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