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CNN World Report

South Africa Mixes Preachers and Politicians

Aired July 15, 2001 - 14:46   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ASIEH NAMDAR, CNN ANCHOR: The church is often required to stay out of politics but not so for a Christian minister in South Africa, who is also a member of the parliament. He has a unique task of trying to balance his roles as preacher and politician.

We get the story now from the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RONEL VAN ZYL, SABC CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is one of South Africa parliamentarian at his parish outside Johannesburg. The reverend is the only politician who is also a full-time preacher. He has no qualms about his dual role.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I decided as a tax payer I must also decide to have a say in the future of this country.

VAN ZYL: Clergymen becoming politicians aren't new to South Africa. Among them were former Prime Minister (UNINTELLIGIBLE), and several political party leaders. The anti-anti apartheid movement also drew a large part (UNINTELLIGIBLE) on the pulpit.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The oppressor can not continue to oppress, cannot continue to do violence to god's defenseless people, cannot continue to intimidate, cannot continue to kill.

VAN ZYL: Father (UNINTELLIGIBLE) as a priest and an activist. In 1994, he left his parish to go into politics.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They have one thing in common: the ability to serve the people.

VAN ZYL: Several have two callings. Among them, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) who is also a minister. Another is (UNINTELLIGIBLE), a Methodist minister who often preaches at his only congregation. The only clergy woman in parliament is Sister (UNINTELLIGIBLE). She faces a thin line between politics and religion.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It is more or less what I have been doing since I was a nun.

VAN ZYL: A few former preachers who served under the previous regime are still in parliament. The clergy find life uncomfortable with gradually shaped Christian conventions. The houses of power now embody the competition of principle of a secular state but the clergy are (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to defend in politics.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They play a magnificent role.

VAN ZYL: Some theologians are too far apart.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When one has a representative of a place in parliament, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) sometimes that distinction between the role of the politician and the role of the priest can be obscured.

VAN ZYL: People in parliament believe they can play a redeeming role in society. Many Christians may be (UNINTELLIGIBLE) about the conflict in serving. But for a society that views moral values under siege, every voice no matter how small can make a difference.

Ronel Van Zyl for the South African Broadcasting Corporation for the CNN WORLD REPORT.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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