ACDP Parliamentary newsletter - 10 September 2003
Here is the latest news from Parliament:
1. Zuma not leading by example
2. Minister's land rights will undermine SA's growth
3. Dept of Education promotes acceptance of African Traditional Religion
4. Aids funds available from October
Indien u sou belangstel om in te teken op die ACDP se weeklikse Afrikaanse e-nuusbrief, skryf aan Johan Kriel by johankriel@acdp.org.za. Hierdeur sal u op die hoogte bly van 'n wye verskeidenheid sake wat die ACDP landswyd raak.
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1. Zuma not leading by example
Media Statement by ACDP leader Revered Kenneth Meshoe
10 September 2003
Whether or not Deputy President Jacob Zuma is guilty of improper conduct relating to the arms deal, the manner in which he has conducted his financial affairs has made him vulnerable to pressure from those who assisted him financially, says ACDP leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe.
"Whether the money Mr Zuma received from Mr Shaik and other sources was in the form of loans, gifts or bribes, accepting such large amounts of money opened the deputy president up to influence from parties that could benefit from his public position. One would expect better judgement from a person in such a high office," Rev Meshoe said.
Referring to Mr Zuma's statement in the National Council of Provinces yesterday, Rev Meshoe said that he disagreed that the deputy president is leading the moral regeneration movement by example.
"A person that set a good example was former Cabinet Minister Mac Maharaj, who took leave as a director at FirstRand soon after his name was mentioned in allegations of suspected corruption. The deputy president must learn from this example and step down as head of the moral regeneration movement intended to promote morality in our country.
"If this does not happen, the church and religious leaders involved in this movement should be encouraged not to participate until they have a patron with no cloud of corruption hanging over them," Rev Meshoe said.
For more information: Rev. Kenneth Meshoe MP at 082 962 5884 National Media Director: Rev. Selby Khumalo at 082 476 4990 Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307
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2. Minister's land rights will undermine SA's growth
Media Statement by ACDP MP Cheryllyn Dudley
10 September 2003
Although the ACDP fully supports land reform and farmer development, it cannot condone the rights given to the Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs by the Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Bill to expropriate land without a court order, says ACDP spokesperson on land affairs Cheryllyn Dudley.
"While we understand the need to address the injustices of the past, the draconian measures in the Bill will undermine the stability, food security and future growth and development in South Africa," Dudley said after the Bill was passed by the Agricultural and Land Affairs Portfolio Committee in Parliament.
"We are unconvinced by the department's claims that these powers are necessary as a result of the high number of land claims court cases that are blocking the process. The department has been unable to prove that this caseload has proven unmanageable in any way.
"It is unacceptable for the minister to bypass the courts without just cause and sectors of the agriculture industry have announced that they will challenge this contentious issue in court, threatening to delay the land restitution process further.
"Land restitution is a sensitive issue and this heavy-handed approach does not auger well for a united and productive South Africa. Farmers are an important part of the food chain, producing and distributing food in and outside South Africa. This major source of wealth and foreign exchange is an asset that will be severely hampered by not only the realities, but also the perceptions created by this legislation," Dudley said.
For more information: Cheryllyn Dudley MP at 082 890 6520
Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307 National Media Director: Rev. Selby Khumalo at 082 476 4990
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3. Dept of Education promotes acceptance of African Traditional Religion
The following is a comment from Christianview, a news and information service on issues of concern to Christians in South Africa, on document called 'Commemoration Days': This guide to public holidays, special and religious days celebrated in South Africa was distributed to the media and MPs yesterday with the department of education's Religion in Education policy.
Christianview's summary of the Traditional Religions is an accurate reflection of ACDP MP Cherllyn Dudley's reading of the document and the ACDP would like to add its voice to that of Christianview in encouraging Christians to hold fast to what they believe. Here are Christianview's
comments:
'Commemoration Days' appears to be a kind of text book or guide for teachers about religion education and includes information about all South African religions. It explains about ancestors, healing, divining, visiting sangomas, witchcraft and initiation. The section on African Traditional Religion includes the following questions for learners: "Have you ever attended a traditional ritual? Share your experiences with the class (if you feel comfortable doing this?" "Do you know anything about your ancestors? Explain" "Do you think there is any similarity between a traditional diviner and a psychologist?" "Have you, or do you know anybody who has visited a sangoma or inyanga? Share your experiences and ideas (if you feel comfortable with this) about traditional healers with the class." "Do you think it is important for people to keep their traditional beliefs? Explain." "Do you think you have a responsibility to take traditions that belong to past generations into the future. Explain." "How did you feel about traditional Southern African beliefs at the start of this learning process? Has your attitude changed in any way?"
Clearly, all these questions are designed to break down a Christian child's natural abhorrence of witchcraft and ancestor worship and allow those who do practice these things to influence other children.
The document then includes a reiteration of Kader Asmal's anti-single faith religious instruction policy with extracts from the Manifesto on Values, Education and Democracy, Gauteng Education Act, and GDE Circular 13/2001.
The Religion in Education policy forbids Christian teachers to speak negatively about other religions. Thus, they would not be allowed to warn children about the evil of involving themselves in these activities.
How many Christian parents would be comfortable with their children being taught material like this in this way? This gives us additional motivation to fight the proposed Religion in Education policy.
Protest to Edcent Williams at williams.e@doe.gov.za
To receive Christianview, email receive@christianview.org
To write to the editor, email editor@christianview.org
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4. Aids funds available from October
Responding to a question by ACDP MP Cheryllyn Dudley on what plans have been put in place by the department of health to respond to the $15 billion grant pledged by the President of the United States in the global fight against Aids, the Minister of Health replied that the funds will be made available from October 2003.
According to the Minister, the department has identified gaps in funding that can be addressed by these funds in the areas of prevention, treatment, home-based care and the care of orphans and vulnerable children.Non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, business and government will be eligible to apply for these funds.
A meeting planned for September will take the matter forward and processes for application will be discussed and agreed upon.
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