Look at South Africa - "Celebrate the Beloved Country"

# Introduction: Just sharing a few thoughts and remembrances after a very recent visit to my former homeland, this incredible, vibrant and diverse country at the tip of the vast ("dark") continent of Africa, which may be of interest. This piece that I wrote is based upon an inspiring address by former Archbishop, Desmond Tutu. LOOK AT SOUTH AFRICA - CELEBRATE THE BELOVED COUNTRY (UPDATED) Authors Note: It is ten years since the first democratic elections, so we can celebrate a decade of the birth of a new country, where in spite of an endemic crime rate most people accept each other and work together as common citizens of the "beloved country". Well, I'm always looking at some positive aspects and this is my reason for sharing this piece about my former (yet always in my heart) country! In the light of current world events and global uncertainty, I say: "Look at South Africa"... Thousands of people died over the years of South Africa's turbulent, history (and under the "nightmare" called apartheid - forgotten already ???)...which has ended relatively peacefully. Out of a violent and bloody past, South Africa's extraordinary relatively peaceful transition to democracy was a minor miracle... and I believe, South Africans have accomplished something unprecented, unparalleled in the last eight years. Perhaps there is a message in South Africa's violent and tortuous path to democracy somewhere to the "trouble spots of the world"... perhaps there was a reason for the misery and tragedy of apartheid (as well as many centuries of colonialism around the globe), after all... A possible role-model? In spite of the corruption, crime and "cheapness of life there, South Africa may be the "trail-blazer", the beacon of magnanimity, hope and reconciliation to the world. With strong leadership, a spirit of goodwill, tolerance, acceptance ...and most importantly, attempts to understand other peoples and cultures, who are different to us (yet we humans have far more in common than our differences)...and especially with the SPIRIT of peace, your nightmare too will end. An end to the evil of terrorism, man's inhumanity to man and the "impossibility" of world peace CAN one day be achieved. Let the world celebrate the quite magnificent achievement South Africans of ALL races and creeds, "The Rainbow People of God" have accomplished in the past decade. With your "torch of light" you may yet illuminate the path to a world one day at peace with itself. CELEBRATE THE "BELOVED COUNTRY" - a land of such contrasts, a "happy, sad" land of great wealth and great poverty, yet the beauty and richness of the land ...and most importantly its most valuable resource, the spirit of its 45 million diverse peoples always seems to shine through in conquering adversity. "South Africa's ability to overcome deep divisions, to negotiate a common future and to commit itself to reconciliation and reconstruction offers new hope - not only to South Africa, but across the globe. "God does work in amazing and miraculous ways...and every person and country has a unique purpose in "God's Divine Plan". Craig Lock * "How apartheid was finally buried, without requiem; but in joyous celebration, will remain forever in the hearts and minds of a nation reborn. When tears came, and there was dampness in the eyes of even the most stern, it was for putting the past in the past and hoping for hope in the future." "South Africa is blessed in resources beyond many. It dare not live just for itself. It must work and labour to bless Africa and the world...but especially Africa. If only for Africa's sake we dare not fail; because as South Africa goes, so will the rest of Africa." * Editor's note (http://www.bridgeniche.com): This prayer of Craig Lock was published in THE BRIDGE EZINE,...so thought we'd share. Prayer for South Africa 1994 (and these days especially for Southern Africa...and specifically - Zimbabwe) by Craig Lock We join in prayer to celebrate this new nation and surrender its destiny to you. We give thanks in our hearts to the founding of this vibrant nation of diverse peoples, a beautiful yet tragic land built upon the rivers of blood, that flowed from our forefathers; yet still flow today...a 'happy sad' land of such contrasts. We give thanks for and bless the souls of those, who came before us and prepared this nation, to nurture and to save it; because so many gave their lives for it, some selflessly and many needlessly. We ask that God's Holy Spirit now fill the hearts of all this great nation's citizens with thoughts of goodwill, righteousness, justice, acceptance and respect for others. In this may we be cleansed of all destructive thoughts. May judgement of others, bigotry, racism and intolerance be washed clean from our hearts, like the blood of our forefathers. God, instill in us especially a generous spirit of forgiveness and hope for the future. May we play our parts, all of us, in the healing and the furtherance of our diverse country; so that South Africa will one day fulfill its immense potential, a promise yet to be fulfilled. To do the very best within our abilities in developing "the Beloved Country" socially, politically, economically and spiritually...in a spirit of acceptane, co-operation, reconciliation and peace - each and every one of us. Let each one of us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Let us look at distant horizons together in a spirit of acceptance, helpfulness, co-operation and peace. Let our leaders look at the future with a vision - to see things not as they are, but what they could one day become. * Dear Almighty God, you are all-powerful and omnipresent. You hold each one of us in the palms of your mighty hands. May our minds be filled with the thoughts of You; Your unconditional love and Your acceptance of all Your people, Your children. May this nation be forgiven its transgressions against its fellow citizens of all races and creeds and any and all others