Daily Dispatch

MAIMANE WEARS HIS OTHER HAT

Pastor preaches peace in Buffalo Flats

- SIMTHANDIL­E FORD Politics Reporter simthandil­e@gmail.co.za

A day after acting as a lobola negotiator for his aide Graham Charters, DA leader Mmusi Maimane took time out of his quick trip to the Eastern Cape to preach at the New Life City Church in Buffalo Flats.

Pastor Maimane, who admitted that he had not preached in a while, opened the sermon by condemning racism and calling for a unified church.

He went on to say that God was offended by racism, as he had created all people.

“I am sure there is nothing that pains God more than racism. I hate racism,” he said.

The DA leader was accompanie­d by provincial leader Nqaba Bhanga, members of parliament Chantel King, Kevin Mileham and Terri Stander, as well as some Buffalo City Metro councillor­s.

The church’s senior pastor, George Fritz, said as a DA member himself, he decided to extend the invite to Maimane to preach at the church.

He said he wanted Maimane to see the conditions under which people in Buffalo Flats lived, and hear about the crime they faced every day.

“Maimane has always said that when he is in East London, he would want to visit a local church. We heard he was around and felt it was correct to invite him not only to speak to us as residents but as fellow Christians,” said Fritz.

Maimane promised the people of Buffalo Flats that his BCM caucus would work on establishi­ng an anti-drug unit in the area to work with the community and help rid it of the drug scourge in the area.

“In communitie­s like these it is always important and must never be underestim­ated the importance of bringing a message of hope. We must always remind people that things can change and that things will change for the better,” he said.

“That is the gospel to be brought to the people.”

We invited him to speak to us as residents and as fellow Christians

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 ?? Picture: ALAN EASON ?? MESSAGE OF HOPE: DA leader Mmusi Maimane holds hands with MP Chantel King during a prayer service at the New Life Centre Church in Buffalo Flats. Behind Maimane is Kevin Mileham, MP and shadow minister of co-operative governance & traditiona­l affairs, with Eastern Cape DA leader Nqaba Bhanga.
Picture: ALAN EASON MESSAGE OF HOPE: DA leader Mmusi Maimane holds hands with MP Chantel King during a prayer service at the New Life Centre Church in Buffalo Flats. Behind Maimane is Kevin Mileham, MP and shadow minister of co-operative governance & traditiona­l affairs, with Eastern Cape DA leader Nqaba Bhanga.

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