ACDP- ISSUES IN FOCUS - Traditional leaders

The ACDP supports the institution of traditional leadership and their system of government for the rural areas provided that the system does not violate our Christian values.

We do so because we share certain fundamental values. Together we believe in the promotion of traditional family values, culture, social coherence and national identity. However, we disagree with the institution in some respects, for example where the institution denies women a right to succession and property rights.

The ACDP believe that when the institution is intact we will hear less of crime in the rural areas. We will hear less of housebreakings, thefts, murders and rapes that have become so prevalent in these areas.

We cannot as we often do, talk about the need to promote the use of indigenous knowledge, arts and culture, promotion of African languages and cultural tourism and at the same time destroy or undermine an institution that is the custodian and reservoir of these values.

The ACDP has called for the freedom of the institution from government control that has marred it since colonial times and apartheid. This democratic government must refrain from following the ugly path of the past governments of manipulating the institution for party political purposes.

The ACDP calls for a complete restoration of the institution because of its inherent value to the lives of many South Africans.

Lastly we call upon the traditional leaders themselves to desist from participating in party politics whilst at the same time serving as traditional leaders as this dual role in our view is repugnant to the duty of traditional leaders of uniting their subjects.

ACDP Notice- Youth National Executive Commitee Criteria

YNEC Criteria Document

Attention: All Youth Foundation Structures
Target: The next NGC
From: The Youth Secretary General

The ACDP Youth Foundation is committed to a free and fair democratic systems and processes of electing committed and able individuals to take positions in different structures of the ACDP youth foundation, whether be it branch, regional, provincial or national. Our commitment is “DOING WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE ACDP YF” and not for an individual person. We want to bring about the structure that will have no people of excuses for under performing but individuals who will always exceed the expectations with performances.
In order to bring expertise to our next YNEC, the current YNEC had to give clear direction for the next or the election criteria for the next YNEC. The next YNEC will be elected based on Portfolios. The next YNEC requires expertise in different Portfolios. We want to ask the provinces to cooperate with us regarding this so as to take the ACDP YF forward.
We want to make sure that all provinces follow this criteria so as to ensure that the best possible candidates fill the positions in the YNEC structure.

The following is the Criteria to be followed when electing the NEC nominees
PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS
• Elect a person to a specific portfolio (list of portfolios are given with the YNGC information)
• Know his/her expertise to that portfolio (make sure that the person you are nominating can perform well in the portfolio you are nominating him for.
• A brief track record must be given when forwarding the nominee for particular portfolio.
• Must have served at least three years in the ACDP
• Must have an interest and knowledge in the portfolio he/she is nominated to (experience, skills and ability)
• A full CV/Resume must be submitted to national office on nomination
GUARDIAN COMMITTEE REQUIREMENTS
• Nominee must pass the provincial guardian committee
• Nominee must pass the national guardian committee (members must know that if a nominee cannot make it through the guardian committee, regardless of his/her expertise he/she will not be accepted to any portfolio at any level of the of the Youth Foundation.
CAPACITY REQUIREMENT
• A nominee must have access to all communication systems like computer, to send and receive emails, cell phone sms’, faxing and other means of communication.
• A nominee must be able to communicate at least in English and his/her first language
• Nominee must be a creative and strategic thinker with a passion for driving the Youth.
MEETINGS CRITERIA
• Nominees must have proven record of attending meetings at lower structures and must be prepared to attend meetings at any time or day without giving lame excuses
• Nominee must be an outspoken person who participate at meetings
• Must be willing to traveling four times a year to different provinces
• Must be able to attend teleconference meetings every month and preferable must be a landline
• Must be determined to meet the given targets
ACDP CRITERIA
• Must be a signed member of the ACDP
• Must be a committed and a born Christian
• Nominee’s must be nominated by a Province, not necessarily own Province.(NB no nominee can be nominated or seconded by him/herself.

ACDP- ISSUES IN FOCUS - Age of sexual consent

ISSUES IN FOCUS - Age of sexual consent

Lowering the age of sexual consent

There is evidence of a worldwide effort to lower the age when a child can legally give consent for intercourse with an adult. This desire to gain access to children has resulted in many intense legislative struggles in Western Nations and South Africa is no exception.

The ACDP was the only party to sound the alarm, alerting the public to legislation to reduce the age of sexual consent and permit sexual experimentation. In terms of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Amendment Bill, children between the ages of 12 and 16 years are permitted to engage in sexual experimentation with partners also below the age of 16. The age of consent for homosexual relations has been lowered from 19 to 16 years, for both genders.

"Teenage years are fraught with emotional conflict as the transition from child to adult is made and our children need to be protected and guided, rather than encouraged to participate in homosexual and heterosexual sexual experimentation, with possible life-threatening consequences," says ACDP MP Steve Swart.

"Whilst not being oblivious to the fact that many children are sexually active, it is utterly outrageous that 12 to 16 year olds, most of whom will not have reached puberty, should legally be able to give their consent to older children who want to exploit them sexually.

"Although most homosexual activists publicly deny that they want access to boys, many homosexual groups around the world are working aggressively to lower the age of consent," Steve said.

"The ACDP believes that sexual relations should be celebrated within the institution of marriage. We are concerned about what girls and boys are being taught by culture at large. The media and loveLife campaigns in schools encourage sexual experimentation and with such legislation in place, parents will not easily be able to prevent the sexual exploitation of their children.

"This amendment must be seen against the background of the abortion legislation allowing abortions for girls over the age of 12 without parental consent as well as the proposed Child Bill which will allow contraceptives to be given to children over the age of 12, also without parental consent. This latter Bill will also criminalise parental corporal punishment.

"These laws are all seen as an attack on the family and erode parental responsibility," Steve said.

Besides concerns about children contracting HIV/Aids, the vulnerable immature reproductive system of adolescent girls is at risk of being prematurely damaged by prematurely engaging in sexual activity. According to reports, teenage promiscuity can increase a girl's vulnerability to cancer by as much as five times.

"We believe that the answer to the HIV/Aids epidemic lies in promoting abstinence and faithfulness to one's spouse. This was the successful approach adopted in Uganda," Steve says.

"Should this battle be lost in South Africa, the whole of Africa will be open to the possibility of such legislation.

(From Christian Democrat magazine Issue 1 2003)

ACDP- Religion in Education Policy

Religion in Education Policy
INTRODUCTION
The Department of Education's Religion in Education policy should be of concern for every family in South Africa. The policy has serious implications for every parent with school-going children and for South Africa as a whole. On date, the Education Department Religion in Education policy.
WHAT THE ACDP HAD TO SAY:
The Religion in Education policy undermines the role of parents and reduces religious beliefs to nothing more than a state-prescribed school subject with little relevance, while humanism, a recognised religion, is unashamedly promoted throughout the entire curriculum.
A multi-faith religious instruction programme compiled by the state is now compulsory and examinable in both public and private institutions, regardless of the community, teachers, parents and children. This is an outright attack on diversity and people's right to their beliefs.
After coming under heavy pressure, the department has made several changes to the original draft and "single religion" observances will be permitted only if they take place outside of the context of a school assembly. If a school decides to incorporate religious observances into assemblies, it must take into account the religious groupings in the school. Schools could choose to hold separate assemblies for each group or if this is not possible, multi-faith or no observances are the options.
The department claims that school governing bodies still decide how to implement policy, but only within the framework set by the ministry. The SA Schools Act states the functions of governing bodies, but effectively gives them no power. The authority given by the constitution for rules regarding religious observances to be made by "the appropriate public authorities" (s15.2.a), is presently interpreted by academics and the government to mean "the department" and not the governing body, as so often assumed by many. As the 'public authority', the department sets the rules for religion observances and schools - governing bodies and parents are expected to comply.
The department justifies its multi-faith Religion in Education policy by quoting the constitutional right of equality, which allows "fair discrimination" in favour of people who are seen to have been previously disadvantaged. The government sees Christians as the previously advantaged group against which "fair discrimination" is now a necessity. Government has been en route to this juncture since the signing of the Constitution and policy and legislation since then have been preparing the way. Christians who oppose government's agenda are seen as bigots and labelled intolerant, while Minister Asmal proudly makes good on his promise to ensure that no learner is ever again "indoctrinated" with Christianity.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
Sadly this comes as no surprise to the ACDP, which pointed out some of these issues at the time the constitution was drafted. We were the only party to vote against the Constitution on these and other moral grounds.
The ACDP is committed to a policy that empowers parents and schools governing bodies to decide on the religious ethos of a school. If a multi-faith ethos is the decision of the community then so be it, but if not, it should not be imposed. Parents, without a doubt, should choose the education they want for their children without state interference.
As bleak as this picture may seem, it is still possible for Christians, who are in the majority in South Africa to stop the assault on our freedoms. There is no better time for Christians to unite and turn the tide by electing a government of God-fearing men and women committed to biblical principles.
The question is not whether religion should influence politics, but whose religion and morality is shaping our politics and nation.
POINTS OF THE POLICY:
• Schools must have a policy that reflects the multi-religious nature of the country, not just the school, taking into consideration that the religious composition of a school can change from
• Religious observances at school must accommodate multiple religions. For example at school assemblies, 'neutral' prayers or rotating readings and observances from various religions is advised. Outside of school assembly, single-faith observances are theoretically allowed provided they allow voluntary attendance.
• Religion Education will be a compulsory, examinable subject as part of the curriculum for all schools, including private schools and public schools on private property.
• External invited religious workers are not allowed to regularly present religious instruction, unless they are also qualified teachers. Others may come as occasional guests
• Public schools, except those on private land, are not allowed to have a religious ethos
• Teachers must be trained in agnostic comparative religion A teacher's freedom to promote his or her faith is restrict
(From Christian Democrat magazine Issue 1 2003)

ACDP ISSUES IN FOCUS - Abortion

"Hear the word I speak and give them warning from me…when I say to a wicked man, you will surely die, and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood…but if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his evil ways, he will die…but you will have saved yourself" (Ezekiel 3:17-19).

More than two hundred and eighty thousand abortions have been performed in South Africa since 1997. Taxpayers' money is used to fund and promote abortion even though most surveys indicate that the majority of South Africans are opposed to it and alternatives to abortion, like motherhood and adoption are not a priority.

Three times as many innocent lives are taken through abortion than are taken by criminals, and statistics, reveal that abortions after 12 weeks account for almost one third of abortions in South Africa. Sources at Philadelphia Hospital (Mpumalanga) report over 60%.

Twenty four days after conception a babies heart begins to beat, by six weeks brain waves can be recorded and by eight weeks every organ is present. By twelve weeks a baby is a distinct individual, sensitive to touch, it squints, swallows, frowns, smiles, urinates and begins practicing breathing.

Traumatised hospital staff must carry the tiny bodies (often making little noises), in paper bags to incinerators and some are left to drown in buckets.

The need for legal abortion is promoted by Government, Abortion Funders and lobby groups, as saving women's lives and back street abortion figures are quoted. The truth is, back street abortion figures have hardly dropped since abortion was legalised, and abortions have simply increased by more than 280 000.

MP's on the Health Committee say "Women want abortion", we say "women want abortion like animals caught in a painful trap want to gnaw off their own limbs". They need help to get free and to heal not to dismember their own bodies, leaving them crippled for life.

As the law stands a child of any age can get an abortion without parental consent or knowledge and husbands risk seven years imprisonment if they try to prevent their wife from having an abortion.

The sex education syllabus in schools requires educators to display abortion clinic details so that students can access them confidentially.

"Population control" permeates international policies and legislation and is particularly evident in Africa where "sustainable development" has become the catch phrase. Eighty-two cents out of every global US dollar, funding "sustainable development" in Africa, is in fact spent on abortion.

Vast amounts of global finance, fund the promotion and implementation of abortion on demand and every other avenue of "birth control" including indiscriminate and inappropriate condom supplies.

loveLife, for example, funded by Planned Parenthood, Kaiser Foundation, Bill Gates and government, works diligently, to capture the imaginations of South African teens, targeting 12 to 17 year olds, with the message that "parents do not understand you", "sex outside of marriage is OK" and "experiment".

At the same time they have succeeded in capturing the minds and pockets of the media, businesses, teachers and even some church organisations.

Licentious and deviant sexual behaviour is not only tolerated, but also encouraged, and taught in and outside of schools.

loveLife"s budget is presently R200 million, and they are working hard at soliciting an further 200 million from government and other sources. At a loveLife clinic in KZN 10 days ago, a Methodist Minister passionately pleaded with MP's to see that loveLife clinics have abortion facilities.

Sadly and shamefully South Africa is callously murdering her unborn children, flooding homes with every kind of debauchery, teaching children to disrespect authority, betray their own bodies, embrace homosexuality and aspire to prostitution.

The ACDP calls on all South Africans to recognise the insidious enemy, thriving in our midst, and rally to eradicate it. This enemy, protected by legislation, murders unborn children in broad daylight, pollutes the minds of the youth, and cripples society, all with the approval and encouragement of government and even some churches.

IT IS TIME FOR WAR… a war on injustice and iniquity…since "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places"(Ephesiansh 6:12) …we have gathered together today not only to warn men and women and the present government to turn from their wicked ways, but to declare war on principalities and powers.

by Cheryllyn Dudley, MP

National Vote and Provincial Results for ACDP 2009

Party Results
Results as at: 07/05/2009 12:55:02 PM
Party: AFRICAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Electoral Event: 22 Apr 2009 National Election
Province Party Votes Valid Votes % Party Votes
Registered Population: 23,181,997
Province Party Votes Valid Votes % Party Votes
Eastern Cape 13,750 2,309,643 0.60 %
Free State 7,410 1,051,858 0.70 %
Gauteng 38,738 4,345,613 0.89 %
Kwa Zulu Natal 20,851 3,527,234 0.59 %
Limpopo 9,853 1,547,636 0.64 %
Mpumalanga 6,880 1,343,253 0.51 %
North West 8,239 1,113,411 0.74 %
Northern Cape 4,088 414,502 0.99 %
Western Cape 32,849 2,027,579 1.62 %
Total 142,658 17,680,729 0.81%

Party Results
Results as at: 07/05/2009 12:55:02 PM
Party AFRICAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Electoral Event: 22 Apr 2009 Provincial Election
Registered Population: 23,181,997
Province Party Votes Valid Votes % Party Votes
Eastern Cape 11,974 2,256,088 0.53 %
Free State 7,556 1,033,322 0.73 %
Gauteng 36,099 4,157,048 0.87 %
Kwa Zulu Natal 23,537 3,482,987 0.68 %
Limpopo 10,246 1,491,072 0.69 %
Mpumalanga 6,565 1,297,775 0.51 %
North West 7,366 1,075,323 0.69 %
Northern Cape 4,041 404,418 1.00 %
Western Cape 28,995 1,967,751 1.47 %
Total 136,379 17,165,784 0.79 %