The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Honourable Thamsanqa Ntuli, has signed a landmark Co-operation Agreement with the KwaZulu-Natal Christian Council (KZN CC), signalling a decisive shift towards structured collaboration between government and the faith sector to confront some of the province’s most urgent social challenges.
The agreement, signed in Pietermaritzburg, establishes a strategic partnership aimed at addressing crime, poverty, food insecurity, homelessness, and moral decline through coordinated, province-wide interventions.
Grounded in practical and measurable actions, the partnership is built upon four key pillars:
1. Food Security – Promoting community-based agriculture through the establishment of gardens on church and residential land, with government support in the form of fencing, seeds, tools, and technical assistance.
2. Crimefighting and Survivor Support – Providing survivors of crime with psychosocial and legal support via trained counsellors and advisors, while launching peacebuilding initiatives across all 11 district municipalities.
3. Shelter and Rehabilitation for the Homeless – Identifying underutilised government buildings and church facilities to offer shelter, alongside structured rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.
4. Moral Regeneration and Community Mobilisation – Driving values-based community engagement and social renewal through faith-led initiatives, in collaboration with relevant provincial departments.
With a membership base exceeding 3.4 million across KwaZulu-Natal, the KZN CC is well-positioned to mobilise grassroots support and foster meaningful, community-driven transformation.
Premier Ntuli emphasised the significance of the agreement, stating:
“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.”
This agreement reflects the KwaZulu-Natal government’s unwavering 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.
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For further information, please contact:
*Mr. Bongani Gina*
Head of Provincial Government Communications
Contact: 071 217 3037
*Mr. Lindelani Mbatha*
Media Liaison Officer
Contact: 061 499 0774
*ISSUED BY THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS*