A-level Divinity questions and answers

ASSESS how leaders in your society perpetuate Amos’ quest for a fair society ? (25)

The above question requires one to have deep knowledge about the actions of Amos in the 8th century period. It should not be ignored that Amos condemned the women of Samaria who oppressed the poor, the rich were also condemned, the lucrative trade was also condemned by the prophet Amos. In Zimbabwean context, different leaders from different sectors have or perpetuate Amos’s quest for a fair society.

The leaders include, the religions leaders and political leaders. Religiously this include; a) Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa b) Prophet Walter Magaya c) Pastor Evan Mawarire N.B Political leaders can also be included. The above question was submitted to the author by Herentals College Students in Chitungwiza under the teacher Mr T Shekede.

It is a belief among scholars that Amos prophesied when there was economic boom, this has been supported by Professor Roy who submitted that Amos prophesied during the prosperous days of Israel. Amos condemned the oppression of the poor by the elite. Amos used an oracle to deliver the message of destruction towards the oppressors. This is evidenced in Amos 2:6 “Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment; because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes”.

This has been supported by Thomas Constable in his Amos notes page 18 “The first sin of Israel was that Israelites took advantage of “righteous” or the needy people for their own personal advantage”. In Zimbabwean context, it has been recorded by media that religious leaders condemned the elite on the oppression of the voiceless, one of the notable example is Samuel Mutendi who condemned the oppression of the blacks by the whites. This was further supported by Nehemiah Mutendi (the son) during the interviews with Nehanda Radio Newspaper in October 2015, where he emphasised that his father greatly condemned the whites. All this indicates leaders in the society are continuing Amos’s quest for a fair society.

Amos condemned the women of Samaria who oppressed the poor by demanding much from their husbands. Amos labelled the women of Samaria as the cows of Bashan, perhaps he was emphasising the fatness of the women of Samaria. Scholars like Anderson, Jerome and Constable believed that “Bashan” was a luxuriant region were cows used to graze. It can not be also ignored that the women of Samaria were oppressing the poor by ordering their husbands to bring drinks as they were lazy Constable page 27 paragraph 4. The major point which should be noted is that Amos clamoured for the fairness in the society. In Zimbabwean context, the following leaders have fought for justice in the society, one notable example is that of Magaya who advised Zimbabwe football Association (Zifa) in 2014, to select Division 1 and 2 players in the national team for better performance.One will be forced to suggest that perhaps the prophet realised that selectors ignore the well talented players, thus advocating for fairness in the society. Media in June and July 2016, recorded the Pastor Evan Mawarire protesting for change at the same time claiming that there is injustice in the nation. In 2011 March 1, ZBC broadcasted Makandiwa involved in anti-sanction campaign (Number of people are aware of the situation prior the campaign). What can be noted is that the above named leaders campaigned for a fair society just like the prophet Amos. Hence, this will lead one to conclude that leaders in the society perpetuate Amos’s quest for a fair society. N.B: More information can be added. This include a) Oppression of the quiet in the land

In as much as it can be said that leaders in Zimbabwe continue the mission of Amos for advocating for a fair society, it will be loss of memory if one ignores the view that they are not neccesarily continuing. Amos during the days of prosperous condemned the lucrative trade in the market gates of Israel, this is recorded in Amos 8:5 “When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale, that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great, and deal deceitfully with false balances.” He went on to advocate for fairness in Amos 5:24. In Zimbabwean, it is not recorded that one of the leaders has condemned the fairness either in the markets. Media records that there is lucrative trade which is prevailing in the nation, at one point media recorded merchants who had tendency of bribing the policemen at the borders in order for them to pass with different goods, this is unfair as later on the traders will sell the same products at higher price, this simply means that they are unfair balances in the markets of Zimbabwe. (Peruse the Zimbabwean Newspapers, you will be furnished with lot of information). All this indicates that, Zimbabwean leaders they are not necessarily continuing the Amos’ mission for a fair society. N.B More points can be added QUESTION DEMANDS -ASSESS Witness Dingani is an author, columnist, youth coach. He is the founder of a charity organisation “Dingani Charity Organization”. He is also studying Theology and Religious Studies at Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU). In 2016 has been voted as the most influential youthful figures in Zimbabwe and being voted on the 8th position out of 15 people by the Pan-Zimbabwe society.

Questions by schools can be submitted through his mobile number. THIS past week Urban Culture, an online magazine focusing on entertainment and the arts and based in Bulawayo, released the 2nd edition of their Bulawayo’s top 100 influential people.

This is a list that supposedly features the whois-who of Bulawayo in terms of business, sports, arts and culture. I vividly remember the first list that came in 2015 and the uproar that followed the release of the list. To be honest it was a curious list that left those that came across it with more questions than answers. Everyone who saw the list wanted to know: What it took to be on the list. What criteria was used to select the top 100? Who did the actual selection? Whether the list was based on research or was just an opinion list? The huge controversy around the list brought a lot of attention to Urban Culture and a lot of visits to their site. And most people who had no idea what Urban Culture was about got to know them during this time. To be honest it was a good gamble for the young magazine.I really want to believe that they went about releasing this year’s list with the same hope as last year — secretly praying for their second list to create the same noise as last year. Unfortunately, this year’s list did not bring as much noise as last year — at least that is what I think and I could be wrong. And the reason for less noise this year could be as follows: 1 Last year, when asked to justify their list, Urban Culture failed to justify the criteria they had used to select the top 100, therefore a lot of people lost interest in their list. I remember in one response they said it was their list. (But in truth is it just their list?) 2 The year’s list looks almost the same as last year’s. If there are any changes they are very minor and not noticeable. 3 Most people expected the list to be controversial anywhere. The only surprise Urban Culture could have come up with was to come up with a researched list — because this would have looked very different from what they released.

Is the list really necessary? One might ask. I believe it is. It is a necessary distraction — especially for artistes. (In one WhatsApp group that I’m a member of there wer even suggestions to create their own list) Whether done the right way or not the list is necessary for creating debate. I also believe once in a while we need to acknowledge those that are doing well in their own sectors — the list tries to do this, in its own way. It is just unfortunate that the top 100 list does not make it clear which sector they are talking about. Is it business? Is it the arts? Is it sports?

I could be wrong but I don’t think Raji Modi can be on the same list as a small time and unknown actor in the township. What spheres of influence will be talking about? What influence does an out of work artiste have on his/her community? Better if it was an artiste who works every week, or an artistes whose work speak for themselves but a mere artiste who last went on stage two or three years ago? What influence does he/she have? And what influences are talking about when we include people who are not even known beyond the hedge that separate their home from their neighbours?

Unless and until Urban Culture starts giving us a proper criteria on how they come up with their list, until they also give more information about those in their list than just mere names, very few people will take the list serious. As for now I strongly believe that the list is created for two reasons. First it was to counter the Harare list that had appeared last year. Secondly, it was meant to create hype/controversy that will get Urban Culture more hits on their site. It is my hope that one day this list will grow into a credible list that everyone will wish to be on.