moral regeneration month
Twitter caption: “On the 26 April 2019, #ICareWeCare interacted with the residents of Alexandra township at Alexandra mall. The Movement, as well as ICareWeCare, would like to thank the residents for their commitment to take a stand against burning, vandalism and destruction of public property.” / Image via Twitter: @mrmorgza

Moral Regeneration Month 2019 – What you need to know

July marks the commemoration of Moral Regeneration Month, an initiative aimed at encouraging people to recommit to efforts of building communities grounded on positive values

moral regeneration month
Twitter caption: “On the 26 April 2019, #ICareWeCare interacted with the residents of Alexandra township at Alexandra mall. The Movement, as well as ICareWeCare, would like to thank the residents for their commitment to take a stand against burning, vandalism and destruction of public property.” / Image via Twitter: @mrmorgza

Moral Regeneration Month was inspired by the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) which is focused on building a caring society in pursuit of “creating lasting peace and prosperity.”

In South Africa, Moral Regeneration Month coincides with Mandela Day and Mandela Month. Nelson Mandela was considered to be the main leader of the MRM movement.

How the Moral Regeneration Movement began

The origins of the day can be traced back to 1997, when Nelson Mandela, who was president at the time, met with South African Faith Based Organisation Leaders to discuss spiritual transformation.

Mr Mandela called upon religious leaders in South Africa to become involved in the movement. The MRM was launched on 18 April 2002 at the Waterkloof Air Force Base.

“Our hopes and dreams, at times, seem to be overcome by cynicism, self-centredness and fear. This spiritual malaise sows itself as a lack of good spirit, as pessimism, or lack of hope and faith. And from it emerge the problems of greed and cruelty, of laziness and egotism.”

Nelson Mandela

The key points that the MRM would like us to consider are as follows:

  • South Africans inherently have high moral values and standards
  • Moral renewal is the responsibility of each and every citizen
  • Moral communities are important to sustain democracy and peace

What you can do during Moral Regeneration Month

South Africans are urged during the month of July – and the rest of the year – to embark on promoting good behaviour in all spheres of life.

“The MRM month is meant to intensify the struggle against moral decay and open debates on the issues of morality in different corners of our country.”

In addition, you can abide by the nine values of the movement by:

  1. Respecting human dignity and equality
  2. Promoting responsible freedom, as well as the Rule of Law and democracy
  3. Improving material well-being and economic justice
  4. Enhancing sound family and community values
  5. Upholding honesty, integrity and loyalty
  6. Ensuring harmony in culture, belief and conscience
  7. Showing respect and concern for all people
  8. Striving for justice, fairness and peaceful co-existence
  9. Protecting the environment