The Great Leveler

It has been difficult to digest the recent events unfolding in South Africa. The media firestorm starring the likes of a young, arrogant, and unapologetic leader (Julius Malema) and the murder of one of South Africa’s most racist hate mongers (Eugene Terre’Blanche) has sadly cast a dark cloud over this country. With less than 50 days till the kick off of South Africa’s grandest celebration, the 2010 FIFA World Cup, many of the lingering wounds of apartheid are beginning to fester. I must start off by saying that despite the media’s sensationalized attention to these issues; the extreme racist rhetoric is not the norm among the majority of South Africans. In fact, it is quite the contrary. Most South Africans I have spoken with, whether black, white, coloured, or Indian, are fed up with the bigotry and are looking for real solutions.

After 15 years of ANC (African National Congress) rule South Africa has seen its share of ups and downs. No one in their right mind would have expected the near utopian republic cast in the constitution of this land, but many would argue that they are much further from the rainbow dreams of Mandela and Tutu than they thought they’d be 15 years on. Last year the country elected its 3rd president since the fall of apartheid. After the financial boom years and HIV/AIDS health crisis of the Mbeki administration* a charismatic and populist leader in Jacob Zuma took the stage. At this point last year many South Africans were ready for change, they were ready for a leader to move them once again in the spirit of Mandela, they were ready to put the power back in the hands of the people, to revive the spirit of reconciliation (sound familiar?). What they got was Zuma, while possessing nowhere near the stature of Mandela, he has made strides in a number of areas both Mandela and Mbeki neglected, most importantly the HIV/AIDS crisis, which could wipe out an entire generation in parts of the country if not dealt with swiftly*. And though Zuma’s HIV/AIDS initiatives are by far the most dynamic of the three post-apartheid presidents*, his personal mistakes are costing him dearly. He was involved in a rape scandal prior to being elected, the case was thrown out on a technicality. He also has been cited numerous times for his links to corrupt business practices, and more recently it came to light that he fathered a child out of wedlock, which might prove to be the last straw in many people’s eyes. A supreme moral compass for South Africa he is not, but I give him credit for trying to talk about solutions to the realities of HIV/AIDS, rampant crime, staggering unemployment, and spiraling poverty. I just pray that his words are not empty, for the sake of South Africa’s future.

The people of South Africa are generally a patient people. The things they put up with on a daily basis would make many Americans and other westerners weep or throw tantrums. This is not the easiest place to live in the world and I think the people here appreciate the value of their daily blessings. The majority live outside the realm of excessive comfort and do what they can to live life within their abilities. If you were to say that they don’t show signs of jealousy and envy because they don’t know what it’s like to have more, you would probably be wrong. I know how much many of my friends here long for the dream of owning a big house, nice car, and overseas vacations. They see what the rich minority have and they too want a piece of it. This might explain why South Africa has one of the highest recorded crime rates in the world. Even though most may want these status symbols, they look toward fair ways of attaining them, and a life of crime is not an option for the majority. I believe the same is true here as in most impoverished populations around the world; if given the opportunity to work for a fair wage one will do so. Finding dignity in what one does with their life is a human value that all should have the chance to live out in practice.

Jesus brought dignity back to humanity; it is one of the most important parts of His sacrifice for us. When he hung on the cross he leveled the playing field for us all. Whether a Wall Street banker living on Madison Ave. or an AIDS orphan in rural KwaZulu-Natal, no one holds power over anyone else when it comes to Christ. He is the game changer, the X-factor, if you will, when it comes to justice, compassion, and hope. A massive population starving for a better life, South Africans time after time turn away from the demons of greed, lust, and contempt, and instead to the One who has leveled the playing field, they put their lives in the hands of God. The politicians here could learn something from this, their people get it! Instead of driving his Mercedes Benz to deliver his next divisive speech, ANC Youth League President Julius Malema should think about hopping in a kombi to ride with the people once again*. Instead of allowing the terrible murder of Eugene Terre’Blanche, one of South Africa’s most hateful icons, fan the flames of indifference, the radical right and left should look at the middle. This is where the majority lies, this is where Christ lives. For centuries the name of God has been used to carry out some of the world’s gravest atrocities, its high time we realize where God is found, not as part of anyone’s radical agenda, but instead as the Great Leveler.

The problems faced by my South Africa brothers and sisters are common around much of the world. These are not necessarily new problems, and though born out of the apartheid regime, they, in some ways, have always been around. We give them new names and stories as times change and evolve, but human suffering is inherently born out of sin. Sin which exists through selfishness and greed, connected to us all. Fully sinners and saints, we enter each day with a choice; glorify God or play Satan’s game. When we allow corrupt politicians to abuse power we turn our backs on justice. When we allow thousands of children a day to die from starvation we turn our backs on compassion. When we allow the drum of racism to beat loud and clear we turn our back on love. Christ is the Great Leveler, he has given us the power to embrace justice, compassion, and love, but it is up to us to put His power into action. Love is the most powerful force in the universe, it is the only thing that trumps all else. The majority middle in South Africa know how powerful love is. They know from the lessons of history that it is love, not hate that will win out. Mandela didn’t sit in prison for 27 years plotting the demise of the purveyors of apartheid; instead he learned to love them, to forgive them, to see them as fellow brothers and sisters. I fear for the future of South Africa, not because the dreams of 15 years ago are unattainable, but because the radical voices on the fringes are gaining strength. My hope is that the middle ground will cultivate the future, showing their strength through love and pragmatism. If love is their centerpiece anything is possible. What does it mean if we are no greater or less than anyone else? It is an empowering thought indeed, Christ gave us a chance to embody this through His death, how can we help to level the playing field?

* Facts and themes were taken from the following issues of the Mail & Guardian
-March 12-18, 2010 Muzzle Malema, No! & It’s About the Big Picture; pgs 2&3
-March 19-25, 2010 Malema’s Media War; pg 6
-April 9-15, 2010 Idiotocracy; pgs 2-6