Much is made of South Africa’s wealth gap, with our beloved country regularly referred to as the most unequal place on Earth. But there is another yawning gap that gets less attention — that between our political and religious leaders.
As we approach the biggest day on the Christian calendar and the end of a brutal year, people of all faiths are taking stock and asking deep questions. More than 90% of our population professes to belong to a faith group. And it can be said that this sector, though divided by differences in belief systems and religious protocols, is united in a desire for general good and love for fellow man.
Like the rest of the world, South Africa has emerged from the global pandemic to face the first festive season in three years not marred by lockdown protocols, red-listing, travel bans and coronavirus fears. An existential crisis of sorts.
But while other countries are regrouping and focusing on rising food prices and soaring inflation, South Africa remains severely rattled by crime and looted by corruption. The newly decided gallery of the governing party’s national executive committee (NEC) lists people who should be wearing orange overalls instead of parading designer duds unwillingly sponsored by the poor.
While political battles rage on and city councils are torn apart by squabbling and power struggles, basic services are going undelivered and it is churches, aid organisations, NGOs and community groups that are feeding people and picking up the slack.
In recent days we have seen a hotly contested presidential race in which the loser, amid allegations of vote rigging, was Dr Zweli Mkhize. The man who won the support of 1,897 delegates at the ANC's national elective conference is at the centre of a corruption scandal that led him to step down from his position as health minister in August 2021. He has been implicated in the siphoning off of R150m in health department money to benefit his family and friends, and several other controversies. And he is an unashamed favourite, powered by popularity.
And while political battles rage on and city councils are torn apart by squabbling and power struggles, basic services are going undelivered and it is churches, aid organisations, NGOs and community groups that are feeding people and picking up the slack.
This week Rev Mzwandile Molo, deputy general secretary of the South African Council of Churches, said religious leaders are seeing people experience a deepening of faith and a growing need for community and connection, compounded by disillusionment, despair and alienation from “democratic institutions”.
“These are concerns for us as the church, but also dangers for those who are politically invested. As the small minority invested in party political structures grab onto power, so our people are giving up on being active citizens,” he warned.
It is prudent, Molo said, to remember that Jesus was born in a stable and welcomed by shepherds, and to take this as a guide to move away from the power arena to places where the lowly are. For politicians to work towards politics of service rather than strive for naked power.
It is time for renewal and festive spirit. It’s a time to embrace humanity and look forward.
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