Reconciliation Day ! by Seth Naicker

The 16th of December 2008, marks our South African Day of Reconciliation in our 14th year of democracy. President Nelson Mandela in his speech in 1995 stated:

“There are few countries which dedicate a national public holiday to reconciliation. But then there are few nations with our history of enforced division, oppression and sustained conflict. And fewer still, which have undergone such a remarkable transition to reclaim their humanity. We, the people of South Africa, have made a decisive and irreversible break with the past. We have, in real life, declared our shared allegiance to justice, non-racialism and democracy; our yearning for a peaceful and harmonious nation of equals” (MESSAGE BY PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA ON NATIONAL RECONCILIATION DAY 16 December 1995).


There is a remnant that still holds true to the wise words of our honorable Madiba. But today we are in a post romantic era of our South African politics, an era filled with anxiety, anguish and concern about the depth and authenticity of our Reconciliation process.

In my discussions with seasoned leaders and political minds, it has become apparent there is great critic of our current day South Africa where our differences are being utilized as political rhetoric and device to divide us rather than unite us ‘into a source of strength and richness’. It would be most insightful to hear the Father of our Nation Nelson Mandela reflect on our political process thus far, as we draw closer to the 15 years of democracy. I choose to believe that our honorable Nelson Mandela would acknowledge the divisive schemes of politics gone bad, and would reach out to the souls of leaders and consciousness of people to live for a ‘peaceful and harmonious nation of equals’.

Our current political process leading up to our 15th democratic election, is held by some as an exciting, rigorous and competitive election, which will yield a better South Africa for all. There are others who are skeptical and fearful of the signs of the times, as political competition between the African National Congress and Congress of the People intensifies.

It is my hope and prayer that there will be a recommitment, a revitalizing and reviving of our South Africa to remain true to as Nelson Mandela proclaimed in 1995, “The rainbow has come to be the symbol of our nation. We are turning the variety of our languages and cultures, once used to divide us, into a source of strength and richness.”

Reconciliation is worth pursuing at all costs, and I am hopeful for my country as I am for our world, that there are people who are willing to go the distance and take on the pressures and social injustices of our day. DeYoung (2007) explains, “Faith-inspired activists live and practice their faith in ways that do not recognize socially constructed boundaries They strive to transcend race, culture, class, and other artificial limitations” (Living Faith, 2007, p. 139). On this Day of Reconciliation, may we be reminded of transcending the barriers that prevail, pursuing a world that some might say cannot be realized in our ‘here and now’.

Requiring responsible political leadership in South Africa's electoral process- by Seth Naicker

While the USA gets ready to inaugurate their first African American president, South Africa is bracing herself for her 4th national democratic election. It is most troubling to see and hear account of the political process thus far, where African National Congress (ANC) supporters, are taking mass action by disrupting the political campaigning of opposition party Congress of the People (COPE) led by Monsuioa Lekota-a former member of the ANC.

It is my hope that ANC leadership will respond decisively and call for ANC supporters to be mindful of our South Africa being a democratic country, where people have a right to share their political views and ideas, even if it is bringing harsh critique to the ANC. Mr.

Jacob Zuma (who is projected to be the next president of South Africa if the ANC wins the national election) has spoken out against activists but must do so consistently, and cannot together with other senior ANC leaders remain inactive-hiding behind a defense that explains 'people cannot be controlled because former ANC leaders are "rubbishing the ANC"'. Bishop Tutu has in his prophetic voice made harsh critique of the ANC and even Thabo Mbeki during his leadership, but no such mass action was enacted or condoned.

South Africa must call for ANC leadership to resist playing political games and standing back in silence when ANC supporters who are clearly Zuma loyalists, are acting in the name of the ANC, and diminishing the time honored practices of an equality for all-inclusiveness ethos and upholding of peoples right to choice, which has been apart of the historic culture of the ANC. People who are acting as Zuma loyalists should gather under a banner that divorces Zuma fanatics from the ANC, for the ANC has never existed based on one personality.

It is my hope that our political process in South Africa, will be open to a fair and free electoral process that honours people's rights to share their political views and ideas without restriction. It is my hope that our leadership will act out of a concern for all our people, pursuing a path of political competition that is transparent, fair and free. It is my hope that people who are Zuma loyalists will refrain and stop proclaiming death threats and their willingness to act violently if Jacob Zuma is not successful in becoming our next president of South Africa.

May our history of oppression, colonialism and slavery remind us that we cannot allow power to corrupt us further when we claim to have achieved democracy.

As Obama was elected through the people's vote, may the people's vote count for the election of our ruling political party and the confirmation of our 4th democratically elected president.
Viva a democratic South Africa for all, the rich and the poor, the young and the old, people of all backgrounds-race, class, gender and religion.

Blessings and 'alutta continua', "la lucha continua," the struggle continues.Shalom, Shanti, La Paz sea contigo, As-Salamu'Alaykum - Peace be upon you!