ACDP Parliamentary newsletter - 27 February 2004

In this issue:

1. DA MP resigns to join ACDP
2. ACDP discovers bug in Cape City Caucus room
3. ELECTION 2004 - some useful information
4. Frequently asked questions about the ACDP - part 1

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1. DA MP resigns to join ACDP

Democratic Alliance MP Mr Graham McIntosh has resigned as a member of the DA and Member of Parliament and joined the fast-growing African Christian Democratic Party. He joins a growing list of well-known South African Christians who take their faith seriously and have been welcomed to the party, including former SABC CEO Reverend Hawu Mbatha, Bishop Lawrence Zulu and former Justice Deputy-Director General Mr Mike Tshishonga. Read more
here: http://www.acdp.org.za/party_news/press_releases/2004/02/20040220a.htm

In his own words, Mr McIntosh describes why he chose to join the ACDP - read his wonderful account of what prompted him to make this decision here: http://www.acdp.org.za/party_news/speeches/2004/02/20040225a.htm

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2. ACDP discovers bug in Cape City Caucus room

Bugging equipment linked to high frequency transmitter/receiver devices and video cabling leading into the ceiling of the African Christian Democratic Party's caucus room in the City of Cape Town was discovered on Wednesday morning. Read more here: http://www.acdp.org.za/party_news/press_releases/2004/02/20040225a.htm

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3. ELECTION 2004 - some useful information
A short profile of the ACDP which can be useful for press releases, pamphlets etc:

The ACDP believes that there is REAL HOPE for South Africa!

The need for a credible alternative to the divisive politics of the past, prompted Christians from diverse backgrounds to launch the African Christian Democratic Party in December 1993, exactly a hundred days prior to South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994.

Nine years later, under the leadership of Reverend Kenneth Meshoe, the ACDP has increased its support base by over 1000% and continues to grow.

The ACDP currently has eight members at National Parliament, five members in the Provincial Legislatures and more than 60 Councillors in Metropoles and City Councils across the country. The party is now in the same position as the official opposition just before the 1999 elections.

Our uniqueness lies in our Christian Democratic value system, based on the biblical principles of reconciliation, justice, compassion, tolerance, peace and the sanctity of life, the individual, the family and community.

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A short profile of ACDP President Reverend Kenneth Meshoe

A great visionary and leader, Reverend Kenneth Meshoe started out as a teacher before embarking on a successful career as a pastor and political leader.

In 1976, Reverend Meshoe joined Christ for All Nations, an outreach project under the leadership of well-known evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke. Climbing through the levels of leadership, Reverend Meshoe became an associate evangelist in 1980.

He and his wife, Lydia, started an independent church called Hope of Glory Tabernacle in March 1988. Rev Meshoe's strategic leadership abilities saw the church steadily grow and flourish, now accommodating up to 4 000 people.

Working with compassion and dedication to improve the lives of those in his community, Rev Meshoe and his church began feeding and clothing the needy in Vosloorus, distributing food to over 600 people a month. The church has also set up a pregnancy crisis clinic offering advice, medication and adoption services and runs a project called Help Yourself, teaching women skills in order to support themselves.

Rev Meshoe founded the African Christian Democratic Party in December 1993, believing that Christians should be in positions of leadership at the forefront of change in South Africa, to ensure that our country is a blessed and prosperous nation.

Rev Meshoe was awarded an Honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Humane Letters) by Bethel Christian College of Riverside, California, USA in 1994 and was also appointed to serve as an Associate Member on the Board of Regents of Bethel College.

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4. Frequently asked questions - part 1

1. Why should Christians get involved in politics?
As Christians we are called to be salt and light - salting everything with the presence of God and shining the light of Christ into every dark corner. This includes politics where significant decisions affecting the quality of life of every person are made.

2. Aren't there Christians in every political party?
That is true but unfortunately, when it comes to voting for legislation, you can't tell a Christian MP in a party from any other MP in a party - party discipline requires them to vote as one irrespective of personal beliefs. (Where were these Christians when abortion was legalised?)

3. Is the ACDP for Christians only?
Not at all. We believe that the Godly principles for which we stand are common to the majority of South Africans irrespective of religious belief.

4. Won't a vote for the ACDP split the opposition vote?
This claim is only ever made by the official opposition party, often forgetting that when they were a small party, the only way they grew was by "splitting the opposition vote". The ACDP will never grow unless people vote for our principles rather than voting for another party out of fear.

5. Isn't the ACDP a white/black party?
Not at all. Our parliamentarians are the most representative of all racial groups and a study by the Human Sciences Research Council in 2003 shows ACDP support to be the most representative in South Africa.
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