Opening of the Moral Regeneration Month

1 July 2010

The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) is commemorating Moral Regeneration Month in July 2010 with the theme: "Together reclaiming our humanity through the Charter of Positive Values".

During this period, all South Africans and all who dwell within her borders are encouraged to reflect on what they can do individually and collectively to make our country a better place for all.

Moral Regeneration Month will officially be opened on Monday, 5 July 2010 by the Honourable Ms Lulu Xingwana, Minister of Arts and Culture, at the Mafikeng Convention Centre in Mafikeng at 10h00. The opening will be hosted by the Premier of North West, Ms Maureen Modiselle and attended by some 1 500 people from all walks of life.

Various activities to commemorate Moral Regeneration Month will take place within the provinces throughout the month of July, (see appendix A), culminating in a closing ceremony which will be held at the iLembe district, KwaZulu-Natal province on 30 July 2010. This will be addressed by the Honourable Kgalema Motlanthe, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, who is the Patron of the Moral Regeneration Movement.

Why July for Moral Regeneration Month?

The decision to have Moral Regeneration Month in July is premised on the fact that it is the month in which the Charter of Positive Values was adopted. It is also the birthday month of former President Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela who is considered the prime mover in the formation of the Moral Regeneration Movement.

Also, moral regeneration or renewal is multifaceted and cuts across all of our interactions, be it in the home, at the workplace, at school etc. It is therefore fitting that a month be dedicated to moral regeneration during which we, in our various communities recommit ourselves to the effort of building communities grounded in positive values.

The theme for this year's Moral Regeneration Month is: "Together reclaiming our humanity through the Charter of Positive Values" is meant to encourage us to rededicate and recommit to building a just and caring society in pursuance of lasting peace and prosperity for our country.

The messages we would like South Africans to take home is that:

* South Africans inherently have high moral values and standards
* Moral renewal is the responsibility of every South African
* Moral communities are important to sustain and consolidate democracy, peace and prosperity in South Africa

Our country is in the midst of hosting a very successful soccer world cup tournament and we have seen how the entire country has rallied around to make it one of the most enjoyable events this country has ever hosted.

In spite of South Africa bowing out so early in the tournament, the vuvuzelas have not gone silent and the hearts of our people remain open and welcoming.

Who is the Moral Regeneration Movement?

Initiated as a section 21 company, the Moral Regeneration Movement is a civil society driven networking platform mandated to facilitate, encourage and coordinate programmes in society that work towards restoring the moral fibre of South Africa. Over the past seven years it has mobilised communities and created networking forums within civil society, the three tiers of government, labour, faith based organisations (FBOs), some chapter nine institutions, youth formations and political parties.

The strategic stance of the movement is to be at the centre for collective activism on moral renewal issues, positioning itself as a body that coordinates moral renewal activities in South Africa in an effort to build an ethical, moral, caring and just society. This it does through:

* promoting positive values using the "Charter of Positive Values"
* activating the building of congruency between ethical values and behaviour
* championing and initiating dialogues that impact positively on our communities

What is the Charter of Positive Values?

The Charter of Positive values is an ethical framework developed by the South African community through consultations over a five year period with a variety of stakeholders and interested parties.

These ranged from civil society, labour, private and public sectors, political parties, academia, faith based organisations. The consultations concluded with the compilation of the Charter of Positive Values with the following nine values:

* Respect human dignity and equality
* Promote responsible freedom, the rule of law and democracy
* Improve material well being and economic justice
* Enhance sound family and community values
* Uphold honesty, integrity and loyalty
* Ensure harmony in culture, belief and conscience
* Show respect and concern for all people
* Strive for justice, fairness and peaceful co-existence
* Protect the environment.

Provincial coordinators:

Province
* Eastern Cape
Name: Rev Mcebisi Xundu
Cell: 082 853 2650

* Gauteng
Name: Mrs Z Mdhladhla
Tel: 011 403 3559
Cell: 084 731 4034

* KwaZulu-Natal
Name: Mr Callistus Nkwanyana
Tel: 033 341 3350
Cell: 082 302 4988

* Limpopo
Name: Mr Selaelo Nkube
Tel: 073 604 7145
Cell: 082 926 3047

* Mpumalanga
Name: Rev Micah Nthali
Tel: 013 766 5053
Cell: 082 684 3937

* North West
Name: Rev Abinaar Ramadie
Tel: 018 387 3438
Cell: 072 210 6626

* Northern Cape
Name: Rev Hendrik van Wyk
Tel: 053 802 5132
Cell: 072 380 4250

* Western Cape
Name: Ms Monica Makaula
Tel: 021 483 9398
Cell: 078 458 4972

Contact person:
Zandile Mdhladhla (Chief Executive officer of MRM)
Tel: 011 403 3559
Cell: 084 731 4034

Issued by: The Presidency
1 July 2010
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/)