Jannie Pelser asks for a new heart
By Jackie Georgiou
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;
I will remove from you your heart of stone and give
you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26
Why do you think our country needs a
new heart?
South Africa is an amazing country, with wonderful people and diverse opportunities. However, it is also a bleeding and heartbroken nation. We face many challenges and in a country that is (supposedly)80% Christian, violence, crime, divorce, suicide and a loss of hope permeate our lives. A lack of integrity in every sphere of society has lead to a moral breakdown. Even the community of faith is criticised for its lack of integrity and a practical faith. Our nation needs a new heart that is committed to building a positive future.
Where did you get the vision for the New
Heart Foundation?
A few months ago I was typing an email to my good friend, Dr Isak
Burger, and mentioned in it that South Africa needs a new heart.
Aware of the role God has called me to, I knew something was stirring.
The heart is generally referred to as a metaphor for the place/seat where
decisions are made and actions are contemplated. These actions impact
the lives of the people one encounters. The Bible says, “As a man thinks in
his heart, so is he” Prov 23:7. It is time for our nation to return to Biblical
values and receive a pure heart that will bring forth good things.
This initiative has grown from a sincere desire for values and norms to be
re-introduced and implemented within the South African context. ‘Morality’ has
been under discussion in various forums recently and there is a growing awareness
that South Africans need to reflect on the way forward. Our initiative rolls out in
September and is for everyone – not just Christians.
Which communities are you specifically targeting for a ‘heart operation’?
• Schools, universities and educational
facilities must encourage learners to
consider what various values mean within
their environment. Children/learners need
to be taught morals and the consequences
of a lack of morals.
• Businesses must encourage employees
to operate with integrity and honour
their promises. Business owners need to
foster trust with their clients by offering
good service and sticking to their
commitments.
• Art and media need to accept shared
responsibility for the moral restoration in
SA. The consequences of people’s choices
must be explained so that readers and viewers
understand that a person cannot abandon
their morals without paying a price.
• Communities of faith need to regain
trustworthiness and respect within society. They
can’t be inward focused but must be aware and
respond to the needs of those around them.
• Local government, municipalities,
government sectors and politics must
place a high premium on honesty and
transparency. In a time where corruption
abounds, the trust of the citizens must be
restored in government.
How do the various sectors
go about implementing
these values?
A structure has been brought into place that
will encourage these sectors of society to
consider the meaning of four basic values:
• Honesty (integrity and truth)
• Self Control (discipline)
• Responsibility (commitment and
participation)
• Compassion (acceptance, reconciliation,
forgiveness and grace).
How can the average man
or woman on the street get
involved?
A concise guide has been drafted for each of these sectors and is available for interested parties. Professionals have prepared presentations which will help sectors
to consider, discuss and endorse these principles in their context.
The organiser, (an ordinary individual who passionately identifies with our vision) endeavours to secure a working committee (five people) in every community throughout SA.
This community will be made up of energetic and motivated individuals from the school, business, media, faith and local government sectors. They will facilitate the
distribution of information. You are an extremely important role player – if you have a heart for your community and environment, please make yourself available. The guides
are easy and extremely practical. You will also receive regular support, motivation and encouragement from our foundation as you roll out the plan. This initiative can only succeed when individuals take responsibility. You can make a difference!
What is ‘Get-your-new heart-day’?
‘Get-your-new-heart-day’ is a national, intercultural initiative that took place on
21 September this year. It is not simply a one day event though, and this initiative
intends to grow every year to encourage national reflection and motivate citizens
to moral restoration. With sufficient financial sponsorship and the endorsement
of various role players in SA, we see this initiative growing from strength to strength
ensuring a safer and more secure future for generations to come.
What are some practical steps involved in the transforming of our communities?
Very simply:
1. Commit yourself to this campaign and
contribute to the restoration of values
and norms in society.
2. Diarise a date to launch the project in
your area and community.
3. Contact our offices to confirm your
participation and to clarify any
uncertainties.
4. Facilitate a meeting with five persons
representative of the media, school,
local government (counsellor) and faith
communities. These people need to be
prominent, energetic and dependable.
Confirm their commitment to be the
couriers of this initiative to their respective
constituents. Communicate these names
and contact details to our office.
5. Printed material will be mailed to you
for their attention. This will include
proposals on how to assure ‘buy in’ from
the various sectors.
6. God will enable us. Pray, fast and seek
the Lord. Please participate in the
restoration of this land.
7. Phone us if you have any enquiries.
How does New Heart
Foundation receive
financial support?
The Lord provides for us through
donations and regular financial pledges.
Organisations can partner with us through
an annual affiliation fee of R 200. We also
sell posters and marketing material for the
various sectors at an affordable cost. Any
little bit of support is welcome!
How can one contact you?
To join our initiative, please see our
website: www.kryjounuwehartdag.com
or www.getyournewheartday.com or
email us: getyournewheartday@mweb.
co.za or you can call our offices on:
011 665 2017 or 083 601 9094.
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