Kader Asmal, the minister of education, on Friday publicly apologised for his Human Rights Day outburst branding a Newlands Christian rally "divisive" - which provoked an uproar.
In a letter to the Cape Argus, Asmal explained why he criticised the gathering of 50 000 Christians at the Newlands rugby stadium for the Cape Christian celebration.
The gathering prayed for transformation, peace and an end to crime and poverty in South Africa.
Asmal, speaking at an African National Congress rally in Langa on Human Rights Day, said the Newlands gathering was "sectarian" and not inclusive. He said Hindus, Muslims and blacks were not welcome at the event and this went against the ideal of inclusivity. He criticised the Democratic Alliance in the city for associating itself with the event.
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The ANC tried to tone down the import of Asmal's remarks Asmal had not been scheduled to speak at the Langa rally, but had to fill in for Deputy President Jacob Zuma who was in KwaZulu-Natal instead.
His comments drew a storm of criticism from religious and political quarters, and were discussed in parliament.
Last week the Western Cape legislature held a debate on the statement. Although the ANC tried to tone down the import of Asmal's remarks, the DA demanded an apology, which was forthcoming.
In his letter Asmal says: "I do wish to express regret to the many thousands of Christians, including no doubt members of the ANC, who turned up at the Newlands event, and also to others who were hurt by some of the comments in the speech I made.
"I fully accept the bona fides of those who gathered on Human Rights Day, and I fully accept the right of Christians, as well as of particular churches, to assemble together."
'The Democratic Alliance was apparently seeking to hijack a religious event' He adds: "As I indicated in my press comments the following day, I believe in the freedom of religious association. This is a fundamental right enshrined on our constitution, and I am proud to have been involved in playing a role in drafting and the defence of our constitution over the past 10 years."
The focus of the ANC rally in Langa that day was "about the need to protect the rights of all people with compassion and love", he says.
"I was, I must admit, somewhat influenced through having read the press advertisements, dressed up as normal copy, which showed the Democratic Alliance was apparently seeking to hijack a religious event and appropriate the sentiments to themselves."
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