Deputy President Paul Mashatile commemorated Jesus Christ’s crucifixion by calling on the church and government to work together for the betterment of South Africans when he attended the Amandla Ngawethu Universal Church’s Easter Friday service at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.
Although he was there primarily to listen to the sermon delivered by church leader Bishop Marcelo Pires, Mashatile took the opportunity to call for greater cooperation between the church and government, emphasising that their joint efforts are essential for improving life for all South Africans.
Unity Against Challenges
Mashatile pleaded with God to help the country deal with its challenges, including the problems of electricity and water, and said that the unity between the church and the government would be able to win the fight against crime, violence, gangsterism, and gender-based violence.
He described himself as a man of God who frequents various churches, as they all follow one God, and pledged that the government will continue to work with the church, as the government’s vision is to build a better life for all South Africans.
Other Politicians Join In
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli started his day on Friday by attending Diakonia Council of Churches’ Good Friday prayer service, which started at about 6am at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and ended at the City Hall.
Outside the Durban City Hall, Ntuli told hundreds of members of various denominations affiliated to the Diakonia Council of Church that they should use the commemoration of Easter Weekend to address poverty and inequality, as according to Statistics South Africa, many South Africans still live below the poverty line.
Some of the key areas that the church and government can work together on include:
- Education and skills development
- Job creation and economic empowerment
- Health and social services
- Crime prevention and community safety
By working together, the church and government can make a significant impact on the lives of South Africans and help to build a better future for the country.
