WCC General Secretary, leadership of South African Council of Churches meet with South African H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa

Pillay was accompanied by Archbishop Sithembele Sipuka, President of the South African Council of Churches; Ms Lulama Ntuta, First Vice President of the South African Council of Churches; and Rev. Dr Nioma Venter, Second Vice President of the South African Council of Churches.

The delegation was very cordially and warmly received by the President and his team, which included, in addition to the President, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi, Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation for South Africa Ms Anna Thandi Moraka, and staff from the President’s Office. 

The President expressed deep gratitude for the work of the WCC and the SACC, stating how proud they are to have a fellow South African serve as General Secretary of WCC, a very valued and trusted organisation worldwide and locally.

The WCC General Secretary expressed gratitude to the President and government for their stand on the Palestine and Israel situation, adding that it was both “courageous and costly but an act of seeking justice and peace in that context.” The discussions then revolved around very pertinent, hard, and sensitive issues such as international peace initiatives amidst wars and conflicts, and the role of leaders in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in promoting peace and unity in the region. An in-depth discussion reflected on the recent xenophobic situation and returning foreigners to their respective countries. Discussions also included corruption with specific reference to the Phala Phala issue, the work of commissions, the upcoming elections, and the need for accountability and action to create a peaceful and safe society. Extensive discussions centered on the National Dialogue and its status in bringing social cohesion and unity in the country. 

President Ramaphosa responded to all the issues put forth by Dr Pillay and the SACC leadership. Speaking to the Palestine situation, he recognised that their approach brought unexpected attacks on the South African government, but they chose to follow the legal and formal route of addressing the situation from a justice perspective. President Ramaphosa provided detailed information of how South Africa is making contributions to peacemaking initiatives across the globe and within the continent using their positions in the UN, SADC, BRICS, and other organs. 

President Ramaphosa and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi presented detailed information on the migrant issue, stating clearly that the government is doing all it can to ensure the safe and dignified return of the migrants to their respective countries. They were clear that South Africa has always welcomed others to the country but the situation of people living within the country without the necessary documents is what is being addressed. On the issue of corruption, it was stated that the government is addressing this very seriously and the recommendations of previous and current commissions are being implemented, but much more must still be done. The Phala Phala matter is currently with the courts, and confidence was expressed in the work they do. The National Dialogue was constituted by President Ramaphosa at the request of many people and now it is expected to continue its work without government interference.

Pillay said: “The meeting with the President of South Africa and his team was engaging, informative, instructive, and transparent. We heard the government and they heard us. We valued and appreciated the frank conversations and the responses we received to the issues we raised. We recognise that issues are complex and often have different understandings. We, thus, pray for wisdom and discernment for government, religious leaders, and the people of South Africa. The WCC will continue to work with the SACC and through them with the South African government and people as we continue the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity in this context and globally.” 

Archbishop Sithembele Sipuka, President of SACC, said that the President acknowledged the important roles of both WCC and SACC in helping people navigate today’s challenges. 

Archbishop Sipuka expressed appreciation for being able to discuss major issues with the President and his team, mentioning that discussions touched on the importance of legal migration while also taking care of people at the borders. Sipuka said, “The President made the point that no country can just be open to everybody and spoke about the responsibility countries must have to reduce people leaving their countries for another. In this regard the President urged leaders of African countries, while respecting the autonomy of each nation, to be mutually accountable to each other in the ways in which they run their countries.”

“The meeting with the President and the ministers was insightful, especially with the recent issues with illegal Immigration in South Africa,” said Ms Lulama Ntuta, First Vice President of SACC. “It has been reiterated that we are not a xenophobic nation and have always been loving and welcoming to people from other countries and this message was very strongly emphasized today again by the President. She added. “The human dignity and human rights are evidently being upheld as processes are implemented to try stabilizing the country and bring meaningful solutions and confidence to the African continent. We continue to pray for the leadership of South Africa and its people.”

'It was an encouraging and constructive engagement,” said Rev. Dr Nioma Venter, Second Vice President of SACC. “We came away with the clear impression that both the World Council of Churches and the South African Council of Churches are regarded as valued partners in ongoing dialogue. We also appreciated President Ramaphosa's affirmation that the values enshrined in South Africa's Constitution continue to guide the government's response to the situation of migrants, as well as its engagement with other pressing challenges across the African continent and further. Such dialogue between church and state remains important in pursuing justice, human dignity, and the common good.”

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