A PLEA FOR PEACE IN SOUTH AFRICA
It
fills my heart with pain and hurt that we even have to speak about xenophobic
attacks in 2015, in South Africa, where Nelson Mandela passed the baton to all
52 million citizens to live in peace and unity.
Tata
Mandela and so many freedom fighters lived in our neighbouring countries as
refugees during the Apartheid regime and were even given Sudanese and Tanzanian
passports in order to overcome Apartheid. If it wasn’t for those countries
protecting and supporting our freedom fighter, we probably would not even have
this democratic nation that we are taking advantage of.
I am
reminded of Abraham Lincoln’s words: “Those who deny freedom to others deserve
it not for themselves.” It’s the people who were never involved in the freedom
struggle themselves that are leading and instigating these Xenophobic attacks. It
is a sad day, when people of the same race, religion and continent choose to
only see the differences and not the similarities that we possess.
Perhaps
it’s because the youth did not have to fight for their freedom that they have
so little respect for what they have. Theylack responsibility and it shows in
their actions, maybe because freedom has come freely to them. Ask any struggle
stalwart or any mother who lost her son, fighting for liberation, if freedom
was free? We received our freedom through the blood and tears of thousands of
people, respect the blood of our men and women, by respecting the freedom they
fought so hard for.
I
love my beloved South Africa for the rainbow nation that we so proudly proclaim
to be. I am grateful for not having to fight for my freedom. I feel privileged
to be living in an open society where our Constitutional rights are protected. But
all this means nothing if we cannot live in peace and harmony in our beautiful
country.
Some
of the visions shared by the Parliament of World’s Religions is of a just,
peaceful and sustainable world marked by these characteristics:
1. Religious
and spiritual communities live in harmony and contribute to a better world from
their riches and wisdom and compassion.
2. Religious
and cultural fears and hatreds are replaced with understanding and respect.
3. People
everywhere come to know and care for their neighbours.
4. The
richness of human and religious diversity is woven into the fabric of communal,
civil, societal and global life.
5. The
earth and all life are cherished, protected, healed and restored.
6. All
people commit to living out their highest values and aspirations.
The
hope for our future lies in our hands, as our present lay in the hands of our
forefathers. Government, religious leaders, countries all around the world are
calling for peace, to whose call will you heed? http://www.mysuccessfocus.co.za
