A Peaceful Perspective... July 19, 2010

In this edition...

• Opinion: I am a foreigner - to hatred:Show a 'makwerekwere' that SA is where the heart is
• New Home for Cornerstone Institute
• Column: The Beautiful Game
• MCC joins efforts to minimize election violence in Burundi
• World Cup built African unity and self-confidence, says Cardinal Napier
• Breakthru Community Action hosts third annaul Holiday Club
• ‘Blind pursuit of profit must end,’ says Archbishop
• Kenyan Anglican church wants constitution vote postponed
• Church missions institute proposes possibility of WYD in Africa
• Meg’s ‘God-given talent’ keeps kids warm

Opinion: I am a foreigner - to hatred:Show a 'makwerekwere' that SA is where the heart is

When I read with horror that scores of Zimbabwean refugees were camping along the N1 highway to flee the Rainbow Nation, in response to threats of what would happen to them once the World Cup ended, I again found myself drawing on that profound source of intellectual inspiration, the animated film Finding Nemo. As Marlin (Nemo's father) drifts off by himself, despondent that he cannot find his son, Dory (the fish with Alzheimer's, as one youngster put it) begs him over and over again not to leave. Then Dory makes a telling observation about their relationship that I will never forget: his final plea to Marlin comes with the words: "I look at you, and I'm home." How I wish a South African resident could look a Malawian refugee in the face, and the two say to each other, "I look at you, and I'm home." more >>
Source: ANiSA News

New Home for Cornerstone Institute

For the past year Cornerstone Institute (formerly Cornerstone Christian College) has been actively seeking new premises. After much prayer, Cornerstone is pleased to announce that these new premises have been found; premises that a year ago Cornerstone Institute would not have dreamt about—the Brookside Building in Claremont. The Brookside Building is located at 11 Lansdowne Road, within close walking distance of the Claremont train station and on a main taxi route from their previous location in the Cape Flats area. Cornerstone moved during the June – July break, and reopens this week for the beginning of the second semester of on-site learning programmes (BA Honours in Psychology, Bachelor of Theology, Certificate in Christian Ministry and Certificate in Community Counselling), as well as the launch of a new distance learning programme (a Higher Certificate in Business Leadership). more >>
Source: ANiSA News

MCC joins efforts to minimize election violence in Burundi

In the African country of Burundi, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and its local partners are supporting efforts to monitor voting and election conflicts, hoping to minimize violence during an already tense series of elections this summer. Burundi’s election season started in late May and will continue through September, with at least five elections scheduled during those months. These elections are the first since all rebel groups laid down their weapons in 2008, officially ending the country’s 15-year civil war. 
 Conflict and violence already have affected the first half of the elections. Twelve major political parties, who used to be rebel groups during the civil war, contested the results of the May elections, which gave 64 percent of the vote to the ruling party, The National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Forces for the Defense of Democracy. more >>
Source: ANiSA News

Breakthru Community Action hosts third annaul Holiday Club

During the week of 21-25 June, Breakthru Community Action (BCA), a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) located in Boom Street, hosted its third annual Holiday Club for children, ages 6-13, from the surrounding areas. The theme for the week, “Be the Best Player You Can Be,” focused on sportsmanship and the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament. The average attendance for the club was 150-200 children with 50 volunteers each day. During the daily lessons, the children learned about their own significance, the importance of respecting authority, demonstrating determination and perseverance, and making good life choices. Additionally, the children were divided into different “countries” (based on those participating in the 2010 FIFA World Cup) determined by gender and age. The teams then competed in soccer, netball, and relay races. Prizes were awarded at the end of the tournament. more >>
Source: ANiSA News

Kenyan Anglican church wants constitution vote postponed

The Anglican Church of Kenya has called on the East African nation's government to reschedule a referendum on a proposed constitution, set for 4 August, in the interests of peace in the country. 
 The church's bishops, led by Archbishop Eluid Wabukala, cautioned that Kenya is at a cross-roads and risks falling apart, if things continue as they are. 
 "Given the mood of the nation, we see postponement of the referendum with a view to building a consensus is, in the long term, in the best interest of the nation," Wabukala told journalists after the church's synod meeting in Nairobi on 8 July. 
 Fear, anxiety, confusion, suspicion and apathy have gripped the nation before the vote, according to the church leader. He said the stakes had been raised, creating an environment similar to the time prior to the 2007 poll and the 2008 post election period when violence erupted leading to deaths of 1300 people. more >>
Source: ANiSA News

Meg’s ‘God-given talent’ keeps kids warm

An East London pensioner has been clicking her knitting needles at a frantic pace to help keep those less privileged than herself warm over the winter. Meg van Staden, 76, has been knitting jerseys for the past five years and donating them to her local church, which in turn distributes the winter woollies to charities across the Eastern Cape. more >>
Source: ANiSA News

Column: The Beautiful Game

Today we give thanks for a remarkably successful Football World Cup. The prayers of many for a peaceful month of celebration have been answered. Now we have to get on with life, no longer feeling it is here, but certainly feeling grateful that it has been here and that we shared in it. Undoubtedly some amongst us will sigh with relief as they regain use of the TV; others will be sad that it is all over yet exhilarated by the experience; and Paul the octopus will have time to contemplate his future options. Like others at Volmoed, I thoroughly enjoyed the event, found it quite magical at times, and have come to appreciate why for millions round the world it is called “the beautiful game.” I was convinced about this from the moment I saw Tshabalala score the opening goal of the World Cup in Bafana Bafana’s match with Mexico. We all know, however, that the eventual success of the World Cup will be judged not just by what was achieved during the past month, but what is achieved as a result on and off the field in the years to come. The “nay-sayers” have been proved wrong thus far; let us pray that they will be proved equally wrong in the days ahead. Viva the World Cup! Viva! more >>
Source: ANiSA News

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World Cup built African unity and self-confidence, says Cardinal Napier

Interviewed by Vatican Radio on the significance of World Cup, Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier of Durban, South Africa said that the event has served greatly to build a sense of unity both within Africa and the world community. He said that the legacy of the tournament will be that it has given the people of the continent the vision that they can do things for themselves. Cardinal Napier said that the "first" and "most important thing" the World Cup did for South Africa was that it gave Africans a sense of belonging to the world community after having been in the spotlight for the month-long tournament. Reflecting on what that means for the continent, he said it "can only be to our advantage that we recognize ourselves as being an important part of the world community." more >>
Source: ANiSA News

‘Blind pursuit of profit must end,’ says Archbishop

The Archbishop of York has hit out at the selfish pursuit of profit and called for a return to the pursuit of social justice and generosity as a means to building a truly wealthy nation. 
 Addressing the Church of England’s General Synod in York today, Dr John Sentamu said it was understandable that governments wanted to achieve economic recovery after two years of financial crisis, but stressed that recovery should be regarded as a means to an end rather than an end in itself. Although he said wealth creation was a good thing, he said an obsession with wealth was “evil” and that society should pursue economic justice rather than solely profit. more >>
Source: ANiSA News

Church missions institute proposes possibility of WYD in Africa

Following the success of the first World Cup in Africa, an internationally-active Catholic missions organization is imagining the possibility of the continent breaking new ground by hosting some major Catholic events. The 2010 FIFA World Cup wrapped up on Sunday in Johannesburg, South Africa with Spain prevailing over Holland by a score of 1-0 in the final. The Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) asked on its website, "So, now that Africa ... has shown it can organize a great international event, handling public order, why doesn't the Church also entrust the continent with the promotion of a great world appointment, something that until now has never happened?" more >>
Source: ANiSA News