Polarized Society

The events of the past few weeks show just how far South Africa still has to go as we move and work toward a society that reflects the Rainbow Nation. Race relations are tense as a result of a couple of events. Recently, the leader of the ANC's (the ruling party of South Africa) Youth League, Julius Malema, publicly sang the "Shoot the Boer" song (click here - and scroll down to find lyrics to the song). A Boer is another word for an Afrikaner, which means "farmer." My wife, Daleen, is an Afrikaner. Then this past weekend Eugene Terre'Blanche was hacked to death on his farm. Terre'Blanche was the founder of an extremist white group called the AWB (Afrikaner Resistance Movement).

Events such as these don't help us to heal from our divided past, but rather open old wounds. They heighten tensions between races, which has led to several bomb threats in and around Pretoria. One of the bomb threats was at the mall where we normally shop, and another was at a bank in our suburb. As far as I know, no bombs went off and no one was hurt. And, unfortunately, this is not the type of press we need just before the Soccer World Cup that will take place in South Africa in June/July. South Africa is a beautiful country with a lot going for it, and these type of events overshadow the reality of life for the vast majority of people.

Won't you please pray with us for the nation of South Africa. Pray for true reconciliation and healing of the wounds of the past. May we learn from the past rather than repeat it.