Buthelezi: As a Christian, I think that when it comes to blueprints – whether it's a political blueprint, economic blueprint – the important thing is to ask whether that particular blueprint serves the purpose of enriching the lives of the people and how they relate to one another.

Will the document or blueprint enable people to live harmoniously together and improve race relations which is an issue in our country? Will it serve as an alternative to the blueprint of the unacceptable policy of separate development? These are some of the criteria in reading the document. There is nothing in it that is inconsistent with the Christian faith. Of course it is not a Christian document and doesn't claim to be one. But that's not the issue. The issue is that when you talk about how to run the economy of the country there is nothing unchristian about it.

Q: Some people say the clause “The people shall share in the country's wealth” represents an atheistic doctrine?

Buthelezi: No, that's not a problem from a Christian standpoint. It's rather from an economic standpoint. Some people subscribe to certain economic principles regarding how to structure the economy of the country. There is nothing Christian about that – whether you opt for socialism or capitalism. The question is whether the chosen system provides an equitable sharing of wealth.

Q: Sharing – is there a Biblical basis for that?

Buthelezi: Sharing is a Biblical principle. God's gifts must be distributed amongst God's children: “The land shall be shared amongst those who work it.” Of course there is nothing inconsistent with the Christian faith in that. Far from being that, it's what we preach. If you work you must enjoy the fruits of your work.

“All shall be equal before the law” speaks for itself. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. “There shall be work and security.” Yes, we have a Christian ethic of work. It's Christian to work.

Q: Do you feel that the Charter furthers the preaching of the gospel?