Pretoria - Arts and Culture Minister Lulu Xingwana has called on South Africans to take the issue of moral regeneration seriously, if the country is to sustain its hard-won democracy and development.
Speaking at an event to launch the Moral Regeneration Month (MRM) at the weekend, Minister Xingwana said South Africa would find it difficult to sustain its development if morals and values were not sustained.
"We cannot share bread or build roads together or construct houses if one among us is a thief or if one among us does not believe that we are heading in the same direction," she said.
The MRM was launched in April 2002 after it was established as a Section 21 company with the then Deputy President, now President, Jacob Zuma spearheading it.
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is now overseeing the movement's activities and will officiate at the closing ceremony to be held in Mpumalanga at the end of the month.
This year's theme is "Harnessing the Spirit of Ubuntu; through the Charter of Positive Values".
Minster Xingwana said South Africans cannot claim to have fought for equality, non-racism and non-sexism if it they don't practice gender equality and allow girl children to be as educated as boys and share the same labour in the household.
"We cannot speak of living in peace and harmony if one among us beats up his wife and if others turn a blind eye to the situation," the minister added.
She further said South Africa cannot be regarded as a free country if citizens have to walk their neighbourhoods in fear of their lives and without a sense of security or comfort.
"Yet the Freedom Charter that has been a guiding document for decades tells us that: There shall be Houses, Security and Comfort," she said.
The month of July has been dedicated to the campaign and activities that will focus on reminding South Africans of the importance of positive values and the responsibility of creating moral communities, to ensure lasting democracy, peace and prosperity in Africa.
Citizens will also be encouraged to dedicate 67 minutes of their time on 18 July, Mandela Day, to do good for their communities.
