HOPEANDNEWBEGINNINGS

and renewal are central to all three of these religions. Easter is particularly special for many South Africans. It tells the story of Christ’s suffering and his mother, Mary, who had to watch her son’s painful journey. This story is much like our own history of struggle, such as the tragedy of Sharpeville, remembered on Human Rights Day. Sharpeville is a powerful example of how deep suffering led to the freedom and new beginnings of our country.

Viktor Frankl, a renowned theorist, believed that finding meaning in pain and suffering is essential for personal and collective healing.

During this time of year, as Hindus walk through fire and Muslims fast during Ramadan, each act of faith is a way to overcome difficulties with the hope of finding peace and a fresh start. Each practice embodies a form of suffering with the hope of spiritual renewal. In SA, the theme of pain and suffering is both a historical echo and a present reality. The current economic hardships have brought financial strain to many. Unemployment rates soar, casting a shadow over the dreams of our youth. Issues of quality of life and personal safety remain pressing, with communities striving for peace and stability amid a pandemic of crime and violence. Our history teaches us that suffering is not an end, but a phase, and these particular traditions of faith show us that despite tough times, there is always a way to find strength and unity through our shared experiences. Easter, with its message of rebirth after suffering, encourages all South Africans to look for hope and new beginnings in our collective journey through hardship.