A Second look
Bishop David Russell
It is with sadness that I have to share with you my disappointment and even alarm at certain trends in the body politic.
Yes, we have a wonderful Constitution, a wonderful Bill of Rights and this government has put through some good and necessary legislation in seeking to right the wrongs of the past. In addition we have a vibrant and healthily independent media and rich human resources. So we do have much to be grateful for. But there my enthusiasm ends.
As Archbishop Desmond [Tutu] once said, the gravy train stopped long enough for another set to climb on! The speed with which so many who had once been committed to the struggle for political and economic justice have in practice dropped these values has been truly shocking and disgraceful. It must have warmed the cockles of the cynics’ hearts. It is sabotaging the possibility of moves to greater equity in our society. It has undermined policies and strategies intended to ensure that the majority poor of the country do indeed have their legitimate aspirations fulfilled.
Racism is a problem, and a crucial issue in our society, as in all societies around the world. However, I do not believe that it is the primary issue in our land. The democratic majority now run this country, and it is in their hands to build a just and peaceful society in which mutual respect and shared welfare are nurtured and upheld. I do not believe that they can be seriously held back by some obstructive antics of a minority group of dinosaur white racists.
Too many high up in government are far too ready to pull out the race card when criticised, when making a mess of things. They undermine the nation-building process when they do so. More often than not I find this a pathetic excuse, a form of denial and false explanation.
I am not denying the need to address the issue of racism on both sides. Racist attitudes in one degree or another need to be cleansed from every human heart.
I believe, however, that the fundamental issue here is one of class more than colour. It is the growing gap between rich and poor. The better-off middle class, if not yet, will very soon be a majority black class. And history has shown, thus far at least, that the upward thrusting middle class (black or white) has tended to become less and less committed to the needs of the poor.
Levels of corruption [in the government] remain alarmingly high, and I (with others) am doubting the degree of political will to stop this. I have to say that I have not been left with a sense of confidence in the investigation into the arms deal process, after the exclusion of the Heath unit. I find all rationales for this exclusion thoroughly unconvincing. And as far as the Tony Yengeni affair is concerned, I see this as simply the tip of the iceberg. I fear it might even have become an accepted “perks game” involving business, politicians and civil servants.
Levels of culpable incompetence in too many branches of governance remain alarmingly high, and I (with others) am doubting the political will to tackle this with sufficient commitment and focus.
Things have gone far enough too far.
It has been customary to describe the relationship of the Church to the government as one of “critical solidarity”. I am no longer comfortable with this term. I believe we find ourselves now at a time and stage, a kairos if you like, where it would be more theologically appropriate, more in keeping with our witness to the Gospel, to speak rather of our critical solidarity, not with government, but with the poor.
I am tired of endless workshops and summits with government departments. Where has this changed the reality of poverty, greed, incompetence, lack of care and denial?
No, let us keep solidarity with the poor, the needy, the disadvantaged.
It is immoral for this government to be spending so much on arms. Who is attacking us, I ask? It is the citizens, the majority poor, who are under attack, from crime and poverty.
This arms deal and all the shadows that surround it are symbolic of a fundamental wrong turn taken by this government. God have mercy on our land, and help us back to more life-giving paths.
This is an edited extract from Bishop D Russell’s charge to the Anglican Synod, Diocese of Grahamstown, earlier this month