Interfaith structure in province’s near future

MBOMBELA – This was revealed by Rev MM Nthali during an exclusive interview with Mpumalanga News on the state of religion in Mpumalanga.

“Talks have already begun to set up such a structure that will be made up of all the different religious groups in the province,” opened up Nthali.

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There are about six different religious groupings in the province, all without a structure that represents and looks after common interests.

He said this will soon be a thing of the past. “Without such a structure, we will never truly get the right information to know who is doing what and where,” Nthali continued.

There are a number of religious associations and organisations in the country, but most are Christianoriented and do not include the other religions, such as Hinduism, Islam and Rastafarianism.

“This is absolutely why we want to establish one structure that will represent all and speak as one voice. It will help us and government create a database so that we that we can easily get to know and work together for one common goal.

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“There are currently many religious groupings mushrooming everywhere and we need to know one another and come together and speak with one voice. This structure will thoroughly look at every single issue affecting the religious fraternity in the province,” he added.

Nthali said they will establish a policy that will best create a conducive environment for all religious groupings so that they can contribute constructively to the stability and growth of Mpumalanga.

“We want to establish a policy that will serve as a guideline for all of us, because really without it, we will all do as we please and at times contradict government’s policies for the religious groupings.

“This structure will also help all interfaith groupings because they will be able to organise themselves in an orderly manner,” he said. “The Bible says we are the salt and the light of the world and therefore we must be exemplary. This structure will help us create much-needed dialogue,” said Nthali.

He said this structure will spread to regions and branches, and will make it difficult for people to deceive communities.