DARK NIGHT FOR OUR SOUL

Citizen disciples in difficult times:

a view from a member of the club of those fired by Pres Zuma

(Written after Jacob Zuma fired the Finance Minister) 

1.  A dark night for our soul

The events of this last week have made it very clear to every South African with eyes to see and ears to hear that this young and fragile democracy and society has entered difficult and dangerous times.  In truth a dark night for our soul.

2.  Candles burn brightest in the darkest of hours

The response to the actions of our President last Wednesday evening bear testimony to the courage and resilience of our people.  Across the spectrum of race, class and gender South Africans have registered their dismay.  Particularly moving has been the witness of life long ANC stalwarts. The calm  words of the sacked Minister, Nhlanhla Nene offer a master class in dignified courage.  Barbara Hogan’s challenge to her fellow ANC members offers similar testimony that there are moments in life when speaking the truth becomes the only imperative.  Even more impressive are the public comments of Shaka Sisulu, grandson of Walter.

3.  So how should citizen disciples respond?

I have no idea how the drama which started last Wednesday with the surprise dismissal of Minister Nene will unfold.  I suspect our President has over reached himself, and that indeed this will become what the Rubicon speech became for President Botha.

Whatever happens next I know that there are two things citizens disciples cannot do.  The first is to tolerate in any shape of form racist responses to this event.  One particular politician has done a deeply unwise and wrong thing.  He, and he alone, must carry the burden of this action’s consequences.  The deed cannot be hung like some condemning chain around the neck of an entire organisation.  After all this is also the ANC of Luthuli, Tambo and Mandela.  Nor can it be hung around the neck of an entire race group. It must be seen for what it is.  The unwise, unjust action of an individual.

The second wrong response is to descend into despair.  To countenance, embrace or injest a dooms day prophecy that South Africa has taken the road to ruin.  Our future remains fundamentally open.  And whether it is good or bad will be determine by the actions of both its leaders and its citizens.

The response the events of last week demand of us are exactly the challenge Christ offered his disciples at every point of his ministry.  To live a life that is fully engaged in and for this world.  To live with hope.  And to live with righteousness.

Now more than ever our country needs just this kind of citizen disciple.  Our children showed us that in our universities in October and November.  Now is the turn of every citizen to be the disciple of hope and truth that Christ calls us to be.

Bobby Godsell (December 2015)