MSOGWABA – Representatives of pastors, missionaries and church leaders vowed not to support the current issue on the proposed removal of Christian holidays from the calendar.
This was heard during a meeting held by Msogwaba Religious Council, the Council of Churches, African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) and representatives from the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL) Rights Commission.
On the proposed idea of removing Good Friday and Christmas from the South African calendar, Past Luke Dlamini, a member of the South African Council of Churches said, “We have been in consultation with churches in the province and they all oppose the idea. The church has contributed immensely to the development of this country.”
Mr Willy Mhlongo, the Limpopo’s provincial chairperson of CDs, “Christmas and Easter Holidays are the basics of Christianity and we have more than 90 per cent Christians in the country. We are defending Christianity because it is about life and morals. It has a constitution and it makes government governable.”
“First it was the removal of Christian education in schools and the inclusion of multiple faiths in life orientation. Secondly it was the removal of Ascension Day from the Calendar. I would like to know if the same is done in those countries we favour as South Africans?” said Past Nyamazana Shipalana of the Apostolic Faith Mission.
Some of the pastors also condemned televised religious programmes where certain pastors were seen eating grass and drinking petrol. “According to the Bible Nebuchanazer was cursed by God and made to eat grass like a cow. We would like the government to assist and stop such programmes.”
In response representative of the CRL Rights Commission Mr Brian Makeketa, said the commission had been conducting public consultations between different religious groups. He also stated that the issue became problematic after other religious groups argued that the calendar seemed to favour Christianity.
“Our doors are still open for the public to give their comment on the issue.”
Makeketa emphasised that the commission had not yet pronounced its stance on the matter. There is a document circulating nationally, there is no final pronoucement on the matter.”
For views and comments the commission can be reached on
011-358-9100, by fax on 011-403-2098 or Makeketa at brian@crlcommission.org.za
