ƒ‹ˆ—Ž •–ƒ”– –‘ ʹͲʹ͵

Sir,

With only eight weeks of 2023 under our belts, our lived experience of this year warrants a moment of contemplation; to remember, reinforce and recommit ourselves to the values that should inform how we relate to the many issues facing us.

In February we also remembered the pain of a year since the Russia-Ukrainian war erupted. Tens of thousands have lost their lives, and millions have been displaced. The conflict in this region, as with conflict in other regions, still impacts the world to this day.

To neutrally call for peacemaking and proceed with war-anniversary military manoeuvres is exactly the despicable position of the US and Europe. They publicly call for a two-State peace negotiation in Israel and Palestine, while at the same time giving Israel the diplomatic, military and political support to flout international law in the illegal settlements and annexation of occupied Palestinian territories.

Injure

In recent days, we have seen the impunity with which Israel can kill and injure unarmed civilians in Nablus, as they’ve done with the non-aggressive 72-yearold market trader, Adnan Saabe Baara. His body was reportedly riddled with 10 bullets. For God’s sake, somebody bring out reason from the old-fashioned arsenal of critical consciousness!

The pains of our time seem to have no end. A devastating natural tragedy engulfed the border between Turkey and Syria in an earthquake that has been brutal in its effects. We cry out to the Lord of all creation; knowing that it is our mismanagement of the created order that results in unpredictable weather patterns, yet because God is God, we must appeal for respite. Again we appeal to all, especially churches, to give all they can to relieve these situations.

Apostle Paul urges us in Romans 12:2 saying, “Be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” In this regard, we must recommit to values that are predictably humane for all to see. We cannot legislate basic decency but we must socialise for it, towards a nationhood free of the scourge of corruption, greed and underhanded politics that debilitate our institutions and destroy our future.

Malusi Mpumlwana