SOUTH AFRICA

COLONISED BY THE NETHERLANDS (1652-1795 AND 1803 -1806) & BRITAIN (1795-1803 AND 1806-1961) Known as the “Rainbow Nation,” a reference to the many ethnicities that make up the population, the nation of South Africa has a long history of racial tensions. With colonialism, which began in South Africa in 1652, came the Slavery and Forced Labour Model. The indigenous Khoi-khoi were an unwilling labour force, so the Dutch imported slaves from all over the world. Many South Africans are the descendants of slaves brought to the Cape Colony from 1653 until 1822. In 1961, South Africa became a republic, and the Afrikaner’s National Party rule led to a further three decades of white supremacy, legalised racial segregation and discrimination– known as Apartheid. During this period, 14,000 South Africans died in political violence and many suffered humiliation and cruelty. The first multi-racial elections took place in 1994. The nation not only faces great racial tension, but also high murder rates, corruption, an HIV/AIDS epidemic, high crime rates, high unemployment and poverty rates, all of which adversely affect the economy.

HOW DID CHRISTIANITY GET THERE? Christianity arrived in Cape Town, South Africa, with Dutch settlers from Europe, in 1652, when the Dutch East India Company established a post to resupply food and fuel to ships traveling between the Netherlands and Southeast and South Asia.

CHURCH TODAY: 81% Christian. Much nominalism exists in the church. The church is on the frontline of confronting the nation’s challenges; there has been a large response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, ministries to the poor and disadvantaged, and work on racial reconciliation.

PRAYER POINTS

• Pray for deep healing, repentance, restitution and restoration for the wounds caused by slavery, Apartheid and colonialism.
• Pray that the widespread corruption in government will be exposed, for justice to be done and for righteous leaders to take the lead.
• Pray for healing, hope, and support for those affected by HIV/AIDS, especially for the many orphans and child-headed households.
• Pray for a breakthrough concerning the violent crime and fear in South Africa.
• Pray for deep Biblical discipling in the church. Ask the Lord to root out deception, syncretism, the prosperity gospel, and all the other false teachings.
• Pray that the church of South Africa will fulfil Jesus’ prayer from John 17: to be one with Him, the Father and the Holy Spirit.
• Pray for the nation to recognise that as an important economic player in Africa, it has a responsibility to assist those in great need. Pray for ministries of compassion to those from other countries seeking food, jobs, or simply safety.
• Pray for the evangelism and discipleship of these millions. Pray also for wisdom from government on how to deal with this influx.
• Thank God for the public apology by Christian churches for the sins of Apartheid. Pray for the fruit of repentance to continue to manifest and for God to heal the land.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

WEEKLY WORLDWIDE MORAVIAN WATCHWORD

If we walk in the light as God is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

PRAYER

Merciful God, thank You for being a God of Grace. Grant us Your love and Your forgiveness to cleanse us of all our sins. Wash us in the Blood of Jesus in Your mercy and prepare us for service in Your Kingdom. Amen.