giving a voice to citizens.

The meeting will conclude with the adoption of a Presidential declaration for societal renewal.

Members of the media are invited to the open session as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 10 April 2019
Time: 10:00(Media to arrive at 09:00)
Venue: CSIR International Convention Centre, City of Tshwane

Media can send rsvp to  Khutjo Sebata  on  079 898 4621 or khutjo@presidency.gov.za by sending names, media house and ID numbers by no later than 15h00 on Tuesday, 09 April 2019.


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria