DUTCH REFORMED CHURCHES UNION REPEAL ACT
Private Member's Bill
Submitted in terms of Section 73 (2)
Read with Section 76 (1) of the Constitution
(Pierre-Jeanne Gerber, MP)
MEMORANDUM
Notice is hereby given of the introduction of a Private Member's Bill in terms
of Section 73(2) read with Section 76(1) of the Constitution. In terms of rule
234 (read with rule 230(1), a member must submit to the Speaker a memorandum
which:
(a) sets out particulars of the proposed legislation;
(b) explains the objectives of the proposed legislation; and
(c) states whether the proposed legislation will have financial implications
for the State, and, if so, whether those implications may be a determining
factor when the proposed legislation is considered.
The Honourable Speaker is requested to deal with this Bill in terms of Section
235 of the National Assembly Rules.
A. PARTICULARS OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION
The following Bill (hereinafter referred to as "the Act") is
proposed:
DUTCH REFORMED CHURCHES UNION REPEAL BILL
1. Repeal of law - The Dutch Reformed Church Union Act No 23 of 1911 is hereby
repealed.
2. Short title - This Act shall be called the Repeal of the Dutch Reformed
Church Union Act.
B. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION
The proposed legislation is intended to rid the Dutch Reformed Church of all
obstacles in the intended unification process of the Verenigde Gereformeerde
Kerk, Reformed Church of Africa and the Dutch Reformed Church.
The unification of these three churches is long overdue and all efforts must be
made to assist in this process.
The Dutch Reformed Church Union Act No 23 of 1911 also racially discriminated
against coloured members in clause 9. The repeal of this Act will then also
remove this racial discrimination still in our existing legislation.
C. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR THE STATE
The legislation has no financial implications for the State.