DEMOCRACY 101 – UNDERSTANDING BEGINNINGS AND SECURING THE FUTURE

This year marks the 12th year of freedom from Apartheid in South Africa. As I reflect on all that took place since 1994, it emerges as a period of enormous global contrasts and contradictions. In a world with more resources than ever before to sustain the entire global population, the majority of the current world population continues to live with mass starvation, violence and terror and the world keeps growing in its ability to annihilate the entire human race. In our country with its proud Constitution and Human Rights Laws, we still continue to see the innocent maimed and murdered. When systemic and personal violence brutalizes innocent children and adults so that the moral compass of universal dignity is destroyed and the doctrine of “an eye for an eye” once again rears its ugly head, we know that something is amiss. We all know that something is wrong when evil triumphs in the midst of good people.

These contradictions in and of themselves have become the fuel for the pessimists, especially the Afro-pessimists. Embedded in these contrasts are all the reasons why “things will never come right”; and so a growing tide of voices begins to echo this common refrain. This mindset is best illustrated by the number of requests that I get to sign petitions on the Internet. It seems that everyone with a computer now has the luxury of remaining largely invisible, though not anonymous, and at the same time, can write extensive missives about how bad the world - or South Africa - is (or any other favourite petition subject) and expect me to be their personal postman by requesting that I forward their views to everyone in my address book! I have a very active “delete” button when it comes to such requests.

The challenge before the world is a rather simple one: Can we find it in ourselves to obey the greatest command ever given - “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbour as yourself.” When I observe the amount of anger expressed by politicians against their opponents and by rulers against each other, I can well understand why we have begun shooting each other in the school playground. If we continue to govern the world with the fuel of aggression and hatred, we must understand that the noxious gasses that fuel produces will affect the high school playground. The greatest challenge is not: Can I destroy my enemy? Destroying my enemy is always possible. The greatest challenge is to ask myself whether I can live out my faith and love for God and His Creation in such a way that I am able to resist the evil of my enemies by not becoming evil myself, but rather overcoming him and his evil with my good. This is the message of the greatest commandment ever given. My relationship with my neighbour is dictated by my love for God and His Creation which in turn inspires the high view I hold of every person, irrespective of affiliations or persuasions.

The celebration of the 12th year of our democracy is a time for us to reflect on the life of the Messiah, Jesus, and to see through the example of His life how it is possible to love so much and still be hated by others, to harm no one and still die a violent death, to own nothing and still be able to give, and to speak simple words, yet be misunderstood. Jesus teaches us how it is possible to not write a single book and yet speak words that contain the essence of true peace that are remembered for eternity.

The prophets of long ago challenged us to do justice, love mercy and to walk humbly with God. Democracy only works when unselfish people can seek justice for those are so different from them, can show mercy to those who really irritate them and then to love God, Creator of all we enjoy. My challenge to all of us on this Freedom Day is to reflect on the words and life of Jesus and then to step outside and find our neighbour. They may just pop up in surprising places. It’s the first step towards a vibrant, caring and safe democracy.

Lorenzo A Davids
CEO - The Urban Issues Agency