NORTH West provincial legislature embarked on prayer sessions across North West ahead of local government. The provincial legislature visited Boitumelong location in Bloemhof on Thursday.

SCOPA provincial chairperson, Mahlakeng Mahlakeng visited said the programme was part of reconciliation, healing and renewal (RHR) programme.

“We are here in Bloemhof to pray for peaceful and fair local government elections. We encourage all citizens to go and vote because it is their democratic right to do so. The programme is playing a pivotal role within the society.

“We have seen tranquillity within the province since the launch of this initiative. So, we also encourage all political parties to have tolerance towards each other. Our people need to know that if we belong to different political affiliation does not necessary means we are enemies,” Mahlakeng said.

He added that many political killings took place in Kwazulu-Natal province and that needed to be condemned. Mahlakeng also encouraged residents to go and vote.

“You need to go and vote because staying away and boycotting elections will not be a solution. You need to go and make the changes that you want,” he said.

Lekwa-Teemane local municipality mayor, Kagisho Palagangwe said they have seen serenity recently in the area.

The residents of Boitumelong location embarked on service delivery protests few months ago. They demanded water, electricity and sanitation.

“Situation has reached calmness and the residents are upbeat. There is peace within the people and we want to avoid what happened back in 2014. Most residents were denied probability to go and vote because of unrest. However the situation has improved. Service delivery has also been improved in our municipality too.

“Churches are there to mediate in any tense situations we come across. They play a fundamental role and bring reconciliation, healing and renewal within our society,” Palagangwe said.

Grace Driven Church pastor, Timothy Zacheus said: “Churches have been integrated as part of the society. South Africa has gone through a lot and we have experienced a transition back in 1994. During the dawn of democracy, the whole world stared at South Africa. Some believed that will be the end of our beloved country. However, God was there and made it possible.

“We reached democracy without any bloodshed, and we can do it some more. The world has now learnt from South Africa what democracy is. We need to continue to invite God in our political arena. We need to pray to him to improve our lives and strengthen our economy too.”

The legislature will also visit Rustenburg on Friday through the same initiative.

Source: http://www.thenewage.co.za