“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?

We may hope, but I think deep down we all know that the temptation to establish/run their own “kingdom”, is huge.

The way things are going, I do not think that the GNU will be able to make a positive impact on the lives of South Africans. They are not coming together to address our biggest concerns, which South African voters have shown are:

  • 75% unemployment
  • 21% cost of living
  • 19% crime
  • 18% poverty…

The moderate majority wants a country where every child born here has the opportunity to live as a middle class citizen; not a life living from one grant payment to the next.

Our political elite and mainstream media are underestimating the political intelligence of the moderate majority. They wrongly interpret their moderate and “slow to anger” attitude as being unintelligent. For example, most recent research polls show that despite politicians and the media in unison trying to convince us that expropriation without compensation is good, the majority knows that it is bad for our country. [See around 20:08]

It might surprise you to learn what has been found about the general intelligence of people who dedicate their lives to the Lord and live in obedience to His will.

H.C. Rümke, a professor of psychiatry at Utrecht University, wrote in his book “Karakter en Aanleg” (Character and Ability) that experience had taught him that a person who has dedicated his life to the truth of the Gospel is a more highly developed person than the greatest genius who has not done so. “In people who can do this, however, I have always found a very clear intelligence. These people may be simple and perhaps know little, but to me, a deep and genuine life of faith is an indication of intelligence.”[1]

Never underestimate God’s children – it is His Spirit that lives within them and leads them in all Truth.

So what could/should we do?

Presumably we have a secular (non-spiritual) problem. Should we consider only secular solutions, or can we consider faith based solutions? The argument is that, given that the majority of South Africans identify as Christians, it is logical to consider faith-based solutions.

First of all, I think we must take note that there is a potential problem. We should not be blind to what is going on around us.  It is not right that our elected government does not focus on the things that are important (life threatening) to us and then, aided by the mainstream media, try and convince us they are doing what is best for us.

Secondly, now that we are aware, we must start to pray. We should pray with certainty and conviction for God’s will to materialise in our government. The Lord’s Prayer guides us to pray, “let Your will be done on earth as in heaven.” We should settle for nothing less than His will in South Africa.

Thirdly, we should say “NO” to the government when they are not accountable or are overstepping their boundaries. Eight out of ten people in South Africa are moderate, centrist, pragmatic, and Christian conservative. Cronjé refers to the ordinary people of South Africa as the most important counter-balancing force in our country. We must not give up or be indifferent as if we do not have hope. We must pray that the Holy Spirit will open our eyes so we can clearly see the source of our hope: our Loving and Sovereign Saviour.

Fourthly, we must not fall for the temptation to demonise one another. We are constantly being pressurised – by the same political elite and media – to regard our fellow citizens as the enemy.  It is a huge pressure but we should not give in. We should allow the Holy Spirit to help us in this regard. “Love your neighbour as yourself” has little to do with our neighbours inherent qualities and all to do with obedience to our Saviour and Lord.

Fifthly, for years now, we have been warned that the high unemployment rate among South Africa’s youth is a ticking time bomb. We are told that this situation could logically lead to the radicalisation of the youth, and the mere fact that it has not happened yet, is a miracle. I do not use the word “miracle” as a figure of speech – it is Divine intervention.  We have motivated why we think that the church should take responsibility for this problem.  Today I want to take a step further and say to the unemployed youth: “stop waiting for the government or even the church.” A recent event at ATS gave me new insight.

For years, the health of Dr Agrippa Khathide (Head of Missiology at ATS) deteriorated, and, humanly speaking, his condition was irreversible. We kept on praying for a divine revelation into his situation. On 31 December 2024, at the midnight service, the pastor asked Dr Khathide to come to the front and pray for the sick. Rationally, this was a foolish request, for him to pray for the sick when he himself was too sick to pray. Yet that night, when he started to pray for the sick, God completely healed him.

I want to ask the unemployed youth to go into your community every week to all the small businesses there, and ask them if there is something you can pray for. Then pray to God on their behalf, regardless of whether they believe or not.  Let the unemployed youth become the marketplace minister of the small businesses in the community.

Lastly, let us keep on praying for a Holy Spirit revival in our country. No political party or political arrangement can be the source of our hope. 

These suggestions may not be universally accepted as logical solutions in a secular context, but I am talking to a Christian audience.  In 1 Corinthians 3 Paul starts his argument by presenting two different approaches, namely “people who live by the Spirit” and “people who are still worldly” (secular). He concludes his argument with “Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.”

[1] Taken from ATS’ Dogmatics & Ethics study manual.