The use of a local swimming pool to baptise congregants is raising eyebrows of the Langa community.
On Sunday 27 February, local community leaders were informed about an unusual activity at the Langa swimming pool.
Langa Community Policing Forum chair Alfred Magwaca said they were alerted to the situation by nearby residents. He described the incident as shocking and called for an investigation into the practice. “It never happened before,” Magwaca said. “We can’t allow members of a church to be baptised in a public swimming pool. In our belief (African culture) when you baptise people you must go to the river or sea where the water is flowing. Not in a swimming pool where the water is stagnant”.
It remains a mystery though as to which church used the facility for baptising.
Magwaca stated that they are concerned about their children’s lives as they use the facility often. “Here we see an African culture clashing with the Western religion. In our culture it is totally wrong for church members to be baptised in a public swimming pool. And we need the City officials to come and address it because we believe that the City knows something about this,” he said, adding that the community was not informed prior to the baptising.
However, Magwaca was quick to point out that they are not against religion and church practices but they want to be clear on the matter.
The City of Cape Town’s Mayco member for community services and health Patricia Van der Ross said the City is aware of the call by some residents to restrict baptismal ceremonies at the pool.
“It should be noted that a baptism ceremony is not a cleansing ceremony, and religious organisations have utilised the facility for some time without incident. The City swimming pools tariff schedule makes provision for baptism ceremonies to be booked under the City’s book and pay system in the morning from 07:00 to 10:00 before the swimming pool opens to the public,” said Van der Ross.
She said the City’s tariff review process provides communities an opportunity to give input into tariffs and the type of events accommodated when formalising the tariffs.
“No inputs were received regarding restrictions on baptism at pools during our review process. The department will take into consideration the points raised for the next tariff review cycle,” she stated.
Van der Ross said residents are encouraged to actively participate in the public participation process regarding tariffs. She added that the documents are available at subcouncil offices and libraries for perusal and comment.
“The department will, however, engage the community through the subcouncil to understand what the issues are and then only make a decision whether any changes to the type of events accommodated should be considered,” she concluded.