Johannesburg - Churches and the faith-based sector play an important role in building communities, President Jacob Zuma said on Sunday.
“In this country in particular, during the most difficult days of apartheid colonialism, the church played a critical role in providing education through mission schools,” he said in a speech prepared for delivery at an Evangelical Presbyterian Church service in Giyani, Limpopo.
“This was a very important contribution to nation building and human resource development.”
Zuma urged the Evangelical Presbyterian Church to continue supporting government and helping to build a caring society.
“We rely on the church to assist us in promoting the understanding of the difference between right and wrong and to teach especially the youth what it means to be members of society,” he said.
“Government cannot play the nation building role alone. Teaching the values of respect for one another, respect for the next person and for elders is very important to inculcate in our youth today, so that we can build more cohesive communities and eliminate some of the social ills plaguing our society.”
Sapa