International Federation of Reform and Progressive Religious Zionists

South Africa’s Night to Honor Jerusalem

South Africans honor Israeli contribution to help fight HIV/Aids in the country. As part of the project, known as Operation Abraham, 20,000 young men have been circumcised.

His Majesty, King Goodwill Zwelithini and Her Royal Highness, Queen of KwaLinduzulu attended on Sunday night, an event to honor Jerusalem hosted by TaMaR and ARZENU in partnership with the Kwazulu Natal Zionist Council.

Speaking to nearly 500 people at an evening called a Night to Honor Jerusalem His Majesty said that he is proud of the contribution made by leading leaders from the Jewish community to the socio economic development of the Province of Kwazulu Natal and South Africa as a whole and that this contribution is well documented.

Operation Abraham remains the strongest bond that has bound Kwazulu Natal and Israel together for many years to come. When I announced the revival of circumcision during Umkhosi Wokweshwama in December 2009, I received support from a team of experts in Jerusalem. They offered to collaborate with me and the department of Health to drive the circumcision campaign said His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini.

I wish to reiterate that at no point have I suggested that circumcision is a cure for HIV/Aids; [nor have I] suggested that once a man is circumcised he cannot contract HIV. A few months ago, I was informed that more than 20,000 young men in Kwazulu-Natal had been circumcised without any complications; none has died said His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini.

Rebuilding the walls, together

Guests at this event were a mixture of Christian Zionists and Jews. Other guest speakers that attended this function were MEC Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo who attended on behalf of the premier of Kwazulu Natal, Dr. Zweli Mkhize and Mr. Yaakov Finkelstein, Israeli Deputy Ambassador to South Africa.

TaMaR South Africa Director, Jenna Reinbach, said that the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967 signified a spark of potential for peace and that the Jewish people have a role in bringing peace to the world and peace to Jerusalem. Let's all play a role in bringing peace to the world. It's not a naive dream. Let's use our insight, our wisdom and courage to seek peace and pursue it, wherever it's needed in this world, said Reinbach.

MEC Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo was requested by the Premier of Province of Kwazulu-Natal, Dr. Zweli Mkhize to come and express a message of appreciation to the Jewish community.
MEC Dr. Dhlomo invited the people of the Kwazulu-Natal province to join the Masisukume Sakhe campaign.

This project from government is taken from the book of Nehemiah particular Chapter 17 and 18. It starts by preparing you that the walls of Jerusalem had been broken down [but] you can't sit around and complain about it, you [must] get up and rebuild the same walls, said MEC Dr. Dhlomo.

He referred to former Progressive Federal party (now the DA) stalwart and apartheid detractor Helen Suzman and her contribution to fighting apartheid and building the broken walls up. He said there is now an opportunity to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and that Masisukume Sakhe means in Zulu Let's get up and work together and create a better nation.

Left: Yaakov Finkelstein, Mec for Health, Dr Dhlomo, His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini, Her Royal Highness, the Queen
Right: Jenna Reinbach (in the blue dress) and Professor Antony Arkin

Photo: Themba Mngomezulu