Africa JESUIT MISSIONS
the minds of the voters this time round is whether or not the upcoming harmonised elections will be free of intimidation and violence; whether or not people will be allowed to vote for candidates of their choice in peace and freedom. Will sons and daughters of the beloved country living in diaspora be allowed to participate in choosing a leader to restore their country to a peaceful and economically viable place to which they can return? The June 2008 elections were marred by intimidation and political violence; but since a joint meeting in November 2011, the President, the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister have been preaching the gospel of peace and tolerance. The message still has to spread to the grassroots overzealous political faithful who continue to shout the language of insults, beating and even killing in the name of their political leaders. It would be best if our leaders address people at common political rallies, speak the same language of peace and tolerance before, during and after the elections. That is the challenge Silveira House and other Catholic social centres have to respond to, before we all march to the ballot boxes.
Enough is enough,
say Johannesburg parishioners
A Jesuit parish in the Johannesburg suburb of Braamfontein is spearheading a campaign against sexual abuse, brutality and rape in the community. Holy Trinity Church has teamed up with a local school to denounce violence – against women and children – to declare Kwanele Kwanele, translated as ‘Enough is Enough’. The campaign follows allegations that a lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand – of which Holy Trinity is the Catholic Chaplaincy Church – had sexually assaulted students, as well as other recent high profile attacks. Holy Trinity’s pastor, Father Russell Pollitt SJ, spoke out at Sunday Masses against incidents of sexual violence and abuse and appealed for victims to contact him. In response, he received many emails, calls and visits from people who had been abused, assaulted or raped at home, work and university, with suggestions as to how such attacks could be prevented.
Whichever political party wins the elections, all that Zimbabweans want is peace, stability and development. My hope is in the new Constitution, through which the new government will facilitate the creation of jobs, availability of electricity, clean water, complete restoration of the collapsed education system, health and other social services. Through the new constitution we can have a non partisan security sector, president, ministers and house of assembly. We want a president who gives the new constitution LIFE! Let all voices join and pray for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe; let us pray that people are not intimidated or coerced to vote for what they do not want. l
Photo: Fr Russell Pollitt SJ addresses the congregation at Holy Trinity Church, Braamfontein. Credit: Associated Press Parishioners have subsequently signed a petition against all forms of abuse and are openly identifying themselves with the campaign by wearing Kwanele Kwanele t-shirts. In his homily, Fr Russell quoted frightening statistics pertaining to the incidence of rape in South Africa, often as the result of the belief that women should be submissive to men. He challenged cultures that perpetuate oppressive practices against women and children. “These crimes are not happening out there but also right here in our pews”, he said and called on men everywhere but especially in the parish to denounce these attitudes and practices. A pamphlet handed out after Masses encouraged parishioners to reflect on what the parish could do to fight sexual violence.
Support our work To find out more about Kwanele Kwanele, visit the Holy Trinity parish website http://trinityjhb.co.za. To support the parishioners in Braamfontein please see details on the back page. jesuitsandfriends.org.uk 11