The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thamsanqa Ntuli, has initiated a transformative chapter in the province’s fight against pressing social issues by signing a landmark co-operation agreement with the KwaZulu-Natal Christian Council (KZNCC) in Durban on Thursday.

The partnership is aimed at tackling crime, poverty, food insecurity, homelessness, and a decline in societal morals.

Spokesperson Bongani Gina said this partnership signals a decisive shift towards structured collaboration between government and the faith sector to confront some of the province’s most urgent social challenges.

“With a membership base exceeding 3.4 million across KwaZulu-Natal, the KZNCC is well-positioned to mobilise grassroots support and foster meaningful, community-driven transformation,” he said.

Premier Ntuli emphasised the significance of the agreement, stating that this partnership is a bold step towards restoring the moral compass of our society.

“The church has always been a beacon of hope and healing. Through this agreement, we are empowering it to lead in rebuilding communities and fostering peace and dignity across KwaZulu-Natal,” said the premier.

Gina said the agreement reflects the KwaZulu-Natal government’s commitment to working with all sectors of society to create safe, resilient, and morally grounded communities.

“It is not only a partnership of principle but a call to action, where leadership, faith, and civic responsibility converge to reshape the future of the province,” he said.

Gina said the agreement is grounded in practical and measurable actions; the partnership is built upon four key pillars.

Food security stands as the first pillar, championing community-based agriculture.

This initiative involves transforming church and residential lands into thriving gardens, backed by government support in the form of fencing, seeds, tools, and crucial technical assistance.

The second pillar focuses on crimefighting and survivor support, addressing the pervasive issue of crime.

It offers comprehensive psychosocial and legal support to survivors, delivered by trained counsellors and advisors.

Parallel to this, peacebuilding initiatives will be launched across all 11 district municipalities, fostering harmony and healing.

Shelter and rehabilitation for the homeless form the third pillar, tackling the pressing need for housing and support.

Underutilised government buildings and church facilities will be repurposed to provide shelter, complemented by structured rehabilitation and reintegration programmes to help individuals rebuild their lives.

Finally, moral regeneration and community mobilisation complete the framework.

This pillar focuses on driving values-based community engagement and social renewal through faith-led initiatives, in close collaboration with relevant provincial departments, aiming to instil a renewed sense of purpose and collective responsibility.

The council said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between KZNCC and the Office of the Premier was signed during its 11th Triennial Assembly in front of 130 participants, including government leaders, traditional leaders, business, civil society organisations, faith-based partners, and community representatives.

“This partnership strengthens collaboration in advancing peace, justice, social cohesion, and community transformation in our province,” said KZNCC.

karen.singh@inl.co.za

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