The power of our words and the death of 5 foreigners, our shame.

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Yesterday, once again, I feel the shame of being a South African.

I heard the news throughout the day in which we were privy to the encouraging words from our president, Jacob Zuma, who in a speech this past weekend, strongly asked for young South African graduates, to not leave SA but rather to remain here and to " give back". While I think this is a great encouragement, his very encouragement involved the word patriotism. He spoke very clearly about us being patriotic and therefore, making life decisions that will include building our country. 

On the surface of things I think that these sorts of encouragements are not far of the mark.

However, the irony was stark because on the very same day that we, the public were given insight into our presidents ideas on patriotism, Kwazulu Natal erupted into violent attack and chaos. This very unpatriotic, shameful behaviour that does not build but destroys.

I grew up in Johnnesburg in Gauteng and my grandparents lived for the last part of their lives, in Durban. We spent many holidays sharing Durban beachfront and all the fun Durbanish activities. My memories of those holidays are really beautiful.

I, therefore , have a very clear picture of the city, the streets, the area around Point Rd where people decided to brutalise one another yesterday.

My heart aches today.

5 people have died since King Goodwell Zwelithini gave us his speech where he strongly encouraged all foreigners in Durban to return to their countries. He has since backtracked and said he was quoted out of context. Be that as it may, his words have struck a match underneath the waiting box of anger, resentment and hatred towards foreigners in our country. 

Who are these foreigners?

These are Zimbabweans, Malawians, Nigerians, Somalians and the like. People from Africa.

Need I say, fellow Africans.

During Apartheid, when our leaders of the ANC and the other liberation organisations looked outside of our borders for help, exile, assistance, we did not have very far to look. African countries were more than willing to lend a hand. 

The irony of this is that at a time in our modern day history, when statues are being destroyed and vandalised, we really are reminded that history and the telling of it matters. I say this because it would seem to me that many young black South Africans have either forgotten our past helpers or simply do not know. I guess a third option is that they might not care. 

And so the fire of xenophobic violence has once again been ignited in our beloved country. It is burning like the fires that destroyed the Cape Mountains a few weeks ago. Hatred is alive and well in the hearts of fellow man and 5 people are dead because of it.  

I am reminded of the verses in the bible .

 And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

These true words from the bible remind us that all people are precious to God because he made them. Precious people, made to carry his very likeness, his image. We are to be living breathing God representatives on earth. 

I pray that in our shame God might forgive us. That we would turn to him and find forgiveness and find purpose in this life as individual South Africans and as a nation. I pray for revival and for people, men and omen to speak a word of reason in all this chaos.  Father will you restore calm and peace but more than that bring real peace between  all South Africans. Help us who are called by your name, to be the salt and light ; the peacemakers .
At Escom today, where SA workers are striking because they want foreigners to be fired..... in the city streets of beautiful Durban... across our land. Father will you move by your spirit and through your true word. Help reason and truth to rule our hearts and replace anger, bitterness , vengeance and hatred with your forgiving love for one another.