Dumelang bagaetsho. As you know I am passionate and openly Christian. I studied theology and became a Pastor.

I do have serious concerns and reservations about the reopening of churches. The duty of care that a Pastor has in society is that of a good shepherd. Its a high bar.

We have a curve that is not flattening in many parts of the country and that is a serious issue of life and death.

High risk activities for the spread of the virus should not be allowed at this time. Especially when the permission is given haphazardly.

I want to go back to church, I love it when believers come together to praise and worship. I love being part of that community.

However we must act in ways that promote the safety of congregants and citizens.

I am not sure the President @CyrilRamaphosa has done that.

While going to church is voluntary and while many churches may observe strict discipline, there are still risks due to human error, due to dodgy pastors telling people to remove masks.

More importantly those in the community who did not go to church are involuntarily exposed.

I agree with the President that we must all join in prayer to ask for intervention. I do not agree with the announcement to reopen churches and limit them to 50.

Besides the difficulty of choosing which 50, the logistics of oversight and screening.

This is not the right time.