This Christmas could be different! - by Seth Naicker

During this time of advent, a season of cheer and joy, there are people who do not have much in economic standings or bank balances to be cheerful or joyful about. Such people can be located in the most developed of countries as well as within the most developing countries of our 21st century world.

The economic meltdown as recognized following the crash on Wall Street has had global effect. People are living in the aftermath of what is best described as, “best as they can.” It must be admitted however, while people of various race, class, gender, and religion face economic hardship throughout the world, it is the poorest of the poor who will feel it most.

Some will argue that in times of personal discomfort, it is not easy to acknowledge another’s pain, or the fact that one is better off than thee other. I believe it to be quite natural for you and I to feel our individual and personal pain, thus operating from it as a reference. It is on the other hand possible to recognize that even within one’s individual and personal pain or discomfort; there are those who are less fortunate and in greater distress. If we allow our personal and individual reference to become our preference of understanding the world, we are choosing to recognize our personal hardship and deny the reality of those who have less.

Bishop Tutu in “No future without forgiveness”, points out that while South Africa was in the midst of celebrating our victory over Apartheid, and the beginnings of our new democracy, we displayed a total inaction and silence to our brothers and sisters suffering through the horrendous Rwandan genocide. Bishop Tutu’s voice must be harkened in our current day South Africa as it relates to our Zimbabwean brothers and sisters. During this festive season while gathering with family and friends may we have awareness and a concern for those who are less fortunate and people who in dire strait circumstances.

In these times of excessive shopping, times of carol singing, or times of sharing of gifts, may we be mindful of the blessings we have. May we be practical and exemplary in ensuring that from the little or the much that we have, we will seek to be a blessing to people around us.

I was most inspired by my parents who in their limits and within their own financial burdens, where able to rally together with my siblings and a couple from the states to organize and facilitate a Christmas party for about 450 children from a community on South side Johannesburg. My parents hope to continue running programs and initiatives within this community in partnership with local businesses, local churches, community members, local schools etc., which will ensure the healthy development of young people, their families and their community.

A coming together of people from diverse backgrounds may provide the inspiration required to stimulate community based initiatives and programs, which may start during this season but continue beyond. Because this Christmas we desire our existence to be bound up in our brother and sister’s calamity.

During this Christmas season may the spirit of the holidays be lived out by people of faith who will proclaim the love and mercy of God in tangible and practical ways. In ways that will encompass our heads and hearts, our minds and feet, our words and deeds, and most definitely our moneys and our long term commitment!

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!