Cycle tour for the retention of religion in schools kicks off

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17 April 2015,
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Cycle tour for the retention of religion in schools kicks off
Two cyclists left Pretoria on Monday, 13 April 2015, on a cycle tour of roughly 6 000 km to raise
funds for the court case that will be fought for the retention of religion in schools.
The cyclists, Rev. Henk Stavast of the Gereformeerde Kerk Totiusdal and Derik Francis, member
of the Moreletapark NG Kerk, will visit more than 100 towns across the country over 11 weeks.
Members of congregations from various denominations, as well as representatives of schools will
welcome the cyclists to the respective towns.
The tour is called the ‘Keep God in Schools Cycle Tour’. They visited Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom on Thursday, 16, and Friday, 17 April, and will
be in Hartbeespoort, Brits/Rustenburg on 1 June, and
Rustenburg, Thabazimbi and Lephalale on 2 and 3 June.
According to Rev. Stavast, he and Mr Francis decided to
raise funds for the retention of religion in schools, after
they had learnt that six schools from across the country
were being taken to court to prohibit them from practising religion in school. Rev. Stavast pointed out that if the
schools were to lose the case, it would have negative
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the legal costs for the battle,” Rev. Stavast said.
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The public can donate R10 to the legal costs by SMSing
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their name to 38315. Rev Stavast indicated that South
checks during the manufacturAfricans can also show their support for the retention of
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religion in schools by signing a petition. The tour can be
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followed and the petition can be signed electronically on www.hougodinskole.co.za. The Hou
God in Skole Facebook page and the website www.afriforum.co.zawill keep the public updated
on the cyclists’ progress.
The partners and sponsors of the cycle tour include AfriForum, the Institute for Christian Education, the Reformed Church Totiusdal, National Road Carriers, media partners and member
organisations of the Solidarity Movement.
Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, thanked Rev. Stavast and Mr Francis for their willingness to devote their time, energy and enthusiasm to help ensure that the children who want to practise
religion in schools will still be able to do so.
“The religious policies of schools do not force anyone to participate in religious activities at school.
It is therefore a pity that attempts are being made to prohibit the children who want to practise
religion from doing so,” Kriel added.
Did you know?
Rev. Henk Stavast (Reformed Church Totiusdal), Niclaas Roets (executive: Aros) and Derik
Francis (Dutch Reformed Church Moreletapark). Photograph: Stephné du Toit