KZN signs agreement with Christian Council to tackle social ills

KZN signs agreement with Christian Council to tackle social ills

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