Issues challenging the Methodist Church of Southern Africa

National - Public issues

1.      Poverty and poverty eradication

This issue remains a constant concern within Methodism, the broader ecumenical family, the nation as well as globally. For this reason the Millennium Development Goals remain an international challenge especially for the “two economies” – to recall former President Mbeki’s phrase - of the divergent developments in South Africa since the birth of its constitutional democracy.  Poverty in South Africa is a scourge of moral proportions because of its coexistence alongside excessive wealth. This sin – and a constitutional abhorrence of inequality - needs to be confronted on a public level by asking how public monies may be distributed – including the use of taxes - while at the same time upholding our constitutional rights to socio-economic dignity and security for those marginalized and excluded from the economy. The public moral and political questions that require addressing are how we propose creative solutions within often limited fiscal resources without blaming the poor for circumstances over which they have no control. The latest example of such malaise is the current global financial crisis.

Proposed solutions: Monitoring government expenditure priorities including the proposed transformation of public utilities into private enterprises. One example is the need to monitor Electricity Supply Commission (ESKOM) budgetary income and expenditure, proposed escalation of costs and explore alternative energy sources (renewable) and comparative costs. The Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA) also proposes closer alliance with the People’s Budget Campaign to explore these budgetary alternatives and a pro-poor budget. In terms of income poverty, as defined by the United Nations Development Programme, the MCSA commends the former Minister of Social development for his commitment to meeting the cash needs of especially vulnerable groups (rural women and children) though a comprehensive social security package. More can be done to meet the needs of excluded groups (children between ages 15-18 and the unemployed between ages 19-60). Further study and advocacy on a universal income grant as proposed by the Taylor Committee of Enquiry into Comprehensive Social Security (2000) – whether these transfers should be targeted or non targeted, provided with or without conditions and whether they should be means-tested  – may  provide invaluable indicators for the ability of social transfer programmes to address income poverty and inequality. The MCSA could play a strong role for faith communities and civil society generally in reviving the Basic Income Grant (BIG) Campaign by affirming the study to be launched titled:  “Africa: Transfers out of poverty”. (NB: WE commend Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho and Botswana for adopting and/or intending to adopt various degrees of social transfer programmes to overcome poverty and inequality as one attempt to reach a degree of the Millennium Development Goals)

2.      Child trafficking and prostitution

Note that these are criminal offences in South Africa under the Children’s Act and the Sexual Offences Act. This is a major global industry of neo-colonial and Slavic proportions and requires the cooperation of all global citizens and faith communities if it is to be successfully curbed. 

3.      Adult Prostitution and sexual offences

Note: Consensual adult sex for monetary reward under the Sexual Offences Act and Riotous Assemblies Act is a criminal offence in South Africa.  These laws have presented the South African courts with varying degrees of challenge in that sex workers who are being harassed by police – often sexual favours being requested for dropping of charges – had their constitutional rights recognized to a degree by the High Court. A subsequent 10 year study by the South African Law Reform Commission on Sexual Offences and Adult Prostitution has presented its 320 plus page proposals to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development. The four proposals for consideration are for Adult Prostitution to be (a) criminalized; (b) partially criminalized; (c) decriminalized and (d) legalized – which is in essence a version of partial criminalization with zonal prostitution decriminalized, non zoned prostitution criminalized and strict regulation by government. Under the Sexual Offences Amendment act any form of coerced sexual activity that may be linked to human trafficking is criminalized.

4.      Domestic and family violence

The state is under a series of constitutional mandates which include the obligation to deal with domestic violence. As in (S v Baloyi 2000 (1) BCLR 86 (CC) at para 11) this includes the mandate “to protect both the rights of everyone to enjoy freedom and security of the person and to bodily and psychological integrity. And the right to have their dignity respected and protected, as well as the defensive rights of everyone not to be subjected to torture in any way and not to be treated or punished in a cruel, inhuman or degrading way.”  Ten years after the inception of the Domestic Violence Act, however, it is clear that South Africa has a long way to go in order to realise the promotion of sound family relations through human and psycho-social disciplines that promote freedom and security of the person to bodily and psychological integrity … nor the right of the person not to be subjected to torture … or treated in a cruel, inhuman or degrading way.”  The reality is stark. Many children are not “spanked” but beaten for “discipline” with hosepipes, broomsticks and belts, amongst other objects. The culture of patriarchy is rife in that men are expected to be macho and to wield authority over women and children.

This is not to say that there are no families who seek to be responsible to a humanitarian, human and civil code of relating to one another. Indeed, to the contrary, the reports to child and family organisations like RAPCAN, ChildLine and others suggest that overwhelming numbers of family heads and parents seek a form of discipline that enhances nonviolence rather than physically punitive discipline.  

Proposals: The MCSA calls for continued awareness and education of the Children’s Act and Children’s Amendment Act and their implications for the care and protection of children, especially vulnerable children. Also, seeks to support child rights groups that call for the abolition of the common law defence of “reasonable chastisement’ of children s as out of step with Christian biblical principles of “discipline”. The MCSA is also committed to working with a diversity of faith and civil society groups in order to give expression to overcoming patriarchy and building community based on dignity, equity and Ubuntu for all.            

5.      Crime and violence

South Africans – especially through the media – present themselves to and through the church as a crime ridden nation. The redress of crime is a continuous “felt need” that the faith communities request their leaders to address to the President. While statistics do not tell the full tale, while South Africa is no less or more affected by crime than any other nation – what remains of deep concern is the levels of violence frequently associated with petty crime. The deaths of a person associated with say the theft of a cell phone or even an amount as little as R20, 00. In the MCSA’s earlier promotion of restorative justice, we recognize that crime is more than a disregard for the law or disregard for systems and structures. From a moral perspective, crime is always a breakdown of human and social relationships. In this sense punitive and retributive justice brings little resolution to the causes of crime which have their roots – frequently – in a lack of access to provision for human security needs – provisions such as food, shelter, clothing, work and income.

Proposed solutions: encourage government spending on policing services such as investigative and detective proficiency but calling for an end to the apartheid “police force” mentality of “shoot to kill, ask questions later.”

     

6.      Public health, private health, HIV  and the cost of healthcare

The MCSA has – over its past two conferences - lamented and documented the poor state of nation’s public health facilities. At the same time, the Conference of 2008 expresses it deepest concern at the “high and widening gap” between private and public health facilities and in particular the “huge, escalating costs and profit margins within the private health care sector. Our analysis is that that coexistence of private and public health care – referred to as the Social Health Insurance - limits the efficiency of public spending on health in SA. Private health care provides the best health care for those who can afford it while the majority of SA’s population relies on inadequate public resources. In addition – as measured on 2004 spending costs, private health care absorbed two-thirds of health spending while it served less than 20% of the population. Apart from employer contributions failing to keep pace with medical aid contributions which, in turn, increase the burden on employees, the private health care system shifts the onus of caring for the seriously and chronically ill  - - including those suffering from HIV – onto the public sector. In addition, the contradiction exists in that private health insurance diverts the potential of the paying public away from public hospitals to more expensive private hospitals.

Proposed solutions: The MCSA believes that more public dialogue on SA’s budgetary priorities needs to take place in order to discuss this system of inequality and administrative inefficiency that public expenditure currently encourages by the maintenance of a private health system. In order for the MCSA to come to some understanding of what might be a coherent policy proposal more public dialogue with government, business and civil society partners – such as the People’s Budget Campaign - for the promotion of a single National Health Insurance scheme.

   

7.      Social unrest and service delivery (Recognition of Irene Grootboom)

The MCSA notes with growing concern the escalation of protest action in respect of poor delivery of services – running water, electricity and toilets, and housing – especially in informal settlements. The MCSA records the following shortcomings at the heart of current social unrest:

·        accountability and transparency in issuing tenders;

·        budgetary skill and municipal management able to ensure effective service delivery;

·        participation by communities in the local Independent Development Plan;

·        the constitutional right to protest poor service delivery;

·        the use of service delivery as a party political ploy (promised at every election); and

·         while admonishing protesters to refrain from vandalism and violence, there remains the threat that such protests over a prolonged period may lead – theoretically – to a fully fledged revolt.

Proposed solutions:  Engage in further study of Section 7 (Local Government) of the SA to enable local groups to engage local government and municipalities more meaningfully in Ward Committees with regard to service delivery (useful material: The SA Constitution; “Masisukumeni’ Let’s stand up: A guide to Local Community Advocacy for Social and Economic Justice” a Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference publication on Justice and Peace.); As suggested by the Institute for Security Studies, although it is the police’s task to enforce the law and to maintain order, the solution does not lie in policing “but rather in speedy solutions to socio-economic conditions that prevail in many communities.”  It is also the role of the Church to remind politicians that it is their political and moral responsibility to take responsibility for the promises and expectations they create during elections. The MCSA also intends memorializing the late Irene Grootboom posthumously for her valiant, selfless constitutional challenge on government’s lack of service delivery to her family and community.

 

8.      Xenophobia, foreign nationals and democratic expectations of the poor and excluded

The MCSA has noted with deep shame – and made public this expression – for the violence meted out against hundreds of foreign nationals resident in South Africa. The MCSA has written a letter of apology to the countries whose citizens have been violated. The Presiding Bishop in its Newsletter, The New Dimension, recognized unclear immigration policy, the inability of three spheres of government to congruently understand and implement that policy to be some of the key issues at the heart of government institutions handling the presence of foreign nationals and refugees with sensitivity in South Africa. The MCSA recognizes that – within the poorest informal settlements where such xenophobic attacks are likely to occur – a common factor of tension amongst local residents is the fierce competition for scarce resources – resources such as social security provisions of jobs and income – these were mitigating factors in conflict between South African nationals and foreign nationals.

Proposed solutions: This complex issue needs several areas of redress. Chief amongst these is the assurance and provision of social security rights to all who live in South Africa.  These should be advanced and promoted (perhaps the faith communities have a major role to play here) as human and humanitarian rights for all (not just for South African citizens). More needs to be done in order to advocate for the human rights of respect, dignity and equity for and amongst “the stranger, orphan and widow” in our midst. The church needs to be humble in this task – neither bowing to political power nor seeking open conflict with those in power – committing itself to engage organizations like IDASA and ISS in the South African Migration Project report.       

 

9.      Environmental justice and industrial negligence

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in its most recent findings, specifically addresses the issues of concern to policymakers in the domain of climate change, confirms that climate change is occurring now, mostly as a result of human activities, illustrates the impacts of global warming already under way and to be expected in future, and describes the potential for adaptation of society to reduce its vulnerability. Clearly the industrial and technological advancements that consume and pollute require serious curtailing while providing for human, economic and ecological development that has hitherto stifled the progress of poorer people and nations toward global, human and economic development.

Proposal: Churches need to take create allies in studying the full impact costs of energy consumption through fossil fuels as – including nuclear energy – and make serious attempts at energy saving through reduced and alternative consumption. Explore, work with and promote scientific communities eager to explore alternative, renewable sources of energy such as wind, wave and solar. Affirm the REFIT (Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff) Bill which encourages the exploration of renewable energy at a domestic and industrial level to credit current energy grid usage. 

 

10.    The Civil Union Act, same sex relations  and homophobic attacks

South Africa’s Constitution guarantees social equity to all who live in South Africa irrespective of gender, race, ethnic origin, religious belief and sexual orientation. For this reason its legislature was compelled – largely through a Constitutional Court ruling – to ensure the protection of partnership rights in same sex partnerships. The resultant Civil Union Act allows under different designations for marriages or unions of same sex and different sex unions. The Methodist Church has resolved not to permit or apply its ministers – who are granted marriage licences by the State – to conduct same sex marriages. So, while the Church remains the gatekeeper to social equity, it’s theological and traditional beliefs trump the Constitution’s vision for social equity. A negative consequence of the social and religious stigma attached to gays, lesbians, transgender and bisexual people is that – unlike the media hype surrounding xenophobic attacks – homophobic attacks receives comparatively little coverage. In order to unpack the real impact that stigma has on gay and lesbian people and communities, a safer space needs to be created where these people may feel accepted, safe and welcomed as they explore and express their self understanding.  

 

International Public Issues (These issues will not be enumerated since the ecumenical family has common resolutions on all of these. Discussion on them – time permitting – may also be very useful)

1.      Human Trafficking

2.      Millennium Development Goals (Note - Goal 8: Proposal for a global partnership for development)

3.      Nuclear Non-Proliferation

4.      Iraq

5.      Palestine and Israel

6.      South Korea and North Korea

7.      Repudiation of the use of torture

8.      Facing African political conflict with SA’s political presence of reconciliation

 

How can the fellowship of member churches support the churches in our situation?

Every issue raised above contains one or more elements of global and international cause/effect. Notwithstanding the fact that each nation has a sovereign responsibility to deal with its issues and that the Churches in that nation have unique contributions to policy and programmes – no one nation has a monopoly on these public issues. This moment in history – given the context of crisis within the international financial institutions together with the crisis of capital – presents the ecumenical family with a window of opportunity to join hands, hearts and minds together in combating the scourges that prevent us from moving forward in affirming our common vision for a humanity living in dignity, equity and Ubuntu (human and relational justice).

 

In which regard and how can your experience enrich and be of relevance to the fellowship?

Our response to the issues raised by Methodists in Southern Africa are being dealt with through both programmes as well as proposed public policy. Public policy is the avenue that government uses to define the kind of society it wishes the nation to be. We are only touching the tip of the iceberg. The relevance of the fellowship might be twofold. First, an opportunity to discuss the kind of responses that the ecumenical family might have to these matters will enrich our further dialogue in South Africa. At the same time, we will benefit from the fellowship interaction. Secondly, the fellowship may enjoy the blessings of the kind of participation we have till now enjoyed in South Africa – practicing faith in the public arena.