FREEDOM DAY!

Today is a special holiday set apart to celebrate the freedom South Africans find themselves living in the post-apartheid South Africa. I can’t remember right now if 27 April was the day that ALL South Africans participated in a ‘free and fair’ vote to elect the new president or if this marks the day of Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as President of the ‘New South Africa’. 

I do know that this day has been a real party day for many years now with celebration rallies being held all over the country – and abroad! Embassies and Consulates all over the world will be wining and dining South Africans tonight at grand receptions. 

When I think of the money wasted on overly elaborate festivities, my heart breaks for the hundreds of thousands who still live in dilapidated and grossly inadequate housing, the many to whom election promises have never been realised. Even now every news broadcast is filled with stories of people raising their voices and begging for change in the most basic of things. Its hard to believe that there are still schools which lack basic resources (and I’m not talking about the lack of toilet facilities in some cases!) Driving past squatter camps and seeing the conditions in which many must live is still heartbreaking. 

I dream of a better life for all South Africans and pray for leaders who will truly bring their people into a greater freedom. And ofcourse, today I pray for the real freedom of all South Africans, the freedom from the bondage of sin and death and the fullness of life in Christ.