Killing another person is regarded as a serious matter by all cultures. Killing is not something I can just do without serious consideration of the circumstances involved and consequences of such a deed. Even if I am utterly convinced that it is the right thing to do at this point in time, I can definitely count on it that I will have to defend my reasons for doing it. Like everywhere across the world, South Africans revere life. Life is special.

Do not murder. Exodus 20:13 CEV

You know our ancestors were told, “Do not murder” and “A murderer must be brought to trial.” Matthew 5:21‭ CEV

For example, we express our reverence for life, as articulated through our laws, by 

• Not killing other people, unless our own lives are under immediate threat or we are at war. 
• Not killing murderers, but rather put them in jail.
• Forbidding euthanasia.
• Harbouring and protecting children and providing them with the best future we can. Our children are our future and represent the continuation of our own lives as parents. We also express reverence for life by caring for all children.
• Providing the people of South Africa access to health care, food & water and social security
• Looking after the environment within which all life has to exist.

Reverence for life is another value that is enshrined in our Bill of Human Rights. It is another value that all of us as South Africans share. We are all human beings and, regardless of our ethnicity, culture or race, this is probably the most important value we all share. We revere life.

And with this Word, God created all things. Nothing was made without the Word. Everything that was created received its life from him, and his life gave light to everyone. John 1:3‭-‬4 CEV