CHURCH MUST REACH OUT TO SEX WORKERS - BENEDICT XABA

MANZINI – Clerk-to-Parliament Benedict Xaba yesterday urged the church to reach out to sex workers.

Xaba, the former Minister of Health, called for Jesus-attitude in church. He was speaking yesterday during the Youth Summit on gender-based violence (GBV) and social issues hosted by the Bishop Bet Ntuli-led Springs of Life Ministries International and Senator Fezeka Dlamini. It was held in the church’s auditorium at New Village in Manzini. Princess Temaswati, Princess Ncengencenge, Nomzamo Dlamini, representative of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, Owen Nxumalo, the Minister of Education and Training, Bongani Nzima, the Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Deputy Senate President Ndumiso Mdluli, Kubuta MP Masiphula Mamba, Senator Siphelele Mkhonta, Gcina Msibi from the Ministry of Education and Training, among others. The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) had a representative identified as Msweli.Ndawonye Christ Worshippers rendered songs that triggered a majority to stand up and worship with the popular gospel choir.

Little devils

A child group called Triplets entertained the audience alongside Bulelwa, who rendered Jazz music. Meanwhile, Xaba, the Parliament’s controlling officer, said the church should not treat sex workers as little devils possessed by evil spirit to ruin their lives. He said Christians should go to them to find out why they were involved in sex work. He pointed out that an inquiry into what forced them into sex work might reveal the things that pushed them to the streets. Xaba said Jesus Christ visited people and talked to them. He said he met even sinners who had been condemned by people for evil doing. The clerk said the Springs of Life Ministries International, in particular, is strategically positioned to work with the sex workers.

“Do not neglect them. This church is strategically positioned to offer relevant and quality assistance to the sex workers,” Xaba said. The church is located between Manzini and Matsapha, the two places considered as hotspots for sex work in the country. “Do not treat them as devils, they are not, and they need your help as a church,” Xaba said. He told the guests and members of the church, alongside young people from neighbouring communities, that he founded a well known Nhlangano-based organisation, Nhlangano AIDS Training Information and Counselling Centre (NATCC) which primarily dealt with HIV. He said the NATICC was so successful that it expanded its scope to include social issues such as GBV. He said he also worked for the United States President’s Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Alliance of Mayors Initiative for Community Action on HIV/AIDS (AMICAALL).

On the issue of sex workers, HIV and GBV, he said he was talking through experience as he initiated programmes tailored to addressing such social issues. He also urged the church to partner with organisations dealing with social issues. He asked those who were present to turn problems into programmes to better their lives. Xaba mentioned that the people who declared their HIV status were still alive because they are in charge of the virus. He implored emaSwati to take charge of their lives and never allow situations and circumstances to push them down.

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