Media Release: Western Cape Government acknowledges the role of Faith-Based Organisations and Religious Leaders in combating COVID-19

For Immediate Release
25 August 2020

The Western Cape Provincial Government has identified and implemented several measures which focus on public health and behaviour, using a whole of society approach. As part of Government’s Whole of Society Approach, Cabinet resolved to have regular interactions with Western Cape Faith Based Organisations (FBO’s) and religious leaders about Covid-19 government interventions.  An Inter-Ministerial Committee headed and chair by Minister Ivan Meyer has been meeting weekly, to improve and streamline communication between government and citizens in the province.

The Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ms Anroux Marais and Ms Sharna Fernandez, Minister of Social Development also form part of the FBO Inter-Ministerial Committee.  The focus of this committee is to utilise skills in the religious community to expand the caring and humanitarian relief footprint to those in need.

In addition, the FBO forum creates a platform where members can obtain vetted information from the Western Cape Government and in many ways, becomes a voice piece for religious leaders and their constituencies to directly engage with government.  Questions and concerns that relate to what communities and congregants are currently unclear about are being addressed at the forum.  Issues like humanitarian relief, funeral and bereavement support plans and information regarding various regulations and feeding schemes form part of the regular agenda.

According to MEC Ivan Meyer, “Religious leaders and faith-based organisations play an important role in society. We also welcome suggestions and ideas in the fight of Covid-19 in the Western Cape. We believe that spiritual leaders offer us unique insights into the social and spiritual wellbeing of our citizens. As crucial stakeholders in our provincial response to Covid-19, our religious leaders have been asking the right questions and guiding us in many ways, to package information that is the most practical at ground level. We appreciate the commitment and levels of engagement that we share with them as well as the constant inputs they provide in helping us find solutions where necessary.”

He continues to acknowledge the exceptional work done by religious leaders during the Covid-19 and lockdown period, as well as the significant contributions, inputs and suggestions as joint efforts to combat the pandemic. “Suicides during the Covid-19 lockdown period are a great matter of concern and spiritual leaders play an integral part in emotional and physical support to the bereaved family members. They also provide counseling, care and relief activities and food relief scheme,” Meyer said.                                    

District Mayors from the various municipalities in the Western Cape also from part of this platform, and are encouraged to establish similar forums within their respective districts. This will enable them to engage with spiritual leaders at local level, thus ensuring that information shared during these engagements cascade down to the citizens within the Western Cape. FBO leaders are champions in establishing a behavioural change in the areas of higher transmissions.

 In the Garden Route District, the Executive Mayor of the Garden Route District Municipality, Alderman Memory Booysen, chairs the Garden Route Faith-Based Organisations Forum and is assisted by Councillor Liza Stroebel. The George FBO Forum has been established and is meeting via an online platform weekly. It is anticipated that other FBO forums in the Garden Route will soon follow suit. Inputs by various Stakeholders are also shared during such weekly meetings.

Psycho-social support is available on the hotline number on 0800 220 250.