Forgiveness, reasoned debate the tools to fight dissatisfaction
It is not only God’s house that is burning, it’s our nation. And to put out such fires we need to learn from the mistakes of the past, writes
never bring the solution we desire.
It was not the armed struggle alone, that is, the threat of violence, that secured freedom, but the daily steps towards negotiation, peace and a shared future. It was the meetings between leaders from different organisations. It was the forums that brought everyone on board with a voice.
It was through prayer breakfasts and forgiveness and reasoned debate that the foundations of apartheid crumbled. These are the tools we must employ now to fight the present battle. We can choose this path, or we can choose to continue on the path of burning down buildings. But there is no one outside ourselves that can bring a solution. It is up to us to build the future, or tear down the present.
But this decision must be made today. From the laws of science we know that nature tends towards chaos. Until we make a decision, things can only get worse.
Thus we need to put aside our differences and share our wisdom to avert a national disaster. Thousands upon thousands of South Africans have already been affected by the destruction, including many pupils whose future has been jeopardised.
As a nation, we need to act. We cannot put politics before the interests of our country. That road has already been walked. The future demands that we learn from the past.