My prayer for South Africa
Recently, an article reminded me of the words from The Call of South Africa, the national anthem before 1997.
At thy call, we shall not falter, Firm and steadfast we shall stand, At thy will to live or perish, O South Africa, dear land.
Ever since I can remember, South Africans have wrestled with many challenges. During my school years, all young men leaving school were conscripted for military service and had to protect our country at the border against the “Communist Danger”. Many young men who fought on the frontier never returned home, and those who did were never the same. Was this what the words from the Call of South Africa meant?
In 1997, the “new” South Africa got a new anthem. Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika consists of 5 of the 11 official languages. We ask God to bless Africa and us as her children and to end wars and oppression. It requests all South Africans to stand united and strive for freedom. It is a noble pursuit but such a difficult road getting there.
Change is a painful process.
Looking back over the past 30 years, I am amazed at the extent of changes that have taken place. New regulations had to ensure transformation in the workplace. The aim was to change the racial, gender and economic status of the workplace to reflect the South African population demographics.
Change is a painful process, and every South African has experienced pain in one way or another. I helped to manage transformation in the workplace and listened with compassion to emotional stories about injustice in the past. Career opportunities in South Africa have changed significantly.
Many people had to move abroad to put food on the table. Working and living in another country is an opportunity and an adventure, but it requires many lifestyle changes. You will always be an outsider and miss your people, language, and culture. The weather is very different and the long cold winters in the northern hemisphere challenging.
Our people at home must wrestle with many challenges. The infrastructure is rapidly deteriorating. They must plan around load shedding and try to avoid the potholes in the roads. Corruption is rampant, security is a problem, and public service delivery is often poor and unreliable.
Change takes time.
I’ve been alive long enough to know from experience that change is painful and takes time. We are usually willing to wait patiently for what is precious to us. South Africa has beautiful, diverse landscapes, warm and friendly people, and rich traditions. We love our country and are willing to endure all the pain to make it a place we call home with pride.
I believe in God’s plan for South Africa.
We South Africans understand our dependence on God and His help in the answers and solutions for our country. Faith is a common denominator, and despite differences in religious practice, we are comfortable asking each other to pray for us when the going gets tough. If we have a personal relationship with our Creator, He can work in our hearts to make the necessary changes and sacrifices.
I cry for my beloved country, but I have an unshakable faith that God has a bigger plan for South Africa. However, this plan will require patience, tolerance, and cooperation from every South African living in or outside South Africa. Even if it looks different for every citizen, we will answer South Africa’s call and the sacrifice she requires.
My prayer for South Africa – Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika
With my fellow countrymen, I pray the words of our multilingual national anthem – Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, in which we ask God to protect us and help us stand together.
Language: isiXhosa and isiZulu
Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika (God Bless Africa)
Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo, (Raise high Her glory)
Yizwa imithandazo yethu, (Hear our Prayers)
Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo (God bless us, we her children)
Language: Sesotho
Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso, (God protect our nation)
O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho, (End all wars and tribulations)
O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso, (Protect us, protect our nation)
Setjhaba sa South Afrika - South Afrika. (Our nation South Africa - South Africa)
Language: Afrikaans
Uit die blou van onse hemel, (Ringing out from our blue heavens)
Uit die diepte van ons see, (From the depth of our seas)
Oor ons ewige gebergtes, (Over our everlasting mountains)
Waar die kranse antwoord gee, (Where the echoing crags resound)
Language: English
Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom,
In South Africa our land.
Kind regards
Emsia