Religious leaders pray for safe elections

SECUNDA – Religious leaders of various inter-faith denominations gathered to pray at the Speakers’ Annual Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday, 4 March at the Lillian Ngoyi Centre.

It was aimed at praying for peace in Africa and the world, safety of the province against natural disasters and successful elections.

The breakfast was attended by inter-faith organisations, MECs, Members of Provincial Legislature, business people, traditional leaders, councillors and Salga.

Mr David Molapo, pastor and motivational speaker, addressed and motivated the attendees about moving from pressure to peak.

He said life is like a book with many chapters and that some chapters are easy and some are difficult.

“We are faced with a lot of pressure as people, such as pressure at work, home and in the community.

“Pressure makes people lose focus, but as we pray, God will answer our prayers.

“When you are under pressure, God is the only answer.

“I encourage political leaders to get involved and ask religious leaders’ guidance in all you do.

“This event is held as we draw closer to 27 April which will mark the celebration of 20 years of democracy in South Africa.

“We therefore congratulate the people of South Africa and the ANC-led government for achieving this milestone.

“Today, our country is a shining example in Africa and the world for its ability to hold peaceful elections since 27 April 1994 when pessimists gave us no chance for a peaceful transition, yet we disappointed many and began writing good chapters for our story.

“That is why our country and the ANC-led government today has a good story to tell about how to move a country forward.

“It is our firm belief that we could not have achieved the progress we have made on our own without faith.

“Prayers from different faith groups have lifted our spirits at the most challenging times and inspired our people to believe in our vision for a tomorrow that is better than the present day and the day before this day.

“While we have achieved so much, our country is still confronted by a variety of social ills, among others the violent abuse of the young and elderly especially the rape of older women and children which is a growing tendency in our communities.

“We are saddened by the despicable acts of the murder of school children.

“The task to build a moral society is in our hands.

“As much as the state can create a regulatory environment and establish corrective measures, including imprisonment, it is very difficult to police the heart and soul of a human being.

“We therefore need to connect with our spiritual source in order to gather sufficient strength to combat the challenges affecting our society.

“This event also marks the commencement of the Taking the Legislature to the People Programme which will be held here this week.

“We have therefore come to the people of this municipality to engage in dialogue and to reflect on the progress and challenges they experienced and we invite you to form part of these activities.

“As we pray today we invite blessings for our province, our country and continent to be lifted and achieved all the best that our people are longing for.

“We are confident that there will be another peaceful and fair election on 7 May.

“We call on all religious leaders to mobilise their members and congregants to vote for parties of their choice during the forthcoming elections. It is only the right thing to do if you truly love your country.

“Our prayers today are also dedicated to the honourable members of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature who have over the past five years work diligently in the execution of the constitutional mandate of the Legislature.”