Keynote address delivered by Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, on behalf of Deputy President Paul Mashatile, at the United Reformed Church in South Africa (URCSA) Southern Synod Day 2026, University of Johannesburg Soweto Campus, Imbibe Hall

Programme Director;
The leadership of the Witwatersrand Presbytery led by Chairperson Rev. Fisher;
Ministers of the Word and Sacraments, Elders and Deacons of Congregations;
Ministers’ Wives;
The Southern Synod Elders Commission under the Leadership of Elder Segele;
The Leadership of the Northern Theological Seminary, the SRC and Ministry Students;
Youth Brigade Leadership;
Christian Men’s Ministry Southern Synod President: Mr. Peter Mokoto and REC;
Christian Women’s Ministry Southern Synod President: Juff. Mirriam Makhetha & REC;
Christian Women’s League General Synod President: Ms. Florence Makhobonyane & GS;
Christian Women’s League Southern Synod President: Ms. Alice Ndlovu & REC;
Christian Faith Ministry Southern Synod Chairperson: Mr. Ben Malunga & REC;
Christian Youth Ministry Southern Synod Chairperson: Brother Thunthu Masobe & REC;
Government Representatives;
Members of the Community; and
Members of the Congregation of the United Reformed Church in South Africa;
Ladies and gentlemen.

It is with deep reverence that I stand among you today, on behalf of His Excellency the Deputy President of South Africa, Mr Paul Mashatile.

Although the Deputy President is unable to be with you personally, his delegation which I lead today, reflects the importance that he places on engagement with faith communities and the contribution that churches continue to make towards the development and wellbeing of our nation.

This sacred assembly of the URCSA Southern Synod 2026 is more than a gathering of worshippers; it is a living covenant, a reaffirmation of our shared duty to fashion a society that mirrors the highest ideals of justice, peace, human dignity and a society rooted in prayer.

In my life as a bearer of public office, I have learned that prayer is not only the language of our faith but also the compass of our nation. Prayer is the wellspring from which we draw strength to endure trials, wisdom to guide our leaders, and courage to confront injustice.

It is prayer that binds us together across generations, reminding us that the destiny of South Africa is not written in division but in unity of spirit and purpose.

Yet prayer without faith is like a song without melody. Without faith and the faith of the people, we cannot open the doors of heaven to pour blessings upon us. Faith is the key that unlocks divine favour, the bridge between our petitions and God’s providence.

It is faith that transforms prayer from words into power, from ritual into substance. This is why the book of Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

I sincerely hope that, working together, sharing responsibility between church and government, bridging prayer and action with purpose, we will meet and overcome our nation’s challenges. Together, we are the generation that is called to bring the long-awaited, much-needed change to our communities.

The theme of this gathering, ‘Remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set, reminds us that every generation inherits a sacred responsibility. We inherit the sacrifices, struggles, values, and wisdom of those who came before us. And we inherit the duty to ensure that future generations receive a society stronger, more just, more ethical, and more united.

In today’s world, the ‘ancient landmarks’ we must preserve are not stones or boundaries but the living principles that anchor our democracy and humanity. They are the moral compass points that remind us who we are and who we must become.

These landmarks are embodied in human dignity, Ubuntu, justice, compassion, integrity, unity, respect, ethical leadership, and commitment to the common good.

These landmarks are the compass points of our collective journey. To remove them is to lose our way; to preserve them is to secure the path for generations yet to come.

As I have mentioned, South Africa continues to face significant challenges, including poverty, unemployment, inequality, crime and gender-based violence. These are the burdens that weigh upon our people and weaken the fabric of our nation. While we preserve these ancient landmarks, we must strive to remove these afflictions totally from our society.

We cannot overcome these challenges in isolation; they require a unity in purpose.

Our democratic journey bears testimony to what can be achieved when faith leaders, communities and Government work together in pursuit of a common purpose.

One of the most powerful instances is the role that church leaders played in South Africa’s transition to democracy. At a critical moment in our history, churches and faith-based organisations came together with community structures and political leaders to promote reconciliation, peace-building and nation-building.

Their work facilitated conversation, healing and social cohesion at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history.

Even today, the church continues to play a significant role in the struggle against gender-based violence. The church must be resolute in its opposition to gender-based violence (GBV), child abuse, discrimination, and other forms of injustice. It is imperative that you disrupt the culture of silence by providing secure havens for survivors and challenging harmful patriarchal norms from the pulpit.

The Church is not a distant institution; it lives among the people. And because it lives among the people, it carries a vital, multi dimensional responsibility. In the fight against youth substance abuse and teenage pregnancy, the Church must rise as both a protective and corrective force.

It is trusted in our villages and our cities. It draws on moral authority, social networks, and pastoral care to build resilience in our young people. But trust alone is not enough. The Church must use that trust to mentor, guide, create safe spaces, and stand boldly against the forces that threaten the future of our youth.

With millions of young South Africans seeking economic inclusion, faith-based organisations can change that by transforming places of worship into hubs for skills training, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship mentorship; we can offer a lifeline.

Together, we can conquer poverty, restore hope, and defeat the scourge of substance abuse.

Earlier I spoke about prayer, and I return to it now because it is close to my heart. As we move towards the local government elections, I cannot overstate this:

We need your prayer.
I need your prayer.
Our leaders need your prayer.
Our nation needs your prayer.

We must lift up our leaders, asking God to grant them integrity and ethical leadership so that they may serve with conscience and courage.

We must pray for peaceful, free, and safe elections that voters, candidates, and election officials are protected, and that the democratic process is carried out with respect and fairness.

We must pray against the darkness of political killings and violence. These wounds tear at the soul of our democracy. Let us ask God to replace fear with hope, division with unity, and hatred with compassion.

This is not just about politics. It is about the future of our children, the safety of our communities, and the soul of South Africa.

As Government we continue to work closely with faith-based organisations to ensure that the voices of communities are also heard through them. A sustainable relationship between government and faith-based organisations requires uncompromising mutual accountability.

Both Government and faith-based organisations must operate transparently to guarantee that public and social resources are strictly directed to community upliftment and the protection of the vulnerable.

Embracing these high ethical standards is essential to safeguarding public trust and reinforcing the collective moral authority needed to guide our nation forward.

This is a direct call to action for every member of our communities; change does not belong to the government or faith-based organisations alone; it belongs to us all.

True transformation begins when we stop being passive spectators in our development and become active architects of our future. We call on every citizen to look around their neighbourhood and ask, 'How can I serve?'

It could be by blowing the whistle on GBV in your street, supporting local entrepreneurs, and holding your local leaders accountable.

Your faith-based centres and community halls are already open as hubs for change; fill them with your energy, ideas, your skills, and your resolve.

Let us reclaim the spirit of Ubuntu through practical, daily actions. Step forward, get involved, and let us collectively build the safe, proud, and self-reliant communities we want our children to inherit.

The URCSA Southern Synod's commitment to sustainable outreach and poverty alleviation illustrates the principle that faith should be paired with action. The Church's dedication to transforming lives and aiding vulnerable communities significantly enhances South Africa's overall development.

The impactful work of URCSA clearly demonstrates the immense value of a close partnership between the church and government. Today’s service powerfully testifies to the continuous achievements possible when government and faith-based organisations collaborate for the benefit of our communities. To effectively serve our people, the church must maintain this symbiotic relationship with government, consistently working to restore hope and shaping our communities into better places to live.

In closing, may this Synod Day profoundly strengthen our collective commitment to preserve what is good, restore what has been damaged, and build a resilient future for generations to come.

Let us honour the lasting landmarks established by our forebears by ensuring we actively foster communities defined by dignity, unity, hope, and a steadfast commitment to prayer.

May the peace of God rest upon you and your families. May His hand of protection and favour be upon this province, and may His grace extend across our nation. May He guard our communities, heal our divisions, and strengthen our democracy. And may His presence guide us as we walk together into a future of justice, unity, and hope.

I thank you.