Helen Zille visits Soweto church, engages with community

Johannesburg mayoral candidate Helen Zille visited Living Hope Tabernacle Church in Meadowlands Zone 8, Soweto, on March 29.

The visit emphasised a powerful moment of unity, faith and connection across communities. This was also to engage directly with community members while worshipping with them.

Zille opened up by expressing immense gratitude for the warm welcome she receives and continues to receive whenever she visits local communities and Johannesburg as well.

“This visit is close to my heart because some of my colleagues also attend church here, and this is an opportunity to come into communities and enjoy a church service with them,” said Zille.

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She added that the church leader, Pastor Zamokuhle Nkosi, had told her in passing about the church ushers being unemployed graduates.

She said: “I feel honoured to attend this service and I am in awe of the capacity and talent of the music team who played with no notes but from their hearts.

It is also an honour to be here on this day (Palm Sunday), gathered with people, all in the name of sacrifice. What made me sad, though, is when Pastor Nkosi told me that the unemployed graduates come here to help children with their homework.

“This remains a big problem in South Africa, which also leads to a lot of social ills, and one of the main causes of this is poor government.”

The service was filled with praise and worship, and ended with pastors and community members praying for Zille.