Midvaal to work with religious leaders

MIDVAAL. – Midvaal Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Councillor Bongani Baloyi has called for collaboration between government and faith-based organisations on issues such as payment of rates and taxes, nyaope, teenage pregnancy, education and violence which are all of mutual concern amongst the community.

In the same breath, Baloyi urged the sector to remain independent, and to develop a strong voice in society, holding government and leadership to account when necessary. This was when Baloyi recently launched Midvaal’s first ever Faith-Based Organisations Forum.

MMC Dennis Ryder says, “The purpose of the meeting is to open a platform for communication between the faith-based groups and local government, and to encourage debate and dialogue.” Over 180 religious leaders attended the forum, and engaged in a debate on issues affecting the sector. Midvaal’s Speaker, Cllr Freddie Peters, led the hall in prayer, with a special emphasis on protecting South Africa against Xenophobia.

Following the mayor’s address, the floor was opened for questions, which included topics such as the role of the sector, spatial planning of communities to include areas for worship and outreach projects. Midvaal Local Municipality Media Liason Aaliyah Dangor states that MMC for Development and Planning, Solly Nkhi, as well as MMC for Social Services, Rob Jones, were available to answer on some of the issues relating to their portfolios.

“A decision was made for the faith-based organisations to establish their own ways of working and nominate a leadership which can collate information from the entire sector. They must then speak as a united voice to government, or to the community in general on issues of moral regeneration or community services,” Dangor concludes.