The Moderator, Right Reverend Dixon Masangu,

The Deputy Moderator, Rev Patrick Khosa, and 

The former Moderator, Reverend Dr Joseph Tshawane,

The General-Secretary of the Church, Rev Dr Titus Mobbie,

The General-Treasurer of the Church, Rev Thembani Mayayisi,

The Chairperson of the Presbytery, Rev Mashila Khosa 

The Deputy-Chairperson of the Presbytery-Rev Widick Mkhatshwa,

All Ministers present here,

Esteemed traditional leaders, Hosi Penny Ngove V and Hosi Mlungisi Ntsan’wisi 

Distinguished delegates from SADC,

Members of the congregation,

 

I would like to thank the leadership of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Service here in Giyani in the beautiful Limpopo Province for inviting me to be part of this special service.

We extend a warm welcome to the delegates from beyond our borders, our brothers and sisters from within the SADC region.

Your presence confirms that we are one people and that we have a collective responsibility to build our region, especially to promote unity and cohesion within SADC.

 

Brothers and sisters,

 

We meet on an important day, Grandparents Day as designated by the United Nations. 

The UN designated the day so that nations can pay special attention to senior citizens and promote their wellbeing, support and participation in society.

Let me therefore take this opportunity to wish all grandparents at this service and throughout the country a wonderful day filled with joy and happiness!

 

Brothers and sisters,

 

The church or faith based sector play a critical role in building our communities. 

In this country in particular, during the most difficult days of apartheid colonialism, the church played a critical role in providing education through mission schools. This was a very important contribution to nation building and human resource development.

 

The Evangelical Presbyterian church as well has been very active in education and health issues. 

This church established the following schools and hospitals - Shilubani Hospital, Elim Hospital as well as Lemana College and Lemana secondary which was attended by the legendary Mozambican leader, Mr Eduardo Mondlane. 

We truly appreciate this contribution and urge the church to continue playing this important role of contribution to social development in a meaningful way.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

We also wish to thank the church in our country and in the SADC region as a whole for the positive contribution to the fight against HIV and AIDS.

This region has felt the impact of the pandemic over the past few years with many people dying, and many spending countless days in hospitals in pain. 

Families had to be assisted by churches to care for the sick during emotionally draining times. The situation is still serious in the region, but we are making progress. 

 

We felt a surge of pride when the United Nations released the 2013 Getting to Zero: HIV in Eastern and Southern Africa Report. 

The report noted that the number of children infected with HIV within the region had decreased by more than half. The report further noted a decline in HIV infections in the region and a decrease in deaths from AIDS and over 10 years. 

 

We congratulate the people of the region but work must continue to prevent the spread of the virus and to support those living with the virus.

Let me urge the church to continue supporting government in our country in building a caring society, and in promoting stronger families and positive family values. 

 

We rely on the church to assist us in promoting the understanding of the difference between right and wrong and to teach especially the youth what it means to be members of society.

Government cannot play the nation building role alone. 

 

Teaching the values of respect for one another, respect for the next person and for elders is very important to inculcate in our youth today, so that we can build more cohesive communities and eliminate some of the social ills plaguing our society.

I thank you once again for inviting us and I wish you a successful and blessed gathering.

 

I thank you.