Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has on Friday sent a message of congratulations to Dr Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane and the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) as they hold their annual New Year Celebration mass service this weekend.
"I wish to convey our hearty words of congratulations to Your Grace and the millions of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) members, as you hold a service as part of the church's annual New Year Celebrations,” said President Zuma.
He said government attached significance to the ZCC, its leadership and all its members “for the role they have played over the years, and which they continue to play in promoting positive family values, respect for human life and dignity, as well as the remarkable discipline that we have come to appreciate from all ZCC members”.
"I would like to reaffirm the critically important role that the ZCC continues to play in our society as we together move our country forward.
“The church continues to be an important pillar of support in the process of renewal, reconstruction and development of our country,” said President Zuma.
He said he looked forward to the many more years of partnership with the ZCC, in building families, communities and the nation.
“We should work together as we strive to promote tolerance, understanding, unity and respect for all in our country. We also need your support as continue to develop our society and build a prosperous South Africa.”
The ZCC has hosted all heads of government since democracy, from the late former President Nelson Mandela, former President Thabo Mbeki, former President and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and President Zuma.
The President said this was a measure of the ZCC's extremely good standing in society and among religious communities. – SAnews.gov.za
