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 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.
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 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: