An Eye-opening Experience

by Ken Jones, South Africa Mission Partnership member

The recent visit, from March 31 to April 14, by a delegation from Cleveland to the Joining Hands partners network in South Africa was a real eye-opener, even for someone whose involvements with the country began in 1992. Over the years I have been captivated by the relatively peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy, converted by the witness of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and challenged by the patience of so many “previously disadvantaged” people hoping to see real change from their duly elected government.

So it came as something of a shock – actually, a series of shocks – to accompany members of Sisonke Masilwe Indlala to their rural settings and realize that some things have changed for the worse.

Commercial agriculture versus subsistence farming

In the heart of the former Transkei homeland, in a village named Mt. Arthur by the British, the language and culture of the Xhosa people still thrive.

A large number of women in traditional garb welcomed us with singing and dancing, eager to share aspects of their community’s way of life. Other representatives, however, spoke of some present day difficulties, including malnutrition and hunger. As oppressive as the homeland regime was, it did offer some resources and encouragements to small farmers; abject hunger was virtually unknown. The priority of the current government is large-scale commercial agriculture for export, and there is little interest in supporting smaller farms or gardens in local villages. As people grapple today with the realities of not enough food, some say that they were better off, hunger wise, under apartheid.

Timber privatization-a business of trees not people

In the lush timberlands of the Southern Cape, small communities of forest worker families face a bleak future. Under the former regime, the forests were owned and operated by the state, and these settlements were encouraged as convenient sources of labour and lookouts for fires. Now that the timber industry has been privatized, the new landlords state that they are “in the business of trees not people,” and the fight is on to preserve the settlements rather than to see families relocated to urban slums. Japie, one of the leaders of the forestry indaba in Karatara, dreads the prospect of having to move his wife and daughters out of the forest.

Mining operations displacing families

Under the parched and rocky soil of Sekhukhuneland in Limpopo Province lie extensive deposits of platinum and other minerals. We were led on a tour of several villages where mining operations have resulted in the displacement of farmers from their fields and families from their homes. What had been a standard practice under apartheid – the forced removal of whole communities from land desired by those in power – seems to be still acceptable to those in power now, the international mining houses and their allies in the South African government. The day of our visit platinum was quoted at $2,000 an ounce on the world market. No wonder the struggle here feels like David versus Goliath, even a whole consortium of Goliaths (Australian, Canadian, Chinese, European, American).

I am immensely grateful to our companions in Sisonke for helping our delegation to see with new eyes. I pray that we will continue to see things as they really are, as we continue to accompany one another.

Of Hospitality and Gratitude

by Jenny Himmelman, South Africa Mission Partnership member

I could write pages and pages of reflections about my most recent trip to South Africa. Since my return, and at any time of any day since, my mind is filled with images and voices of what I witnessed there. Two short phrases come to mind….Beautiful Hospitality and “Thank you Lord for all our troubles; they keep us strong.”

Hospitality

Traveling to a country that you have never been to and meeting people that you have never met before can be rather intimidating. Will they accept me for who I am? What will I say to them? Will we have anything in common?

The questions had answers of “Yes”, “A lot” and “Yes” and came very soon after our feet were planted on South African soil!

We were greeted everywhere with joyous singing, open arms, hugs and the most beautiful smiles and faces that I have ever seen. We were welcomed in homes, churches, schools, villages…. I will never forget this Beautiful Hospitality and will strive to give others visiting our country Beautiful Hospitality.

"Thank you Lord for all our troubles; they keep us strong." This phrase was offered during a service we attended in a small church in the parched and rocky soil of Sekhukhuneland in Limpopo Province. Those we met in that area have witnessed forced removal and displacement from their homes and face many other challenges on a daily basis.

When had I ever thanked the Lord for my troubles, with a big smile on my face and my arms outstretched to Him? This story has already been shared with many.

Land Issues - Challenges and Trends

by Cindy Easterday, JH Companionship Facilitator

The Southern Cape Land Committee, based in George in the Western Cape province of South Africa, is a highly respected organization passionately committed to "a totally transformed society wherein justice, empowerment and equity prevail", "rejecting the historical injustices and the fact that the current market-based approach to development and land reform further marginalizes rural people."

As a member of the Sisonke Masilwe Indlala Network (SMI), its Director, Mrs Angela Conway, met with the SMI Core Committee members in George at its March meeting and shared key challenges being faced locally and nationally around land issues, including influences of globalization and its effects on the poor and landless. The challenges are goliath in nature yet at the core of her message was the constant reminder that “a new world is possible”. Not only possible, but essential.

The full text of Angela’s Speech on Land

Concept Paper for Food Sovereignty Campaign

in the Western and Eastern Cape