Thousands of people left their homes, their families and chose to celebrate the beginning of the New Year and a new decade in style.
22:30 – At approximately ten-thirty, Bishop Marcelo Pires started the spiritual aspect of the night vigil with a message of faith. He used the example of a stepladder to demonstrate that it takes more than one step to reach our goals. He said that even if we don’t see the instant change we wanted, it is important to continue to believe that our goals will be reached and our dreams will come true – little by little. The bishop encouraged people to believe in their success for the future. Speaking to those people watching the night vigil on Soweto TV he said: “To those watching this right now, if you believe that God has given you a new life, you have received it right now!”
22:50 – People were encouraged to pray for their lives and to confess their success in 2011.
23:05 – Introducing the Lead SA campaign
Lead SA is an initiative that was launched in August 2010 by Primedia Broadcasting and is supported by the Independent Newspaper Group. The campaign aims to encourage individual action and reminds every South African to challenge negative perceptions, to follow the rules and abide by the country’s laws and contribute towards changing the nation.
People including former cabinet minister Jay Naidoo and well known personality and singer Loyiso Bala, are amongst those who pledged their support to the campaign. The campaign’s core message is to fight violence, crime and corruption in the country, encouraging each individual to stand up and do the right thing.
The Lead SA initiative is a long term project which will be rolled out over the next few years. Leads SA is asking all South Africans to stand together and unlock the potential of our extraordinary country through their own behaviour. As the campaign slogan says – it starts with you.
Bishop Marcelo said: “As Nelson Mandela said South Africa is ours – it belongs to us.” The bishop explained the purpose behind the campaign, emphasising the importance of people making a difference in the lives of others. “If we all do something, even the smallest gesture of kindness, we can contribute towards a positive experience for fellow citizens. Let us all do something to lead our country through our own individual good example. Let us not give up on our dreams. I honestly believe that God does not just want us to dream, but he wants to help us realise our dreams. Maybe you’ve tried before to do something and maybe you failed. But to God it does not matter how many times you’ve failed, but how many times you stand up,” he said.
The bishop invited everyone to pledge themselves to be better citizens and prayed for the Lead SA campaign , the South African government and the workers of the country. “We pray for this campaign to be successful in a country that is so great and populated with so many beautiful people. I pray right now for those who have a dream to accomplish great things. Dear Lord, give them the ability to realise their dreams,” the bishop concluded.
23:30 – The bishop spoke about raising awareness of HIV/Aids at the night vigil, emphasising that the church does not promote promiscuous behavior, but believes that in the face of recent HIV/Aids statistics, it would be unwise not to promote safe sex. He encouraged people to get themselves tested for HIV/Aids and to live responsibly.
23:45 – Special message for the new year
“In the new year, if you face a problem, no matter how small it is and seem to find no solution, remember that what you need to solve this problem lies within you. If you think the same way you did in 2010, then 2011 will be the same as well. When you THINK differently, your life will BE different. But if this difference does not exist inside you, anything you do will fail.
00:00 – Welcoming in the new year.
The members of the Universal Church and special guests welcomed in the new year with songs of celebration. Even the rain could not dampen their spirits. The bishop said, “Faith is the assurance of things we’re expecting – things that have not happened yet. Faith is what the future all about. If you keep on considering the past, you’re basically contradicting yourself when you say you’re in faith. Forget about your past. No matter what happened in 2010, no matter the size of your sin, believe that is all behind you. From today onwards you’re not allowed to think of your past anymore. Let’s look ahead. A brand new life is yours today,” he said.
00:35 – People were encouraged to say a prayer for their new lives in 2011 and ask God to bring success for the new year.
00:50 – Partnership with AMAHA
As part of their partnership with AMAHA, the UCKG has dedicated themselves to help create awareness of HIV/Aids and has also pledged to support the cause by making a donation to the organisation. This donation will be used to build houses for the less privileged.
The evening ended with a prayer for people in 2011 and crowds started to disperse.
By: Prema October
