Deputy President Jacob Zuma on Friday invited all South Africans to participate in the drafting of a Moral Charter that will give the country a set of common guidelines for ethical behaviour.
In a speech prepared for delivery at the launch of Moral Charter Campaign in Kempton Park, Zuma said that after a lot of deliberation, it was felt that the country needed a Charter containing ”commonly agreed core values and principles, which will serve as broad guidelines for ethical behaviour and ubuntu”.
”We invite all South Africans, as individuals and also collectively as members of different organisations, to make submissions.”
Contributors could focus on a range of issues in their submissions.
They could voice their opinions on the role of government, parliament, civil society structures, churches, schools, the media, entertainers, trade unions and others in the building of strong values in our communities.”
A lot of work had been done during last year to promote and establish the Moral Regeneration Movement, Zuma said.
”Structures have been launched in various provinces, and there has been a lot of activity at a community level as well.
”One year after the launch, the commitment remains strong and unwavering among all of us,” he said.
Zuma said the submissions were important because while there were various ethical codes within institutions in the private and public sectors, ”we do not yet have one common moral charter which serves as a common guide to all regarding ethical behaviour”.
”The Charter will therefore assist us in shaping and promoting the standards that will build a stronger nation.”
He said the proposals and ideas would be captured at forums at local and provincial levels and all contributions from the provinces would be collated at a national level.
The draft would then be tabled at the First National Conference of the Moral Regeneration Movement which is scheduled to be held in May this year. – Sapa