SA Council of Churches calls for reconciliation

Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau, has lauded the SA Council of Churches (SACC) saying today's June 16 commemoration represents a milestone in reconciliation. 

The City of Johannesburg joined the Council in remembering the youth of 1976 ahead of the 40th anniversary this coming this week.

Celebrations began with a symbolic march from the Madibane High School to Orlando Stadium, a route similar to the path walked by the youth of 1976, who were stopped in their tracks by a hail of bullets.

The SACC says the time has come for faith-based organizations to contribute to nation building.

"We were involved in the struggle, we got rid of apartheid but the church sort of backed off and left it to the politicians. But the problem is that politics don't unit people, it divides them", senior vice president of the Council, Frank Chikane said.

Tau hailed the event as an historic occasion.

"Today, I believe that we've gathered to witness the evolution of a movement, a movement of true reconciliation, a movement that takes us to a process where we can continuously work on building a country that's truly non-racial, non-sexiest, democratic and prosperous" he said.

Chairman of the SANDF Association of Military Veterans, Colonel Jan Malan says although the organization wasn't part of the tragic events of June 1976, the organization recognizes and regrets being part of a system that brought pain to many.

 "We don't condone the fact that for some time we were used to defend an unjust system that brought pain and suffering too many and prevented people from living in a free and fair society" Malan said.

Slindelo Masikane