King’s Court students with Pastor Peter Matlapu in Mokgoba where they participated in a project to build a creche.

In this follow up article, we praise and thank God for the continued spiritual outpouring that has been taking place at the King’s Court this year. This revival is something that only God could have done. No person can receive credit for what is so clearly the work of God in our midst. We give Him thanks for His hand upon our school this year.

Since we have been experiencing revival, there has been a phenomenal passion and hunger for Jesus. Assemblies have become the students’ favourite part of school, and they almost never finish on time because of the hunger and desire to worship our King Jesus combined with the move of God’s Spirit. Prayer vigils have gone on late into the night with students worshipping God and being ministered to by the presence of the Holy Spirit, by guest speakers, by staff and by each other. These have been wonderful times in His Presence that we will never forget. More and more old students are returning to be blessed and to be a blessing.

Outreach to Ramokgwakwa School for handicapped children in Kgapane.

We have taken this revival to the primary school for our first ever primary school ministry evening. High school students ministered to children ranging from grade two through grade seven. It was incredible to see the spirit of God come upon young children. Many were weeping before the Lord while others huddled together to pray with their friends. These young children were significantly touched by God’s presence.

High school students are gathering together in cell groups during break times on their own initiative. This week two Grade 8 students began a cell group specifically for their class. Several weeks ago another cell group slept over at school just to spend time prophesying and speaking life over each other. They began at six in the afternoon and were still not finished at one thirty in the morning. This is the fruit of the revival that God has birthed in their hearts.

Many children have committed their lives to the Lord, been baptised in water and been filled with the Spirit. Children are prophesying, getting visions, praying for the sick and sharing testimonies and words of encouragement on a daily basis. We give God the glory that He is pouring out His Spirit on all flesh (Acts 1:27).

Andrew Mullek baptises a student.

God has opened incredible doors this year for outreach and there have been wonderful testimonies as a result. Margie Hoffman leads our outreach team that weekly goes into a local village (Mokgoba) to minister, as well as to the old age home. We are linked with Pastor Peter Matlapu in Mokgoba, and our students have been raising money through the “Buy A Brick Project” to help build a crèche for the children that his ministry attends to. This project began last year, and has just been completed this week.

What is even more exciting is that we recently had testimonies from this outreach group of deaf ears opening and blinded eyes seeing. The Kingdom of God is indeed upon us, and God is using young people to release His Spirit!

Our children have also been delighted to begin a new outreach to Ramokgwakgwa School for physically and mentally handicapped children in Kgapane. There are over a hundred children attending this school with 300 others on the waiting list. Eighty children and 12 carers were able to come to The King’s Court last Thursday (31 October) for a glory filled “Christmas party” to kick off our relationship with these special children.

Katlego Selathla from King’s Court with children from the Kananelo School for the deaf in Lesotho.

There have been international outreaches to Lesotho and Mozambique as well. Anthony van Zyl, who leads our international outreach efforts and our worship team, commented: “At the beginning of the year, before revival broke out at Gateway and The King’s Court, God told me that it was time to take The King’s Court Worship Team to Lesotho. A date was set, and the vision rapidly began to take shape. As spiritual momentum built up during the course of the year, the reasons for the tour began to become more and more apparent.”

It was incredible to see the way that God opened the door for His gospel when our praise and worship team travelled to Lesotho in September. Our children were invited to sing live on Catholic Radio; they ministered to the orphanage and deaf school connected to the Catholic mission hosting us; they lifted the spirits of an old age home in Midrand; and they were given the chance to minister in two churches in Pretoria.

Perhaps the most meaningful moment came when we went to Mazenod High School in Lesotho. Anthony summed this impactful time up well: “From the time we arrived at the school in the late afternoon, the learners were open to the Gospel and its application in their lives. Groups and huddles of interested learners rapidly formed around us. Questions were asked about the Word, and people began to pray in groups. The concert was an exciting, upbeat event, with Fr Mahlaku, the priest, dancing on stage with the children.” We are so thankful to Fr Mahlaku for reaching across denominational lines for the sake of our King and His Kingdom.

God has put these things into the hearts of the staff and the students and, as a result, we are seeing His kingdom established in our local communities and even into the nations. This is a fulfillment of the prophetic vision of King’s Court to equip students to become Christian leaders who will IMPACT THE WORLD for Jesus. Our school verse declares that nations will come to us as a result of the light within us (Isaiah 60:1-3) and we are seeing what I believe to be the beginning of this biblical declaration.

King’s Court children leading worship after mass at a Catholic mission in Lesotho.

This is just the start. Our students are passionate about God and His Kingdom, and we cannot wait to see the great things that God will do in the school in the months and years to come. It feels as if we have just reached the tip of the iceberg, and I believe that God is going to use our students to spread revival throughout our region, and into the nations.

While this may sound daunting, please understand that this fruit is the result of many students and teachers simply being obedient to what God is doing. God has done the heavy lifting. It is ours to plant and water, but He is the one who brings growth. When we follow His lead and we give people platforms to do the same (including young people) we’ll have a truer understanding that it is not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit (Zecheriah 4:6).

The Christian-based Justice Alliance of South Africa (JASA) yesterday filed papers in the Western Cape High Court in a bid to stop Top TV starting to broadcast three pornography channels on December 1.

In a media release JASA says it believes that the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) erred in law in failing to find that the Constitutional Rights of Children were laws of general application which should have trumped the rights of Top TV to freedom of expression.

In a ruling in April the broadcasting regulator approved struggling pay-television platform Top TV’s application to broadcast porn during the “watershed period” (from 8pm to 5am), stating that there is no law in SA against screening pornography other than a law against producing and distributing child pornography. According to recent media reports TopTV is relaunching on December 1 as StarSat, with a wider range of content, including a standalone pornography bouquet, Playboy TV. The relaunch is the result of a  partnership between Chinese digital pay-TV provider StarTimes and On Digital Media (ODM), which owns Top TV.

JASA contends in its papers that fixing a watershed time of 8pm flies in the face of common sense, bearing in mind that most teenage children finish their homework at about 8pm and then watch TV for an hour or two until bedtime. JASA says it has included statistics in its papers to this effect.

JASA asks the court to review the findings of ICASA and send the matter back to them to apply the law correctly.

Church leaders have previously warned that if Top TV broadcasts porn it will intensify a nationwide boycott of the broadcaster and its supporters.

At the prayer servince in Diepsloot on Monday, are (front, from left) Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana, Pastor Ray McCauley of the Rhema Bible Church, and Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau.

Originally published in SA News

Residents of Diepsloot, Johannesburg, on Monday gathered for a prayer service at the Methodist Church in Extension 10 to seek divine intervention in the wake of horrific violent acts committed against children in the area.

The discovery of a seven-month-old baby’s mutilated body in a shack on Sunday and the recent murder of two cousins, Yonelisa and Zandile Mali, prompted Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau to convene the prayer day.

It was preceded by a march led by the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana, and Tau. They were joined by religious leaders, members of the Johannesburg Metro Police, the community and government officials.

Those gathered at the Methodist Church remembered the children whose young lives were brutally ended. Ministers from different religious denominations took turns praying for an end to the high levels of crime, child abuse, domestic violence and satanism in schools.

Xingwana said the prayer was not only for Diepsloot, as its effects would be felt throughout Gauteng province and South Africa as a whole. She said the country needed to be exorcised of social ills such as drugs, rape and bullying in schools.

“Nobody has a right to violate those innocent children. Nobody has a right to take those children’s lives. They are a gift from God,” said Xingwana.

She challenged the community to take a moment and reflect on ways and strategies to stop these atrocities.

“We need to strengthen the morals and values of ubuntu in our society to win this battle. We need to further strengthen our engagement and support for parents and families in our communities to get to the root causes of the anger and violence in our homes, which eventually manifests in the killing of the most vulnerable in our society – the women and children.”

She further emphasised responsible parenting in families, saying parents could not expect strangers to take care of their children if they could not do it themselves.

“It starts with me as a mother… who has a responsibility to nurture and protect [my child]. Some of the reports we receive are that some mothers leave babies alone at home and go drinking. [This is] highly unacceptable and irresponsible. We have a responsibility as parents to lead by example.”

She assured the families that government would not rest until all the criminals were behind bars. She called on the courts to hand out maximum sentences befitting the crime.

Tau stressed the need to work with the church to confront deep-seated problems confronting the community.

“… Pray for us, accept our limitations as political leaders and the community… In times of need, we can only return to you [the church],” Tau said.

He challenged the community to make a positive change in their lives.

“… We must take the responsibility in ensuring we confront the scourge of crime by looking for solutions within ourselves.

“These crimes are a reflection on us as a community… As men, we can say, ‘you can’t do that in our name’,” said Tau.

Pastor Ray McCauley of the Rhema Bible Church said parents must take charge of matters in their communities and become part of the solution.

“Unemployed young people must help the community and be part of street patrolling. We are going to teach our children not to go with somebody that gives them sweets… We are with you in what you are going through.”

He also challenged the church to go out and change the people and community of Diepsloot. “Pray until the scourge is broken.”

Jo-Ann Downs,  (left) National Chair of the ACDP and KZN Member of Parliament, and Eureka Olivier, Administrative Director of  Operation Bobbi Bear at a media conference at Sahara Kingsmead Stadium, Durban, today.

A Dutch court’s decision to unban a child-sex advocacy group, Martijn, poses a threat to South Africa, say the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) and Operation Bobbi Bear (OBB), who have signed a petition calling on the Dutch government to re-ban the group and to ban any form of child-sex advocacy. 

South Africans should be concerned about Martijn and an associated political group, PNVD, because they have been lobbying for the Dutch Government to lower the age of sexual consent, and for social acceptance for paedophilia and its expression, say OBB and the ACDP in a joint media statement issued after they addressed a press conference in Durban today. The unbanning of Martijn encourages their counterparts in other countries to lobby for the same legal rights thereby threatening the legal protection of children.

In June 2012 a Dutch court ruled that the group was illegal but the Appeal Court overturned the ruling in April 2013.  Both courts acknowledged that the group’s actions are harmful to the physical and sexual integrity of children but the higher court found that their activities did not pose a disruption to society, as they did not deem children to be active members of society. The Public Prosecutor has taken the case to the Supreme Court for a definitive ruling. A number of members of Martijn’s Board have been convicted for sex crimes against children and possession of child pornography.

The petition was due to be handed to the Dutch Government at The Hague today by the “Ring The Alarm” team, SA child-protection NGO, OBB, and Cambodian children’s protection group, Aple. A full list of almost 200 NGOs from different countries, who have supported this petition, can be found on the Ring The Alarm site: http://ring-the-alarm.com/signatories/

Sex tourism and child sex trafficking
“This [the unbanning of Martijn] affects South Africa and other developing countries particularly because of sex tourism and child-sex trafficking but may also cause the same legal issues in Western countries. If Martijn is able to move forward with their agenda, their counterparts in other countries will then have leverage to petition for the same things. The laws on webcam sex tourism targeting children and travelling to have sex with children have international implications if laws in one country are changed,” say OBB and the ACDP.

The joint media statement continues: “The South African Police Service (SAPS) recorded more than 54 225 crimes against children during the year 2010/11. Taking into account the fact that the Solidarity Helping Hand’s research estimates that 88 percent of child abuse cases go unreported, this means the actual figure could be closer to roughly half a million. A 2009 study published in the Clinical Psychology Review, examined 65 studies from 22 countries and concluded that the highest prevalence of child sexual abuse is in Africa (34.4%) and primarily in South Africa.

“Due to high rates of abuse we just cannot afford to ignore issues even if they are in another country. Our world is too small.

“When we look at consent, 80% of offenders are well known and trusted by the child, and abuse takes place mainly in environments where the abuser has complete control. If we lower age of consent (what child-sex advocacy groups lobby for), then if a 10-year-old child is placed in a situation with an abuser – the onus would be on him to say no, in terms of the law.

“A Zurich study shows increased sexual harassment of children over the Internet, including across borders. There is also recent evidence, with the main victims being from developing countries – of child webcam sex tourism. A research organisation in the Netherlands, called Terre des Hommes managed to pass on 1000 names of paedophiles offering money to ’10 year old Sweetie from the Philippines” to do sex acts in front of a webcam. These names were handed to various authorities from 71 countries, during a 10-week ‘sting’ operation using a computer simulation called ‘Sweetie’.

“If it is not illegal in the perpetrators home country (based on age of consent, or a redefinition of paedophilia), then it is difficult to prosecute.  Let us look at recent international cases: In February 2009 the worlds largest internet-based paedophile ring was uncovered with 40 000 members – 670 of which were identified, as well as 230 children that were sexually abused, in 30 countries. In 2011, an online forum was discovered called boylover.net, hosted in the Netherlands, with up to 70 000 members from around the world. It was supposedly ‘discussion only’ which kept it off the radar of authorities. The site was in effect used as a front, and after meeting on the forum, members would initiate private contact to exchange pictures and film of children being abused.

“As South Africans, we were shocked at the recent arrest of a Free State teacher, a principle, a lawyer, a dermatologist, a businessman and an IT expert for being involved in an international child-porn ring, and news of 26 more South Africans who formed part of a global syndicate of child sex abusers. Imagine if they could legally form a child-sex advocacy group as a front? 

“There is just a simple question; do we want child-sex advocacy groups anywhere in the world? (As opposed to groups that would actually provide treatment and try to curb sexual contact with children)

“A redefinition of paedophilia especially, has implications for South African children and laws aimed at their protection.

Internationally
“It is of real concern that in May of 2013, The American Psychiatric Association released the 5^th Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) developed over a 10-year period. Within this document, Paedophilia was listed as a ‘sexual orientation’ and not a mental disorder.

“Following aggressive public outcry, the APA changed the text to read ‘sexual interest’. THIS WAS ONLY DUE TO PUBLIC OUTCRY, and only by chance that it didn’t go unnoticed. The APA made the distinction between a medical definition and a legal definition, however, medical definitions, INFORM legal definitions and policies. The American paedophilic advocacy group, ‘B4U-ACT’, who identify as ‘minor-attracted persons’ have also made moves towards the same goals. According to spokesperson and registered sex offender Paul Christiano, the paedophilia-advocacy group is ‘working towards de-stigmatizing the mental health community’ saying that negative societal attitudes towards ‘minor-attracted persons’ ‘trickle down to policy-making and the mental health community”, with reference to sexual offences registers and age of consent for example. The group says while they don’t condone illegal activity, people must be allowed to celebrate sex and sexuality and that the community of minor-attracted persons is, as a whole,  ’denied their complexities.’ (By the law) We believe B4U-ACT is a front, based on their stated intentions, and we will be focusing on them next.

“This redefinition could mean that in countries like Uganda where the ‘gay’ community faces real violence they would be further persecuted.

“Current Laws mean that it is impossible for civil/criminal penalty to be attached to sexual orientation. This means if the definition is changed, a paedophile could argue in court that it is his constitutional right to express his sexual orientation, and since this pertains to minors specifically, he cannot be punished for having sex with a minor, provided the minor ‘consents’. The reason why the redefinition of paedophilia to paedosexuals, or a sexual orientation is so frightening for SA is because of a constitutional clause, which specifically forbids discrimination due to sexual orientation. (Section 9.3 SA Constitution – ‘The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds, including…sexual orientation…’)

“South African anti-discrimination laws currently protect the ‘gay’ community, but if the definition is changed for paedophilia, we would have to change our constitution, or laws to protect children would be unconstitutional.

“Anti-discrimination legislation stipulates that a person cannot be arrested for sexual acts relating to their sexual orientation. So you therefore could not arrest a paedophile if they are defined as ‘minor-attracted persons’/paedosexuals/sexual orientation towards children.

“Paedophiles, could then argue, that laws preventing intimacy and sexual relations between adults (who are paedophiles) and children then unfairly discriminate against them on the basis of their sexual orientation or the expression of their sexual orientation. 

“Paedophiles, could then argue that the current Children’s Amendment Act – the Marriage act, and a few other laws that stipulate age of consent, age of marriage etc., are then also unconstitutional. 

 Labour Act
“The Labour Act disallows discrimination based on sexual orientation, this means that the sexual offenders register would also be unconstitutional, so that at a school, a crèche, an NGO dealing with children, and orphanages – you could not discriminate and would be forced to hire a paedophile, or be in contravention of the law.

“The Rental Housing Act is another example – you cannot discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, and therefore you could not refuse to rent a part of your property, for example a granny flat, to a person you know is a paedophile, even if you have your own children living on the premises, etc. 

“Some of the SA clergy have already made statements saying that paedophilia is not ‘criminal’ but they have not suggested that it is a legitimate sexual orientation.

“An example – In 2008 a German Priest went on a church camp and sexually assaulted young boys in Gauteng. It then came to light that he had 36 allegations of sexual assault in Germany, and was subsequently transferred to SA in 2007. It took him less than a year to reoffend. Why was his transfer granted? Why did SA clergy allow him to harm those boys, in our country? This is happening despite laws we have to protect children.

“If the definition of paedophilia is changed from being a mental disorder, to a ‘sexual orientation’ then we would have been even more powerless to stop this. 

“Then there is the issue of stigmatism from the rest of the paedophiles, against those seeking treatment for paedophilia if it is redefined as a sexual orientation.

“Whilst it is easy to dismiss paedophiles as a fringe group, unfortunately reported and anecdotal statistics of sexual abuse of children are rising, and it may follow that the numbers of adults sexually interested in children, are also increasing. The growing global trend of paedophiles arranging themselves into ‘advocacy groups’ becomes frightening, as a very few simple un-noticed changes in definition could result in a domino effect of child protection laws crumbling, with law being powerless to stop this.”

Alan Taylor of Bukani Print, Port Elizabeth, with one of the KMMC 2014 publicitiy posters printed on his presses. KMMC Committee Member, Lance Walton (right), presented Taylor with a Mighty Men tartan scarf in recognition of his support of the KMMC marketing drive.

The Karoo Mighty Men Conference may still be five months away but it’s all-systems-go for the marketing team who have just printed 85 000 flyers and 1 500 posters promoting the event.

The flyers and posters are ultimately destined to reach churches, schools and organisations in Port Elizabeth and East London as well as coastal and inland towns across the Eastern and Southern Cape. 

The printed material alerts men to the fact that the KMMC will be held from April 25 to 27, 2014 — once again beneath the scenic Resnosterberg mountains on the farm Rusoord, near Middelburg. It also announces that there is once again no entrance fee to the event;  in a step of faith this year the committe decided to invite men to attend the 2013 event for free in order to follow the pattern of Biblical festivals. The flyers and posters also urge men to register online at www.karoommc.co.za. By registering early you assist the KMMC team with their logistics planning.

KMMC committee member Lance Walton said: “We would really like to get as many men as possible to the Mighty Men in April. We would like men to diarise the date now and to start inviting their friends to join them. They must really put their shoulders to the grindstone and drive it!”

More information about the KMMC is available online at www.karoommc.co.za, by calling 079 947 3566 or emailing info@karoommc.co.za.

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Gateway News launching monthly column to celebrate ‘True Champions’

Men and women who the public have nominated because of their stand against corruption were honoured at a function at the Communitas Auditorium in Waterkloof Glenn, Pretoria, on Monday (November 18) evening.

“The idea was not to have a competition, but rather to give recognition to people that are doing things right in their effort to curb the wave of corruption in our country”, said Marcel Versfeld, National Coordinator of UE. He went on to say: “We want to highlight the feel good stories in contrast to the sickening reports of bribery and corruption in order to give hope to ordinary South Africans that will encourage them to stand up for ethics, values and clean living.”

Those honoured at the Gauteng Recognition Function represented the following categories: Business, Church, Education, Government, Health, NPO, Sport and Youth. They include ordinary South Africans as well as public figures like Johan Ackerman (Golden Lions), Rev Dirkie van der Spuy (Dutch Reformed pastor Moreleta Park) and Myan Subrayan (sports book author). Jannie de Beer (former Springbok fly half) was the patron of the Sport category.(See names of all the nominees at the end of this report).

A special Award ceremony was held in Bloemfontein on October 18 and one is also planned for Cape Town on March 7, 2014. Versfeld said that this is just the beginning. “We hope that this will grow into an annual event where South Africans will be influenced to take responsibility in their own communities to do the right thing.”

Send us your suggestions for the monthly column
Meanwhile, Gateway News, in association with Unashamedly Ethical, will shortly be launching a new monthly column to share the testimonies of some of South Africa’s ‘True Champions’ who bring glory to God and bless their fellow-citizens, by opposing the tide of corruption in their spheres of influence. The new column will  be launched on December 19. You are warmly invited to suggest anybody you think deserves recognition as a ‘True Champions’. Please email your suggestions to news@gatewaynews.co.za.

The nominees at the Gauteng Recognition Function:

More than 15 000 South Africans have signed the Unashamedly Ethical commitment to a public life of ethics, values and clean living. If you haven’t committed yet, why not do so now, here.

I have been reliably informed that Top TV – renamed StarSat is already broadcasting two hard-core pornographic channels in SA and have every intention of launching the rest publically on December 1.

A source previously high up in Top TV informed me that Top TV executives were already receiving pornographic channels in their homes. The latest information appears to confirm this claim.

Family Policy Institute (FPI) in partnership with several major Christian Denominations in SA will intensify the nationwide boycott of Top TV/StarSat with immediate effect.

Christian consumers must lead this noble battle against corporate greed. Please urge your family, friends, colleagues and congregations to urgently cancel subscriptions with Top TV/StarSat.

FPI will issue a statement to the media today informing Top TV/StarSat of the nationwide boycott including any retail partners who stock and sell decoders that provide pornography.

Top TV/StarSat callously chose to launch their three hard-core pornographic channels on SA TV right in the middle of the “16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women and Children.”

This appalling act demonstrates Top TV/StarSat’s attitude to the spiralling rates of sexual crimes against vulnerable women and children. Research consistently shows that regular porn consumption lead to addictions and often fuels sexual crimes against women and children.

You and I and every decent SA citizen must take a bold and uncompromising stand against the flood of filth infiltrating our nation. The women and children in your family face increasing risks.

The UK and other first world nations are installing filters on the internet to block pornography. They are doing this to specifically combat the high rates of sexual crimes against, and amongst children.

Tragically, South Africa appears to be heading in the other direction! Our government is making it easier for children to be exposed to hard-core pornography on the internet and TV.

Government ministers will mount podiums around the country during the “16 Days” expressing their horror at the rampant sexual crimes against women and children in the country.

However, this same government has steadfastly refused to address the growing menace of online pornography and have even given a green light to hard-core porn on SA TV!

The Body of Christ must fight this terrible injustice and must work diligently to protect vulnerable women and children from further sexual abuse and exploitation.

Please help me get the message out! Top tv starsat must be stopped! Act now!

Pastors please encourage your congregations to stop supporting Top TV/StarSat immediately! Any Christian financially supporting this channel is contributing to pornography on SA TV.

Please use social media and any other legal methods available to spread the message. If you see TopTV/StarSat decoders at retail stores inform them you will not support their business.

Please give value to the “16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women & Children.” Stop Top TV/StarSat in their tracks! Access to pornography must be eradicated not made easier in SA!

Standing

Errol Naidoo
PS: “Watchmen on the Wall” on TBN Africa will feature the “Rooftop Worship Event” in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, Nov 26, at 8pm. I also speak to a former satanist about his salvation.

Joshua Generation Church (JGC) is preparing to make a presentation to Parliament in which it will urge the Government not to interfere in the beliefs of the Christian Church in South Africa and to respect freedom of religion and conscience in the country.

Parliament has elected a task team to hear JGC  because of a public outcry over a decision by the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to investigate a complaint against the Cape Town church because of its doctrine on corporal punishment, says JGC Senior Pastor, Andrew Selley, in a Facebook post. He says the church represents about 10 million Christians whose leaders have given their support to its call for Christians to stand together against increasing attacks on religious freedom.

“We believe that the State should not interfere unnecessarily into the family unit, but should respect the reasonable autonomy of parents to bring up their children as they believe best, according to their belief systems. This [the meeting with the Parliamentary task team] will be a very important meeting that will have an effect upon both the autonomy of the family, but also on the freedom of religion in SA!” says Selley in his post. He urges Christians to pray for the meeting.

Initally the meeting was set for yesterday (Tuesday, November 26), but on Monday the organising Portfolio Committee postponed the meeting because one of the key roleplayers had a pressing engagement, said Phillp van der Westhuizen, JGC Operations Manager and Elder.

“So now we will wait for an alternate date from them to speak about the SAHRC complaint and investigation,” he said.

On October 10, representatives of JGC and Adriaan and Hannah Mostert, the couple who complained to the SAHRC about the church’s corporal punishment doctrine, as well as other lobby groups, met at the Cape Town offices of the SAHRC in an attempt to resolve the issue. Subesquently Hannah Mostert told news media that the SAHRC investigation would go ahead because the church refused to change its position on corporal punishment.

Pastor Laurette Mkati.

Launch of prayer programme for elections

Delegates from all provinces of South Africa are gathering in Bhisho from today until Saturday for a strategic prayer conference around the theme of ‘Raising a Godly priesthood to establish righteousness and justice in the nation’.

A prayer programme for the 2014 General Election in South Africa will also be launched at the conference which is hosted by the SA Prayer Movement For Change (SAPMC), said Pastor Laurette Mkati of Intercessors for Africa — EC.

Outlining the rationale of the conference she said that the SA church, through its silence in the public space, has allowed wickedness to overtake the nation. Despite a reported 70 per cent Christian population, the national religion has become ancestral worship and the national prophets are sangomas, she said. She said there are national prophets of God in SA but it is the sangomas who are heard by the nation and invited by Government.

“So our [SAPMC] job is to raise up God’s priesthood to contend for the nation in prayer,” she said.

The main speaker at this year’s conference — the 4th annual conference of SAPMC — is Olusegun Olanipekun, CEO of the Institute of Christian Leadership Development and a key organiser of a prayer intitative last year to dedicate all nine provinces and South Afria to Jesus.The prayer dedication campaign was launched after the African National Congress (ANC) dedicated South Africa to ancestors in January 2012.

Olanipekun will teach on the theme of the Josiah Generation, inspired by the Biblical King of Judah who led a campaign to purify the land and establish Godly altars and a return to God’s law. The conference will also include workshops in the 7 spheres of society (business, government, media, arts and entertainment, education, the family and religion) as well as the social sphere. People will attend workshops in their own spheres where they will be trained to exercise priesthood in the marketplace. The idea is to equip them to maintain rulership over the nation through ongoing, strategic prayer that deals with root level national problems such as ancestral worship and syncretism.

She said the Election Prayer Programme that will be launched at the conference will focus on the issue of leadership, encouraging the electorate to vote for Godly leaders rather than along party political lines. She said the programme will be rolled out to churches around the country.

Scottish-born Mkati first visited South Africa in 1983 when she came out as a Scottish dance examiner. She said her calling is to the Xhosa nation. She speaks Xhosa and teaches on prayer, spiritual warfare, altars and covenants — including circumcision. She said it is significant that God has, for the first time, raised two South African pastors to publish books about Ancestral worship and Christianity. Both authors, Afrika Mhlophe, from the Eastern Cape, and Matlou Selepe, from Limpopo, are expected to attend the prayer conference.

The conference is being held at Bhisho Community Church. More informaton on the conference is available from Laurette at 084 753 1538 or by emailing saprayer4change@gmail.com.

Professor Barney Pityana talking on the ‘theology of voiting’ in PE today. Bishop Bethlehem Nopece (right) of the Anglican Diocese of Port Elizabeth opened this gathering.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Consultation of Christian Churches played host today ( Thursday, November 28) to a consultation discussing “The theology of voting.” The consultation was held at St Stephens Anglican Church in New Brighton and was addressed by Professor Barney Pityana, who is the former vice challensor of UNISA.

In deciding to host this consultation Archdeacon Zwelidumile Tom felt that the Church has a role to play in stimulating people’s thinking and in deepening democracy. He felt that a theology of voting is not something that is obvious for most Christians.

“If it was obvious, why did some Christians continue to vote for the National Party government? Similarly, why do some black Christians and leaders still feel obliged to support an abusive relationship? — i.e. that of the African National Congress and the majority of black people.”

Bishop Bethlehem Nopece of the Anglican Diocese of Port Elizabeth opened the gathering by saying that Daniel in Babylon defied the king’s decree because of his convictions. He read 1 Peter 2:9-10 and spoke about the fact that as Christians we are ambassadors of Christ and therefore we have a duty to God and to the country. He bemoaned the fact that we are Christians in name only and not in practice.

When Prof Pityane spoke he opted not to read a speech but spoke from his heart. He read from Galatians 5:1 which is a verse that talks about the freedom we have in Christ. He cautioned us not to allow ourselves to be enslaved again. When unpacking the subject of the consultation Pityana said theology is first and foremost not a story about God but about people’s interaction with God.

He spoke about a theologian who has his head in heaven but his feet on earth, which means he engages with the world around him but is guided by God’s word. He stressed that your location in Christ should guide the choices you make, even when choosing who to vote for.

He asked, “As a Christian what goes into your decision when deciding who to vote for.”

Pityana also spoke about social justice. He raised an issue with the levels of poverty in South Africa and put the blame at the door of those who are greedy and are living beyond their means. He said President Jacob Zuma is one person who is living beyond his means because he has access to state resources. The Professor felt that poverty can be eliminated if we deal with the issue of greed.

He said: “Poverty is the worst of crimes. It is not the poor who are criminals but those who make others poor by stealing from them.” 

What was clear from listening to delegates in this consultation is that the status quo we have in South Africa cannot be allowed to continue. Professor Pityana said that although the Church cannot dictate concerning people’s choice in the elections a person must be guided by God’s word and not by emotions or sentiment, as has been the case in the past. 

Community members held a prayer service at the Assemblies of God Church in Kimberley following the rape of a 6-week-old baby in Galeshewe and the rape and murder of an 87-year-old woman from the same community. (PHOTO: Emile Hendricks/Foto24)

A letter to the emerging JUST1HR movement in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) in response to the rape of a six week old baby in Kimberley last week, has sparked a JUST1HR prayer and action gathering on the Donkin Reserve, Port Elizabeth from 13:00 to 14:00 tomorrow (Thursday, December 5).

In his letter entitled ‘She is your daughter‘ the writer, who wants to remain anonymous, expresses dismay that our nation seems powerless and without resolve to stop such hideous crimes as the latest reported baby rape. He also calls on JUST1HR to convene an hour-long gathering on the Donkin to give people an opportunity to “show they care”. JUST1HR, which grew out of an ongoing prayer initiative involving metro church leaders, aims to mobilise citizens to give an hour of their time each month to work on community projects in NMB.

The programme for tomorrow’s impromptu event includes a chat by Luke Watson, captain of the Southern Kings, entitled ‘Real men don’t rape’, as well as a short address by Pastor Afrika Mhlophe, who will also lead a time of public prayer addressing rape and violence against women and children. The Programme Director, Pastor Russel Viljoen, will say something about NGOs that are in the field and will encourage people to get involved with them rather than to convene more meetings. Pamphlets with information about the NGOs will be distributed.

Transformation Christian Network (TCN) coordinator, Trevor Jennings says there has been a viral response to the posting of the ‘She is your daughter’ letter on the JUST1HR website.

“From a simple letter sent to JUST1HR on Friday morning to lunch time today more than 13 800 people are following what is happening in NM Bay. For details go to www.just1hr.org.za or www.tcn.org.za,” he says in a letter sent to NMB churches yesterday.

“Come and pray and support our NGO’s fight against rape. If Cairo can have a Spring then NM Bay can have Summer,” he says.

The baby rape and the Donkin event coincide with the international 16 Days Of Activism Campaign (November 25  to  December 10) which is being observed in South Africa in a year that has been punctuated by some highly publicised rape attacks and some 144 reported rapes per day (according to womenforwomen.org).

The vicious gang rape and murder of Bredasdorp teenager Anene Booysen in February shocked the nation and the world and led to the Real Men March to Parliament in March. The man who confessed to raping Booysen was earlier this month given the stiffest possible punishment of two life sentences.

A 24-year-old Northern Cape man accused of raping the 6-week-old baby last week, appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, November 26. The case was postponed to December 12 for a formal bail application. Community members held a prayer service at the Assemblies of God Church in Kimberley following the rape of the baby in Galeshewe and the rape and murder of an 87-year-old woman from the same community. Northern Cape Premier, Sylvia Lucas, National  police commissioner General Riah Phiyega, and Deputy Minister of Police Maggie Sotyu attended the service.

According to media reports, doctors who operated for two hours to save the raped and traumatised baby say they expect her to recover physically and that she will one day be able to bear children.

• SEE COMMENTARY by Afrika Mhlophe

On Digital Media Interim CEO, Eddie Mbalo.

As reports surface of a growing pornography addiction problem in South Africa, a pay-TV boss said he is proud to bring hardcore porn to SA television for the first time and plans to introduce more in 2014.

Referring to the controversial launch of 3 porn channels by StarSat (formerly TopTV) on December 1, Eddie Mbalo, the interim CEO of On Digital Media, said they aim to broadcast more porn next year, including pornography coming from Africa.

Mbalo says the erotic sex channels will “in the long run promote healthy relationships, positive images of sexuality, and of women in particular,” for South Africa.

Mbalo’s claims are at odds with a recent Times Live report that notes that South African children as young as 15 are seeking professional help because of porn addiction and addicts are spending millions to feed their shameful habits.

Therapists and counsellors dealing with addictions are concerned that should it be left untreated, porn addiction could lead individuals to cause harm to themselves and others.

Family Policy Institute director Errol Naidoo has called for a renewed nationwide boycott in of On Digital Media and StarSat “with immediate effect”, saying South Africans need to “take a bold and uncompromising stand against the flood of filth infiltrating our nation”.

“Research consistently shows that regular porn consumption leads to addictions and often fuels sexual crimes against women and children.” According to Naidoo “our government is making it easier for children to be exposed to hardcore pornography on the internet and TV”.

He says people supporting ODM and StarSat are contributing to pornography on South African television.

He urges people to sign a Public Petition calling for StarSat’s porn programmes to be stopped. The petition will be sent to StarSat management.

The Justice Alliance of South Africa (Jasa) which is also opposed to ODM and StarSat’s porn broadcast recently brought a court application against ODM, Icasa, and the Minister of Communications. The case will be heard early in 2014. A group of teenagers also opposed to porn, has joined the case.

COPE leader, Mosioua Lekota (left) and Pastor Tebogo Rakgabyane, the leader of the National Republican Party announcing their merger. (PHOTO: Sowetanlive)

Originally published in ecna.com

The Congress of the People (Cope) on Thursday announced that it has merged with the National Republican Party (NRP).

The announcement was made in Johannesburg by senior leaders from both parties among them Mosiuoa Lekota of Cope and Pastor Tebogo Rakgabyane of NRP.

It was mentioned that talks to establish this union went on for more than two months. It was also announced that the merger was triggered by the ruling party’s inability to address issues of poverty, unemployment and other challenges faced by majority of South Africans.

Lekota said the merger will make a meaningful impact especially during the election process.

“Those votes can make a change in a province and in a locality. More importantly is that the individuals and the number we are talking about represents a far bigger number of poor. These people are family people, community members and they will extend their influence,” said Lekota.

NRP is a Christian organisation and is reported to boast a membership of 1800.

“There’s much talk in our day about the need for character but few are able to identify and articulate the source of Godly character. The fruits of which, integrity, honesty, courage and the like are becoming more and more difficult to find in this country,” said Rakgabyane.

“There’s only one source of this character, and it is found in a personal relationship with Christ. He alone is the provider and perfect example of character and only he can transform a lying man into an honest man.

“I believe some of our leaders today in government actually need him so that they can stop lying and tell more of the truth,” he added.

“Many Christians would say Jesus was not involved in politics, he also did not tell his followers to join any specific political party or movement. But if we look at Jesus’ stand in his day we would see that he took quite an extreme political position.

“He basically challenged the existing order by announcing a new government that is the kingdom of God and he himself as head of it,” said Rakgabyane.

Mkhangeli Matomela, Convener of the Kingdom Governance Movement.

Matomela, who convenes the fledgling Kingdom Governance Movement (KGM) said there is a deep crisis in South African society today as a result of the ANC abandoning its historical Christian values in favour of secular humanist policies pushed by the New Age Movement. Christians who vote next year for parties that support secular humanist politics will be voting for the antichrist. Those that vote for parties that honour and acknowledge God will be voting for justice, peace and righteousness, he said.

The 56-year-old politician, who I was interviewing in his King William’s Town home, resigned from the ANC three months ago to “spread the gospel of the Kingdom of God” through the KGM. Inspired by the Holy Spirit to move from a purely prophetic role into the trenches of politics, he said the KGM will contest the 2014 elections on a “prophetic Kingdom politics” ticket calling for the establishment of a values-based society. He said they hope to establish a “Kingdom Governance Alliance” with parties and organisations that are for the Kingdom of God and against secular humanist politics.

Matomela joined the ANC in 1980. He was a co-founder of the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union, joined the Eastern Cape legislature in 1994, where he served variously as the ANC’s whip, the legislature’s speaker, education MEC and, at the time of his resignation, as the chairperson of the finance portfolio committee.

Alice Bailey charter
He said his Kingdom focus is not a new thing. He is a founder member of the Godly Governance Network (a prophetic voice which engages the Government in promoting godliness in governance) that was established in the Eastern Cape Legislature in 2000. Before the 2009 elections he warned then ANC President, Jacob Zuma, that the party was rapidly implementing the 10-point anti-Christian charter of late theosophist  and New Age Movement proponent, Alice Bailey. He subsequently expressed his misgivings to other ANC national and provincial leaders but his warnings were not heeded.

“On the 26th of May [2013] I felt strongly that the Lord wanted me to come out of the ANC because I have been carrying this message of the Kingdom of God for a long time,” he said.

His split with the ANC was sealed in late August after he was called by the party leadership to explain media reports of comments he made at a church gathering about the ANC’s New Age character. After a long discussion the ANC leaders finally accepted that he had a calling from God and should be allowed to pursue it.

During his amicable parting with the ANC he told them he was not against the party and that his move was in fact intended by God to save them by turning them back to their roots. He said the party was founded on Christian values by Christians and kings who honoured God and by leaders who were educated in Christian schools. He said God has sustained the ANC for more than 100 yrs because of its Christian foundation.

Explaining the “prophetic Kingdom politics” vision of the KGM he said they want to establish a values-based society that is built on absolute values and principles that come from the character of God. The problem with the current SA Constitution is that it is based on rights. He said true rights are gifts from God and that rights must always be aligned with inalienable godly values. KGM proposes the drawing up of a Charter of Shared Values based on Biblical and community values. Key values from this legal document should be enshrined in Chapter 1 of a proposed new values-based Constitution to guide policymakers and the judiciary and transform society according to the pattern of heaven.

Matomela said that despite its godly foundation the ANC has implemented the complete 10 point charter of Alice Bailey in a remarkably short time. He said it has undemocratically implemented antichrist laws such a legalising abortion and gay marriage, that are not endorsed by its resolutions, its manifesto or by its rank and file members.

ANC not running the country
“Although we gave the ANC the mandate to run this country it is not running the country. The New Age Movement, through its champions, the United Nations and the EU, are running this nation,” he said.

He said the ANC is allowing itself to be dictated to by the UN and its ‘One World Order’ allies because of various international agreements it has signed. The agenda is also being subtly pushed by a few individuals within the organisation.

“They [the ANC] should reject it. But I think they have run out of ideas. They are trapped,” he said.

Nor does Matomela let the Church off the hook. Some churches are endorsing the antichrist laws, as envisaged in one of the clauses of the Alice Bailey charter. Others are silent – which amounts to endorsement, he said.

“None of us are innocent. We must repent and be bold enough to take the bit in our mouths,” he said.

Matomela said he has already shared the KGM’s vision with the leaders of several Christian-based political parties. He said the party will not divide the Christian vote as some fear. The fact is that until now most Christians in South Africa have voted for the ANC and other parties that practice secular humanist politics, he said. The message of the KGM is not religious but to focus on the Kingdom of God, which is what Jesus taught about most. Prophetic Kingdom politics is about rulership guided by the will and purposes of God, while secular humanist politics is rulership under Lucifer who is always opposed to God, he said.

He said the KGM will engage all political parties, churches, ministry organisations, traditional leaders and society in general, with its call for voters to align themselves with the vision of a society based on the values of the Kingdom of God. He said like-minded parties were free to remain and retain their own identity.It was not about the KGM but about establishing a Kingdom Godly Alliance.

He again stressed that the KGM is not attacking the ANC but ministering to it as it is a victim of the antichrist. He said that by entering the elections the KGM is adopting a stronger position from which to minister to the ruling party. He predicted that the ANC will start to listen to the call to come out of secular humanist politics once it sees people supporting the KGM.

“I see the ANC currently in the position of the first King of Israel, Saul, with the KGM emerging as a David. They have lost their Kingdom mandate, and as David the KGM is rising up.”

He said God has shown him through scripture that the KGM must adopt the same attitude to the ANC as David adopted with Saul.

“We will treat them with respect because we respect those who are in government. God will not remove the ANC if David is not ready. David must be ready and then God is going to honour him.”

Andrew Selley.

Joshua Generation Church (JGC) will champion the cause of defending religious freedom through an independent organisation operating under the auspices of the church, says lead elder, Andrew Selley.

In a letter of thanks to church leaders who have stood with JGC as it has come under attack because of its doctrine on corporal punishment, Selley says the experience has highlighted the greater issue of the threat to freedom of religious expression that affects “all of us”.

“Whilst we will continue to fight for parental rights, protection of the autonomy of family and to stop government interfering in reasonable parental practice; when a matter arises where the government dictates to a church what they may or may not preach and the extent to which they can share their faith with their congregants, this seriously threatens our right to freedom of religious expression,” he says.

The Cape Town church has been under investigation by the SA Human Rights Commission since August when a couple, Hannah and Adriaan Mostert, complained to the commission about their doctrine on corporal punishment. Selley says in an email to Gateway News that JGC has the signed support of churches representing about 11 million Christians who responded to their call for Christians to stand together to defend religious freedom. He says both the Muslim Judicial council and the Jewish Chief Rabbi have also given support.

“Wow – we want to thank you for the unbelievable support you have shown to us over the past few months. It has truly been overwhelming, and has offered us great encouragement when we needed it most,” he says in his letter to supporting churches.

He says the solidarity expressed by the churches has created such a stir that a Parliamentary Task Team has asked JGC to address them as many politicians are becoming concerned over the threat to religious freedom.

“To those of you who have given your support, thank you, we could not have done this without you,” he says.

The church expects to address the task team in late Jauary 2014.

In his letter to the churches, Selley says that a prohibition on communication that was imposed on them during the SAHRC investigation prevented them from keeping the churches updated of developments. The restriction has been lifted.

Addressing a Carte Blanche programme that reported on the SAHRC investigation of JCG, Selley writes: “Firstly, as the leadership team of JoshGen, we sincerely apologise for any confusion or misunderstanding that may have arisen with regards to our teaching material, that was flighted on Carte Blanche and covered in the press.The manual in question was revised as soon as we became aware that some of the material was being misunderstood outside of context, and creating confusion.

“As a church family, we endeavour to positively impact our community and society, not only through sound Biblical teaching, but also through living out the values contained therein, both in word and action.

“We remain committed to working alongside the local community groups, NPO’s, relevant role players and leaders, towards positive transformation of our society and to providing assistance to those in need.

“At this stage we are waiting on the final response from the South African Human Rights Commission, which is due sometime in February 2014.”

In response to a question from Gateway News about the church’s preparations for addressing the Parliamentary task team, he says: “We have put together a task team who have put in huge amount of work, looking at international law, social sciences, SA law, case studies etc. and we believe we have a very strong case.”

The information sourced by the task team has been submitted to the SAHRC at their request.

United States President Barrack Obama will be among the many international dignitaries at Nelson Mandela’s funeral.

Church leaders from all denominations and groups have been invited to an emergency meeting at the Johannesburg headquarters of the South African Council of Churches today to pray together and plan how to bury Nelson Mandela with dignity as international leaders and celebrities prepare to visit South Africa to attend the state funeral.

Meanwhile according to media reports elaborate plans for a 12-day state memorial and funeral were set in motion last night just hours after the death of South Africa’s first democratically elected president. President Jacob Zuma ordered the nation’s flags to be flown at half-mast beginning today and to remain that way until after Mandela’s funeral, which is expected to be held next Saturday. 

Church leaders who are not able to attend today’s emergency prayer and planning meeting at Khotso House at 2pm are requested to send representatives, says Bishop Jo Seoka, the President of the SACC, in a letter to churches.

In a press statement the SACC expresses sorrow at Mandela’s “sad departure from his illustrious earthly life” and “extends a special pastoral embrace to the Mandela family at this time”.

The SACC also calls on South Africans to pray for the soul of the nation’s first democratically elected president, his family and the nation.

“We call on the churches and all people of faith, to focus their worship services and prayers this weekend not only to mourn Mandela but also to celebrate his achievements and thank God for his life and example. The Mandelas are members of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and therefore we appeal to all denomination to support the leadership of the Methodist Church in all ministrations,” says the statement.

Paying tribute to Mandela’s achievement’s the SACC statement says: “We are very much saddened by the news of the death of our Nation’s first President: A man of vision, courage and zeal for the liberation of humankind. He has lived a selfless life so that we may all enjoy freedom and the fullness of life, just as our Lord had purposed. Today we are a respected nation because of his tireless fighting spirit to free us from oppression, exploitation and sexism, and for this we thank God.

“In his words Mandela said, “Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden, but never extinguished”. On the night of his sad departure, that flame of his goodness was held up by the grace of God, that it may remain to inspire and influence present and future generations to strive always to live for the common good, after the manner of Jesus Christ who said I have come that you may have life to the fullest.

“Thus Nelson Mandela will not have died, but would have transitioned to a perpetual beacon of light for the democratic order that he led as the first democratic president of the Republic of South Africa.”

Former President Nelson Mandela.

Originally published in Christian Today

Nelson Mandela has passed away at the age of 95 last night (Thursday, December 5).

The 95-year-old anti-apartheid hero had been frequently hospitalized in the months prior to his death today.

Mandela’s death was announced by South African president Jacob Zuma at a media conference.

Watch CNN’s live video coverage here. 

The South African hero was hospitalised in June earlier this year at a hospital in Pretoria.

At the time, the Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba prayed with his family at his bedside.

“Fill them with your holy courage and the gift of trusting faith, and take away their fears so that they may dare to face their grief,” Archbishop Makgoba said at Mandela’s bedside, according to his website. ”Guide the medical staff so that they may know how to use their skills wisely and well, in caring for Madiba and keeping him comfortable. And uphold all of us with your steadfast love so that we may be filled with gratitude for all the good that he has done for us and for our nation, and may honor his legacy through our lives.” Madiba is the tribal name for Mandela.

Well-wishers had lined up the streets to the hospital’s entrance, where Mandela has been staying since June 8 for a recurring lung infection. Crowds held up signs that read “we need you” and “we love you.”

Mandela was discharged from hospital on September 1 and had continued to receive intensive care at home by 22 doctors.

Nelson Mandela is an international icon who has defined democracy in South Africa and was imprisoned for 27 years in his fight against apartheid in the country.

He was elected the first black president of South Africa in 1994.

Mandela’s last public appearance was at the World Cup in 2010.

Mighty Youth Conference organisers, from the left, Nathan van der Merwe, Milada and Johan Burger, and Tiaan van Wyk.

A dream from God is coming to pass with the planning of a ‘Mighty Youth Conference’ in East London next year.

The ambitious vision for the 5-day conference for young people from July 7 to July 11 was literally birthed in a dream he had more than two years ago, said Nathan van der Merwe, youth leader at Seaside Family Church, Gonubie.

He said God clearly showed him in the dream that he should arrange a ‘Mighty Youth Conference’ for young people from East London and surrounding areas.

He said he prayed about the event for many months to make sure it was God’s idea and not his own. What followed confirmed it was from God. He emailed Mighty Men Movement founder Angus Buchan, telling him about the dream and asking whether he should aim to host the event in a stadium or on a farm. Buchan recommended a farm.

In July this year he asked Tiaan van Wyk, youth leader at AFM Spirit and Life Church in East London to meet with him to share his dream. The two youth leaders barely knew each other and unbeknown to Van der Merwe, Van Wyk was in Durban at a youth event at the time, and scouting for a venue for a big youth conference similar to what he had in mind.

Van Wyk said God told him in his quiet time that night that he should meet Van der Merwe. So he cut his Durban visit short and the two met in East London on Saturday, July 13.

The young men saw eye-to-eye and began to pray for God to provide a suitable venue for the event. The breakthrough came when they spoke to Johan and Milada Burger about the possibility of using their farm next door to Spirit and Life Church.

A glorious shaft of sunlight adds a touch of majesty to a prayer walk on the Mighty Youth Conference venue on an East London farm.

It turned out that God had already been speaking to Milada. She said she got “very excited” when the youth leaders shared their vision. Three or more years ago God showed her a vision of thousands of people sitting on blankets on their farm, watching activities on a stage. She said it was clear that the vision was about God’s kingdom.

“So when they phoned and shared their vision of using our farmland I said ‘Yes’ because I remembered the vision and said: ‘This is it!’ “

The Mighty Youth Conference has since grown into a joint venture to be hosted by the united youth of East London. The vision is to equip the youth of East London and surrounding areas to become actively involved in the mission of God. Young people aged from 13 to 20 will camp at the event. The MYC will be promoted all over South Africa and all campers will belong to groups of 10 under a youth pastor from their areas. This will facilitate ongoing discipleship after the conference.

In addition to main conference sessions built around the missional theme of the conference, there will be free afternoon workshops offering practical, everyday lifeskills to prepare teenagers for adult life.

For more information about the Mighty Youth Conference, or to register, please contact 079 434 6453, myc@mightyyouthconference.co.za or the website www.mightyyouthconference.co.za (to be launched soon), say the organisers.

Application based on ”Scientific evidence’ that pornography harms society

Compiled from reports by Tech Central and mybroadband

The broadcasting of pornography by StarSat (formerly Top TV) is facing a new court challenge from an organisation which says it has scientific evidence that pornography harms society.

Non profit human rights organisation,’Cause for Justice’, has filed papers at the high court in Pretoria asking for a review of a decision by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) in April 2013 to allow StarSat, which is owned by On Digital Media, to offer three pornographic channels. Icasa had previously blocked TopTV’s porn plans in January 2013 after concluding that there is no evidence to demonstrate that pornography is a direct cause of gender-based violence.

The organisation says: “Cause for Justice is bringing this application out of an honest and sincere concern for the people of South Africa and we are accordingly acting in the public interest. Our application is based on scientifically researched evidence, which shows a conclusive link between exposure to pornography and harm to society. We submit that the risk of harm to society from allowing pornography to be broadcast in South Africa, even in a subscription service environment, far outweighs the potential benefit to be gained by the members of our society from having free access thereto on their television screens.”

The organisation says that in spite of “overwhelming public opposition” to On Digital Media’s application to broadcast the channels, the authority went ahead and gave it the nod anyway.

A public hearing was held on March 14, 2013. The following organisations made oral submissions: Family Policy Institute; African Christian Democratic Party; Free Society Institute; Doctors For Life; Africa Christian Action; Shofar Christian Church; Free Society Institute; Active for Jesus; and Evergreen Parenting. According to Cause for Justice, 90% of written submissions were opposed to the porn channels, while seven of the nine oral presentations were also opposed.

‘Irrelevant considerations’
It says Icasa’s decision should be set aside because the authority took “irrelevant considerations” into account while ignoring “relevant” ones. It also argues that Icasa committed reviewable errors of law and did not follow a fair administrative process. In addition, the conclusions that Icasa reached were not “rationally connected to the reasons given” or to the information before it”.

It says that Icasa “failed to get to grips with and deal with four vital issues regarding pornography”. It says these are:

Pornography is psychologically harmful to children. “Although Icasa’s authorisation makes provision to protect children from viewing pornographic channels with a Pin mechanism, we submit in our court application that this mechanism does not ensure adequate protection,” it says.
Pornography is addictive. “It is a form of sex addiction. It is inseparable from and linked to other forms of sex addiction.”
Pornography “incites some men, those who are prone to such things, to commit violence and rape”.
Exposure to so-called “soft” porn “creates a desire for viewing progressively more sexually explicit material. In the process pornography desensitises people to rape and gender violence and damages or destroys healthy loving relationships.”
Cause for Justice’s lawsuit follows a similar application made by Justice Alliance of South Africa (Jasa) in the Western Cape high court in November.

Cause for Justice says it has served the application on Icasa, On Digital Media, Icasa chairman Stephen Mncube, On Digital Media business rescue practitioner Peter van den Steen and communications minister Yunus Carrim.

The organisations’s lawsuit follows a similar application made by Justice Alliance of South Africa (Jasa) in the Western Cape high court in November.

Jasa director John Smyth QC was quoted at the time as saying that Icasa “erred in law in failing to find that the constitutional rights of children were laws of general application which should have trumped the rights of TopTV to freedom of expression”.

“We contend that fixing a watershed time of 8pm flies in the face of common sense, bearing in mind that most teenage children finish their homework at about 8pm and then watch TV for an hour or two before bedtime,” Smyth said.

Pieter Mulder (FF Plus), Mosiuoa Lekota (Cope) and Cheryllyn Dudley (ACDP), represented their parties at the signing of an agreement yesterday, in which five opposition parties formed the coalition, Collective for Democracy.

Five opposition parties, including two Christian parties, have formed a coalition called the Collective for Democracy to contest the general elections next year, they announced yesterday (Tuesday, December 17).

The alliance partners are the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), the United Christian Democratic Party (UCDP), Congress of the People (Cope), the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).

The Collective for Democracy was negotiated over several years with a view to finding common ground and aims to secure enough representation to challenge the ruling party and form a new government, said chairperson Mosiuoa Lekota, who is also leader of Cope, which recently announced that it had merged with the small Christian Party, the National Republican Party (NRP).

The parties to the coalition negotiated 20 ‘joint areas of priority’ that were formally accepted at a signing ceremony yesterday. The agreed areas include prioritising education and training, referring the Protection of State Information Bill to the Constitutional Court, protecting minority communities and religious freedom, ensuring strict separation of party and state, and the review of the ‘bloated’ government to ensure efficiency and affordability.

The Collective for Democracy said it will soon announce its team of potential representatives “that will draw on the best people within the parties while focusing on corruption free, competent, trusted candidates”. It said other parties are welcome to join the coalition as long as they agreed to the agreed principles.

ACDP MP Cheryllyn Dudley, who signed the coalition agreement on behalf of ACDP President, Rev Kenneth Meshoe, who is currently abroad, said:”The ACDP is of the opinion that this ‘Collective’ of political parties is the best way of benefiting from the rich diversity of the South African people while ensuring that we are responsive to the aspirations and needs of this diverse people.

“The ACDP – will retain its own identity and manifesto while also contesting the elections collectively from a Common Manifesto of priority issues.

“By working together however, we believe the Collective for democracy can focus on drawing votes from a broader section of society – of course – It will be important for the ACDP to continue to increase its support base in order to strengthen its potential for influencing South Africa through the ‘Collective’ in line with Christian Democratic Principles and moral values.

“The ACDP, inspired by Christian Democratic principles, and motivated by the example of the Democratic Unionist Party in Belfast Ireland (DUP) – and the legacy of MADIBA – has embraced and committed to the realization of a ‘Shared Future’ for all South Africans.

“The ‘Collective for Democracy’ is a demonstration of this commitment to a peaceful and prosperous South Africa for all who live here – a commitment to working together to achieve our collective dreams and goals ensuring our children and future generations have the future they deserve.”

FF Plus leader Pieter Mulder said: “Coalitions are an important part of our electoral system and makes it possible for voters to vote for the party closest to their values, but still vote against the ANC. Our wonderful country is diverse, and so our future should reflect that.”