KZN signs agreement with Christian Council to tackle social ills KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has signed a landmark co-operation agreement with the KwaZulu-Natal Christian Council (KZN CC), signalling a decisive shift towards structured collaboration between government and the faith sector to confront some of the province’s most urgent social challenges. Signed in Pietermaritzburg on Friday, the agreement establishes a strategic partnership aimed at addressing crime, poverty, food insecurity, homelessness, and moral decline through coordinated, province-wide interventions. Grounded in practical and measurable actions, the partnership is built upon four key pillars, including: •    Food security – Promoting community-based agriculture through the establishment of gardens on church and residential land, with government support in the form of fencing, seeds, tools, and technical assistance. •    Crimefighting and survivor support – Providing survivors of crime with psychosocial and legal support via trained counsellors and advisors, while launching peacebuilding initiatives across all 11 district municipalities. •    Shelter and rehabilitation for the homeless – Identifying underutilised government buildings and church facilities to offer shelter, alongside structured rehabilitation and reintegration programmes. •    Moral regeneration and community mobilisation – Driving values-based community engagement and social renewal through faith-led initiatives, in collaboration with relevant provincial departments. Ntuli emphasised the significance of the strategic value of the agreement, noting that with a membership base exceeding 3.4 million across KwaZulu-Natal, the KZN CC is well-positioned to mobilise grassroots support and foster meaningful, community-driven transformation. “This partnership is a bold step towards restoring the moral compass of our society. The church has always been a beacon of hope and healing. Through this agreement, we are empowering it to lead in rebuilding communities and fostering peace and dignity across KwaZulu-Natal. “This agreement reflects the KwaZulu-Natal government’s unwavering commitment to working with all sectors of society to create safe, resilient, and morally grounded communities. It is not only a partnership of principle but a call to action — where leadership, faith, and civic responsibility converge to reshape the future of the province,” Ntuli said. – SAnews.gov.za GabiK Mon, 09/01/2025 - 09:35 36 views