MEC’s call to forge religious unity

THE thorny issue of religious sites in Phoenix and disunity among faith bodies drew strong words from the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Ravi Pillay, at the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Saiva Sithantha Sungum in Durban on Sunday.

“The truth is that the eThekwini Council had identified 12 or 15 different sites in Phoenix. It was almost signed and sealed and then we couldn’t agree amongst ourselves between the Hindus, Christians and Muslims and started fighting about it. The end result, was that they froze the process,” said Pillay.

eThekwini deputy mayor, councillor Fawzia Peer, who was among the guests, nodded to the point made by the MEC.

Pillay suggested that the Sungum, with its strong credentials of bringing people together, could be the anchor of the unity that was sorely needed in the religious community.

He applauded the organisation’s spiritual head, Swami Siva Yogananda, for his 40 years in the religious ministry and 17 years at the helm.

The sungum was founded in 1937 by His Holiness Brahma Sri Siva Soobramaniar Guru Swamigal, who was acknowledged as a path-breaking reformer of the Hindu faith in the organisation’s global mission of cultural promotion and community service.

Guests were treated to a cultural programme and carnatic music performance by Kumerasen Chetty – of songs originally written by the founding spiritual master.

Relishing the performance was Professor R Gopalkrishnan, the retired head of philosophy at the University of Madras in India.

Keeping the theme about unity and the challenges facing the country and the ANC, Pillay turned his attention to the 400 strong crowd of devotees and fraternal organisations, including the South African Tamil Federation, with the plea: “As we go into this month of December, there is nothing wrong with saying pray for us, pray for the country, pray for the ANC, pray for the leadership.

“Wherever you might be in the political spectrum, you could be on the extreme left, you could be on the extreme right. What happens between the 16th and 20th of December (ANC conference) will determine the direction of our country for many years to come.

“There are three things we need to do. We have to find a way to grow the economy to create the jobs we need. If we can’t do that then everything else falls flat. No ideology, no message will sustain itself if there are levels of poverty and unemployment.”

He went on to explain the urgency of fighting corruption and ensuring far reaching economic transformation.

“I call on you this morning to make a difference where you are. Organise, conscientise, mobilise and support, so that we can take our country forward.”

The

former

finance minister Pravin Gordhan was also invited to address the anniversary celebrations, but was unable to attend.

“I have the final meeting of the ANC National Executive Committee on Sunday and Monday. Best wishes for the function,” he said in a conveyed message.

In his remarks, Pillay paid tribute to Gordhan: “We must applaud the courageous stand taken by leaders such as Pravin Gordhan.

“Comrade Pravin is a reflection of the finest among us, a paragon of honesty and integrity in public service and faultless patriotism.”

One of the event organisers, former journalist Viasen Soobramoney, said he was “very pleased that the Sungum continues to be of relevance in society” and that they planned to extend their long record of service among all communities.