Pretoria - Faith based organisations have a positive and constructive role in ensuring effective change in the lives of poor people, says President Jacob Zuma.
Zuma, who held a brief meeting with the South African Council of Churches (SACC) on Tuesday, said the church had historically played a key role in government and he hoped it would continue to do so by providing advice and constructive criticism.
He also lauded the SACC for its role in the development of the country and called on the organ to become active participants, especially in the process of poverty eradication.
Council leader, Bishop Joe Seoka, said churches played a pivotal role in providing communities with spiritual and moral support, yet in most cases they were sidelined in policy and decision making processes.
He urged government to partner with churches in order to change this.
The two, who labelled the meeting as fruitful, agreed to look for ways of strengthening their relationship and working for the common good.
