Wilson Johwa
16 March 2009
Johannesburg — ABOUT 50 people walked out of the Rhema Bible Church yesterday, in apparent protest at its inviting African National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma.
Zuma's address to the church's main congregation in Randburg was part of the ANC's attempt at drawing the religious vote, seen as up for grabs.
Although Rhema is sometimes regarded as the "ANC at prayer", it could not prevent the walkout by congregants unhappy that the church service had been "turned" into a rally. Others felt Zuma was getting a privilege not open to other political parties.
Rhema spokesman Vusi Mona said if there was a walkout, it was undetectable in the 7500-seat auditorium and therefore "statistically insignificant".
Mona said Zuma was not the only politician to visit the church, which had previously hosted former president Nelson Mandela, and such luminaries as Mathews Phosa and Tokyo Sexwale.
"If it was a walkout, whoever was involved should open their hearts; the church is open to everyone, sinner or saint," Mona said. While other political parties were free to visit the church, taking the podium was not an automatic right, he said.
Not every member of the congregation agreed with the walkout. Businesswoman Noluthando Gosa said the church had an interest in hearing politicians speak so that it could hold them to their word later. "For us, it's in our selfish interest that he (Zuma) takes to the podium," she said.
Another church member, Vuyo Magwentshu, said if politicians were to be taken seriously, their attendance should not be just occasional. "I would prefer that he (Zuma) did it often, not only when he is campaigning," she said.
Yesterday's service was beamed by satellite to the church's other congregations in Braamfontein, Alexandra and Soweto. Outside the church, officials from the Congress of the People (COPE) were busy handing out campaign leaflets.
With more than 30000 members countrywide, Rhema is popular among the black middle class, including government officials, business people and celebrities such as soccer star Lucas Radebe. It has also been linked with such controversial characters as disgraced cricketer the late Hansie Cronje, and former ANC spokesman Carl Niehaus.
Zuma called for a partnership to help the ANC realise its moral vision. He said that after next month's elections the new administration would be banking on an alliance with faith-based organisations. "We need the support to release our people from the slavery of poverty and all its manifestations," he said.
Although occasional differences between the state and the church were inevitable, such as on abortion and same-sex marriages, Zuma said the question was how disagreements were handled. "The solution is to have dialogue and discussion." Constructive criticism and suggestions were welcome, he said.
The ANC's first president, John Langalibalele Dube, was a priest. "The historical association of the ANC and the church cannot be doubted," Zuma said.
Himself a lay pastor, Zuma said his favourite reading was the Book of Exodus in the Old Testament.
"The exodus from Egypt has always symbolised the liberatory character of the church."
In the church's huge auditorium, the ANC leader was greeted with enthusiasm in a service replete with symbolism.
Just before Zuma's arrival, accompanied by mining executive Lazarus Zim, the church's giant screens had displayed biblical messages, including: "Lord send the one that is in your likeness."
The sermon delivered by the church's pastor, Ray McCauley, on forgiveness, had a similar ring. "Our ethos in this church is no perfect people allowed, come as you are," McCauley said.
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McCauley is lying again he welcomed the leaders of all party's to come to the church and when they asked they were told that the church is to busy and that they would be offered a room during the week. McCauley lied again when he says Carl Niehaus never owed the church money when he personally told the CFO to give niehaus hundreds of thousands of Rand, and Niehaus himself says he owed Rhema money and that's why he forged the letters the money from those letters was given to Rhema to pay back the loan, just follow the money