ACDP Parliamentary newsletter - 6 November 2003
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In this issue:
1. ACDP leader to address press lunch
2. Gay bishop violates God's Word
3. Taking over the family's role
4. Independent liquidation probe still necessary
5. South Africa not seeing the benefits
6. Unspent aid funds shocking, says ACDP
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1. ACDP leader to address press lunch
African Christian Democratic Party leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe will address the Cape Town Press Club on 13 November the issue of why the government chose to investigate spy allegations rather than corruption allegations.
Why when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission had closed the chapter on apartheid crimes did the government choose to dig up this issue, stirring a hornet's nest of allegations and counter-claims?
The Cape Town press club is a media and PRO organisation that regularly hosts talks by various high profile leaders from all spectrums. It is not only an honour for Re Meshoe to have been invited, but also a great opportunity for the Western Cape press to meet our leader and find out more about the ACDP.
Anyone in the ACDP is welcome to attend and those interested can contact Gloria at the Cape Town press club at (021) 683 3990 or headoff@mweb.co.za. The talk is likely to be held at the Hildebrand Restaurant, V & A Waterfront from 12:30-14:00 and will cost R 80 for Press Club members, R120 for guests. This information in not yet confirmed, but another confirmation e-mail will be sent as soon as definite details are made avaiable. Those attending are asked to please also contact Charmaine Horne at Parliament at 021 403 3307.
Please also pass on this message to any press contacts you have to encourage them to attend. If background info or a profile on Rev Meshoe is needed for any press, please e-mail media@acdp.co.za or acdpmedia@zeweb.co.za.
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2. Gay bishop violates God's Word
African Christian Democratic Party deputy leader and Chief Whip Louis Green has condemned the consecration of openly gay bishop Rev. Canon V Gene Robinson as a bishop of the US Episcopal Church in New Hampshire.
"This is a violation of God's Word that says it is an abomination for a man to lie with a man as he does with a woman (Leviticus 18:22)," Mr Green said.
"Although God loves everyone, he does not condone sinful behaviour. The Bible equates homosexuality with perversity and as Christians, we cannot interpret God's Word to suit modern lifestyles."
Mr Green also expressed dismay that Njongonkulu Ndungane, the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town had sent his congratulations to Rev Gene Robinson.
"We are very disappointed by Njongonkulu Ndungane's celebration of the appointment of a homosexual to a position of leadership within the church. It shows a lack of spiritual guidance and biblical insight," Mr Green said.
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United Christian Action supported Louis's stand by sending this letter to the press following the ACDP's statement. The ACDP appreciates their support and would like to say thank you.
Here is the letter:
ACDP in touch with Africans
United Christian Action (UCA), an umbrella organisation for many Christian groups and churches, wishes to extend their support for the stance that the ACDP has taken on homosexuality. It is a sad day for Christianity when Rev. Gene Robinson, a divorcee and father of two children, chooses to indulge his sinful nature and openly lives with his boyfriend, and yet is still consecrated as the bishop of New Hampshire of the worldwide Anglican Church. But the real issue is not about homosexuality.
The "abomination" (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13) of homosexuality is merely the catalyst of deeper underlying theological issues. The real issue is the authority of Scripture. Either we accept God's Word as final and infallible or we go into heresy or apostasy. The fact that it is the Anglican churches in Kenya, Nigeria and Ethiopia that are the first to split shows two things - African people accept the Word of God as authoritative; and secondly that the ACDP is more in touch with African people than any other political party. Homosexuality is simply not "ubuntu".
UCA wishes to say to the ACDP - don't back down from your Biblical stand - your moral courage will shine bright and draw many people. In times past, Christians were severely persecuted for tackling the moral, yet economically viable, issue of slavery. Similarly homosexuality is a form of slavery to sin, yet falsely promises the power of the "Pink Rand". Attacking this slavery to sin and perversion and being a liberator of mankind is a high calling that sadly many will likewise slander.
Rob Mc Cafferty
Communications Director
United Christian Action
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3. Taking over the family's role
The erosion of parental authority by the State is a cause of serious concern to the African Christian Democratic Party, which objects to certain clauses of the proposed Children's Bill, says ACDP spokesperson on justice Mr Steve Swart.
Children as young as 12 will be allowed to obtain contraceptives without parental consent. Children require parental consent to obtain prescription medication and we see no reason for an exemption to this rule, particularly as children require greater parental guidance when making decisions about sexual activity that may have life-threatening consequences.
"While we are against child abuse in any form and believe that the government is justified in intervening in families where child abuse takes place, we are also opposed to the clause that may make criminals out of parents who moderately spank their children," Mr Swart said.
"We are concerned that limited state resources will be used to track down and prosecute parents who moderately chastise their children, rather than convict murderers, hijackers, rapists and those that abuse children.
"These are important issues that must be carefully considered if we are serious about protecting the best interests of our children."
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4. Independent liquidation probe still necessary
African Christian Democratic Party spokesperson on justice Mr Steve Swart has repeated his call for a full investigation into allegations of widespread corruption in the liquidation industry.
"Despite evidence seemingly contradicting Justice Deputy Director-General Mike Tshishonga's claims of corruption in the liquidation of Retail Apparel Group (RAG), allegations by Chief State Law Advisor Mr Enver Daniels that corruption is widespread in this industry necessitates a commission of inquiry into the Master's Business Unit and the liquidation industry," Mr Swart said.
"According to Mr Daniels, corruption is so widespread that liquidators and civil servants 'often see nothing wrong with it'. Mr Daniels says that incentives are passed by corrupt liquidators to equally corrupt staff in the Master's Business Unit. He was shocked at the extent of corruption, finding 'a sense, almost of lawlessness' at the Master's Office in Pretoria.
"We would also like to know whether any impropriety was involved in the transfer of Mr Tshishonga away from the Master's Business Unit following his allegations of nepotism against Justice Minister Penuell Maduna.
"These allegations are serious and require a full and comprehensive independent investigation. If a commission of inquiry can be held at great public expense to investigate spy claims, surely it is in the public's interest that a commission be set up to investigate this R18 billion industry?" Mr Swart asked.
"I will be seeking greater clarity from the Minister of Justice during question time in Parliament next week regarding such an inquiry or alternative action to investigate these allegations," Mr Swart said.
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5. South Africa not seeing the benefits
Continued high unemployment in South Africa, estimated at about six million, is of ongoing concern to the African Christian Democratic Party, says ACDP MP Cheryllyn Dudley.
Speaking at a men's breakfast for farmers and farm workers in Brede Rivier on Thursday, Mrs Dudley said that reports of economic growth in South Africa since 1994 have not translated into jobs.
"While the current focus on exports create expanding markets for South African produce, this alone has not delivered the much-needed benefits for all South Africans," Mrs Dudley said.
"In addition, Zimbabwe's land and economic crisis has exacerbated our own dilemma, as our destitute neighbours look to South Africa for opportunities and assistance," she said.
Responding to concerns about the new minimum wage laws, Mrs Dudley encouraged farmers to find innovative ways to boost productivity through incentives for employees. She also acknowledged the importance of land reform in South Africa and congratulated farmers who were committed to finding solutions that benefit not only their community, but South Africa as a whole.
"The ACDP is committed to supporting the agricultural industry, small business and labour intensive industries in order to increase employment opportunities," Mrs Dudley said.
Speaking at a well attended woman's meeting later on Thursday, Mrs Dudley pledged the ACDP's commitment to providing quality education and strengthening the central role of parents in the education of their children.
"Freedom of religion within schools must be protected and parents and school governing bodies must have the right to decide on the religious ethos of the school. It is unacceptable that a state imposed religion education syllabus is being imposed on both public and private schools," she said.
According to Mrs Dudley, while the Department of Education has published a Policy on Religion in Education to deal with the perceived "problem" of religious diversity in South African schools, in terms of the National Education Policy Act, and the Schools Act, these issues should be placed in the hands of school governing bodies.
"The Minister is not legally entitled to determine policy about religious observances and many schools may be intimidated into thinking that they have to follow those suggestions, when they in fact, have no force in law" Mrs Dudley said "While we do have diverse religious communities, the scale of the issue is overstated as according to the latest Census, the largest minority religions are Islam (1.5%) and Hinduism (1.2%), whereas 79% of the population align themselves with one of the Christian denominations".
"Once again, we have government assuming powers that it does not have, to solve a problem that does not exist."
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6. Unspent aid funds shocking, says ACDP
African Christian Democratic Party leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe said that he was shocked to hear that the government's reconstruction and development fund has been unable to spend nearly R1 billion because of a lack capacity.
"There are many poor and homeless South Africans who need urgent help while the government is sitting on money donated to help them," Rev Meshoe said.
"It is unacceptable to see how the president and the government are spending money travelling worldwide asking for investment and financial assistance when they are unable to use the money.
"By not spending aid money to help the poor, the government is sending the message that it doesn't care about the poor. It has shown that it doesn't care because it allows money to be sent back to donors.
"Not being able to distribute the funds due to a lack of capacity shows how incapable the government is. After nine years, it should have done something about building this capacity.
"The poor, that are expected to vote for the government, must question the president and ministers about whether they will be able to do in their next term that they have not been able to do for past nine years," Rev Meshoe said.
"South Africans should not accept this state of affairs but should condemn government incompetence. It is unacceptable to hear that more than R40 million in aid money has been returned to donors in Europe.
"We need urgent answers from the government which still sees the necessity to ask for money and assistance overseas when it clearly does not know how to spend it," Rev Meshoe said.
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