Where are the self-anointed priests, pastors and prophets?

The devastating impact of the outbreak of the coronavirus on local communities could prove to thousands of people who have been duped by self-anointed priests, pastors and prophets both here and across the continent just how these tricksters use religion to toy with the minds of their unsuspecting followers in the name of faith.

With the numbers of infections, deaths and recoveries fluctuating, some concerned followers and the public have begun to doubt and are now questioning the role of the country’s church leaders and their claimed ability to heal the sick, make the lame walk and to restore sight to the blind. Many pastors have been accused of turning religion into a money-making commodity to entice the unsuspecting into their fold.

As the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic continues to send shivers down the spines of millions around the globe, the faithful in the townships are asking why is it that since the outbreak was announced by the president, not a single one of their “gifted and anointed men of God” have come forward to offer their miracle prayers and render their spiritual support and comfort for the sick in their homes and at our hospitals.

Although there have been earlier supportive statements issued by other local mainstream religious platforms, the silence from the charismatic church leaders against the Covid-19 pandemic has been deafening and frightening, to say the least. Of course, this is a surprise, especially considering the amassed wealth of the majority of them is actually more than just a means to make a positive difference to the battle against the spread of this virus.

I am sure a simple gesture such as purchasing surgical gloves and face masks for their congregants and the needy in their neighbourhoods to protect them from the spread of this virus will without doubt guarantee future tithes from the members.

Eighty-seven thousand domestic violence cases reported in two weeks?

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However, my instinct tends to accept the figure with a pinch of salt. With several more days to go until the final part if the 21-days lockdown, it looks like there are still plenty more spousal punch-ups in the line-up.

Without doubt, this high figure of domestic violence incidents leaves an indelible stain on the family relations and marriage in our communities. The inability of 87 000 couples and relatives to contain themselves in a crisis also says a lot about how those couples were raised.

As the adage goes: “violence begets violence”, each one of these reported incidents of violence also reflect the character of the families we make. And the culture of domestic violence in those families then becomes ingrained in the children who later become members of the communities we live and raise our children in.

It is indeed a vicious cycle and the only way families and couples can get out of it is by making a complete change of the way the view marriage and each other. Since life does not come with a user manual, as people we just have to adapt and learn to live in the same space with each other..

Unless, of course, we all wish to see this perpetuate domestic violence continue and embroil future generations in the never-ending cycle of spousal bashing.

Muslims are caught in a quandary with Ramadan in sight.

There is a cloud of uncertainty hanging over many Muslims in the townships about the fate of the coming holy month of Ramadan. This also happens to be the most sacred month on the Muslim calendar in which all practising Muslims are expect to fast and abstain from food and drink from dusk to dawn for the entire month.

Although many of them expect the current lockdown to be long over by the time Ramadan begins, President Ramaphosa could pronounce otherwise and extend the lockdown period. And as Muslims say: Insha Alla! Hopes are high.

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