It is several days since I wrote on the perfect storm of July 2021, so here is what I am now seeing as continuing to unfold:

1. There is clear evidence, despite the government’s mixed messages, that the looting and arson were instigated in an attempt to gain political power in both the ruling party and the government. It is an insurrection aimed at a coupe.
2. What has come into sharp focus is the appalling level of poverty in our nation. It is also painfully evident that there is an aching moral vacuum within many middle-class people who loot as ravenously as the hungry and hopeless.
3. Communities have pulled together to both protect and to try to address the devastation. Community Police Forums, Neighbourhood Watches, Commercial security companies working with police, and Residents Associations have emerged as the heroes. Supermarket chains and other companies have gone to lengths to get provisions down to KwaZulu-Natal. Private security companies have gone the extra mile and hoards of citizens of goodwill have stepped in to clean up the mess and restore order.

Here are the things that we as Christians can do or continue to do:

Any structural changes needed to redirect the nation will take time. However, right now there are millions of hungry people. The looting will feed some for a week or so, but after that their poverty will deepen and their needs will be more urgent than ever.

Therefore, we need to follow the example of the Lord Jesus and feed the people while pointing them to Him.

We can do this in several ways, but here are just two:

• Get involved in our local church effort in this regard and/or
• financially support a Christain based and registered organisation involved in feeding the poor.
• I think that Clem Sunter is correct when he says that what South Africa urgently needs is what he calls a ‘peoples economy’. By this, he means that government and big business need to redirect their goals and strategies towards creating a plethora of new small businesses. He contends that, as a nation, we need to focus not on job creation but on business creation.

The Christians among us who are in leadership positions within their companies can take this further, investigate its feasibility, and influence their corporations to shift in this direction.

• The model of government in this nation needs to change. The current Marxist Socialism of the ruling party needs to be, at least, reformulated around the concept of a ‘peoples economy’. The electoral system needs to be modified to include members of parliament elected by the voters and not by their political parties. In addition to this, it is quite likely that we will need a Coalition Government, perhaps even preceded by a Government of National Unity. Christians, called and equipped by the Holy Spirit, should seriously consider getting involved in politics to be catalysts for truth as the needed structural changes take place.
• We can spread some finance to those with whom we come into contact – car guards (give them R10 rather than 50c), our domestic workers, and so on.
• We can also support and get involved with our local Community Police Forums, Block Watch, Residents Associations, and the like.

These are just some things we ordinary citizens can do, all the while keeping our eyes on Jesus and his Gospel of Salvation.

It May Not be Over yet

We cannot assume that it is all over until law enforcement agencies arrest the ring leaders of this present sedition and identify and dismantle their networks. The supporters of the previous president have now made outrageous demands on the government designed to exacerbate the situation and to force further chaos. It is clear that they are aiming for the overthrow of the present government and this, by any definition, is treasonous insurrection. Therefore, we need to keep vigilant.

‘I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.’ (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

What we can also do is feed the hungry. Any further plans the anarchists have will rely in part on the manipulation of the easy to instigate hungry masses. The less hungry and hopeless people are the less likely they will be to loot and burn.

Two Major Ways to Feed the Hungry

FIRSTLY

I have previously mentioned this, but a good first step is to contact your local church leaders to enquire about the channels open to you. For instance, I know that the local church to which I belong has allocated a substantial amount of money to provide three ministries, that the church already supports in the outlying areas, with additional aid for their feeding projects.

SECONDLY

Another way is to give directly to an organisation you know you can trust. One such ministry that my wife and I have supported of late is The Cradle of Hope in the Krugersdorp area.

Here is what I received from them a couple of days ago:

PLEASE assist us to supply FOOD PARCELS to families in desperate need.

Our FOOD PARCEL account is completely empty, and our funds are depleted, and we have to send people away, empty handed.

At the moment we are supplying between 300 – 400 food parcels per week. But we can only hand out what we receive.

Literally anything and everything makes a difference.

At THE CRADLE OF HOPE we do not judge.  We do not discriminate at all.  We are not RACIST.  We do not see colour and we help everyone.

HUNGER and HOMELESSNESS and POVERTY has NO COLOUR.

Please assist us if you can.

Donate via our bank account:

THE CRADLE OF HOPE

FIRST NATIONAL BANK Account no:  621-8035-2628

Branch code: 250241  Ref:  FOODPARCEL

We can provide Section 18A tax certificates and BBBEE Level 1 certificates for all contributions received.  Kindly WhatsApp or email Sharon your proof of payment on: 0790495802 or info@thecradleofhope.org

For more information on our Organisation please visit our website: www.thecradleofhope.org

And Remember

‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

‘ “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 8:35-39)