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 Repeal of law - The Dutch Reformed Church Union Act No 23 of 1911 is hereby repealed.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.