Pretoria: Social Development Minister Dina Pule has called on churches and faith-based organizations to continue playing a leading role in building resilient communities and supporting South Africa's most vulnerable people. She emphasized the historical contribution of church leaders during South Africa's transition to democracy, highlighting their role in fostering reconciliation, peace-building, and nation-building.
According to South African Government News Agency, Pule, speaking on behalf of Deputy President Paul Mashatile at the Church Leaders Gathering in Unity (CLGU) at the Future Africa Campus of the University of Pretoria, reiterated the importance of faith communities in facilitating dialogue, healing, and social cohesion. She commended the ongoing collaboration between faith-based organizations, healthcare workers, and government departments to provide care, counseling, and various support services.
Pule urged faith communities to remain active partners in reaching vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations, reducing stigma, and strengthening prevention and treatment efforts. She acknowledged the significant role churches and faith-based organizations play in tackling poverty and supporting vulnerable households through partnerships with the Department of Social Development and other government institutions. These partnerships have facilitated feeding schemes, community outreach programs, shelters, and support services for various demographics, including children and people living with disabilities.
However, Pule acknowledged that despite past successful collaborations, more work is needed to improve the living conditions in South Africa. She pointed out the persistent challenges of poverty, unemployment, inequality, gender-based violence, substance abuse, crime, and the erosion of moral values, emphasizing that these issues require a united societal effort rather than government intervention alone.
Pule called for a collective effort across all sectors of society to build resilient communities and restore hope. She urged communities to support individuals struggling with alcohol and drug abuse and emphasized the need for accountability, even among religious leaders. Additionally, Pule stressed the importance of addressing unemployment by creating opportunities, supporting skills development, and encouraging entrepreneurship.
Reflecting on a recent Spring Day celebration that resulted in a young man's death, Pule stressed the need for greater community responsibility and the importance of non-violence. She called on the Church to reinforce the message that violence is never an acceptable response to conflict and that every person deserves respect and dignity.
The gathering aligned with South Africa's ongoing commemoration of 30 years of the Constitution, underscoring the continuous need for collaboration between different sectors to ensure societal progress.