Just so that nobody misunderstands me, I am going to preface these thoughts by stating that I am nobody’s settler. I regard myself as 100% authentically African. I was born here, my parents were born here; I have known no other home. Nor am I ashamed of my whiteness. Nobody should be ashamed of the... Continue Reading →
How to Survive Your New Years Resolutions
There was a marked increase in the number of joggers on the road to work this morning. My initial response to this observation was to marvel at the naivety of it and to speculate about how many of them would still be jogging in two or three months’ time. But then I forced myself to... Continue Reading →
To Those Living in the Land of the Shadow of Death
I am finding it difficult to write a Christmas message. It is so easy to fall into the trap of promoting mindless cheer. I am not suggesting that we discard the cheer, only the mindless. No doubt, even as I write this, hundreds of sermons and even more devotional bloggers will be reminding us not... Continue Reading →
On the Problem of Suffering
I don’t know why I keep doing it to myself. Perhaps it is because I quickly get tired of all the variations on “Shake that booty”, which seem to characterise the contemporary popular music scene. Somehow, when I am driving, out of desperation, I eventually end up turning to the local Christian station, and evidently... Continue Reading →
To Nathan on His Third Birthday
I apologise that this will not be my most eloquent piece. I write it as I watch you sleep, with a drip attached because you have had your tonsils taken out and you refuse to drink. We had other plans to make your birthday special, but – not surprisingly - you had other ideas. I... Continue Reading →
Making a Judgment Call
There are few Bible teachings as misunderstood and misapplied as Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:1-2 : “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you too will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” What follows is the exhortation... Continue Reading →
For The Love of Money
My new job has me doing a lot more flying than I am used to. That is why it took me so long to notice that British Airways does not have a row 13. It is pretty obvious why – many people regard it as unlucky. What is perhaps not quite so obvious is the... Continue Reading →
Learning to Forgive
It seems that every day brings news of another hate-based crime. As shocking as Paris was, it was certainly nothing new. And as I have done the necessary reflecting, in the wake of each heart-breaking story, I have been struck by the realisation of how much the world needs to understand and practise forgiveness. I... Continue Reading →
Reflections on Paris
After any tragedy, it is right to let the emotional flood subside a bit before thinking about it rationally. Emotional wounds need to be handled emotionally (not intellectually) , and people need to purge themselves of the emotional pain – through tears or anger, for example – before being able to make sense of things.... Continue Reading →
A Patriot Speaks Against His President
This week our president made a jaw-dropping claim: loyalty to the ANC (the ruling party), he glibly remarked, is more important than loyalty to the country. My initial response, after the shock and anger wore off, was a pragmatic one: in the interests of ANC public (local and international) relations somebody should probably tell our... Continue Reading →
Vapors In The Wind 