Archbishop of Cape Town Urges Africa to Set its Agenda for Future

The Most Revd Njongonkulu Ndugane, the Archbishop of Cape Town and Primate of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa, encouraged Africa to set its own agenda for the future while international communities and agencies are helping to rebuild the country that has been ruined by wars, poverty and diseases.

His speech came out from a meeting with the General Secretary of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA), the Revd Canon John Kanyikwa, in Nairobi.

"I believe the Christian message and faith is powerful to confront issues affecting Africa and we must focus on serving our fellow men and women instead of dwelling on issues that are really not pertinent to us," he said.

Among the world's nations, the UK is often one of those challenged the most to transform Africa into a better world. Whilst at the launch of the "Make Poverty History" Campaign this year in London, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Gordon Brown has pledged that 2005 will be an important year to call the world to halve the world debt. He acknowledged Britain’s presidency over the EU and G8 summit in 2005, and over 100 international agencies including churches have pressed the government to take concrete action.

The Archbishop of Cape Town disclosed that in 2000 he was among top leaders who had petitioned Chancellor Gordon Brown on debt relief and was happy that strong consideration was now being given to debt cancellation.

It has been proved that the contribution of churches is very vital in social transformation. He gave the example of the ongoing Sudan peace process saying the Church in Africa must take an active role in strengthening the process.

According to the Archbishop, HIV/AIDS and debt relief were identified as the two key issues that the church should push aggressively.

While handing over his church's donation of $75,000 to people affected by the Boxing Day Tsunami in Somalia, he expressed hope that interfaith dialogue would be enhanced in Africa, adding that a good starting point would be to come to the aid of those suffering regardless of their faith.