Are the sands of time running out?
Posted by saw | Filed under Thought for the Day
Brother Andrew applies another single test. “If opposition comes after Christians tried everything to be friends, then it is persecution.” This is how we know it is “for Christ’s sake”. It is unprovoked. He adds, “We need to be messengers for Jesus Christ and preach and live another way of life. If we do not reach out to non-Christians while they are reachable, they will come to us in judgment. We need to communicate that God is love and that there is a different life. If we try in every way to share his life and we are attacked, then we are living in persecution.”
From “Stranding Strong Through the Storm” by Paul Estabrooks and James Cunningham.
I am afraid we did not do enough to reach out to non-Christians in South Africa. The question is whether we still have time?
Tags: Despair, Jesus the Answer
The gentle savage
Posted by saw | Filed under Half Truths
Western culture may be successful but its adherents are driven beyond reason by the lust of money, evasive definitions of success and the precision of the atom clock. Some of us, me included, tend to reflect this in the belief in the gentle savage.
We like to imagine an earlier time when everything was simple and people was living of the land with peace, joy and inner fulfillment. We tend to forget that people died younger, worked harder, and had to face death as more of a friend than an impostor.
I often wondered whether this is the reason why Europeans reacted so strongly against Apartheid. That they imagined the Whites of South Africa making the once gentle savages’ lives hell? And that empowering them again would allow the country to revert to its earlier inclinations of peace, health and happiness.
I have news for anybody that harbours these feelings and thoughts.
The Blacks of South Africa are not the first recorded inhabitants of South Africa. They fled here from the heart of the continent out of fear for the slave taking of the Arabs from the East and the Europeans from the West. The severe violence evident all over the continent is symptomatic of Black communities’ untreated trauma going back centuries. How else can one explain Shaka of the Zulu’s reign of terror or the extreme violence that sometimes associates with petty crime in more recent times?
That is why the incredible speed at which the Church is growing in Africa is the strongest thing going for it. Isn’t our Lord the great healer? Only He can heal the trauma and give a new heart to the continent!
Tags: Half Truths, Hope, Jesus the Answer
Preparing for genocide?
Posted by saw | Filed under Despair
In order to have genocide, there should be preparation:
6. PREPARATION: Victims are identified and separated out because of their ethnic or religious identity. Death lists are drawn up. Members of victim groups are forced to wear identifying symbols. Their property is expropriated. They are often segregated into ghettoes, deported into concentration camps, or confined to a famine-struck region and starved. At this stage, a Genocide Emergency must be declared. If the political will of the great powers, regional alliances, or the U.N. Security Council can be mobilized, armed international intervention should be prepared, or heavy assistance provided to the victim group to prepare for its self-defense. Otherwise, at least humanitarian assistance should be organized by the U.N. and private relief groups for the inevitable tide of refugees to come.
Pasted from here
It might be that preparation started:
The ANC Youth League’s national executive committee, led by its president Julius Malema, will undergo military training in September, it was announced on Thursday.
…….
“The national service will allow unemployed young people to learn both military basic training and much needed skills to equip them for their future,” she said.
“Whilst undergoing a two year basic military training in one of the [SA National Defence Force] services – the SA Army, SA Air force, SA Navy and SA Medical Health Services – they will also learn various skills and also get practical work experience they can use in the future.”
…………
Pasted from here
Even if this purposes the best intentions, I find it a reckless step. In order for all the participant to be employed as hinted at, the economy has to grow. And nothing in the ANC’s past and current performance give me confidence towards this effect.
So either we end up with a bloated defence force costing South Africans more in taxes or we will end up with thousands of unemployed trigger-happies. Ready to be mobilised to vent their frustrations, military style.
Ready for oehoeroe?
News – Front Page: Rage over withdrawal of Malema charges
Posted by saw | Filed under Uncategorized
Afriforum leader Ernst Roets said the withdrawal of the charge regarding singing dubula ibhunu (shoot the boer) was cause for concern.
“It’s an indication of the ANC’s nonchalant attitude towards the independence of the judiciary and their support for the song.
via News – Front Page: Rage over withdrawal of Malema charges.
Reading this article confirms my suspicion that the ANC is more concerned with the good of the party than the good of South Africa. Malema’s political sponsor, Mathews Phosa only had to state their willingness to lead to evidence and the other three charges were withdrawn. As the article above state, Zuma’s name and the unity of the ANC is of greater importance than Malema “publicly support for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party, calling a BBC journalist a “bastard” and a “bloody agent”, and singing “shoot the boer” after it was banned by a high court”.
The ANC may have suspended Malema for two years with threat of expulsion (an unofficial muzzle leading up to the next party elections in 2012),but this only strengthens the impression that the ANC is more concerned with a split down the middle, than preventing the proliferation of hate speech.
This is highly unethical behaviour from the ruling party in a democracy.
Tags: Despair
The unfinished revolution
Posted by saw | Filed under Despair
MotorMouth Malema disappeared from the radar while visiting uncle Chavez in Venezuela, presumably in the Bermuda Triangle. At first glance, Malema’s first statement since coming back seems to be rather docile compared to his standards. Though he vowed not to be muzzled and took a swipe at Zuma by attacking his sexual promiscuity and stance on nationalisation, he substituted the word “coward” where one would expect “boer”.
I say at first glance as some thought made it clear to me that he does not realise that the struggle/revolution is done and dusted. Three presidents did not subscribe to the freedom charter’s call to nationalise the mines as can be read here. Yet ol’ MotorMouth states that it is on the agenda of the ANC.
Worse still is his equating of himself to Mandela’s radical youth as a justification for the ANC YL intractability. And we all thought that South Africa’s troubles gave birth to the magic of a peaceful rainbow nation? Not Malema. It appears as if he is still living in the past?
A likely explanation is that we are experiencing an unfinished revolution, such as the one China underwent. More than forty years lapsed between the fall of the last dynasty and the rise of Communism. This period is called the unfinished revolution as the first democratic government failed to transform China towards the majority’s wishes. This gave the Communists room to maneuver itself into totalitarian control.
Maybe the youth of the country realise that nothing changed in that a small elite were replaced by another. Or being fed a diet of past revolutionaly antics (the Comrades Ultramarathon had to be moved away from Youth Day as the youth were so unpatriotic to stay home to watch the race on telly instead of attending political rallies) and being bored, uneducated and poor want a piece of the action. Malema, realising their discontent, is trading this as political currency to turn them and their ilk against the political order of the day.
Or the ANC itself is in agreement that the struggle will only be done once Blacks dominate every aspect of society, e.g. a preferred Black multiracial society versus a true multiracial society. This is supported by the fact that Hermann Giliomee, the author of “The Afrikaners”, thought it wise to write two new chapters for the latest edition of this biography of my people. Here he mentions that the ANC does not see the negotiated settlement of 1990-1996 as cast in stone the way Whites used to, but used it as a stepping stone to implement a “National Democratic Revolution”. Not to mention the use of “Cadre Deployment” to ensure loyal, but not necessary qualified, ANC comrades in every key position of the organisations where the ANC so far managed to cancer its way into.
Hopefully the explanation is that Malema is schizophrenic in that for him alone the struggle is not done.
Tags: Despair, Rainbow, revolution, transformation
Politicsweb – PARTY – DA doubles votes in ANC stronghold – Janet Semple
Posted by saw | Filed under Hope
Whilst not receiving an outright majority , the DA managed to grow by almost 500 % from 1.78% of the vote (156 votes) in the 2009 general election to 10.65% of the vote (355 votes) in this by-election, With by-elections typically having a low voter turnout and in this case a turnout of only 21.58% the DA doubled its actual number of votes. Semple said ” Congratrulations to the DA in Tshwane for making inroads into an ANC ward. We are on target for our vision of winning Gauteng Metros in 2011. ”
Councillor Topham said ” these results reinforce what the DA and the public already know: that voters are slowly turning away from the ANC, and that this trend is in line with opinion polls.”
via Politicsweb – PARTY – DA doubles votes in ANC stronghold – Janet Semple.
This is particularly significant, since Blacks do not trust the DA as it is perceived as a white-interest party. The DA, ID and COPE should complete what they started and oppose the ANC in coalition during the coming local election. Things are so desperate that Inkatha and the UDM should mix it as well to constitute a true rainbow party!
Come on – show the ANC what governance should be at the local municipal level. We are tired of poor service delivery, potholes in the streets of our towns, poor management of water, corruption and arrogance!
How unpatriotic are you?
Posted by saw | Filed under Half Truths
In a normal society it is accepted to voice ones concerns. In South Africa one is expected to behave “Proudly South African” and shut up if you cannot say anything positive. This is because the ANC specifically and Blacks in general is quick to question people’s patriotism when they complain. They might even call you a racist. In this it definitely acts as a good totalitarian regime should – it realise it is not up to scratch and hides its inadequacies behind spin and lies.
I recall the time when the CEO of Anglo American, which at one stage constituted %50 of the bourse, casted doubt on South Africa’s viability. Thabo Mbeki, black pride practitioner extraordinaire, called him to rapt attention for his lack of patriotism with the result that Anglo American, the juicy platinum plum apart, mostly dis-invested itself.
South Africa without Anglo American? This alone is enough to ensure my presence at an immigration seminar!
I agree one should not bad mouth ones country lightly as a country thrive on tourism, investment and goodwill. The problem with this approach is that it can become counterproductive, since a society or a government can deceive itself to such an extend that it loses touch with reality.
In South Africa the problem is gargantuan as it intertwined itself with false black pride. Black people of South Africa are hell-out sensitive to be seen as inferior to Whites. Dare I say it, but Whites are generally poorer in the humanities. We are too individualistic and too quickly lose sight of the stragglers in our inner circles. We just do not have Ubuntu. We admit it and as a result can identify areas to improve.
As they say at the AA – the first step towards rehabilitation is to admit that you have a drinking problem. And if you cannot awoke out of the self deception, those closest to you might have to shake you till you come to the “dark night of the soul”.
Call me unpatriotic, but the ANC is like the king in the Afrikaans drama”Die Keiser (is kaal)” (or The (naked) king). It deceived itself that lack of moral fibre cloaks it in royal revolution. It stands for rich gedagte goed (intellectual property), but is morally sequestrated due to its incapacity to practice what it preaches. And as it is drunk with false black pride it cannot identify the areas to improve…..
I am therefore not unpatriotic, but act in love.
Tags: Half Truths
Genocide Watch might make it 6/7
Posted by saw | Filed under Despair
The radio station of the labour union Solidariteit/Solidarity states here (unfortunately it is in Afrikaans) that Genocide Watch communicated to them that South Africa would be upgraded to level 7 if Julius Malema, president of the ANC Youth League, does not stop singing “Kill the Boer”:
6. PREPARATION: Victims are identified and separated out because of their ethnic or religious identity. Death lists are drawn up. Members of victim groups are forced to wear identifying symbols. Their property is expropriated. They are often segregated into ghettoes, deported into concentration camps, or confined to a famine-struck region and starved. At this stage, a Genocide Emergency must be declared. If the political will of the great powers, regional alliances, or the U.N. Security Council can be mobilized, armed international intervention should be prepared, or heavy assistance provided to the victim group to prepare for its self-defense. Otherwise, at least humanitarian assistance should be organized by the U.N. and private relief groups for the inevitable tide of refugees to come.
Pasted from here
To me personally it is worrying that the ANC’s could not make headway in its disciplinary hearings against Julius Malema due to uncertainty as to who the claimant in the case actually is (read here).
In the light of Genocide Watch’s concern, the ANC should publicly distance itself from any song with the words “Kill the Boers” in it. It should also state clearly that farmers are not foreigners as stated by Julius Malema (and read here) and that attacks on foreigners will not be tolerated.
How guilty are we as Christians?
Posted by saw | Filed under Half Truths
Are you a Christian? Did you repent from the lack of love that was Apartheid? Then take courage:
Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
You are forgiven. Do not allow yourself, your countrymen or the rest of the world to move you onto the moral low ground.
Look the world in the face and let the living waters stream forth to heal broken people and situations.
Tags: Hope, Jesus the Answer
Genocide Watch give South Africa a 5/7
Posted by saw | Filed under Hope
Genocide watch released its list of countries at risk of Genocide, Politicide or Mass Atrocities in 2010:
| Country | 7-Current Massacres | Victims | Killers |
| DR Congo | 7 | Women, civilians, Congo Tutsis | Ex-Rwandan genocidists, LRA |
| Sudan | 7 | Darfurese, southerners | Sudan army,Arab militias |
| Somalia | 7 | Opposing clans | Al Shabaab |
| Afghanistan | 7 | Gov’t supporters | Taliban, Al Queda |
| Pakistan | 7 | Gov’t supporters | Taliban, Al Queda |
| North Korea | 7 | Gov’t opponents | Korean Army |
| Burma | 7 | Shan, Karen, Rohinga, democrats | Burmese Army |
| Ethiopia | 7 | Gov’t opponents | Tigrean Army |
| 6-Potential Massacres | |||
| Nigeria | 6 | Ethnic, religious | Ethnic, religious |
| PRChina | 6 | Falun Gong, Uighers | Chinese army |
| Yemen | 6 | North Yemen | South Yemen |
| Colombia | 6 | Gov’t officials | Drug gangs, FARC |
| Equatorial Guinea | 6 | Bubi minority | Gov’t police |
| Uganda | 6 | Acholi civilians | Lord’s Resistance Army |
| Chad | 6 | Zaghawas | Sudanese raiders |
| Central Afr. Rep. | 6 | African farmers | Arab militias |
| 5-Polarization | |||
| Iraq | 5 | Kurds, Shia, Sunni | Ethnic, religious |
| Iran | 5 | Bahais, Sunnis | Revolution Guard |
| Zimbabwe | 5 | Matabele | Shona |
| Sri Lanka | 5 | Tamils | Sinhalese |
| Nepal | 5 | Royalists | Maoists |
| Guinea | 5 | Democrats | Guinea Army |
| Uzbekistan | 5 | Tajiks | Uzbek Army |
| Egypt | 5 | Copts | Islamists |
| Kenya | 5 | Luos, Kikuyus | Kikuyus, Luos |
| Côte d’Ivoire | 5 | Northerners | Southerners |
| Burundi | 5 | Hutus | Tutsi Army |
| Angola | 5 | Cabindans | Angolan Army |
| Algeria | 5 | Berbers | Algerian Army |
| Philippines | 5 | Gov’t supporters | Abu Sayyef, Moro |
| Lebanon | 5 | Christians, Druze | Hezbollah |
| Bosnia | 5 | Bosnian Muslims | Serbs |
| Israel/Palestine | 5 | Palestinians/Jews | Israelis/Hamas |
| India | 5 | Muslims | Hindu Extremists |
| Indonesia | 5 | Christians | Islamists |
| South Africa | 5 | Boers/refugees | Black racists |
| Russia | 5 | Ingush,Chechens | Russian Army |
Pasted from here
The Boers and refugees, as the victims, were upgraded to stage 5 (Polarisation) with Black racists listed as the killers. This is due to ET’s murder and the ruling party’s subsequent unwillingness or inability to reign in the racist utterances of Julius Malema, the ANC Youth Leage’s president.
What is next? Genocide Watch makes the following recommendations:
5. POLARIZATION: Extremists drive the groups apart. Hate groups broadcast polarizing propaganda. Laws may forbid intermarriage or social interaction. Extremist terrorism targets moderates, intimidating and silencing the center. Moderates from the perpetrators’ own group are most able to stop genocide, so are the first to be arrested and killed. Prevention may mean security protection for moderate leaders or assistance to human rights groups. Assets of extremists may be seized, and visas for international travel denied to them. Coups d’état by extremists should be opposed by international sanctions
Pasted from here
Both national and international pressure should be applied on the perpetrators and protection be given to those at risk. I do not foresee international pressure, but the ANC seem to have instituted internal charges against Julius Malema. This bring us to something else quoted above: moderate blacks might be intimidated and any that prove intractable killed. Now a very good friend of mine is a black Christian and he told me that there exist a lot of resistance against Malema. The fact that the ANC finally drew the resolve to charge Malema is also indicative of opposition to him within the ruling party. The already-fierce infighting within the ANC will therefore most likely increase before any more certainty can be attained.
What can Joe the Christian do, you might ask. Now there are groups in the country such as the Suidlanders preparing for the worse, e.g. instituting flight patterns for whites towards safe havens in the country side and accumulation ammunition for self defense. The government and the media is quick to call this “preparation for civil war”. The obvious result of this is further mistrust across the divide.
As Christians it is our duties to not fall for this as there are Christians across the South African spectrum: White, Black, Indian or Coloured. It is time for Christians to draw together to praise, pray and plan.
As a community we have the duty to strengthen God’s Kingdom and not that of the devil. We cannot allow the lying spirits of Siener van Rensburg (http://sawhat.blog.com/2010/04/11/the-mist-of-time/), the New Israelites and others to polarise us into a race war. These spirits are particularly persuasive as I can attest to from personal experience.
Lastly, if you share my vision for a multi-racial, interdenominational forum of laymen to discuss not only our fears and insecurities with regards to the current racial tensions, but also to unify the body of Christ please join the ECOSA Google group at http://groups.google.co.za/group/ecosa .
Let us not leave it to the politicians and the freedom fighters to provide the rainbow’s magic – Jesus is the Magic!
Tags: genocide, Hope, Jesus the Answer, Magic, minority rights, Rainbow
