1. Moral Regeneration Movement BRIEFING TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE: ARTS & CULTURE IN PARLIAMENT By MRM BOARD OF DIRECTORS AUGUST 24 2005

2. 2 Harnessing the Moral Wealth of the Nation BACKGROUND What is the MRM?  The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) is a movement that is at the Centre of Collective Activism for Moral Regeneration Initiatives.  The MRM is an inclusive movement basing its roots within communities with support from government.  It offers a unique opportunity for us, South Africans, to redefine and reaffirm ourselves as moral beings, and collectively formulate tangible, practical and workable strategies and programmes that will see us endorsing values compatible with the new democratic South Africa.

3. 3 Harnessing the Moral Wealth of the Nation Purpose of Presentation  To engage the Parliamentary Machinery in the MRM activities  Make a historical overview of the Movement oThe Genesis oThe mandate  Give a synopsis of progress to date  Raise challenges for the future

4. 4 Harnessing the Moral Wealth of the Nation The Genesis of the Movement  1998 – Moral Summit oFormer President N R Mandela  2000 – Consultations oDoE, SABC, Presidency, FBO’s  2001- Broader Consultations oWorking committee setup  2002 – National Launch  2003 – MRM Secretariat was employed  2004 – National Conference

5. 5 Harnessing the Moral Wealth of the Nation Recalling the Mandate  Vision: oCaring society oPromotion of the values of the constitution oNational cohesion  Mission: oTo make the MRM the centre of collective activism on moral regeneration initiatives oTo facilitate and co-ordinate initiatives oMainstream moral regeneration

6. 6 Harnessing the Moral Wealth of the Nation Infrastructure Setup oOffice & Systems Setup Section 21 Company with Board of Directors Facilitating office with a staff complement of 4 oProvincial Networks Most Provinces have launched MRM and the following have operating provincial structures: Northern Cape There is a Provincial Working Group consisting of thirty people that meets twice annually. This consists of District Working Committees. There is the secretariat based at the Premiers office, and the districts also have a secretariat. Activities: Annual inter-faith dialogue which focuses on religious tolerance, provincial prayer days, women and child abuse and dealing with media stereotypes. There is a pilot project to combat racism and the stereotypes that advocate that the MRM is a Black issue.

7. 7 Harnessing the Moral Wealth of the Nation Infrastructure Setup Limpopo: oThe Premier oversees the MRM activities and has mandated the MEC for Sports and Culture to resource the office. A budget of R150 000 thousand was allocated for the project as start up capital. There is an office with a secretary, office furniture, phone and the computer. The MRM committee oversees the running of the office. SACC has seconded Mr S Nkube who is the committee secretary to work on MRM activities. Activities: oThe committee is currently holding awareness workshops to promote common understanding of the MRM and ensuring commitment of the local structures to the MRM. oThe University of Venda has embarked on research on Moral Regeneration and two Professors have been asked to mainstream Moral Regeneration into the University Curriculum. Mpumalanga: oThe Provincial Working Committee, consisting of 30 representatives, meets quarterly. The Executive Committee meets weekly.

8. 8 Harnessing the Moral Wealth of the Nation Infrastructure Setup Activities: oThe MRM has been mainstreamed in six out of ten provincial departments. oThe committee runs an hour’s phone in programme on moral regeneration every Tuesday morning at 10:00. oOn the 31 December every year, the provincial network organizes an annual festival ‘Heal Our Land’ to promote political and religious tolerance. Gauteng oThe committee is led by civil society and are supported by regional Mayors and the three Metropolitan Councils.

9. 9 Harnessing the Moral Wealth of the Nation Infrastructure Setup Activities: oThe committee members have visited established networks where there was none; and have conducted workshops to build capacity at local and district municipalities. oThe Gauteng committee taking responsibility for developing Men’s programme. This programme seeks to promote sexual rights and health: family and community responsibility against violence, increase participation of men in strengthening the family (the MRM provincial committee has partnered with the Gauteng Department of Social Development). Eastern Cape: oA provincial structure existed that was inclusive of the six regional councils, one metro and the Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer from the civil society. This structure was supported by the previous Premier and the MEC Local government. The Chairperson has moved to Cape Town and the Premier also changed. The political changes in the province have made the running of the MRM unstable. The MRM national office will work side by side with provincial stakeholders to establish the situation.

10. 10 Harnessing the Moral Wealth of the Nation Infrastructure Setup Activities: oThe Nelson Mandela metro is spearheading the following activities: Awareness campaign on moral renewal agenda for prison inmates: Holding meetings with Commissioners and marketing the programme to all prisons in the Eastern Cape. (This is spearheaded by the Metropolitan Council with the Provincial network in partnership with the FBOs, Dept of Correctional Services and the Dept of Education) oKey Factors Successes = government + FBO’s involvement Challenges = government + civil society

11. 11 Harnessing the Moral Wealth of the Nation Recalling the Issues  Building the family  Developing moral Leadership  Combating Crime & Corruption  Values in Education  Religion  Riches & Poverty  Positive Images in the Media  Focusing on Youth

12. 12 Harnessing the Moral Wealth of the Nation A Generic Structure

13. 13 Harnessing the Moral Wealth of the Nation Strategy Development To Date:  Issue based networking oInstead of partnership for their sake oInformation and Knowledge Sharing  Ownership oCoordination where resources are available oSector inclusive participation

14. 14 Harnessing the Moral Wealth of the Nation Strategy Development To Date:  Intra-sector initiatives oSector to mainstream and start own initiatives oSharing & accountability at network level  Consistent Messaging / Communication oHigh moral values and standards oOur common responsibility oKey to the sustenance and consolidation of democracy

15. 15 Harnessing the Moral Wealth of the Nation Key Programmes To Date:  Mobilization oLaunches of provincial and municipal / metro networks oDevelopment of localised strategies oPartnering with Stakeholders to do various programmes/projects oMobilization of resources  Charter Campaign oTool for dialogue and consensus building Agree on values and norms we wish to uphold Establish levels and areas of degeneration Commit to action

16. 16 Harnessing the Moral Wealth of the Nation The Charter of Positive Values  The Moral Charter will constitute a framework of ethical and moral reference for all South Africans. The specific objectives of the Charter include:  Generating a moral vision for South Africa by defining what constitutes morality and rightful conduct thus laying the foundation for commitment;  Conscientising the South African society to take collective responsibility for developing a framework for a South African Code of Conduct; and  Restoring and anchoring values in the constitution, including respect or human rights and accepting accountability for one’s being and actions.  The Charter Launch Campaign, after extensive work from provinces soliciting input, is mainly for awareness after all the inputs. After all the data is collected, it will be consolidated for the Charter adoption which is envisaged for October / November 2005.

17. 17 Harnessing the Moral Wealth of the Nation National Initiatives  National MRM Conference  Launch of the Charter of Positive Values  16 Days of Activism Campaign  Consolidating government partnerships

18. 18 Harnessing the Moral Wealth of the Nation Key Challenges  Mobilizing all sectors  Making the movement inclusive oResisting FBO’s takeover & handover oResisting political control oProgramming diversity  Finding willing ambassadors  Broadening the understanding of morality oBeyond the individual oBeyond organisations  Relevant & creative programs & campaigns  Resources

19. 19 Harnessing the Moral Wealth of the Nation Remember  The challenge is multifaceted and complex and solutions similarly so. But, Moral Renewal? We Can Do It!

20. 20 Harnessing the Moral Wealth of the Nation Contacts MRM National Office oTel: (011) 403 3559 oFax: (011) 403 3457 oEmail: mrm@mrm.org.za oWebsite: www.mrm.org.zawww.mrm.org.za