Written by: CHANGE political party
Article source: Supplied
South Africa’s newest political party, CHANGE, has called for President Ramaphosa to be careful not to render the church irrelevant by permitting its re-opening only at Level 1.
“For the government to re-open the church gathering long after the schools, work places, crowded public transportation had opened and far after alcohol and cigarettes sales is allowed is a bitter message to the 86% plus population that their religion is less important” said CHANGE founder and president Lesiba Molokomme.
Molokomme further said that the church as a major player in moral regeneration is not a social gathering that can be categorized in same level with taverns and social clubs.
“The government is simply saying the school kids, alcohol users and the many commuters are more capable and responsible to heed the lockdown rules than the church and any religious institutions” Molokomme further emphasized.
He said if it happens that there are infections in the church the sufferers can be easily traced than if it happens in trains and at the taxi ranks because people there are strangers.
“CHANGE therefore calls for the President to reconsider the government’s decision and allow for the church to re-open at level 3 of the lockdown easing program. This must be under the strict rules of 100 people per gathering as it was before” he said.
For churches with huge following and can’t gather in hundreds like the ZCC, Rhema and the IPCC Molokomme said “the Church in South Africa is a united force and all the big churches will be happy that at least there are churches out there allowed back. They also will use this opportunity for their prayer and leadership meetings to deal with their backlogged church matters”.
*CHANGE is founded on Biblical principles and one of their aims is to be a radical voice for the Church in South Africa. The party is registered with IEC.
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Date published: 14/05/2020
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I’m trying to think what motivates the government to keep the church under lock down for so long. I pray that it’s just a miscalculation and not something more sinister. Government would benefit from partnering with the church rather than alienating it.
Let the churches open
I agree, let the Church open at level 3. As we are able to purchase food and medicine, while taking care not to spread the Covid19 in the process, so also we must be able to pray in our churches. Without the help of God, WE ARE INDEED LOST as a nation.
Yes yes yes. Let the church be not silenced. We are really grateful to hear of CHANGE. The church in South Africa needs a strong political voice and I am praying that this party is the answer. We need such a voice so straightforward, radical and putting God first. This party already has my support.
Thalani Ngwenya
Tembisa
True we need churches to reopen. Indeed our government is trying to nullify the church by comparing her to social gathering.
I have read many articles about this party CHANGE, and have heard their Leader, Lesiba Molokomme, several times on radio. Amazing how they they are balancing church and politics. If indeed we need a political influence in this country we need leaders who are bold, strategic thinkers with clear knowledge of how to do politics and above all who respect God. In this way we will win.
CHANGE has my full support and I pray all Christians of all denominations would see the new thing the Lord is doing.
Musawenkosi Mkhungo
If there is an organisation we can trust to adhere to the rules, is the church. Yes, more than our children, who will be opening soon . The gathering behind the church is for goodwill, which includes praying for the current issue we are faced with. How can the church be not important? When the president said ‘Africa will be saved’, he was placing his plea on God, the same God we need to gather and seek clarity from at the ‘church’. Some decisions shouldn’t be based on ‘business decisions’, but instead for the benefit of people and that is to entrust on religion to conquer our issues.
The president of CHANGE Party is so correct, our government is making a big mistake of sidelining the churches. I agree that churches should open on level 3.
I support the view of opening the church at level 3 with strict restrictions that were there before lockdown.
It’s time for the Government to recognize that church can help restore the country. The church distribute the food parcel at a quicker rate, the church can reach more people. SA needs to return to God, as our anthem says “mirena boloka sechaba sa South Africa”. The sooner the Government realizes this, the better.
We support the call for the President to re-open the church at level 3…..when the President wanted to become President of SA he went to Church for prayer so he is well aware that collective prayer changes things …so Please i Support the call to re-open the church.
It’s time for the Government to recognize that the church can help restore the country. The church can also distribute food parcel at a quicker rate, the church can reach more people. SA needs to return to God, as our anthem says “Morena boloka sechaba sa South Africa”. The sooner the Government realizes this, the better.
Church is essential. Thank you CHANGE Party for raising this issue on our behalf as Christians. I’m in a full support.
Things are not always as they seem to be. It is time the Church start using discernment and see Covid 19 for what it really is, and what it is starting to do in the world. There was ever a time than now to put up our spiritual antennas ; draw closer to Jesus, embrace the Holy Spirit in us and among us. It is time to get ready to do the exploits for the Daniels and Josephs; Esthers and Deborahs of today. That dynamite presence of the Lord inside you must be put to use. Dust up your gifts and put them to use. Live by example and be a witness for Christ like never before. Think big and be relevant keeping Christ at the centre of everything you do and say. The first will be last and vice versa. We are nit called to murmur and all things work together for our good. Jesus prwarned us in John16:33 and commanded us to Cheer up! Let us be wise like the serpent and gentle as a dove, the Holy Spirit.
Bless you all and your endeavours. Sr Khanyi Makhanya