In South Africa we are no stranger to miracles; miracles of course that don’t only happen in buildings with crosses on the wall.
In fact, one definition of the word miracle that I like is: “a remarkable (and yes by all means replace this word with ‘supernatural’) event or development that brings welcome consequences”.
It dawned on me whilst listening to a talk by Max du Preez last week that South Africa has had a number of significant miracles that have taken place in the past 26 years that have either paved or saved our democracy.
There was the miracle of the release of Nelson Mandela from prison and the unbanning of the ANC in February of 1990. Then there was the miracle of the peace that was experienced in the aftermath of the assassination of Chris Hani on 10 April 1993. What was designed to cause a race war became a rallying call by then ANC President Nelson Mandela: His words were the miracle: “Now is the time for all South Africans to stand together against those who, from any quarter, wish to destroy what Chris Hani gave his life for – the freedom of all of us.”
There was the miracle of the appointment of Adv Thuli Madonsela as our Public Protector on the 19th October 2009. It is common cause that her and her team – acting with supernatural integrity and bravery – brought to the public’s attention what is now known as state capture.
All these events went against the run of play – surely the main criterion for calling something a significant miracle. And believe me, there are plenty more happening every day.
But Max du Preez highlighted another and perhaps even more unlikely miracle than any of these. It happened at Nasrec in Johannesburg in October 2017 at the ANC elective conference when Cyril Ramaphosa was elected ANC President paving his way to the Presidency of the Republic. According to du Preez who was there, there were heavies manning the entrances handing out stacks of R100 notes to ensure the vote went with Nkosasana Dlamini Zuma – Jacob Zuma’s preferred candidate. As we know, it was only the 11th hour switch from then Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza that tipped the scales in Ramaphosa’s favour. If that hadn’t happened Jacob Zuma would still be our president. #shiversdownmyspine.
What of all this talk of miracles?
Quite simply, we have no evidence to support the often-touted view that South Africa will fail. We have only evidence of miracles happening just-in-time. If miracles are what cause our faith to rise, then we should all be full-to-bursting with faith that our country is headed in the right direction.
And finally, all the above miracles involved – in one way or another – the active participation of the citizens of this and other countries.
Amen to this. Miracles around me is rising my faith more and more everyday. That is why I firmly believe LOVE NEVER FAILS! If we put on the glasses of love we see the vision of everything already perfect as it is destined to be. Then it is easy to love. Love changes hearts. A miracle on its own: the miracle of how hearts of stones become hearts of flesh again. I am a living testimony of a changed heart and I am in love with my country’s people. OUR LOVING NATION WILL NEVER FAIL. ❤️
It is hard to call at this point in our evolution as a democracy if we are pulling back from the abyss or still dangerously teetering along it’s edge! I do sense a movement away from the disaster that we have inherited through the unbridled self-interest and greed of, amongst others, state capture and very powerful business leaders.
The rebuilding of our state institutions that hold the executive accountable will, and must take time. It seems like we as citizens want to see things fixed overnight in the very same way that they got destroyed. Building something has always taken longer.
I also have no doubt that the average citizen, rank and file, has every intention of working harmoniously together regardless of background. I see this happening every day in my world.The miracle that we need to wish for is that our political parties embrace this mindset in their manifestos so that we can vote for a better future.
Yes Thomas i think its all very precarious but I do agree that the average citizen is wanting peace, stability and harmony and is willing to play their part to achieve this. Its the politicians we need to call to order now – and get rid of where necessary. It is unacceptable that we tolerate this level of brazen corruption…All that said – we will prevail. Just not shore i see how right now! 🙂
May I suggest another miracle!? I like the idea of talking about miracles, but not in a religious sense, in the sense that our tautological thinking is limited to not see that something becomes quite possible under circumstances that don’t seem self evident to us.
The beauty of engaging in systems thinking is to accept that at a certain level of complexity we cannot predict the outcome, and that a gut feel situation is the closest you will get to an anticipate outcome.
So when a miracle happens we are caught by surprise!
Does this make sense to you?
Yes! I love that Thomas.