By OBAKENG MAJE
The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) on Saturday declared that the Charter of Elections Ethics (CoEE) Provincial Prayer Service that was held earlier in the week at the Ipelegeng Multipurpose Centre in Schweizer Reneke, was a resounding success that culminated into the launch of an MRM structure in the area.
Veteran community activist and founder of the Centre for Good Governance and Social Justice NGO, Boyce Mpembe, was appointed as a convenor of the 12- member structure with Grace Leeuw from the Ipopeng Women’s Organisation as coordinator.
The convenor of the MRM Provincial Interim Committee (PIC), Pastor Lesiba Kgwele, highlighted that an induction session will be prioritised for the newly established structure that should be independent yet work closely with the Office of the Speaker of Mamusa Local Municipality, Doctor Batsi for support.
“The structure was launched for coordinated action to empower local communities through programmes to among others deal with moral decay that has manifested itself through breakdown of families, escalating crime levels, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), bullying in schools, teenage pregnancies, drug and substance abuse among our young people.
“We express confidence that the engagement on the CoEE that was presented by member of the MRM PIC, Professor Gilbert Motsaathebe as part of civic education programme, has laid the firm foundation to address voter apathy as well as encourage responsible conduct during campaigning by political parties, independent candidates and voters,” he said.
Kgwele further said acts of intimation as well as falsehood are an affront to the constitutional values. He added that, no one should ever try to pressure, manipulate or intimidate anyone into voting a certain way.
“Religious, racial and tribal fears should never be used to influence anyone’s vote. Political party campaigning must promote tolerance, national unity, reconciliation as well as integrity,” said Kgwele.
Meanwhile, Father Stephen Marokane preached a message of hope in his touching sermon delivered before the CoEE Prayer.
“The 30 years of democracy represents a new beginning and restoration, just like Jesus Christ started his ministry at that age. Our country will despite all the turmoil experienced be restored.
“Thirty years is a significant year in the anointing. It is a year of redemption. The church must trust GOD to raise a leader that would take his rightful position at the Union Building or Ga-Rona Building in Mahikeng,” he said.
Marokane said the period leading to the elections should be one of prayer and discernment in order to elect ethical leadership.
The CoEE is an initiative of MRM in partnership with the South African Council of Churches (SACC), the Southern African Catholics Bishops Conference and the South African Community of Faith Based Fraternals (SACOFF) seeking not only to encourage eligible voters to participate in the forthcoming elections but remind them to vote ethically.
TaungDailyNews 