Hindu Advisory Board joins forces with army in Covid-19 fight

THE South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Chaplain Service, together with the Hindu Advisory Board, hosted a joint media briefing at the Army Support Base in Merebank recently.

This joint address by faith-based organisations was to ensure that the SANDF support to the government in curbing the spread of the coronavirus is communicated in religious gatherings and communities to amplify lockdown regulations compliance that includes social distancing, wearing of masks and hygiene protocols to ward off the spread of the virus.

SANDF’s Chaplain-General, Monwabisi Jamangile, and his Hindu counterparts addressed the media in relation to the support pledged to SANDF members rendering services to the citizens and other government departments to eradicate the scourge of the coronavirus.

The Chaplain-General said that the new invisible enemy transcended culture, creed, age and status and that the scourge of Covid-19 had altered the world and turned the existing norms upside down.

“We are not apologetic about speaking the good news, despite the bad news and against all odds. It is good for us to do so because, during this time of uncertainty, people would like to hear the good that is happening as it also speaks to their emotional and spiritual beings and their souls, minds and hearts because it is a difficult time,” he said.

Jamangile added that the SANDF Chaplaincy was emboldened by the support in worship from the Hindu faith and that this measure of solidarity is what affords citizens the right to freely go about their lives without the danger of a life-threatening disease breathing down their necks.

“As we have moved to level three and gradually anticipate the further easing of restrictions that would ensure that South Africans continue living their lives with a sense of the new normalcy, the chaplain services look forward to the partnerships provided by other religious bodies in the country to jointly provide our soldiers and the general public the spiritual guidance that is vital in navigating the frustrating state of affairs since the onslaught of this virus.”

“As our soldiers occupy themselves with humanitarian tasks to help our distressed communities, we are assured of the support our fellow brethren, like the Hindu Advisory Board and other faith groups, lend to the men and women in uniform deployed against the invisible enemy,” he added.

Deputy chairperson, Yogan Pillay, on behalf of the Hindu Advisory Board said, “Soldiers are in the frontline in facing an unknown enemy, diligently keeping order and making sure that we are safe by preventing the spread of this deadly virus as per our government’s deduced measures.”

“We want to offer our heartfelt salutations and gratitude to the brave men and women who risk their lives for our welfare daily. We want to offer our prayers for your well-being and safety always. The SANDF stood up and stood tall to help the people of SA and continue to be a beacon of hope for all of us during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. We thank you all and ask God to bless you and South Africa.”

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