South African Council of Churches General-Secretary Mzwandile Molo has urged the country to unite against racism, violence, and inequality.

He was speaking at the 5th National Day of Prayer underway at Grace Bible Church in Soweto.

Leaders from various church denominations and representatives from political and civil society formations have gathered to pray for the country’s challenges of violent crime, especially against women and children, poverty and unemployment.

Molo says it’s time to create a united country where no one lives in fear.

“We haven’t invested enough time in dealing with the wounds of the past that manifest themselves in how we live together. Racism still find a way to (rear its) ugly head in our life. We are saying (as) SACC, we offer ourselves in our faith at this moment for prayer and discernment, to thank God for the journey we have travelled thus far, confess where we were short as a nation and recommit ourselves to a journey of deep authentic healing where women can walk the streets without fear of violence,” says Molo.