The process of community development and service delivery is beleaguered by the scourge of corruption-the effects of which impact fatefully on the lives of the poor. Religious Leaders who speak from a moral perspective are passionate about restoring a culture of honesty, accountability and integrity in our society. The Anti-Corruption Campaign being led by the WCRLF, in partnership with the Money and Politics programme of the Open Society Foundation, expresses a powerful message to all sectors of society. From an exploratory summit held in Salt River, a WCRLF task team grappled with the issue and crafted a comprehensive Statement that was launched on 22^nd August 2012 at Look Out Hill in Khayelitsha. This was followed by a ‘preach and teach’ weekend to coincide with International Anti-Corruption Day on the first weekend in December.

The research material and articles by Religious leaders were then published in book form which was launched on 13th March 2013. This project will continue and will constantly applaud anti-corruption initiatives as well as good leadership role models and will also promote the annual ‘preach and teach’ weekend.

The Sanitation Programme is a priority as Religious Leaders believe that current levels of sanitation in the townships are an affront to human dignity. After working with our partners, the Social Justice Coalition (SJC) we were able, through the ‘Walk of Witness’ methodology (see below) to identify with the suffering of the people but also to identify specific areas of intervention. We supported the City in their design of the Janitorial system in answer to the immediate maintenance and servicing needs. Unfortunately this plan has not been effectively implemented and the issue remains a serious ongoing concern.

In 2010 the WCRLF was asked to represent the needs of the religious community in Khayelitsha who were experiencing the violent demolition of illegal church structures by the Anti-Land Invasion Unit (ALIU). Immediately the WCRLF gathered photographic evidence and ownership details and, after a meeting with the then Executive Mayor Dan Plato and Archbishop Makgoba at Bishopscourt, formed a Steering Committee made up of City and Religious leaders charged with solving the whole issue around land allocation and the prevention of demolition of religious buildings. After a promising start this committee has stalled and the current demolition of temporary structures, such as mission tents, is an issue of concern. The WCRLF remains committed to this process.

Below is an invite to a book launch on Interfaith Reflections on Corruption, and a media report about how the campaign against corruption is a campaign against social justice.