A visit to Egypt shows how ubuntu can function
I have just returned from a bishops and spouses orientation programme in Cairo sponsored by the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa (Capa).
During our time in the land of the Pharaohs there was an opportunity to visit what is known as the Zabbaleen (rubbish collectors) village, also referred to as Garbage City.
It is a community comprising both Christians and Muslims who essentially do the rubbish collection and recycling for the entire city.
On the face of it, this does not seem out of the ordinary.
Consider this: there are more than 30-million people who live in Cairo.
Additionally, there are more than 12-million cars.
Can you imagine the refuse that is generated?
At the heart of this community is the St Simon Monastery, also known as the Cave
Church, which is nestled in the Mokattam Mountain in southeastern Cairo.
It can hold about 20,000 people.
It stands as a bulwark against the demeaning of the inhabitants of the area.
It affirms the creation ordinance that every person is made in the image of God.
We experienced poverty among the residents, but they just went about their business of recycling.
It was a lesson in how to make a living.
A striking feature of Egyptian society is the sense of a single community.
This was manifested in the way in which they welcome refugees.
There was no sense of “us” and “them”, and I noted the warm heart of the Egyptian people towards foreigners.
How I long for this to be a feature of our common life as South Africans — ubuntu in action!
Why is it that some are comfortable with “others” and yet, on our continent, there is a lingering intolerance of people seen as unwelcome guests?
Egypt provided refuge to Jesus and his parents when they faced persecution.
Is this not the least we can do for our sisters and brothers who seek refuge in our beloved SA?
In Matthew’s Gospel 25:35 Jesus says, ”...for I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me...”
So, here is the thing; as we approach our upcoming municipal elections on November 1, let us carefully and prayerfully consider where we put our mark in seeking to foster a single metro with a common purpose to dignify each and every resident.
Perhaps a few pointers could guide our prayerful consideration for the candidate to whom we lend our vote.
First, does the candidate/party exercise a preferential option for the poor?
Second, is consideration for the greatest good for the electorate placed before party political interests when it comes to using resources that improve our common life together?
Third, does being the public servant take precedence over personal expediency?
Fourth, is the candidate I’m voting for open to being accountable?
Last, can I trust the party or the individual I am lending my vote to, for the next five years?
Egyptian society operates largely on a culture of honour.
By this I mean one’s word is your honour.
Church in the Community EDDIE DANIELS
Close to the place I stayed was a corner kiosk selling cool drinks, potato chips, water and a few additional luxuries.
I owed the owner of the kiosk one Egyptian pound, which is roughly the equivalent of one rand.
When I went back the next day to settle my debt, he simply waved his hand and mentioned in Arabic that it was OK.
I pray you will exercise your right to vote and that you encourage your immediate circle of family and friends to do the same. Our metro needs you!
PS: Each time I was asked where I was from and said, “SA”, the response was, “Oh! Bafana Bafana!”
● The Right Reverend Dr Eddie Daniels, Anglican Bishop of Port Elizabeth