Storm Clouds Over Southern Africa

OMINOUS clouds, dark and frightening, threaten much of southern Africa. Zimbabwe secured independence in 1980, but this has not solved the problem of tribal factions within her borders, causing frequent unrest and on occasions bloodshed.

In the Republic of South Africa resentment against the policy of apartheid has been deepened by economic recession. This has chiefly affected the black majority, making their disadvantaged position seem even more unjust, more difficult to bear.

Unemployment has been high in the Eastern Cape, leading to protest by mass demonstrations. In the Utienhage area nineteen Africans were killed in the spring of this year when police opened fire on a large crowd of demonstrators. This inevitably led to further violence. Anger flared in fierce retaliation, and in several townships black policemen lost their lives when mobs set fire to their homes. In the twelve months ending March 1985, about 250 South Africans lost their lives, and all but one were black.

Christian concern calls for special prayer on behalf of all who have been so sadly affected by these troubles - that the bereaved may be comforted and that God may overrule to bring about peaceful change for the relief of all who are oppressed. Scripture testifies clearly to God's hatred of oppression (Lev. 19:33; Jer. 7:5-7; Zech. 7:9,10; Mal. 3:5). Yet it is not for disciples of Christ to agitate politically or retaliate with violence against the oppressor. "Avenge not yourselves... for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto Me; I will recompense, saith the Lord" (Rom. 12:19). Even in conditions of slavery in Roman times the disciple of Christ was counselled to "abide in the calling wherein he was called". "Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you - although if you can gain your freedom, do so" (1 Cor. 7:21 NIV).

Ironically the Dutch Reformed Churches have since the Boer War been consistent supporters of "white supremacy", proposing Biblical arguments in its favour. One argument derives from Gen. 9:25-27, from which it's reasoned that descendants of Ham are intended to be in perpetual inferiority to descendants of Shem and Japheth. Strange conclusion indeed! For according to Noah's words it was Canaan who came under this restraint. The descendants of Canaan occupied the land of Palestine (Gen. 10:15-20) and included nations whom the Israelites under Joshua were commanded to disinherit. The other sons of Ham, Cush, Mizraim and Put - were not included in Noah's words. Among the nations deriving from Ham were Egypt, Ethiopia and Libya. To recall the power and supremacy of Egypt at certain phases of her history is sufficient evidence that she does not answer to being "a servant of servants" (Gen. 9:25).

In recent years restless elements within the Dutch Reformed Church have become vocal in protest against apartheid. As when in 1981 Nico J. Smith, theology professor at Stellenbosch University, published a booklet in which twenty-four Afrikaner clergy and writers attacked apartheid on religious and moral grounds. Some months later Smith joined more than a hundred Dutch Reformed clergy in issuing "a fierce, indeed historic protest against the regime's policy of racial separation and discrimination, terming them immoral, indefensible and unbiblical". Because of this Nico Smith had to give up his professorship. He chose to become pastor of a black-slum church, accepting a much lower status. "I feel I am starting my life over again", he said. "I have a wonderful opportunity to get to know the black people, their hopes and their fears. According to Christian principles, the present policy is not justified. There must be change". But Afrikaner resistance to change remains formidable!

From Zimbabwe comes the fascinating story of Alec Smith, son of the former Prime Minister of Rhodesia, Ian Smith. Alec never related to the political world in his earlier years. Indeed in his late teens he opted out of university to identify with a group of hippies. For some time he led a selfish, debauched life, indulging deeply in drugs. Then a friend introduced him to the gospel. The Holy Spirit strove powerfully with him until he finally accepted Christ. What a radical transformation resulted! He had been born into privilege and taught to believe in his own superiority. A new creature in Christ, the old things were passed away, all had become new. He wrote a book entitled "Now I can call him brother". The cover illustration shows the friendship clasp of a black hand with a white hand - eloquent impression of racial equality. Once more the gospel of Christ had broken down a "middle wall of partition" (RV), a "dividing wall of hostility" (NIV) - Eph. 2:14.

So the Light of the world sheds its healing rays despite all the political and economic clouds over southern Africa. Scripture assures us of the coming day when the Sun of righteousness will arise with healing in His wings (Mal. 4:2). Then the Lord Jesus "shall judge the poor of the people ... and shall break in pieces the oppressor ... He shall have pity on the poor and needy".

unknown | Aug 1985
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