Tuesday, December 21, 2010

This season of advent!

Let justice roll down like rivers, and righteousness like a mighty stream, as we together remember the reason for this season!

Have a joyous social change focussed festive, a justice - caring for and about the marginalised filled Christmas, and a New Year concerned for all who are laden with heavy burdens and oppressed by flawed and unjust systems.

Remember the reason for the season!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

its RECONCILIATION day - and don't forget it

Today is our national day of reconciliation. A day that is dedicated for our country to behold the beauty of our transition from an oppressive apartheid regime to the glorious landing of democracy.

People should rejoice and really blow the vuvuselas on this day. There should be a national celebration on this day. We should commemorate it with passionate and creative concepts that could turn into national events all across South Africa.

We should have people meeting in public spaces around braais,bryani and boerewors rolls. There should be community parties where neighbours and community residents take time to celebrate at their community park or at the local swimming pool.

It would be amazing to have a movie launch on this day, with young people flocking to their local cinemas to get a piece of the action. The movie could be premised with a motivational speaker inspiring our youth about reconciliation ideals. All across the nation reconciliation engagement through the mediums of movies, wow it would be powerful.

I could imagine religious leaders all across the land, holding special services for people to come together to pray, make petition, and chorus in praise for this blessed day of reconciliation.

But the reality is that all the verbage just penned above, are just words of wishful dreaming and imagination. It could become reality, but the foundation of our democracy would have to be refined. The state of the nation is not at place to celebrate this day, because there are many who have grown sceptic and hopeless. People feel the doom and gloom of a democracy that has left millions of our people to the depressing reality of political freedom without economic enfranchisement.

May we, those who believe in reconciliation rise with righteous anger, and with faith, hope and love, propel this wonderful value, ethic and inspired "highest agenda" of God- Reconciliation. The hope for our beloved South Africa lies in the everyday actions of those of us who have the means to throw a pebble into a pond, and watch it spiral into a movement for reconciliation action and reconciliation ideals. May our means bring aid to a reconciliation end.

May reconciliation reign from Cape town to Soweto, from the mountain tops to valleys so low. May reconciliation reign from suburbs to townships, may it reign from parliament to pretoria, may it reign from rolling hills of Kwazulu-Natal to the peaks of the Drakensberg. Let reconciliation fill our land and establish for our people a present reality of tangible change that will secure a future where South Africa truly belongs to us all.

Let reconciliation reign in our helping of the poor, let it reign in our work place and unions, let it reign for the domestic and casual labourers, and in the board rooms of the corporate gurus and their boards.
Let RECONCILIATION reign in your heart and mine.

A blessed and consciousness rising RECONCILIATION day to us all!!

Seth Naicker!

Monday, December 13, 2010

As people we gathered to explore our humanity!


There was a moment in all of the activities I knew that God was present. It was a moment of realization and awe as young people and youth leaders of diverse race/ethnicity, gender, class, religion and language sang our South African national anthem. From in and around Johannesburg we came together to engage, accomplish and realize our inaugural dialogue on non-racialism.

Saturday, the 11th of December, 2010 marked 21 years since Yusuf Akhalwaya and Prakash Napier passed on as a result of a bomb blast at park station, they were part of the Lenasia Youth League. Their lives were abruptly taken in the struggle against apartheid.

Our non-racialism dialogue was riddled with this symbolic day lurking in the background. It was only in our closing statements that we reminded the youth of Yusuf and Prakash. Shaheda Seedat office manager of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation told of the symbolism of the day, as one who knew these young men personally.

The activities of the day started at 8:30 am with registration. It was clear that as participants arrived they were expectant and wanted to engage in this matter of non-racialism. Ahmed Kathrada arrived on time and made his way toward our humble place and space that was secured for the dialogue. Olefile Masangane one of our lead facilitators displayed his awe as he looked upon uncle Kathy.

It is amazing to be in the presence of people who have anchored their lives in the ideals of humanity, equality and justice. You may not find words to describe, but for the sake of description I believe that for most it was a moment to behold. Participants sensed the depth of a man who has committed to a value, ethic, sincere and stubborn determination of non-racialism.

It is with great honour and a feeling of soulful and healthy pride, that I serve the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation. It is my hope that we will establish non-racialism ambassadors throughout the country, the continent and the world. Such a hope is not just wishful thinking, it can be realized as we press on with faith, hope and love!

As people we gathered to explore our humanity!

SethNaicker
Managing Partner
indiAfrique training & development
Director
Office of ReconciliationDiversity & International Affairs
A collaboration of indiAfrique & Young & Able
mobile: 079 482 7445|work: 011 341 0190|e-mail: seth@indiAfrique.co.za|indiAfrique@youngable.com
http://revsethnaicker.blogspot.com/
Suite 160|Dunkeld West Centre 281 Jan Smuts Ave|Dunkeld Johannesburg|Gauteng|South Africa

Friday, December 10, 2010

Inaugural dialogue on non racialism: "a value,belief and way to build our community and our future

Tomorrow the 11.12.10 we participate in dialogue and discussion, our inaugural talkshop/workshop of a series of discussions and dialogues that will address non racialism.

The workshop will consist of an opening ceremony , a key note by Ahmed Kathrada, questions and answers, an interactive facilitated workshop, and a closing ceremony.

The learning and experience will be remarkable and we are encouraged by the remarkable interest of youth and young leaders. I am honored to serve the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation as director of youth services. The foundation has taken a step to lead with passion in impacting the lives of youth through the code,conduct and ethic drawn from non-racialism.

I look forward to hearing from seasoned narrative of Ahmed Kathrada as he delves into his value, belief and insistence on non-racialism for our communal, local and global future!

Engaging stereotypes in the workplace: “diminish the stereotypes and realize the change!”


Stereotypes are propelled by generalization of people, culture and places, e.g. Indian people like hot or pungent food. It may be true in the general sense of things, but there are those Indian people who have no interest for food that has the mother-in-law masala sting. It is natural for people to operate with stereotypes based upon their experience and their interactions with the other or lack thereof, but we must challenge stereotypes that diminish, devour and destroy people.
As you engage your everyday world, where are your stereotypes present, active and rampant? Get introspective and reflective and do a personal audit of the way you treat people and the way you react based upon the pre-conceived ideas, beliefs and biases that you have learned, inherited and established.

Moving into action:
Having introspected how do you move towards change?

• Start deconstructing thinking patterns, points of view and outlooks on life, that are informed by unhealthy stereotypes which break people down. Now in the context of meaningful relationships start reconstructing healthy realistic outlooks that promote well being.

• Ask yourself how you would like to be treated? Now, ask your colleague/s how they would like to be treated. Once you’ve established this, start applying the following golden principle: “Treat others as you would like them to treat you, but more importantly honor and treat others as they would like to be treated.”

• Stephen R. Covey in the “7 Habits of highly effective people” states, “seek first to understand then be understood.” This is not easy to do, but definitely worthwhile since it humanizes our interactions. Seek to understand the person as a priority, before you expect the person to understand you.

• Apply your listening skills and openness to the person whom you work with. Be present and active as you seek to listen to and understand the other.
Allow people to live beyond the boxes and mental prisons we place them in. By doing so we will be liberating ourselves and others!

SethNaicker
Managing Partner
indiAfrique training & development
Director
Office of Reconciliation Diversity & International Affairs
In collaboration with Young & Able
mobile: 079 482 7445|work: 011 341 0190|e-mail: seth@indiAfrique.co.za|seth@youngable.com
http://revsethnaicker.blogspot.com/
Suite 160|Dunkeld West Centre 281 Jan Smuts Ave|Dunkeld Johannesburg|Gauteng|South Africa

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Required change for leaders in South Africa!

When fraudulence and leadership discrepancy occur at highest levels of power in South AFrica, it is not merely illegal. Such illegality should be seen and understood as acts of injustice and crimes against humanity. These high order criminals suck the resource out of our economic system, which should be reforming the lives of our poor, marginalised and economically frustrated South Africans.

When people of power steal from the coffers of our national supply and make multinational trade offs that favour their personal greed and bank accounts, it would be appreciated if their self interest ideals had no effect on the lives of our working class.

The reality of life however, is that we are connected and unfortunately what ever high level leaders go about, surely affects our everyday people. It might sound absurd but the ethical code and conduct of our honourable organisational and societal leaders, and their choices, have direct effect on our everyday lives.

In a new order of democratic fertility leaders need to be informed by leadership principles and core values that interrogate systems that fail people. Leaders need to go through or be refreshed by personal change experiences that bring value to the lives of people that they serve.

There are too many leaders who accept the things they cannot change. Especially when that change calls for responsible and active critique of unjust social and organisational happenings.

Leaders need to be courageous in going about bringing change in areas they think cannot be changed. Leaders who have inspired the world have unwittingly gone about pursuing change in places and spaces that others said were impossible.

Leaders need wisdom to know the difference between costly change and possible change. Knowing the difference should not result in inaction concerning change that is costly.

It was a costly exercise when Steve Biko challenged the Apartheid dictators of South Africa. Aung San Suu Kyi knows costly change through her detention for the course of freedom in Burma.

Leadership within communities and organisations in our 21st century require a revamping of the serenity prayer, and it goes as follows:

God, grant me:

Serenity to understand the things that seem impossible to change,

Courage to change the things I can,

Perseverance to engage things that will be costly to change,

and Wisdom to know how to acknowledge the need for, implementation and realisation of positive change!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Do you and I have a choice?


I have been a part of discussions, talk shops, work-shops, academic presentations and regular person to person discussions on the issue of choice and whether or not people have the freedom to choose. Fundamentally I agree that everyone has the ability to choose and that every person has the freedom of choice, but this fundamental, simple and very shallow acknowledgement must be interrogated by a deeper analysis and the complexity that for some it is easier to choose whilst for others it is not. Furthermore the complexity of choice and the reasoning process lying beneath the surface of choice making or the ability to choose, must be further investigated and discussed. In my experience it seems to easy to render all faults within society, organizations or personal and professional development on the simple statement “you have a choice so choose” or “you had a choice and you chose badly”.

In agreeing that all people have the freedom of choice, it must be clarified that theoretically and intellectually it is so, but the practicality of an ‘I can choose” philosophy is where the problems arise and the rubber meets the road. It is here that I have contested and must continue to contest this simple analysis and shallow propaganda that all people have a choice and all people can choose. My main reason for raising the argument or contestation is based upon my observation that choice making or having the ability to choose is more complex than simple based on the art of choice or the art and educative process of choosing.

The complexity arises from the fact that social constructs and social realities have existed for lengths of time which have unfortunately rendered large numbers of people, communities and a whole generation of human beings choice-less or with the belief that they cannot choose. They do not have the ability to acknowledge that by their belief in ‘I cannot choose’ they are there in choosing not to choose. In fact it is here that smart intellectual arguments and hopeful statements of ‘make a choice to be a better person’ is rendered useless, when people have been plagued by the rationale that they have no choice.

Dominant rulers and dictatorial leadership, who have enjoyed the thrust of colonial escapades and continue to enjoy the thrust of neo colonial escapades, have actually minimized people into a state of social depravity and passivity. Such examples can be seen clearly in the Nazi regime and its brain washing of soldiers who carried out the merciless acts of ending the lives of Jewish people because of Nazi ideology. Yes they made a choice but it is clear that they were influenced by a system that convinced them that what they were doing was right. Again I agree that these people made a choice, but is this the type of choice making that we hear in our motivational pep talks and choice making consultations provided by corporate trainers and consultants. I think and I believe not.

Last week on 3rd assignment, a show that presents provocative media covered a story on mob justice. In this story a mother was told that she had to discipline her son for being a thug and mugging people in their township. The mother was given a bolder and told that she should cast the first stone. The mother clearly had to make a choice, either hurl the stone at her son or face the consequences of the mob dealing with her and her family for her inaction or reluctance to discipline her son. Clearly she made a choice but we cannot deny that there are social factors which dictated circumstances.

It is therefore important to provide people who are in a state of mental, physical, emotional, social, and economic oppression – the opportunity and experience that will aid them in the process of arriving at a place and space where they know how to exercise choice and to choose wisely.

Maybe in the example of the mother being forced by a mob seeking justice, she could have chosen to use some delay tactics or find a way to prolong matters until her son was able to run away or until police came. Maybe when we look at the example of the Nazi regime and the brain washing of people who became agents of evil, we must further explore the opportunities to expose people to the art of choice making.

Especially in the corporate arena or the everyday workplace where we may not face social evils of mob justice or Nazi law, but we do face social realities of people being regulated and many times minimized by organizational rule and autocracy. It is here that we must understand that not eve-ryone feels like they have a choice even if not choosing based upon their belief can be easily argued as they have chosen by not choosing. I have come across many people who feel totally captured and disenfranchised by their environment. I have spent much time coaching people on the method and approach of creating agency within the structural confinements of their working place. The ability to create agency is a choice but it is a skill acquired and an approach that requires time taken to study activism in the workplace that is diplomatic. Creating agency diplomatically provides healthy pressure within gate keeping systems that by design are actually choking the passion out of people in the workplace.

“For to choose is a choice that must be chosen, when you know that choosing is your choice to choose”. I offer this statement in light of deepening our discussions and understanding of life. In my everyday world I see people trapped in social realities believing they cannot make a choice or choose to bring change to their personal and family life circumstances. Social circumstances of unemploy-ment, lack of education, lack of access to resource or social networks, or just the inability to make a choice strategically in light of our complex democratic South Africa, are factors that must be consid-ered when considering choice and people’s ability or inability to choose. Choice is not worth choosing when your choice ends up in you loosing. It is a strategic choice making that must be engaged and explored in a world that is driven by capital gain and upward mobility.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

At the close of the Football for Hope Festival 2010


In the air is a sweet symphony of people affirming this wonderful achievement, where South Africa has hosted the Football World Cup in Africa, and more especially the awesome effort of organizing and delivering the Football for Hope Festival 2010, in Alexandra Johannesburg. People who worked tirelessly to deliver this world class event have given of their time, talents and treasure to ensure that this event was delivered with excellence.
It has been a once in a life time opportunity to be a part of a team of people who worked together to ensure that the 11th stadium of the Football World Cup 2010 and all related programming and operations in Alexandra were on par with the excellence and magnanimous achievements of thee other 10 stadia. For those privileged to be a part of the festival organizing team of the Football for Hope Festival 2010, we know and appreciate the symbolism of having a township host a world class event.
As the closing ceremony of the Football for Hope Festival 2010 came to its finality, there was dancing and celebration of young leaders who will go forward to be social change agents and propel development through football in their 40 some odd countries around the world. It was a moment to behold seeing people from a great diversity of language, ethnicity, class, gender, culture and religion celebrating the moment and success of work that has been done, and work that will continue on through young leaders and their passion to see development through football bring social change in their respective localities and nations.
Being present and intimately active in the preparation, strategic engagement and delivery of the Football for Hope Festival 2010, is best captured as follows, “I was no just feeling it, I was responsible for causing the motion that allowed others to feel it.” I believe that while this event like other events has a start and finish, this Football for Hope Festival 2010 will be a solid foundation to inspire the already established Football for Hope movement spear headed by streetfootballworld and FIFA. More especially the memory of this event will be cherished and solidify a collaboration of organizations who have been part and parcel of an event that is a part of a process , a movement , a hope, a dream to see a world where there is equality, freedom and justice for all.
It is my hope that through the Football for Hope Movement authentic social change will emerge, allowing our world to experience social change that is lasting and sustainable. May the work and the future scope of social change possibilities be numerous and amazing, because people choose to really do what we otherwise only dream or envisage but seldom do we realize!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Food for the soul at the kickoff of the Football World Cup 2010

I have committed my work, social action and development endeavours to a social consciousness and awareness that propels a high standard of moral, ethics and codes of conduct. In a world that is plagued with systems of injustice it is a most strenuous task to deliver or uphold one’s personal and professional convictions, as it relates to a value base that seeks to enfranchise the disenfranchised.
I am concerned and interested in staying true to those who are left outside the gravy train, those who are left out of the benefits and enrichment of a democracy that is captured by profit making escapades. I have found that even in the world of development it is most difficult to ensure the goals with which one begins one’s projects and social driven intentions, for more often than not goals designed to aid the ‘have nots’ of our societies, become co-opted and stripped of its’ original moral, social ethic of authenticity.
The wisdom of Gandhi may very well be the food for our soul for those who are committed to the work of development and socially aware projects, and those who struggle with the pain of being inside systems which disappoint the marginalized and further propel broken promises. Gandhi explains that there are seven social sins, “Politics without principles, Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Knowledge without character, Commerce without morality, Science without humanity, Worship without sacrifice” (Quoted by Mahatma Gandhi in "Young India", 1925).
Gandhi’s wise words point to a balancing mechanism, where the pursuit of one factor cannot be achieved without the accountability of another. It is most advisable for persons involved in development and social projects to add a balancing mechanism ideology and learning to one’s every day reflection. Having the framework to challenge one’s everyday actions and progression will allow for the potential realization of authentic development goals, which remain true to its’ intention of aiding the marginalized peoples of our world.
As we anticipate the beginning of the Football World Cup 2010, in Johannesburg South Africa on the 11th of June 2010, there are many development goals which we can proud of- as a nation. Infrastructures have been boasted by the influx and projections made prior to this most auspicious occurrence of South Africa hosting the Football World Cup. However there remain those development crises where even post the World Cup 2010, we will continue as South Africans to see the harsh social realities of people who are living in 21st century social disparities - People who are without and people who will always remain on the margins of an economic system driven by a profit making agenda, without a balance of seeing fair trade and equal access to resources for all.
It is my hope that while there may be these social difficulties to contend with, that we will realize in the tribute words of Sepp Blatter to Madiba, “We trust that the FIFA World Cup will contribute to the legacy that you wanted for your country.” Nelson Mandela’s legacy can best be summarized in his well known and profound words, "I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunity. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But, if need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."
It is my hope that the legacy Nelson Mandela pursued for our beloved South Africa will be realized in the moment to moment - everyday actions of people who have the awesome responsibility of driving projects and completing initiatives that are purposed to bring about positive social change. While we anticipate the kick off of the Football World Cup 2010, it is my hope that we will achieve some development goals that will truly realize sustainable social change in the most difficult social realities of our beloved South Africa.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Football for Hope in the township of Alexandra, South Africa

I have a wonderful opportunity being a part of the festival organizing team of the Football for Hope Festival 2010. I work in operations and have the responsibility to manage procurement and services. In and amongst my everyday work there are those most inspiring moments. One needs some inspiration when you see the social realities that exist in and around Alexandra.

I am a patriotic and hopeful African, and one who has chosen to wrestle with social change as a life mission, so I propel the spirit of Ubuntu- a spirit of togetherness. I am a firm believer in Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu (A person is a person through other people). I believe whole heartedly in “I am because you are.” But while I am hopeful, I am also realistic. In Alexandra while there are wonderful narratives and testimonies of people like President Nelson Mandela, who once resided in Alexandra and journeyed from prisoner to president, we cannot ignore the continued struggle of hundreds upon hundreds of people who live on in the tiresome and socially depressing ethos of Alexandra.

In the social realities I see and observe- I wrestle with my own middle class South African Indian existence, and that of my fellow South African brothers and sisters who are less fortunate than I. In my work and core responsibilities I count it a great joy to advocate, represent and be a driving agent on the ground for a movement such as Football for Hope. streetfootballworld as an organization concerned with development through football provides the rootedness and passionate advocacy to ensure that Football for Hope serves the purposes of social change. Football for Hope and the ideologies that underpin it, present dynamic inspiration as I go about securing service providers and negotiating for spaces and services that will ultimately affect successful delivery of the Football for Hope Festival 2010.

It has been an awesome experience through meetings and presentations to remind fellow South Africans and others of a social change agenda, which we must propel in our work and delivery through the platform provided by the Football for Hope Festival 2010. It is most inspiring to see people, respond positively to a social ethic and concern that seeks to serve others before serving ones’ self:

A social ethic and concern which seeks to rectify the wrong-A social ethic and concern which seeks to resist being entangled by self interest and greed-A social ethic and concern that serves the agenda of social change in a local and global focus.

I am perplexed at times by the hurdles of our everyday work. I am conflicted at times by the self centred interests that seem to dominate and suppress social change. I am at times furious and angered by the continued injustices I see in my everyday world.

But let me tell you: I am able to keep on keeping on with a fierce urgency when I think of the bigger picture and the amazing work that we collaboratively will achieve when it has all been said and done. When that day arrives I hope that my contribution will be measured by my actions and not just my words, in propelling social change and my operational delivery in the Football for Hope Festival 2010.

Operating in excellence!

Seth Naicker
Football for Hope - Festival Organizing Team
Operations Coordinator

streetfootballworld
Development through Football

streetfootballworld South Africa
phone +27 (11) 264 2241 | fax +27 (86) 548 2303 | cell +27 (79) 482 7445 | SkypeID: seth_sfw
e-mail: naicker@streetfootballworld.org | www.streetfootballworld.org
address: streetfootballworld South Africa | c/o Alexandra Renewal Project | 55 Andries Street North | Pentad Building | 1st Floor | Wynberg | Johannesburg | South Africa

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Waldenserstr. 2-4 | 10551 Berlin | Germany
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Monday, March 22, 2010

Coming Together!



Where is the place and space for people to be people? In a world filled with orders of state, and social realities of race, class and gender, which results in a society of have and have nots - one has to wonder if there is a place and space where coming together can be realized without social dictatorship.
Bonheoffer would advocate that a place and space where social equality and fairness in engagement is possible. Bonheoffer would suggest that such a place and space is a dialogical place where the I and the other choose to move from their place of social comfort to a place social risk. The risk is stepping into a common place without a desire to control the other.
Over the next few days I will be working alongside Rev. Dr Curtiss DeYoung to propel a place and space where people can come together. This coming together will be injected by spells of keynotes, preaching, teaching and insights offered by Curtiss DeYoung, in various places and spaces across Johannesburg. It is an honour to work on propelling a project that will allow people to come together and address matters of inclusion, diversity, race, class and gender, leadership and organizational change etc.
Curtiss has just released his latest book entitled, “Coming together in the 21st century”, and whilst moving from one place to the next in the coming week, it is my hope and prayer that our project:”Coming together”, will inspire, lead and surprise people as they discover and arrive at insights that will aid a brighter future for South Africa and our global community.

Schedule of engagements and comings together:
• On the Date: 23rd March 2010
Time: 10am – 11am (Coming together – a dialogue on reconciliation in the workplace)
Venue: Young and Able offices,
Office 160, Dunkeld West Centre - 281 Jan Smuts Ave, Cnr Bompas - Dunkeld - 2196
Host: Buhle Dlamini
Contact: info@youngable.com - Phone: 27 11 341 0190
• On the Date: 23rd March 2010
Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm (Coming together in Alex – a service and preach)
Venue: Stand No 2561 – Laduma Street, Extension 7 Far Eastbank, Alexandra Township.
Host: Pastor Charles Mokoena
Contact: 084 423 7735
Email: efm2030@live.co.za
• On the Date: 24th March 2010
Time: 9am – 11am (Coming together in an age of diversity)
Venue: Liberty Church, Discovery campus, 51 Celeste Crescent, Discovery
Cost: FREE, coffee & muffins will be served
RSVP to ed@libertychurch.co.za ASAP
• On the Date: 25th March 2010
Time: 10 am – 11:30 am (Coming together in the 21st century: “Woman in ministry” {keynote, followed by discussion and dialogue, q & a})
Venue: Church of the Nazarene, Penguin Street, Extension 1 , Lenasia
Host: Pastor Russel Abrahams
Contact: 011 852 5219
• On the Date: 26th March 2010
Time: 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm (Coming together in the 21st century: “Non- racialism as an ideology, a consciousness and way of life for the future” {keynote, followed by discussion and dialogue, q & a})
Venue: 57 Twin Centre, ANC Lenasia
Host: Mickey Padiachee
Contact: 011 854 2745, mickeypadaiachee@yahoo.com
• On the Date: 28th March 2010
Time: 9am – 11am
Venue: Jeshua, Reformed Church in Africa, 613 Greenwich Street, Lenasia South,
Contact: Rev. Seth Naicker 079 482 7445
It is wonderful to see these wonderful opportunities come together. It is my honour to facilitate and realize this moment, when my mentor, friend and Doctor Father of Reconciliation studies and ministry will speak from various spaces and places including the pulpit at the local church community that I am serving. Let’s come together in the 21st century!
Rev. Seth Naicker

Monday, March 8, 2010

Football for Hope in the township of Alexandra, South Africa!


I have been reflecting upon the awesome opportunity I have, in being a part of the festival organizing team of the Football for Hope Festival 2010. I work in operations and have the responsibility to manage procurement and services. In and amongst my everyday work there are those most inspiring moments. One needs some inspiration when you see the social realities that exist in and around Alexandra.

I am a patriotic and hopeful African, and one who has chosen to wrestle with social change as a life mission, so I propel the spirit of Ubuntu- a spirit of togetherness. I am a firm believer in Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu (A person is a person through other people). I believe whole heartedly in “I am because you are.” But while I am hopeful, I am also realistic. In Alexandra while there are wonderful narratives and testimonies of people like President Nelson Mandela, who once resided in Alexandra and journeyed from prisoner to president, we cannot ignore the continued struggle of hundreds upon hundreds of people who live on in the tiresome and socially depressing ethos of Alexandra.

In the social realities I see and observe, I wrestle with my own middle class South African Indian existence, and that of my fellow South African brothers and sisters. In my work and core responsibilities I count it great joy to advocate, represent and be a driving agent on the ground for a movement such as Football for Hope. Football for Hope and the ideologies that underpin it, present many inspiring moments as I go about securing service providers and negotiating for spaces and services according to our development budget restrictions.

It has been an awesome experience through meetings and presentations to remind fellow South Africans and others of a social change agenda, which we must propel in our work and delivery through the platform provided by the Football for Hope Festival 2010. It is most inspiring to see people responding positively to a social ethic and concern, which seeks to serve others before serving ones’ self:

A social ethic and concern which seeks to rectify the wrong-A social ethic and concern which seeks to resist being entangled by self interest and greed-A social ethic and concern that serves the agenda of social change in a local and global focus.

I am perplexed at times by the hurdles of our everyday work. I am conflicted at times by the self centred interests that seem to dominate and suppress social change. I am at times furious and angered by the continued injustices I see in my everyday world.

But let me tell you: I am able to keep on keeping on with a fierce urgency when I think of the bigger picture and the amazing work that we collaboratively will achieve when it has all been said and done. When that day arrives I hope that my contribution will be measured by my actions and not just my words, in propelling social change and my operational delivery in the Football for Hope Festival 2010.

Operating in excellence!
streetfootballworld
development through football
Seth Naicker
Football for Hope - Festival Organising Team
operations coordinator


e-mail: naicker@streetfootballworld.org | www.streetfootballworld.org

Monday, February 22, 2010

Remembering Biko and Black Consciousness during Black History month



(Edited excerpt from Research on, “Contextual Black Liberation Theology”, by Seth Naicker)

In engaging the South African journey of change and a theology of liberation, I have come to appreciate the work of Steve Biko. Biko prophetically propelled liberation through mobilizing Black Consciousness. Black Consciousness sought to edify the lives of people in South Africa who were being marginalized and dehumanized by the Apartheid regime. Biko was at the forefront of a mental reform that was and is and will continue to be of vital importance, as he propelled a message that taught, encouraged and challenged people to love themselves.
My opening remarks about Biko might seem simplistic, but it is this apparent simplicity which is the foundation of an ideology for human development as well as the foundation of South African Contextual Black Liberation Theology. There are those who might disagree as Biko was critiqued for being a communist. It seems that the concern that liberation leaders have for social reform is stereotyped with social Marxism, but Biko was as man of faith who spoke with confidence the central liberation message of the gospel. Bonganjalo Goba affirms my observations by stating:
“At the wellspring of black political thinking, black consciousness continues to be a dominant force. What Steve Biko and other leaders succeeded in doing was to promote a new revolutionary consciousness by inculcating in the minds of our young blacks a sense of pride and a clear commitment to values that arise from our experience. This has had a tremendous influence in the way we do theology.”

Goba’s reference to a revolutionary consciousness became a matter of concern for the Apartheid government and Steve Biko was put on trial with other leaders.
The trial had to do with a specific matter of resistance in the planning of a rally to celebrate the recognition of Frelimo as the de facto government of Mozambique. However it became clear that the Black Consciousness Movement itself was on trial.
In this trail that lasted through most of 1975 and all of 1976, one of the questions that were posed to Biko concerned the work of Black Consciousness in conscientising people. Biko explains:
“We try to get blacks in conscientisation to grapple realistically with their problems, to attempt to find solutions to their problems, to develop what one might call an awareness, a physical awareness of their situation, to be able to analyze it and provide answers for themselves. The purpose behind it really being to provide some kind of hope; I think the central theme about black society is that it has got elements of a defeated society; people often look like they have given up the struggle.”

Biko further explains that through conscientising people, there is intention to fight against people giving up and seeks to build up their humanity. Biko understood the role of Apartheid played in stripping people of their dignity and their belief in their humanity. Biko encouraged people to be aware and analytical of their demised and oppressive social existence.
Biko was able to initiate a revolutionary consciousness that caused those he influenced to claim their human rights, counter the dominance and question the injustices they faced under Apartheid. In remembering Biko may we remember the movement of Black Consciousness which simply suggested to the marginalized of South Africa “love yourself”. May inspiration offered to people all around the world today, “Love yourself and while you are at it, love others too.”

Resources: Bonganjalo Goba, “Emerging Theological Perspectives in South Africa”, Irruption of Third World: Challange to Theology, Virginia Fabella and Sergio Torres Eds.,( NY: Orbis Books, 1983), 22.

C. R. Alred Stubbs, Ed., I Write What I Like: Steve Biko (Craighall, Johannesburg, South Africa: Picador Africa, 2004), 127.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Reconciliation: No simple answers to complex situations


Reconciliation a word, a verb, a ministry, an action, an ideal. I am passionate about doing the work of reconciliation. As much as I have some understanding I am still learning about the length and breadth of this God ordained agenda of Reconciliation. Let us consider together "reconciliation," as a ministry, a theology and a way of life, where there are no simple answers to complex situations.

I find that reconciliation as a focus of our way of being within the realm of living faith, or living out our faith, needs to be defined and extended much further than the lines upon which races are divided, this may be a priority of the social disparity and the cause of much pain within society, but reconciliation must not and cannot be limited to the discussion and the concern for racial reconciliation alone!

There are many a social discord that is racial, but is also religious, cultural, socio-economic, class based, abilities based, gender based etc. The work and ministry of reconciliation must be so defined that reconciliation provides a framework that allows for our people: meaning our parents, our elders, our children and youth, and future generations to be able to grapple with this broad based definition of reconciliation.

For the purposes of an example, and to be transparent and authentic about my concern, I have found too many white people excited about having their, in USA wide terms- ‘persons of color'- friends, who they are willing to reconcile too and with, and even tolerate, but there is limitation concerning their ability to wrestle with the historic social injustice and social realities. The reality that under pins racism and the related matters concerning power and privilege etc, and moving from accepting an individual to accepting a community, is some how excluded from understanding reconciliation and embracing ‘authentic reconciliation.

On the other hand, I have noted persons of color, who have bought into becoming co-opted into a system of whiteness, instead of these persons of color being voices for and of the marginalized, we see people who play the system wide recognized social reality of bicultural operative-ness. They do the shuck and jive or the duck and dive, they do the divisive, detrimental, and demeaning dance, where everything is premised upon succeeding within the confines of a system, and very little thought is committed to transforming the system. If reconciliation is ‘watered down’ like this, we may as well just call it a work or ministry of 'weak reconciliation.’

I am not blinded to work of white persons, and persons of color who are seeking to make positive change, but I do believe that there must be a freedom of people's minds concerning their consciousness and their image of self. If people continue to operate in a world where whiteness is the standard then we will never be able to combat the matters of racial and other disparities on an equal playing field.

In my personal journey I was born into a society plagued by legalized racism through the governance of Apartheid, within South Africa. I have been immersed in a racialized society, from birth and even within a post Apartheid era, it is my work to un-work the mechanisms of ‘brain wash’, where white was categorized as superior. This ‘un-working’ process is the tough work of introspection and reckoning with my self concept that I must commit daily, as I journey seeking to live free of labels and stereotypes, and more especially a system that enthrones whiteness. I must, and we must together, consider that the great equalizer is the consciousness that we are created in God's image, and this fact must propel the mindset that 'I am not more than any one, I am not less than any one, and that my bank balance should not dictate my confidence and my belief in who I am!’

We must wrestle with the issue of consciousness and how much of whom we are is based on the social construct of whiteness, yet there is much greater diversity to which we are, where we come from, and our heritage. When we can grapple together with the hypocrisy and social evil of racism, religious intolerance, homophobia etc., without the time wasting process of an internal need to defend, we may arrive at a place of utter, complete and bold courage to do the sacrificial work of reconciliation: that calls us to lay down our right, to be willing to stand in the tension, and even be beaten and sworn at: like Gandhi, like Martin Luther King Jnr., like Malcolm X, like Steven Biko, like Roberta Menchu, like Nelson Mandela, and like Jesus Christ.

I believe that our world is in a season when authentic reconciliation can take place. We should seize the moment, to really get deep with this practice, ideology, theology and God's highest agenda "Reconciliation.” let’s stop beating around the bush and go deep with this work and ministry of coming together. In the words of Mother Teresa, we have the opportunity to 'make something beautiful for God.' May God give us the strength to deal with the complexity of life and the reality that 'there are no simple answers to complex situations!"

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Sick organizations in need of overhaul


The occurrence of ‘Wally’s open heart surgery’ in August 2008 provided the world insight and eye witness to the complexities of such medical procedures. People who had no idea about the mechanics and detail of such an operation came face to face with the negative effects of unhealthy living and the required medical intervention. A heart overhaul is required when a heart has become dysfunctional.
While people’s hearts require overhaul, so do organizations. There is a need for an organizational overhaul that brings serious positive change. Organizations ranging from corporate, nonprofit, youth development, to religious have an impact on the lives of people and society. There are many Organizations these days which have struggles that bring them to a breaking point. Everything looks good on the outside but within they are perishing. Such organizations have an undeniable negative effect on its’ people and inevitably it ripples out into a greater negative societal effect. Organizations are required to take stock of their practices and organizational cultures, and pursue organizational development. The kind which has lasting impact on organizational ethics and morals, as well as the lives of their employees.
Consider people who work in the field of human resources. People in the supposed business of aiding the rights of employees in corporate companies. Unfortunately these human resource agents have expressed the soul killing process of becoming death tools of their executive boards’. Human resources are implicated in building cases that result in employees’ termination of contracts. Corporate organizations are frequently plagued with a working culture that operates like the mafia.
Such shrewd operations have also been noted in the nonprofit sector. There are many organizations that have undergone (major) magnanimous change. In some cases new leadership have not had the time to track the changes and keep up with the demands of new found leadership positions. In South Africa for example, the occurrence of black leadership coming into the influence of previously white lead organizations. Political and racial complexities are present and must be noted.
There are many leaders, managers and supervisors who are consumed by taking their own back. Selfish pursuit of personal luxury and comfort, have taken precedent over and above focus on people and their development. It has naturally led to several levels of misconduct, and abuse of people as well as further corruptions. In social critique and race constructs we speak of the Black elite who have risen to top ranks of leadership but are equally or even more disconnected from the plight of people in so called lower ranks of work, than their previous white predecessors.
While some industries and organizations have seen the rise of black leadership. There are many organizations that remained white and male, dominated in their staff compliment and their top level management structures - even after a fifteen year democratic South Africa. Organizations and workplaces that model inclusion within the workplace culture is quite frankly ignored. Drawing from the vast array of race, class and gender diversity in South Africa is not common practice. Leaders and influencers within organizations do not have an underpinning ideology or consciousness to pursue and develop diverse teams.
There is a call for people to take leadership in making a stand against the corruption, in the midst of organizations that are struggling to ensure that people are not diminished and disregarded. Furthermore we must ensure that we have a reforming of our societies, which are plagued by stressed and depressed people, and societies that are rife with unemployment, stark poverty, broken families and desperation.
Sick organizations; bring about troubled people, which further encourages a struggling society. In the study of organizations we learn of organizations who wield the power to control economic development, and the affect that economic development bears on the development of society. Today we live in a world where the disparity and gap between the rich and the poor is ever increasing. For example, Developed countries thrive off the primary resources of developing countries, while these developing countries try to reduce their Third World Debt.
According to Smith and Todaro , “For developing nations that possess greater resources and relatively more bargaining power, the phenomenon of dominance becomes manifested more in the tendency of the rich to get richer, often at the expense of the poor.”
Provided that we see, understand and recognize the desperation of our times, such desperate times require earnest and compassionate response. A response to bring lasting change is required.
Change grounded in a soulful commitment and social awareness must be considered to keep the heart beat of organizations beating for its people. We as concerned global citizens must agree that “sick organizations need an overhaul” to design, develop and deliver organizations that are concerned and committed to doing the work of social change. Organizations in minor and major forms - and people leading and influencing these organizations have the power to affect society positively. Organizational power brokers must consciously work toward such an end.