/ 22 September 2005

ACDP slams Heritage Day activities as ‘idolatry’

The African National Democratic Party has withdrawn from all planned Heritage Day activities at the Northern Cape legislature this coming weekend.

ACDP provincial leader Francois van Wyk on Thursday said his party would not become involved in the slaughtering of animals on the premises of the legislature.

"We also dissociate ourselves from all rituals," he said in a statement.

Van Wyk said the party viewed this as idolatry because offerings were aimed at honouring human heroes and this shunned the sovereignty of God.

"The ACDP recognises the rights of people to honour their heroes, but disapproves of making animal offerings to them," he said.

Van Wyk said the party believed that no particular faith group had the right to force its beliefs on other people under the pretence of culture.

Apparently ten sheep and a cow were slaughtered under a tree on the grounds of the legislature on Wednesday in preparation for the Heritage Day festivities.

According to reports the slaughtering was part of "traditional food preparations" for the inauguration of the legislature's "Wall of Heroes". – Sapa