National Day of Prayer

The first National Day of Prayer, an initiative driven by 34 religious leaders from different faith-based organisations in partnership with the Motsepe Foundation, took place on 26 November 2017.

The event attracted church leaders, traditional leaders as well as political and community leaders. The aim of the event was to pray for unity among all South Africans across racial, religious and political groups.

The weekend of prayer began on 23 November 2017 at the Hindu Maha Sabha in Durban, followed by a prayer at the Darul Islam Mosque in Cape Town on 24 November as well as a prayer at Gardens Synagogue in Cape Town on 25 November. It culminated in the National Day of Prayer at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 27 November 2017.

An estimated 70 000 to 80 000 South Africans, religious leaders, traditional leaders as well as community and political leaders attended these events.

Since then, the Foundation has observed a National Day of Prayer every year and each year the number of South Africans attending increases.

Religious Leaders at FNB Stadium

National Day of Prayer in Pictures