Category: Big Change

“For the first time in the 400 years’ history of South Africa, our country does not have one single political block that forces its views on the rest of society” – Dr Frans Cronje.

The majority of all South African voters were happy with the initial formation of the GNU (government of national unity).

I think it is safe to say that neither the ANC nor the DA’s first choice was to enter into the GNU agreement. We have public statements that confirm this idea. I am pretty sure that each of them would have much preferred to have the majority vote so that they could govern South Africa on their own. But this privilege, the South African voter, did not give them.

The question now is: will they put their own preferences and ambitions aside and work together (as the moderate majority instructed them to do) for the good of our country?

To vote or not to vote… and who to vote for on the 29^th of May 2024?

When I grew up it was often said that you should not talk about church or politics.  I think it was a way to say that as Christians we should live in harmony and peace, and then it is best to stay clear of the two subjects that might stir up heated emotions.  Today I think differently.

Dr Frans Cronje*, arguably one of our countries most solid researchers and political analysts, last week spoke about the South African landscape and where our country is heading in the context of the upcoming election. Dr Cronje has been doing research and analysis for more than 20 years and in the past has been able to make conclusions that eventually materialised, even though at the time it was greatly criticised. Thus, in the light of his track record, it might be of value that we take note of some elements of his analysis. I would like to mention a few comments from the interview with Dr Cronje. 

Dr Möller senior, a previous president of the AFM church of South Africa, said that demon possession is not the church’s biggest problem (although Christians in Africa may experience it differently). His argument was that when a demon manifests in a person, a Christian sees it and then rebukes it in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. A greater danger for the church however, is the world’s philosophies (world views) that enter the church unseen and undermine the truth of the Bible and Jesus.

What is Facilitation?

Facilitation is a process where people gain new knowledge by participating in the Bible study rather that listening to information being presented by the ‘expert’ (be it the facilitator or pastor).  It is a process where people learn by being actively involved in the process.

Facilitating is an art of providing the right stimulus to a group so that they participate fully in their own spiritual growth.  The focus is therefore not on telling (preaching to) a group what to do, but rather on asking the right questions that will enable the group to “discover” truths and principles.

Facilitation is not teaching, not telling, not lecturing, not preaching, and not directing.

Facilitation is to provide the resources and the structure for group members to explore, learn and develop.

This article is part of BIG Change.

The economy is a living organism with millions of connections between large, medium, and tiny nodes, in essence it boils down to over 55 million interconnected individuals. Fifty-five million individuals that come together in this country to trade in skills and time. People who want to gain value, and who want to improve their own lives and the lives of others through mutually-beneficial transactions.” ~ Chris Hattingh, about South Africa’s economy (BizNews).

The economist and philosopher Friedrich Hayek explains this complexity as a system that no one can possibly get a mental grasp on. We cannot begin to truly understand this organisation and connection of millions of nodes, and therefore it is an order that no one can possibly control.