A scene from the Knysna protest action which drew thousands

Written by a REFORMED politician.

“The premise of this letter is that I LOVE SOUTH AFRICA.

I spent 30 years in the fight for a just and free society. I was not alone. We fought for a society where everyone is equal before the law. We fought for the righteous Bill of Rights and the noble principles espoused in the Freedom Charter. We thought that we had won that fight only to find out that we have put the wolf in charge of the sheep and the wealth of the country.

We sacrificed too much to allow one SKOLLIE and his band of wicked men to mess up the country for us and our children – ZUMA MUST GO and SOUTH AFRICA MUST RISE.

In my town of Knysna, people from all walks of life, rich and poor, black and white, young and old, came together with common purpose, coming together to make their voices heard. This little town of Knysna marched in their thousands to say: “ZUMA MUST GO” and “WE’RE SICK OF CORRUPTION”.

It was very festive, sometimes even comical when some white people wanted to toyi-toyi and shout slogans they didn’t understand. I don’t criticise them. I applaud them for their spirit. It reminded me of the World Cup of Madiba. What I great nation we can be when we try!

Only a common goal could bring people together like that. First it was the World Cup of hope for a better future. Now it’s dissatisfaction with President Jacob Zuma and his corrupt ministers.

KEEP THE PROTEST ACTION GOING

Black, White, Coloured, Indian – we all want to live in a South Africa where our taxes are well spent, and where politicians and government officials are held accountable for their actions. We all want to have our place in the sun, rich and poor.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke.

The following things are wrong and equally need our attention:

• Corruption;
• Racism;
• Xenophobia;
• Killing of humans, whether it’s farm murders or in the lokasie;
• Women and child abuse;
• Poverty, unemployment& inequality;
• All other Crime

“Woe to those who enact evil statutes and to those who constantly record unjust decisions so as to deprive the needy of justice and rob the poor of My people of their rights, so that widows may be their spoil and that they may plunder the orphans. Now what will you do in the day of punishment and in the devastation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? And where will you leave your wealth?” – Isaiah 10:1-3.

Let US maintain the momentum. We must stay active.

THIS IS WHAT WE CAN DO

Ralph Stander, ex-politician turned community activist

Become activists. Let’s fight against all kinds of oppression and wrong in our community. Whether it’s to save bees and butterflies, or to protest against township child abuse or corrupt politicians.

Become an active citizen. Know and be part of what is happening in your ward, your community, your municipality, the nation. Become part of active organizations, e.g. the Community Policing Forum (CPF), your School Governing Body (SGB), Ward Committees, etc.

“Not in my name.” Take a stand against corruption, racism and Xenophobia, no matter where it is. Don’t allow it in your home or in your presence. Don’t laugh at jokes about it.

Reach out! There’s a sea of poverty while some of us live on islands of opulence or just have more than our daily needs. Let’s reach out and make a difference.

Familiarize yourself with your workers/ church members/ sports buddy and their situations. Know their names, the one they want to be called by which may be a name you have never known. Visit them at their homes and attend their functions/ celebrations.

Educate a child. Our society will be MUCH BETTER off if each one can educate a child? Do it according to your budget. Most can spare something even if it’s just for one pair of school shoes, or a uniform ect. You culd help someone with their school or tertiary fees. Every bit helps.

This is a message to EVERYONE but since I am a Christian, I share with you the following Biblical references whose message transcends religion: Zechariah 7:10, Proverbs 22:22-23, Jeremiah 7:5-7, Proverbs 17:5, Amos 5:11, Micah 2:1-3, Psalm 103:6, Deuteronomy 10:18, Jer 22: 3, Psalm 41:1-3, Psalm 146:7-9.

Start a local initiative to do all the above (this could be done all over SA but must start in your home and neighbourhood).

It should be non-political. The idea would be to rather bring people together than dividing them.

In my home town of Knysna, I ask people of similar minds, people who want to make a difference, to please contact me on 0645040594 or letsmakealocaldifference@gmail.com.

Yours for a corruption free SA that works for ALL,

Reverend Ralph Stander
(resident of Hornlee in Knysna in the Western Cape)”