Program Director, Chief Apostle and Mother Chief Mkhonza, Apostles present and all our church mothers here present, The congregation of the house of Twelve Apostle Church

Other branches present here, Ladies and gentlemen

It is with great honour to welcome all of you to our area of Emfuleni. Emfuleni accounts for a large part of the region of Sedibeng which was previously known as the Vaal. Our region is not only known for housing many of our indigenous churches in our country, but also for its patriotic contributions to the liberation struggle of South Africa and indeed, of the entire continent of Africa.

Our area is an Alpha and Omega of our struggle for an end to injustices, inequality amongst fellow children of His Almighty. It must therefore not be treated as a sheer coincidence that in few days to come on the 10th December, South Africans will be celebrating their world revered Constitution which was signed and bears the physical address of Sharpeville. Sharpeville opened the eyes and brought to the focus of the international community the atrocities perpetuated by men against others when 69 of our people were brutally massacred for protesting against unjust laws.

To Mother Chief Mkhonza, Apostles and church mothers, you did not come to the wrong place. Ours, is a place of prayers, peace and justice. At a political level, many countries still come to South Africa to seek solutions of peace settlements in their respective countries. In what is referred by many as miracle arising, many Thomases never believed that South Africa will one day be free and that apartheid will be declared a sin and thrown in the dustbin of history. Your annual event for church mothers takes place in an area which played a critical role in the struggle to do away with that which was declared a sin by the United Nations.

From what I see happening in this hall, I cannot help but believe that South Africa and Africa as a whole is getting even closer to God. Ladies and gentlemen, this year’s annual event for Church Mothers coincides with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities which is celebrated annually on the 3rd December. The theme for 2015 is “Inclusion matters: access and empowerment of people of all abilities.”

The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992 and aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. It also aims to promote a better understanding about disability issues and present persons with disabilities as individuals that are a part of our human diversity. I therefore call for all fellow Christians to pray for those who are less fortunate than us.

Programme Director, I believe there are also visitors from Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho and all our nine provinces here this morning whom I am welcoming to our area. In Emfuleni, where you area now, we have a Local Municipality which is under my Leadership following some intervention from the African National Congress which is the ruling party.

The ANC was concerned about poor and lack of service delivery. It cannot and will not allow people to be subjected to sub-standard services and suffer – just as it did not fold arms and expect a miracle during the years of apartheid. It is did everything in its power, including praying for an end to the sufferings of the black majority.

In the three-week of assuming the position of the Executive Mayor, and guided by the theme, “Getting Back-to-Basics, Our Program For Restoration”, I have committed to turn the municipality around. These we will do by delivering services which our people are so much in need of and they so deserve.

We are working round the clock within a 90 days program with the our people of Emfuleni and religious leaders to ensure that next time you decide to ascend to our area you will find it a far better place from what you have seen now. Those of you who might have noticed, yesterday I was out with my Cabinet, sleeves folded and in working clothes fixing some of the potholes in Vanderbiljpark.
To my elders gathered here, I want to make you aware that as ANC government, we cannot turn this Municipality around if we are going to be working in isolation from the Church. Apostle Paul was always cautious when it comes to respecting authorities. As leaders of the Church and having leant from Apostle Paul, the ball is now in your court. It is to be used to guide and support the government.

Romans 13:5, 6 and 7 say, ‘Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’s sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.’

Apostol Paul encouraged Romans to pay services because he understood the importance of paying services. We need our churches to join hands with us and preach the importance of paying our rates and taxes.

In conclusion fellow congregants, as I welcome you once again to Emfuleni, it is my hope that this gathering will be as successful as it intended to be. I also want to call on this house to join the peace loving people of world in condemning and praying for an end against terrorism which is hiding behind religious fundamentalism. Let’s us pray for there success of the COP21 meeting of world leaders.

I thank you.