It was the spirit of forgiveness preached by our churches which filled the hearts of the great leaders of our country, and which helped our people, as a whole, to cope emotionally with the transition to democracy. As we enter the second Decade of Democracy, our churches continue to play an important role in shaping our society, influencing government policy, and improving the lives of people in all our communities.
I want, today, to praise our churches and church leaders for the positive role they are playing in the New South Africa - often taking the lead in social upliftment projects, adult education and training, HIV/Aids counselling and dealing with the trauma of violence against women and children in our communities.
Churches and Government both have important roles to play in ensuring social cohesion and moral regeneration, but Government only creates a policy framework and can never assume the role that churches, schools, and parents are supposed to play. Vibrant religious communities, like school communities and other institutions of civil society are the moral compass that helps us keep the social fabric together. They provide the spiritual bonds that hold together our communities plagued by crime, poverty and HIV/Aids.
Religion is becoming an increasingly important anchor in the lives of young people who live on communities under siege from drugs, prostitution and gangsterism. When we met recently with principals from schools across the Western Cape in formulating our response to the National Department of Education's initial proposals to eliminate religious observances in our schools, one principal after the other underlined the importance of the 20 minutes or half an hour of religious observances at school assemblies as anchors in the lives of our young people - especially in our most violent communities. We received the same message from learners, parents, community leaders and religious leaders from across the spectrum.
Religion must never become a divisive issue, and I have been particularly impressed by our Western Cape schools where different models of both religion education and religious observances were already in place - before this issue came to a head - in which greater tolerance and real respect for different cultures and religions is taught. I also want to thank our religious leaders, many of whom are present here today, for taking hands with Minister André Gaum and myself in pressing for these changes in national policy, which we succeeded together in ensuring. It provided a good example of what can be achieved when men and women of conviction, in Government and our churches, work in partnership - albeit each in their own domain.
Another example of where churches played a very constructive role in partnership with other institutions of civil society was in 1998 when churches coordinated their efforts to prevent National Government from withholding broadcast licenses from specific religious community radio stations unless they became 'multi-religious' in character. When we pulled together - churches and organisations of civil society - we persuaded Government to change their policies for the better.
One of the most important challenges which remains for our country is the scourge of violence against women and children. The harsh reality is that the most vulnerable members of our communities and families are being targeted by the worst kinds of criminals. It is estimated that, on average, one woman is raped every 26 seconds in our country - and of the almost 52 000 reported rape cases every year more than 14% of victims are younger than 12. Every 6 days a woman is killed by her husband or partner. One in four women will face domestic abuse in their lifetime, and in one specific Cape Town neighbourhood alone 60-70 new protection orders are applied for every day. The key to turning the tide against these crimes is to expose the criminals so that they can be punished - and to prevent them from ever being in a position to repeat their crimes.
In 1991 a paedophile was convicted for the molestation of six different young boys. He underwent treatment and was released - and then went on to be convicted again in August this year in Pretoria on another 13 new charges of sexually abusing children again. It is time for this to end. I am very much in favour of a register for sexual offenders as an important part in the fight against sex crimes in our province and our country. Such a register should specify, at least, the current whereabouts and occupation of sexual offenders, who should be required by law to reregister with the police within 14 days of any move. Such a register would assist police in speeding up investigations , establishing additional legal grounds for holding known offenders, and act as a deterrent to sex offenders aware that their actions are being closely watched. The register should be made available to companies and organisations who employ workers in direct contact with children and other vulnerable groups - as well as to school authorities and community leaders.
I also want to call on our churches and church leaders to again join Government from 25 November to 10 December this year in mobilising support for the International 16 Days of Activism against Gender violence. With its particular focus on raising awareness and focusing on eradicating these crimes from our communities, it is another valuable opportunity for the partnership between Government, churches and civil society to be harnessed towards an important goal.
Enquiries: Riaan AucampCell: 083 778 9923
