The Seventh-day Adventist Church has an important role to play in addressing the challenges facing South African society, said John Gogotya, a South African parliamentarian, during his June 18 visit to the Adventist Church world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States. 

Gogotya, an Adventist Church member, identified AIDS, with its related problem of poverty, as areas in which the church’s emphasis on positive lifestyles can make an impact. He also said the church should “be firm” in addressing the racial divides that still linger in South Africa.  The Adventist Church should “walk the talk,” and most importantly, “treat each other as Christians,” added Gogotya. “Under the label of Christ, we are all bound together.”

Gogotya, who teaches Sabbath School at his local Adventist church in Cape Town, joined the Adventist Church four years ago. As a member of South Africa’s legislature, he serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Defense and Portfolio Committee on Defense.

Gogotya has served seven years in the South African parliament. He visited the Adventist world headquarters as a side trip from the Pentagon, where he is attending a two-week meeting on foreign defense between South Africa and the United States.