One of the catch phrases used in our country ” it is our tradition” makes me see red. Some traditions are good but when they are used to enslave people it is so wrong.

Perhaps you would like to read some of my poetry at: http://protest-poetry-south-africa.co.za/ I am a white South Africa but some of the poems could just as easily have been written by a black person
Butch Hannan

At least I am worried about what is happening in Africa

How lovely of the author/writer to open up a discussion so we can all delve into that which is on our minds & in our hearts & hopefully find healing. The WORLD is in a pit of violence deprivation & hatred anybody who does not see that is suffering from a terrible kind of ignorance – obviously. I do not deny this (friend of the writer who knows what a splendid fellow he is). I question not that about the general statement Africa is bleading (and needs love by extraction & extrapoltion – pressumably). What I do question is WHY specifically point out that BLACKS are KILLING blacks (on a black continent nog al). I also question your reference & the writers reference to the BRITISH crimes & therefore their collective guilt. What about the Afrikaaners who trained their children to shoot black women & children. I am sure there was good reason they may have had rocks Plestimians get murdred for the same by Israel). How about we dislike them too! Dis nie baie slim. Further more it perpetuates the state of lovelesness to single Afrikaans people out as though they are the only humans to ere. In fact I would go further to say it is not fair do describe the crimes on mankind during the aparthied times as Afrikaans – they are not. People hurt people. For some stupid seperatist ideology (nationalism,racism,religionosm, classism, etc.). you message of love is flawed when it deems some more deserving than others. My critisism is not of the general message but rather of its specific shortcomings. Not the writer though whom I have no problem with & I bet is a grand fellow. As to the quote that I ‘especially’ have used. The only way to cure us of ignorance is learning. be that study educational or experiential is not too relevant. My friendin geniet jou dag en weet dat ek stem saam – Love is all we need! That & comon sense. Prayer is a blessin to be utilised in that regard too. it is however hypocritical to expound the virtues of love for all without demonstrating it.

Africa is bleeding, and if you are too blind to see that, you are suffering from the same symptoms as 80% of South Africans, restricted by their self developed paradigms…..haal af jou oogklappe boetie!!!

It is interesting that you mention the writer’s selective choice of scriptures from the bible, yet you choose to selectively comment on only tha parts of the story you would like to challenge, whilst the overall message (if you bothered to read to the end), is about repentance by all, love, forgiveness and focus on the future!! By the way, when you write a piece about a certain topic, you obviously select relevant scriptures or references to that specific topic…..

What you perceive the “Dark Continient” as being, is really your problem, as you have obviously only one perception of the term.

With regard to your comment on tribalism and division of humanity, it is common knowledge, that no matter what Faith you belong to, whether it be Christian, Moslem or Hindu etc, is based upon the principle of “Good” and “Evil” and has a clear set of rules, of which the greatest comandment,rule or law is the right to life!!! That is what the writer refers to when he speaks about the human slaughtering in Ruanda…..no matter what your faith….your judgement day will come if you consider yourself the right to end human life on any scale whatsoever!!!

I personally know the writer, and believe my…..he is a good man who condemns unjustice to ALL races!! We cannot change others way of thinking by fighting, but what the writer means is that if we all go to our knees and pray, God will lead us and heal us as a nation.

The British????…..nothing personal, yes they too are God’s children, if they so choose, but in history the British are known for their interference in other nations and their uncontrollable appetite for wanting what is not their’s…..even the French and the Germans do not like the British as a nation!!

“rather be unborn than unlearned……”???? What a strange comment coming from you, as there are many people in South Africa that are unlearned, not because of choice or ignorance, but because of circumstances…..do they then not have the right to existence?

I will rather not comment on Mugabe, however, whatever the size of their bank account…..it won’t buy them success, happiness, love or eternal life and DOES NOT give them the right to take innocent human lives…..this slaughtering is not human, but animal instinct, and the reason being???????

So my friend, instead of critisizing the writer, read the overall massage of love for all human beings and their right to existence, whoever they are and whatever their race or colour!!!

Being the bible quoting Christian that you are. I….well,,,uhm how do I put this – YOU PICK & CHOOSE A TRUTH TO Suite ‘YOUR VIEWS’ all while editing a message of universal love which is complete & perfect, we are led to believe. Please find love for the Brithish too – for they seem to me, to be – your Gods children too. Africa is by the way a continent populated by dark pigmented people by enlarge. So, most good & most bad it stands to reason would come from them (maybe). Ofcourse being a man of God, all you ‘may’ see is Gods Universal family undevided by tribe, race,class, education & petty nationalism. Stop asking for forgiveness good Christians and ACT RIGHT or in the words of Christ Go NOW & sin nomore! Obviously with all the guilt stinking up the air we breathe, some repentance could be of use. That said please do not wollow in self pitty & shame, rather BE GOOD. Last point – “rather be unborn than unlearned, fo igorance is the root to all ,misfortune”. It is niether the Belgians nor Mugabe Colonizing Congo. Someone with a far bigger bank account & greater power than either – is. Their race….that is irrelevant.

Xolani

Firstly you could look at ways of assisting litracy levels in your area, being a writer. That is after school reading programs for instance. The reason for this is the common denominator of poverty in ‘most’ crimes in South Africa. The education system fails many South Africans leaving them hopless. ‘Our country’ for that matter even struggles with what to do with the educated, but thats another point.
The government is responsible for security, education, health care to name a few key areas of focus. Are they coping. NO. Even in firt world economies inflation economic recessions ‘en alles’ make public service delivery a tuff nut to crack. Our guys (the Government) are operating below par, this is a fact ‘me thinks’. That said in many first world countries the citizens take greater responsibility for their circumstances (whether self created, as a result of history or niether).

You need to use your imagination to influence positively your environment. Partner all your neighbors (business included) & find a way/s. The government still must pitch up though. Those in public office will never solve ALL our problems, they are us after all. Therfore we as individuals in my opinion need to do more. I can give you many examles of South Africans on all sides of the imagined racial devide who are positively contributing.

My writing is not to challange you or assert that you do nothing, I am merely commenting on the specific article you wrote here. As to the question of revolution, you need not be worried. This is not the time for wars – that time is over. For people who hav e been fighting for years/generations it may take a revolution to stop. A revolution in thought and sentiment though. I mean change internaly by revolution, nothing more.

I like some of your poetry and generally your candid and heartfelt views which I have read.

Butch

You are asking the wrong question. Although your point/question is burried in FACTS. The correct question in my view is what have I & those I call friend & family done? The only change/revolution is inward & begins with the individual, rather than sysyems, bodies, institutions, angencies & governments. Do not get me wrong, they (government, agencies etc.) are not absolved from responsibility. Its just that you my brother have a role to play that must be quetioned too.

Xolani

By trying to concentrate on the positives we will create positive energy that is contagious. If everyone of us impacts positively on all of those people you speak about at least once per day we will spread a positive “disease” that will make our country a better place to live in.
Kind regards

Butch