1. Who is Raising Righteous Rulers?
   RRR is a people’s movement that gives powerful expression to the voice of the body of Christ in promoting good governance in South Africa. It is not a political party, but a civil initiative to make leaders truly accountable to the citizens who elected them and to promote best practices in government. Building a government that is competent, transparent and future-focused is an urgent priority. Our basic philosophy is: “When the righteous govern, the people rejoice” (Prov 29:2). 

 

2. What is the purpose of RRR?
   The vision of this movement is to see change towards an inclusive, ethical, accountable governance system in South Africa. This to be done through the collective action of the people, to move the nation from division to unity, from brokenness to healing, from passivity to action in the building of a better, greater, South Africa.

 

3. What are the principal values of RRR?
   RRR promotes the biblical standard as the authoritative framework of laws that should govern the rulership of nations (not secularism and humanism). We particularly promote the primary values of Integrity, love, justice, wisdom, self governance, diligence and courage, whilst taking a strong stand against bad governance, corruption, unethical behaviour, unfair economic inequality, injustices and racist conduct.

 

4. Is RRR a political party?
   No. RRR is a non-partisan people’s platform activating and facilitating the involvement of Christian leaders in the various governance structures of the nation, as Independent Candidates. It’s time to change South Africa, and to positively impact all the spheres that constitute society, for good. We call upon Christians to get up and take the responsibility for nation-building seriously.  

 

5. Why is RRR promoting Independent Candidates?
   Two credible commissions appointed by our parliament (the Van Zyl Slabbert Commission in 2003, and the High Panel Report on the Assessment Of Key Legislation And The Acceleration Of Fundamental Change led by Kgalema Mothlante in 2019), both recommended that electing leaders directly from communities is the best way to ensure accountability and effective performance of public service officials, at all levels of government. Leaders who are elected from constituencies are closer to the people and thus more likely to be accountable and thus answerable to the people who vote them into office. This gives power to the ordinary citizen to have a say in how their community is governed and to remove leaders who don’t perform in accordance with the mandate given by the community.

 

6. Can any political party or its members be part of this movement?
   Yes, everyone is welcome who subscribes to the values of this movement and who wants to lend support for independent candidacy. With regard to political parties, RRR does not interfere or compete with political formations, nor do we subscribe to them or accommodate any political agendas in our midst. We do not have party members ourselves (only supporters/partners) and do not ourselves appoint Independent Candidates (we do, though, endorse those who meet our criteria). We are a non-partisan, yet organised, facilitating platform aimed at organising, guiding and facilitating the raising of righteous leaders, and help with ensuring their inclusion in government structures. We are there to assist communities to form Community Forums, who are the ones that elect Independent Candidates.  

 

7. Is RRR only for Christians?
   RRR supports proven Christian leaders to participate effectively in governance structures, yes. However, the organising and formation of community structures that vote for Independent Candidates, is done in all communities and could include all members of those communities. RRR is simply enabling like-minded citizens to speak with one voice and to exercise their collective influence to build a better South Africa. RRR is creating a platform with the potential to unite the vote of those who share the same values for the purpose of establishing good governance.

 

8. Who can be part of RRR?
   All role players (individuals and organisations) who believe that it’s time to restore South Africa on a trajectory of ethical competent governance, accountable leadership, moral regeneration, and a brighter future for our children. Nation-builders across the spectrum of South African society, business structures, religious structures, professional bodies, non-profit organisations, student and educational bodies, traditional structures, community structures, labour structures, individuals, and any type of group that shares the same values, vision, cause, and goals for a better South Africa. By uniting, we the people ourselves become the movement.

 

9. How can RRR help me or my organisation?
   RRR assists you – either as a community, a concerned citizen or as a potential independent candidate to initiate Community Forums, identify and evaluate potential independent candidates, and endorse them as “righteous rulers” (or ethical leaders) ready for election.

10. How do I become part of RRR?
    RRR is not a membership-based movement but a convergence of convictions, values, and interests for the building of a united South Africa that serves the best legitimate interests of all. Individuals and organisations who identify with the Cause of ethical nation-building can register on the website and be supporters or partners of the movement. You will receive a response and directions pertaining to the next steps you can take. Alternatively, or if you do not have access to the internet, you can send an SMS or a WhatsApp, to the numbers below.

 

11. Who are the people leading RRR?
    RRR is an initiative by Christian leaders from various churches and ministries that is Christ-centered and Kingdom-minded. Leading this movement are three Visionaries who all share a passion to light the spark of godly governance in all spheres of society: Rev Chris Mathebula, the Lead Pastor and Visionary of Hope Restoration Ministries; Apostle John van Niekerk, the visionary of the City Harvest Churches; and Dr Arno van Niekerk, an economist, author and speaker about Kingdom transformation. Working with them is a highly competent Steering Committee of eight other leaders. Then there are also Management Teams that work with the Guardian Councils, Community Forums and Independent Candidates at community level.

 

12. What are the limitations with the current political system? Why is RRR advocating for change?
    Regrettably, the current political system in South Africa is NOT true democracy. In order to achieve true democracy, power to govern must rest with the people, and by delegation through their freely chosen representatives, and not primarily in political parties who choose their own leaders – as is largely the case in present day South Africa. Change is needed firstly because citizens actually have no say in decisions that affect them. Secondly, we the people, cannot choose leaders directly that we consider credible. Citizens have to live with whomever political parties choose for them and the decisions they make on our behalf. There is also no way the people can hold such leaders accountable. This must change. That is exactly why this people’s movement is needed – not just for the sake of change, but to bring real solutions to advance the nation’s development towards true democracy.

 

13. What will be the benefit of change in RRR’s view?
    RRR proposes a governance system that gives power to the people to participate in parliamentary decision-making through credible leaders whom they elect directly from their communities. This will require fundamental changes to the nation’s political system that must be enshrined in a revised Constitution. As we, the people, organise ourselves into Community Forums in communities all across South Africa, we can ensure that the decisions that we make are executed at local, provincial and national level by ethical leaders who have been appointed by the people, and who are fully held accountable by the people. Community Forums and Guardian Councils also become units of nation-building, collaborating all across South Africa, and effecting change at all levels and in all spheres of society.

 

14. Why the need for this movement? Is this not the responsibility of political parties?
    Even though Christians constitute almost 80% of the population of South Africa, they currently have very little, if at all, influence in the laws and political system governing the nation. The business of governance should not be the exclusive preserve of political parties, but a joint responsibility of the citizens of the nation. True democracy means “a government of the people, by the people, for the people.” However, as things stand, even a referendum depends on parliamentary sanction, in a system that is controlled by the majority party and everyone else has little or no power to influence decisions. The best way to bring change is for all of us, the people of South Africa, to unite and rally for the CAUSE of accountable governance through independent candidacy. In this fashion, a critical mass of the population will rise up peacefully and orderly to bring true change.

 

15. If RRR is a non-partisan movement, how can the people actively determine the outcomes of elections?
    RRR is a platform representing the collective cause of Christians in South Africa (majority of the population), which we can exercise through a collective electoral mandate. In this way, you as a nation-builder are expressing a Call for REAL change to achieve three specific goals, amongst others:
    

•  You participate in the governance of the nation (resulting in social, economic and political transformation);
•  You contribute towards defining a Constitutional framework based on ethical values shared by the majority of South Africans (see the Bill of Values); and
•  You directly participate in electing your representatives/leaders in all spheres and at all levels of government to establish true democracy.

This change gives birth to a truly changed nation, yielding collective benefits for ALL. RRR is about good governance, not politics.

 

16. In its support for Independent Candidates, what change does RRR seek to bring to South Africa’s governance systems?
    People’s direct participation. RRR proposes a system that organises communities in a manner that enables ordinary citizens to participate in the governance of both their communities and the country. The system will operate through existing societal structures, as well as through the Community Forums and Guardian Councils that elect leaders within their communities. Through these, all South Africans are able to make inputs to national policy. A culture of nation-building is thus firmly developed throughout the nation.

 

17. What change does RRR seek to bring to the current Constitution?
    While the SA Constitution is good in many respects, there are elements of it that allow corruptive/degenerate practices to flourish because they are too open-ended, and/or too broad. RRR proposes a revision of the Constitution, to allow for ethical, righteous, just and equitable values, that reflect that which are shared by the people, to be enshrined as cornerstones of our society. In a true democracy, the Constitution must reflect the will of the people.

 

18. Why is RRR promoting the Bill of Values?
    We hold that there are certain values and standards, ethics and principles – shared by the majority in South Africa – that can establish a society on a firm foundation for justice, equity and prosperity. RRR is a movement promoting the establishment of ethical standards in society to promote progress and to put an end to the moral decay in South Africa. For this purpose, we need absolute values and ethics that can be trusted by all (a Bill of Values).Note: When referring to ‘absolute values’, it means that they are universally acknowledged so that we won’t compromise on them.Hence, as concerned citizens, we must define and advance absolute values, morals and ethics that are embodied in the collective convictions that the people of South Africans profess and desire to see in our communities and in how we govern our nation. They will serve to guide and to set standards of best practices. In a true democracy the freedom of the individual and the values of the collective are protected. That’s what we call ‘a healthy balance’. The purpose is to inspire and rejuvenate moral courage in South Africa.
19. How do I know for what level of government I should stand as an Independent Candidate?
    Availing yourself to serve in public office is a serious decision, but a much needed one. The profiles of candidates for different levels of government are different, so decide carefully what resonates stronger with you. In short, at Local Government level you take care of the community where you live and of the municipality within which you are a councillor. Addressing the direct needs of your people are what motivates you. At Provincial Level, the concerns of your province are driving you to find new solutions. At National Level (Parliament) you are focused on policy-formulation and solving problems of national concern. Here you are a national leader, representing your community, but serving all South Africans. Note that you don’t have to stand for Local Government before standing for Provincial or National Government. You simply avail yourself for the right type of election at the right time. The IEC gives the dates for the Local Government elections (e.g. Oct 2021) and the dates of the Provincial & National elections (e.g. 2024).
20. What does the movement’s ‘inclusivity’ mean?
    Everyone is welcome, but not everything. Any person from any race, culture, gender, belief or background should feel they can have a place in the shared values, vision, cause and goals of this movement. Like any other initiative, the RRR platform has a certain core ideal (righteous governance), to which all are invited to participate in and become part of through devoted citizenship. RRR is in actual fact for the good of ALL South Africans (whether part of it or not). This is how inclusive it is, and it would never require anyone to give up other affiliations, though the movement will not compromise on its Values, Cause and Goals. As a matter of principle, all individuals’ input and effort within the movement must be for the good of the nation. Together, through a culture of serving one another, we unite for a common Cause with shared Values to restore purpose in South Africa on an ethical basis for the benefit of ALL. The people! This is the emphasis of the movement in the context of a governance system of the people, by the people, and for the people. From time to time the people will delegate specific representatives to take up responsibilities in the movement to provide servant leadership. In the meantime a team of concerned citizens from different races, cultures and genders have been working, as caretakers, to set the foundations for this initiative. It must unite the people of South Africa around good values and activate ethical nation-building. Note that leadership in this movement is not about seeking the limelight. Good leaders lift their people to the forefront with a serving heart. The movement is essentially about the people, not its leaders.