It is wonderfully inspiring to see so many move so quickly, in response to an urgent call for humanity.
Thursday, 22 May 2008 Reports of xenophobic violence and hatred have featured prominently in South Africa’s – and the world’s – daily press . But what hasn’t made the headlines is the overwhelming positive response to the violence from the South African public. People often show support for causes out of the country, but when it’s in South Africa, they say it’s the government’s problem. “But now we are seeing massive support. Black, White, Indian, Coloured; they are all here.
http://www.sagoodnews.co.za/general/south_africans_unite_against_xenophobia.html
The Xenophobia in South Africa, a negative in every conceivable way, other than showing our heart and humanity to ‘the foreigners’, and to ourselves. It presents vast possibilities of change.
This kindness raises a few questions though.
- Is this type of compassion and display of generosity sustainable? Could we, if called to respond daily rather than a once off crisis, be as willing and compassionate?
- So we’ve demonstrated a miracle of support, generosity and kindness toward strangers, if we can do this (and have), how much more miraculous could our efforts be if we were to look at our brothers and sisters of Africa – still impoverished and squatting in camps? We can make the difference, or can we?
- Why, if we can come find the resources corporately and individually why can we not resolve some homegrown issues?
Are we tourist here – just passing through touching base with our immediate experiences, only to forget the realities and reminisce nostalgically from a distance or are we residents here?
I love your last paragraph, it really summarises the situation nicely.
I’m not sure if we can sustain relief efforts over a long period. Already some groups have been evicted from temporary residences for theft and disorderliness.
I think we can make a difference, the challenge lies in self-denial and loving service but in ways that are sustainable and safe, i.e. not all-consuming and self-destructive.
By: timvictor on June 21, 2008
at 10:42 pm
Very good questions FSS. Sustainability is a key question not only from an economic POV but also from a spiritual one.
Have you got any solid suggestions as to what might be done?
By: Nic Paton on June 23, 2008
at 8:27 am
thanks Nic and Tim for your comments.
solid suggestions…not sure how solid but i do have a few ideas – I’ll rattle them off:
THE TOWNSHIP ISSUE
1. Housing projects are proving to be far too slow. A suggestion would be to allocate land (as is done in Tanzania). land owners are given 3 years in which to build on their land. If within 3 years no foundation has been laid on the land this land can be re-allocated.
A selection of house plans can be made available to ensure building codes and restrictions are followed.
The government can offer a builders-type permit for people with skills who can be employed privately by landowners to oversee projects. e.g. electricians, painters, etc.
2. Running water. Most townships have a communal tap. This contributes to the sanitation issue and spread of disease. The solution – build those RDP houses faster! RDP houses – corporate are always looking to throw some money into social responsibility projects – perhaps they can fund the building of a few houses.
3. Garbage/Refuse. This seems to be a two-fold problem. Garbage is scattered everywhere and it’s worsened by a culture of littering. I think this to be a lack of education as well as the resourse to collect the garbage. The ‘clean-up’ campaign would need to incorporate information as to why it’s harmful to litter (spreading of disease, mosquito breeding, bad for the earth, etc) and at the same time to offer a service where garbage is collected. The issue with the collection of refuge lies in the ability to acess it. Roads are going to need improvement.
THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
Crime is a concern in SA. Our police are accused of neglecting to fill in paperwork and lean toward corruption (partly due to poor wages as well as a dissillusionment with the judicial system),courts dismiss criminals because prisons are full…prisons are full!
Where to start?
Punishment should reflect the crime. i.e. those who are arrested/convicted for theft 3x should have a hand copped off..and so on. This should empty prisions and dissuade criminals.
Police – this should be a prestigious career. They should be the elite of the nation. Policemen/ woman should be trained in physical arts, psychology and whatever the other education be useful. salaries should be decent and the vehicles top of the range.
Thses are some thoughts…
By: freespiritedsoul on June 23, 2008
at 5:53 pm
So you. like Archbishop Rowan Williams, believe in some aspects of Sharia law?
Are you ANGLICAN?
By: nic paton on June 24, 2008
at 9:43 am
Bev,
Have you considered the merits of Restorative Justice over Punitive Justice? I agree that our present system is innefective, even Zuma reckons it’s time prisoners stop feeling they’re on holiday (sorry Zuma, someone else may’ve actually said that but I needed a politicians name I know and Mbeki isn’t known for speaking about real issues appropriately). I’m wondering about how you land at the “chopping” conclusion.
By: timvictor on June 24, 2008
at 6:45 pm
LOL
An anglican! you’ll need to define exactly what an anglican is please for me to respond. Surely it’s not about sharing opinions?
By: freespiritedsoul on June 25, 2008
at 7:48 am
Tim,
Yes there are merits to the resorative justice system as there are to a punitive system. Our country offers neither. We have a ‘time-out and think about what you’ve done wrong sytem’.
I don’t see why the restorative and punitive sytems cannot work together. The punitive point i was making is that after the 3rd convicted offence (possible the 75th going unnoticed), there be a consequence or punishment that co-insides with the offence.
This can be very effective as there is a physical example (or lack of one) for all to see. Ditto on the death penalty, three convictions…rape, three convictions…and soon the uprising in serial killings made diminish too, as will the hatred the families have toward rapists, paedophiles, murders,etc.
This system may reduce the hate and revenge as it would be law and those commiting offenses are well aware of the consequnces before they commit a crime – or in this case, at least 3 of the same crime! In some ways, this is a form of restitution.
There is a law of cause and effect in the kingdom of G-d, as well as a law of repentance, forgiveness and restitution.
By: freespiritedsoul on June 25, 2008
at 8:09 am
Just two short of the 77 times we ought to forgive
Kidding!
I think you’re on to something and make some good suggestions. The tricky bit relates to the small world each of us can affect versus the larger world we live in framed by others with our tacit or contextual agreement.
I take to heart your challenge about how we can be more than tourists in our land.
By: timvictor on June 26, 2008
at 8:07 am