“Our leaders in the faith community provide spiritual guidance, care and counselling to millions of South Africans, and we are immensely grateful that from the beginning of our task of addressing this health crisis they have stood with us and provided advice, guidance, support and encouragement from the very beginning,” Ramaphosa said in a televised address to the nation.

The president said the faith community was an integral part of South African life and had made a great contribution in the fight against the coronavirus.

“With our focus now on enabling our people to cope during this crisis and rebuilding our shattered economy, as well as assisting individuals and businesses whose livelihoods have been negatively impacted, we recognise and appreciate the important role the faith community has played in the provision of spiritual support and social relief,” Ramaphosa said.

“Much of it has been done under extremely difficult circumstances and with minimal resources. In such a time of crisis, the noble values that are shared by all faith communities have truly come to the fore – of charity and doing good works, of helping the needy, of feeding the hungry and caring for the sick.” 

Ramaphosa said although the nationwide lockdown has curtailed the activities of faith-based organisations, South Africa has “strongly felt their presence”.

“They have helped to keep our spirits up. They have encouraged us to remain focused. Above all they have consistently reminded our people that the lockdown regulations are in place for the common good and the welfare of us all,” he said.

Ramaphosa urged South Africans to heed the call of the country’s leaders of different faith communities for a national day of prayer on Sunday. On the day, the president said, South Africans will once again come together to pray for the healing of their land and the protection of its people. 

“On this day, wherever we may be, I call upon you to turn your thoughts to all who have been affected by this pandemic. On this day, we should remember those who are working to keep us safe, those who are suffering and grieving.

"Whether you are a person of faith or not, there is one belief that unites us, and that is our belief in South Africa, in its people, in their courage and in their ability to overcome even the greatest of tribulations,” he said.

“As we worked tirelessly to heal the divisions of the past, so too will our united action bring us healing from this pandemic. May God bless South Africa and protect her people,” Ramaphosa said.

African News Agency