Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, the Archbishop of Durban, this morning sent out a strong message to all South African leaders, asking them, “Is your sexual morality making you a worthy role model for the youth?”

In a country struggling with an orphan’s crisis and child-headed households due to an Aids pandemic, many public leaders and politicians have failed to link their behaviour with the fight against HIV/Aids.

In a statement, Bishop Napier appealed to South Africans, the majority who associate themselves with Christianity, "You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and mother,” said Napier.
 
The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference expressed their concern for the scandalous behaviour of certain South African leaders and deplored attempts to excuse or defend bad moral behaviour in the name of ‘culture'.

“While we note President Zuma's expression of regret for engaging in "unprotected sex", we are nonetheless appalled that for the second time in as many years he does not express regret or show
remorse for his adultery”.

The bishop’s conference called on all leaders to recommit themselves to being worthy role models for the youth and children of the nation.

“We are equally appalled that irreparable damage that such immorality has done to the nation's efforts to slow down or even to reverse the rampant spread of HIV and AIDS,” the bishops said.