Christian holidays are here to stay

CHRISTIAN holidays aren’t going anywhere, according to Gauteng Premier David Makhura.

After all, he added, the ANC was founded in a church.

He was speaking on Tuesday at the Gauteng Faith-Based Organisation (FBO) summit in Turffontein, Joburg.

The summit, which started on Monday, is being held between the Gauteng government and the FBO sector to forge religious tolerance and moral regeneration.

It was attended by more than 600 delegates from many religions.

Makhura said the government wanted to build a socially cohesive society that appreciated each other’s values.

The province was aware of rumours that the government had a policy to scrap the Easter holidays.

“There is no truth to this. In fact, it is impossible for the ANC to take such a position; you and I will not allow it. The ANC was founded in a church,” Makhura said.

He also slammed those religious leaders who fed on their followers’ vulnerabilities.

“We have seen an increase in asking congregants to drink petrol, eat rats or snakes, while others rape congregants or confess to practising witchcraft.