Boksburg churches welcome level three reopening
The ACDP leader said one of the reasons they are happy that the churches have been allowed to open is that churches will now be able to do humanitarian work
With millions more people returning to work under level three of the lockdown today (June 1), churches have also been allowed to reopen, but under strict restrictions.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on May 26 that religious services may resume as long as these are limited to 50 people or less. He advised that care must be taken to ensure the safety of congregants, indicating that the wearing of masks and social distancing must be compulsory.
Religious leaders in Boksburg have welcomed the announcement of the president while some felt the limit of 50 people was questionable, especially for bigger churches.
According to Pastor Stephen du Plessis from Salem Ministries and founder of New Beginnings Care Centre, the government has at least realised that the church functions as an essential service and that the church leaders can in a big way assist the government and the state in the fight against this pandemic.
“Fifty people per service is really a questionable solution. More thought and analysing should be put into these regulations as churches are all different with different needs, ethos and social influence. There should be a differentiation between small and larger churches,” du Plessis said.
He highlighted that while churches where still prohibited to operate, they had to think of innovative ideas and ways of communication for the teaching and preaching to reach the congregation.
“We continue feeding 25 000 people per week because it is the churches’ job and calling to look after the most vulnerable in our communities,” du Plessis said.
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Meanwhile, the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe is delighted on behalf of the ACDP and churches that have been making submissions that churches will finally be re-opening.
“The churches are willing to follow all the strict protocols required so they can meet together. I am grateful for the president’s decision but also I feel vindicated because I have been called irresponsible for wanting churches to re-open. I’m glad that President Ramaphosa and his team have allowed common sense to prevail,” Meshoe said.
The ACDP leader said one of the reasons they are happy that the churches have been allowed to open is that churches will now be able to do humanitarian work.
“There are millions of people who depend on food distribution by churches who were denied this privilege during the lockdown,” Meshoe said.
Furthermore, a Windmill Park church, CFC Holy Ghost Fire Ministry, under the leadership of Pastor Andries Nkosi, will split its church services in two to accommodate its members.
“We are pleased that we have been allowed to operate and we will make sure that we monitor and follow the strict guidelines put in place by government thoroughly. We are planning on holding two services from 8.30am to 10am, then from 10am we will sanitise and disinfect the place until 10.30am where another service will resume,” Nkosi said.
It has also been reported that all ZCC churches have been directed to remain closed during level three of lockdown despite the president’s announcement.
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