PERSUADING broadcasters to be cautious about showing explicit
sex on television could form part of the quest to renew moral
values in South Africa, Deputy President Jacob Zuma said on
Thursday.
”We could all discuss how we could influence broadcasters to
balance their approach to programming,” he told a conference in
Centurion on moral regeneration.
”They could, for example, be sensitive about flighting soap
operas and explicit sex, whose content is not conducive to good
conduct.”
The one-day meeting in a hangar at the Waterkloof air base was
attended by hundreds of representatives from the government and a
range of sectors from civil society.
It was to culminate in the launch of a moral regeneration
movement driven by civil society with government support.
The government announced the moral regeneration summit in
November last year amid concerns over an increase in the incidence
of child rape.
Zuma on Thursday said broadcasters could focus more on
programmes that promoted good moral values and less on crime
serials and violent dramas.
”We could (also) look at what kind of books and manuscripts can
be produced by our authors and scriptwriters, which would nurture
and promote values that would build a stronger nation.”
Zuma said something was clearly wrong within the moral fabric of
society, and this required urgent action.
”Moral degeneration cuts across the whole spectrum of our
society, and that is why the renewal movement requires the
participation of all South Africans.”
Zuma said symptoms of the moral decay of society included a lack
of respect for human life, a breakdown in parental control over
children, abuse of women and children, and a general attitude of
self-centredness.
There was also a tendency to shirk responsibility by failing,
for example, to report corruption or criminal activities.
A major area of concern was a breakdown of family life, Zuma
said.
Data from the 1996 census showed that the fathers of more than
333 000 children could not be traced, while the mothers of another
24 000 children could not be found.
Nearly 99 000 households were headed by children aged between 10
and 17.
”These figures should have increased by now, indicating the
challenge we face,” Zuma said.
He apologised for the absence of President Thabo Mbeki, who was
initially scheduled to address the conference.
Mbeki had to withdraw because his presence was urgently required
at the Inter-Congolese Dialogue at Sun City in North West, Zuma
told delegates. – Sapa