A aerial view of an informal settlement near Nyanga. Pcture: Armand Hough/ANA
The cost of living is rapidly increasing. The gap between the rich and the poor is growing day by day.
The poor continue to live in abject poverty while in contrast the rich continue to live in the most outrageous luxurious lifestyles.
The proverbial saying which says that something is worlds apart really rings true in this instance. The title of the 1859 novel by Charles Dickens, 'The tale of two cities' also aptly describes the current context of inequality.
As a people of faith we reject and protest against this horrendous normalisation of inhumanity where economic injustice has become naturalised. I am reminded of the anti-apartheid slogan of no normal sport in an abnormal society.
The Calvyn Protestant church of South Africa and Namibia robustly protests for action against this evil of economic injustice and calls the South African government out for perpetuating these conditions of abnormaility under which the majority of the citizens of South Africa are subjected to.
The church will be next week entering into a season of goodwill by remembering and celebrating the birth of Christ Jesus who came into the world to bring good news.
This incredible task of inspiring tangible and everlasting hope to all people remains a crucial aspect of the ministry of the church. The Calvyn Protestant church was established in 1950 protesting against discrimination, apartheid and the evils of the day.
To this day the church continues to advocate against racism, corruption and inequality. The Calvyn Protestant church therefore at its most recent synod decided unanimously to advocate, promote and protest for a universal basic income grant for all.
The church together with other partners supports the work of the World communion of reformed churches and their programme called the Global reformed platform of engagement.
(GRAPE) The church believes in the basic human right that all people must be safe and have food on their table.
The Calvyn Protestant church will continue to advocate for holistic sustainable development and for the radical change of an economic system that only favours a few.
There cannot be normality and peace in our worship when the majority of South Africans are living in extreme and inhumane poverty.
To this end the Calvyn Protestant church calls on the entire religious fraternity and all people of good faith to support the call for an universal basic income grant for all. Economic justice is possible for all.
A better life for all is within our reach if we work together, remain steadfast, committed and focused to the emancipation of all our people not just some.
* Rev Steven John Bam, Southfield.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
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