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The Executive Mayor of Johannesburg and Tshwane;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Members of the media;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen;

Compatriots, once again, we meet to discuss the issue of moral regeneration, which has become one of the most urgent issues facing our country today.

It is very significant that we have come together today as different sectors, to put into action our common mission and vision of restoring the moral fibre of our society.

It is a pleasure for me to be here, as I believe that what is happening in our country is a unique experience. There are many peoples in the world who use the moral crisis in their countries to criticise one another.

They blame each other, some blame government, government blames the religious communities and the blame game continues while the crisis goes on unabated.

However, we as South Africans have chosen to come together to share our concern and responsibility, to determine what we can do together to solve this challenge and bring new life into our society as part of the world.

We have debated the matter in Parliament and in other platforms and there is consensus that there is something seriously wrong in our society. We are still haunted by the news of six adult men having raped a nine-month-old baby, and there are many other cases which display barbarism and moral decay of the worst kind.

The lack of respect for the sanctity of human life, for the next person, private property, disregard for the law of the land, lack of parental control over children, and the general blurring of the lines between right and wrong are continuing to plague our communities. That is the reason why we are gathered here today, to begin to chart the way forward.

Indeed, the time has come to move forward together. Moral regeneration is not something which can be left to either the Government or to the religious community alone.

This is also not a time to point fingers at each other, or to try to score political points. This is a time for us as South Africans to close ranks as we seek to correct the wrongs in our society.

As South Africans, we need to come together to analyse the problems, and search for solutions. Moral degeneration affects all of us, rich and poor, urban and rural, black or white, and thus it is necessary to consult with all sectors of society.

We require the participation of all sectors in this campaign, all spheres of government, labour, women, men, youth, business, academics, traditional leaders, traditional healers, the media and professionals.

The media has immense power throughout the globe, and we invite this sector to become part of the Moral Regeneration Movement. We therefore welcome the participation of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is part of this process of seeking moral renewal; given the role the public broadcaster can play in the campaign.

We invite our traditional leaders, amakhosi, to play a key role in this movement, as thousands of our people look to them for guidance in the rural areas. Our traditional leaders have the key responsibility in driving this campaign in the areas under their control.

Traditional healers will play a leading role in assisting in spreading the message to those with twisted minds who rape young children under the belief that doing so will cure them of HIV/AIDS.

Another sector that is very crucial in this campaign, ladies and gentlemen, are the key stakeholders in the criminal justice system. From prosecutors, attorneys, to magistrates and judges, they need to join the debate about how to make this society crime-free. We need to openly debate with them the issues of making the law an effective deterrent against wrongdoing.

While respecting the constitutional rights of those accused of serious crimes, we also need to balance this against the rights of victims and survivors of crime, in particular defenceless children.

We have fought a struggle to liberate our society, and are now working to transform it. We have achieved an amazing transition, but the challenge of transformation still lies ahead, and part of this transformation includes rebuilding the soul of our nation.

It is quite clear that many communities in the world are looking at South Africa and Africa with new hope, and that many in Africa are also looking at South Africa with hope. Such expectations sometimes make us tremble, and put a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of all South Africans to work harder, together, to make this nation a successful one.

Ladies and gentlemen, I announced in Parliament on 14 November that as part of the national Moral Regeneration Movement, I will be hosting a summit early in the new year which will include representatives of various sectors, such as political representatives, religious sector, community leaders, traditional leaders, church, women, youth, the disabled, business, labour and traditional healers.

This great Imbizo will also assist the process of mobilising all stakeholders for the broad national coalition, in support of the process being undertaken today. The response to that announcement has been overwhelming countrywide, and I would like to take this opportunity to invite you all of you to join us in that summit.

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to congratulate the two Executive Mayors of Johannesburg and Tshwane respectively for the key role they have played in organising this meeting.

Local government is a crucial sphere of government as it is the closest to the people. The contribution of the local government sphere can only take this campaign to greater heights.

Compatriots, the quest for moral regeneration remains a challenge in many parts of the world. We believe it is possible for South Africa to succeed where others have failed, and I welcome all of you here in the firm conviction that together we shall try, and succeed.

I thank you.

Issued by The Presidency

23 November 2001