The Rustenburg Local Municipality (RLM) has officially entered into a collaboration with the Greater Rustenburg Pastors Forum (GRPF) through a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed during a ceremony at the Rustenburg Civic Centre on Wednesday.
The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation and promote partnership on issues of mutual interest, with the municipality confident that the initiative will encourage public participation in local governance and assist in tackling socio-economic challenges.
“This exercise finds expression in Chapter 3 of the South African Constitution, which prescribes principles of cooperative governance and the importance of government engaging with civil society, including faith-based organisations,” the RLM said.
The municipality acknowledged the GRPF’s contribution to promoting peace and unity across communities. According to the RLM, the signing follows a series of engagements between the municipality and religious leaders that align with the MOU’s objectives.
The document is expected to enhance transparency and provide a framework for resolving matters involving religious leaders, signalling a more structured approach toward religious sector oversight.
The RLM added that the initiative supports broader commitments made by national government to the faith sector, particularly in strengthening efforts to combat gender-based violence, substance abuse and in fostering social cohesion.
