The Port Elizabeth branch of New Heaven and New Earth Church of Jesus held an event in North End on Friday, 14 March 2025 to commemorate the establishment of the international church.
In recognition of Human Rights month and the constitutional right to Freedom of Religion, through the dialogue, a memorandum was developed that will be handed over to the Office of the Speaker of the Nelson Mandela Metro. The memorandum represents a commitment from religious leaders of the Eastern Cape to collaborate with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in promoting religious rights and freedoms, addressing misconceptions, fostering unity within the Christian community, and partnering with the government in addressing socio-economic challenges.
“We urge churches within our province to come together and discuss the challenges faced by the Christian church. Our aim is to educate believers on their religious rights and to foster understanding and harmony among different Christian denominations,” stated Phumza Nozewu, a church representative. The initiative aims to rebuild and solidify trust between the community and the church, and enhance the relationship between the church and the government, acknowledging that both serve as pillars of the community, co-existing to serve and protect its members.
Several pastors, including Bishop Boya, an executive of the Religious Desk within the office of the Speaker of the NMB Council and a bishop at the United Ethiopian Church of Africa, were in attendance. Reverend Vuyelwa Dawuwa from Remnant Chosen by the Grace Church in Motherwell expressed her enthusiasm for the meeting’s outcome, highlighting various collaborative opportunities between the Christian community and the government.
Reverend Dawuwa stated, “This marks the beginning of a significant and promising partnership. The church and the government can collaborate through open communication, joint initiatives, community outreach programs, focusing on shared values, and addressing local needs while upholding the principles of religious freedom and civic responsibility. We can organize joint forums and town hall meetings where church members and government representatives can engage in constructive dialogue about community challenges and solutions. This will promote transparency in government operations and church activities, fostering trust and accountability within the community, as there are many misconceptions and a lack of unity.”
Local needs are addressed through training programs, community clean-ups, peace-building initiatives like conflict resolution workshops, open dialogue programs, community festivals, and interfaith gatherings. The memorandum will be delivered on Friday, 21 March 2025 to the Religious Desk of the Office of the Speaker.
NHNE continues to serve Southern Africa by providing physical and spiritual hope through its branches in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Emphasising unity, NHNE has collaborated with local officials on projects like blood donation drives, clean-ups, food drives, and other volunteer programmes.
