Keynote address delivered by Minister of Social Development, Dina Pule, on behalf of Deputy President Paul Mashatile at the Church Leaders' Gathering in Unity (CLGU), Future Africa, University of Pretoria

Programme Director;
Leadership of EAM Global;
Bishops, Apostles, Pastors and Ministers of the Gospel;
Representatives of various faith-based organisations;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good morning.

It is a great honour to join you today at this Church Leaders Gathering in Unity (CLGU), convened by EAM Global to create a platform where pastors and church leaders can come together across denominational and organisational lines in the spirit of fellowship, collaboration and shared purpose.

When the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Paul Mashatile, requested that I represent him at this important gathering, I was both humbled and delighted by the opportunity. At the same time, I was reminded of the words of Psalm 133:1, which declares, “How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity.”

It is in this same spirit of unity that the Deputy President had wished to be with you today, gathered in one accord as leaders of faith to connect, pray and engage on the vital importance of unity within the Body of Christ and within our broader society.
Unfortunately, following the advice and instructions of his medical team, he was unable to attend this gathering in person.

Nevertheless, he has entrusted me with a message that I am honoured to convey to you as you gather under the theme:
“Unity, Prayer, Relationship and Kingdom Collaboration.”

This theme could not be more relevant to the challenges and opportunities of our time. It reminds us that no institution, community or nation can succeed in isolation. Lasting progress is built on partnerships, mutual respect, collective action and a shared commitment to the greater good.

The call for unity and collaborative action is not a new one in South Africa. Our democratic journey bears testimony to what can be achieved when faith leaders, communities and Government work together in pursuit of a common purpose.

One of the most powerful instances is the role that church leaders played in South Africa’s transition to democracy. At a critical moment in our history, churches and faith-based organisations came together with community structures and political leaders to promote reconciliation, peacebuilding and nation-building. Their work facilitated conversation, healing and social cohesion at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history.

Despite the ongoing challenges, we have also observed successful collaboration in addressing the HIV and AIDS pandemic. We have also witnessed successful collaboration in responding to the HIV and AIDS pandemic. 

Across our provinces, churches, faith-based organisations, healthcare workers and government departments joined hands to provide care, counselling, awareness programmes and support services to affected individuals and families.

The faith communities should continue to be our partners in reaching vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations, reducing stigma and strengthening prevention and treatment efforts in our communities.

Another example can be found in the ongoing work of churches and faith-based organisations in combating poverty and supporting vulnerable households.

Through partnerships with the Department of Social Development and other government institutions, many churches have operated feeding schemes, community outreach programmes, shelters, substance-abuse interventions and support services for children, older individuals and people living with disabilities. These collaborative efforts have strengthened the social safety net and brought hope to communities facing hardship.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Regardless of the past successful collaboration, much still needs to be done to improve the living condition of our people. South Africa continues to navigate a complex social and economic landscape. Many of our people continue to face difficulties that test the very fabric of our society.
Poverty, unemployment, inequality, gender-based violence, substance abuse, crime and the erosion of moral values remain pressing concerns in many communities.

These challenges require more than Government intervention alone. They require a united society, anchored in compassion, ethical leadership and active citizenship. They require all sectors of society to work together to build resilient communities and restore hope where despair has taken root.

With the same love that the Lord has instructed us to show by loving our neighbours as ourselves, we must put that love into practice when we see young people struggling with alcohol and drug abuse.

We must take a stand against those who perpetrate these harmful activities in our communities, even when they occupy the holy pulpit, and ensure that they are held accountable for their actions.

We also need to work together to create opportunities, support skills development, encourage entrepreneurship and join hands to build stronger and more prosperous communities for all as we face the high levels of unemployment that we see in our country.

The Church, together with all sectors of society, has a responsibility to teach about the consequences of violence and the importance of respecting one another. The recent Spring Day incident, which tragically resulted in the death of a young man during a dispute that escalated into violence, serves as a painful reminder of this responsibility.

I must state this clearly: No one deserves to die at the hands of another person, regardless of the circumstances. Equally, no one should take the law into their own hands.

The Church must continue to proclaim that violence is never an acceptable response to conflict and that every person is created with inherent dignity and deserves to be treated with respect. At the same time, families, schools, community organisations, and Government institutions must work together to promote values of tolerance, self-control, and peaceful conflict resolution. It is commendable that many church leaders like yourself continues to be a source of hope, healing and moral guidance. 

As I have said, throughout our country, churches feed the hungry, care for vulnerable children, support families in crisis, mentor young people and provide comfort to those facing adversity. Faith communities are often present and steadfast where institutions may have trouble going.

Government deeply appreciates these contributions. The partnerships we have forged with churches and faith communities demonstrate what can be achieved when we work together in service to our people.

Programme Director,

Reverting to the theme before us, I have noted that it begins with unity.

Unity does not mean uniformity. I know that when I mention uniformity, I am speaking to the converted, because the Bible reminds us that we are many members of one body. Though we may differ in our gifts, backgrounds, and perspectives, we are called to stand together in faith and in service to others.

This simply means that unity does not require us to abandon our unique traditions, theological perspectives or organisational identities. Instead, it calls us to recognise our shared humanity and common purpose.

In a world that is becoming more divided, polarised and conflict-ridden, unity is a spiritual imperative and a practical necessity.

As church leaders you have the opportunity to be models of unity and reconciliation crossing divides of race, culture, language and socio-economic status. When pastors and church leaders speak with one voice on issues that affect society the impact is multiplied and the witness is strengthened.

The second pillar of today's theme is prayer.
Prayer remains one of the most powerful tools available to believers. Through prayer, communities find strength during seasons of uncertainty. Through prayer, leaders remain grounded in humility and purpose.

Our nation continues to need the prayers of its faith leaders. We need prayers for peace in our communities, for ethical leadership, for economic growth, for social cohesion and for the wellbeing of our families.

We need to pray for peaceful, free, and safe local government elections. We must ask God to guide our nation, protect voters, candidates, and election officials, and ensure that the democratic process is conducted with integrity and respect.

We should also pray against the rise in political killings and violence associated with the election period.

We also need prayers that inspire action.

The third pillar is relationship.

Strong relationships form the foundation of effective leadership and sustainable collaboration. Trust is built through genuine engagement, mutual respect and a willingness to listen to one another.

The gathering today provides an important opportunity to strengthen relationships among church leaders, across denominations and between faith-based organisations and other sectors of society.

As a government we want to build a relationship based on honesty, transparency and mutual respect. We thank partners who provide honest feedback, hold us accountable and take care of our failures in our duties. We do not see constructive criticism as adversarial, but as an important part of good governance. We treasure dissenting voices that make us do better, serve the public better and stay true to the basic tenets of justice, integrity and accountability.

Let me conclude by urging you once more as leaders in different dominions to continue collaborating with us and working with each other. Collaboration calls upon church leaders to move beyond individual interests and institutional boundaries to embrace a shared mission.

It prompts us to consider not what we can accomplish individually, but what we can achieve collectively. When churches collaborate, resources are used more effectively. Knowledge and experience are shared. Most importantly, communities are better served.

As Government we believe that faith-based organisations remain strategic partners in our efforts to build a caring, just and inclusive society.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As South Africans, we are heirs to a remarkable legacy of reconciliation and nation-building. Our Constitution envisions a society founded on human dignity, equality and freedom. These values resonate deeply with the principles promoted by faith communities across our nation.

The task before us is to ensure that these ideals find practical expression in the daily lives of our people.

This requires leaders who are committed to integrity, accountability and service. It requires citizens who are prepared to contribute positively to their communities. It requires institutions that place people at the centre of development.

As you deliberate during this gathering, I encourage you to reflect on how the principles of unity, prayer, relationship and Kingdom Collaboration can contribute to addressing the challenges facing our nation and continent.

May your discussions generate innovative ideas, strengthen partnerships and inspire renewed commitment to serving communities with excellence and compassion.

In closing, and on behalf of the Deputy President, His Excellency Mr Paul Mashatile, and the Government of the Republic of South Africa, I wish you a successful and productive gathering.

May God bless the Church, and may His hand be upon our wonderful land.

I thank you.