Devoted Magazine Issue 42

Issue 42

devotedmag.co.za

A STORY OF HEALING CONTEXT IS ESSENTIAL IN NEWS REPORTS AND FORGIVENESS MERCY AMID WAR IN UKRAINE

THERE IS NO PEACE WITHOUT THE PRINCE OF PEACE

AFRICA NEEDS BIBLES

A LOVE STORY ABOUT OLD TRACTORS

Are you tired of negative news?

WE ARE TOO…...

Devoted is available on various online platforms.

If you want to read inspiring stories of real-life experiences that will uplift you, Devoted is an online wellness magazine focusing on mind, body and soul. It is a Good News publication aimed to change the negative narrative.

Devoted provides authentic and honest content.

“Journalists cannot always guarantee truth but getting the facts right is the cardinal principle in journalism.”

(The Ethical Journalism Network)

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www.devotedmag.co.za Gerda Potgieter (@devotedmag)

editor@devotedmag.co.za

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IN THIS ISSUE...

Devoted

“THE WEAK CAN NEVER FORGIVE. FORGIVENESS IS THE ATTRIBUTE OF THE STRONG.” – MAHATMA GANDHI –

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving

COVER IMAGE: DESIGNED BY FREEPIK

each other, just as Christ God has forgiven you.”

READ ABOUT SAMMY’S JOURNEY OF RESTORATION AND FORGIVENESS INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Ephesians 4:32

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

INSPIRATION

It’s time for a fresh start

04 OPEN LETTER

Brent Lindeque, the Good Things Guy

16 INSPIRATION

A love story about old tractors

Do editors ever test their content against our commendable SA Press Code?

06 ETHICS AND THE MEDIA Context is essential in news reports

We have introduced special advertising rates to help you and your business during these trying times. NOW is NOT the time to stop marketing your business, rather be more strategic and use cost-effective options. Contact us.

Managing Editor Gerda Potgieter editor@devotedmag.co.za

18 NEWS Mercy Amid War in Ukraine

08

Language Editor Mignionette de Bruin EditA Services Lettie van Aswegen

Contributors Dr Peter Hammond Prof Johannes Froneman Steuart Pennington

TESTIMONY

A story of healing and forgiveness

20 NEWS

Africa needs Bibles

12

Advertise with us & build relationships with your customers.

Production Manager/Creative Director Enola Meyer mazeadilly@gmail.com

Publisher Devine Publishers Subscribe: www.devotedmag.co.za.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerda-potgieter-devine-pubishers/

FAITH

There is no peace without the Prince of Peace

Like usus onon Facebook: Follow Facecook: www.facebook.com/devotedmagazine www.facebook.com/devinepublishers CONTENT DISCLAIMER: All rights reserved. While every precaution has been taken to ensure accuracy of the information, the editors and Devoted magazine cannot accept liability of whatsoever nature arising out of or in connection with the contents of the publication. The views expressed in this publication are

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DEVOTED Magazine

not necessarily those of any of the Devoted team members. It remains the sole responsibility of the writers.

editors note

It’s time for a fresh start!

One constantly hears and reads on social media that the media cannot be trusted. That is unfortunate, as WE LOOK FORWARD TO the media plays a vital role in society. But the industry NEW SUCCESSES AND MILESTONES is in jeopardy if the media can’t be trusted. It is time IN THE NEW YEAR … AND MORE for a fresh start, and we will do our best to inform POSITIVE AND ETHICAL JOURNALISM IN readers what to look out for where unethical journalism MAINSTREAM MEDIA. principles are involved. We do not concern ourselves with sensational news; we share inspiring stories of people The book, ‘A Journey to the Truth, who have changed their lives and are making a the Case of KwaSizabantu positive difference. The world needs less Mission,’ is still kicking sensation and more inspiration.

“BRETHREN, WHATEVER up dust as it is read.

THINGS ARE TRUE, WHATEVER This book exposes In previous issues, we have THINGS ARE NOBLE, WHATEVER the injustice acknowledged alternative THINGS ARE JUST, WHATEVER mainstream media sources who, like THINGS ARE PURE, WHATEVER media THINGS ARE LOVELY, WHATEVER THINGS ARE OF us, are tired of unethical committed to and damaging news. They GOOD REPORT, IF THERE IS ANY VIRTUE AND the Christian created news platforms IF THERE IS ANYTHING PRAISEWORTHY— Mission MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS. THE THINGS YOU that honestly tell positive and makes news. In this edition, we LEARNED AND RECEIVED AND HEARD AND the reader publish the open letter of SAW IN ME, THESE DO, AND THE GOD OF aware of the red Steuart Pennington, who asks PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU.” flags of unethical the loaded question: ‘Do editors PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9 journalism. We have ever test their content against our had an incredible response commendable SA Press Code?’ We also to our drive for a free digital copy. write about Brent Lindeque, the ‘Good Things Unfortunately, many did not follow the Guy.’ Brent inspires us, and I hope his platform and others rules, but we are still giving away 22 digital who focus on positive and ethical news will be better copies. supported.

The case study of the above book is about the lack of ethics in mainstream media.

The facts in the book are irrefutable, supported by evidence obtained over three years. It highlights a smear campaign and personal vendettas. It also highlights how some news editors do not adequately do their homework before publishing a story.

Restoring the trust in journalism is in the public’s best interest. Those responsible for damaging that trust should be exposed.

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Our column Ethics and the Media is about the red flags of unethical journalism. We explain why context is important when reading a media report. Without clear context, the reader cannot conclude and has to rely on the writer’s version of the truth. Linked to that is the untold story of Samantha Eloff. It is a heartwarming story that concerns a ‘journey to the truth.’ A previous story of Samantha, or Sammy as many call her, created a media frenzy when her stories about KwaSizabantu were published. Many news reporters only repeated what others wrote.

SO MUCH OF WHAT WE READ IN THE MEDIA IS SORDID, SCANDALOUS, SENSATIONAL, AND SUPERFICIAL. WHAT ABOUT THE GOOD NEWS? In the News24 documentary about KwaSizabantu YES, THERE IS MUCH EVIL IN (EXODUS, uncovering a cult in KwaZulu-Natal), Sammy THE WORLD, BUT WHERE was introduced to the viewers under the pseudonym SIN INCREASED, GOD’S ‘Amanda.’ She now identified herself and revealed the truth.

GRACE INCREASED. INSTEAD OF ONLY REPORTING ON Even before the documentary was launched online, WHAT THE DEVIL AND HIS Sammy revealed the truth. She claimed that she had been DISCIPLES ARE DOING, manipulated into saying that, among other things, she CHRISTIAN JOURNALISTS had been raped at KwaSizabantu. She and others who CAN ALSO REPORT ON WHAT have also come forward with the truth about the smear campaign say its purpose was to close the mission.

GOD IS ACCOMPLISHING She also claims that she informed the News24 team DESPITE EVIL. THERE MUST immediately after the production team interviewed her BE POSITIVE AND INSPIRING and before the documentary aired in October 2020 that TESTIMONIES TO REPORT she had been “manipulated into telling the false story.”

ON. HOW CAN WE BE MORE Why did they continue to publish lies and fabrications?

UPLIFTING AND EDIFYING IN OUR COMMUNICATIONS? Sammy’s testimony is shocking, and her story still has far-reaching consequences for those she falsely accused.

But she is serious about the truth being revealed now so that she can find peace about what she did. She wants to fix where she went wrong. We will follow her progress and will not leave her like her alleged manipulators did.

Everyone deserves a second chance, and we are happy to help her on her journey to recovery.

Another inspiring story is that of Kobus, the tractor restorer. I’ve talked to him about his passion for tractors, and I hung on his lips. Kobus is a born storyteller! He has restored over 65 old tractors to their former glory and has even more neglected tractors waiting to pass under his capable hands! It is essential that the goods of yesteryear are restored and preserved for future generations, and Kobus does a fantastic job in this regard.

With the Kobus story, we also welcome a new Devoted collaborator, Prof Johannes Froneman, to the team. He is very welcome, and his expertise is to the benefit of the team and our readers.

Enjoy reading...

Gerda

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www.devotedmag.co.za

>> Dr Peter Hammond

Lucky readers The following lucky readers will each receive a digital copy of “A Journey to the Truth, the Case of KwaSizabantu Mission.”

Unfortunatly some did not follow the rules.

Vanashree Nessa Ravhura, Bhelukazi Nxaba, Colleen Nat, Afika Mbono, Bongiwe MaCaredama, Stienie Potgieter, Thabiso Sello, Charmaine Gobadan, Patsy Charles Cloete, Zelda Ngeni, Enecka Ndhlovu, Callum Lauder, Robin Peters, Clifford van Veen, Anthea Jacobs, Darrol Majela, Donald Mamboma, Odette Olivier, Morné Benjamin Nell, Kefilwe, Renukalal Bahadur

Congratulations to the hard copy winner!

Riyaaz Ismail

If you, or someone you know, have a story to tell, please share it with us. We love celebrating successes and achievements. Follow our Facebook page and we will share your inspirational story.

DEVOTED Magazine

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OPEN LETTER

DO EDITORS EVER TEST THEIR CONTENT AGAINST OUR COMMENDABLE SA PRESS CODE?

SA PRESS CODE

– SHORTENED FOR THIS ARTICLE

DEVOTED IS A GREAT FAN OF ‘FEEL-GOOD’ MAGAZINES, ESPECIALLY SA: THE GOOD NEWS. WE FEATURED THE STORY OF THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, STEUART PENNINGTON, WITH PRIDE IN ISSUE 36. IT IS STILL AVAILABLE ONLINE TO READ. THE MAIN FOCUS OF THIS MAGAZINE IS TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA AND AFRICA. LIKE DEVOTED, SA: THE GOOD NEWS BELIEVES IN CELEBRATING THE GOOD AND CONFRONTING THE BAD. IT ALSO BELIEVES THAT NEWS SHOULD BE BALANCED, CONTEXTUAL, AND TRUTHFUL. FOLLOWING A RELEVANT ARTICLE IN DAILY MAVERICK, STEUART HAD THE GUTS TO STAND UP AGAINST THE HARMFUL OVERLOAD OF NEGATIVE NEWS. DEVOTED DARED TO PUBLISH HIS OPEN LETTER ABOUT THE SUBJECT TO TIM COHEN, BUSINESS EDITOR, ON 06 DECEMBER 2023!

“The media exist to serve society. Their freedom provides for independent scrutiny of the forces that shape society and is essential to realising the promise of democracy. It enables citizens to make informed judgments on the issues of the day, a role whose centrality is recognised in the South African Constitution.

The media’s work is guided at all times by the public interest, understood to describe information of legitimate interest or importance to citizens.

“As journalists we commit ourselves to the highest standards, to maintain credibility and keep the trust of the public.This means always striving for truth, avoiding unnecessary harm, reflecting a multiplicity of voices in our coverage.

“The media shall: “1.1 take care to report news truthfully, accurately and fairly; “1.2 present news in context and in a balanced manner, without any intentional or negligent departure from the facts whether by distortion, exaggeration or misrepresentation, material omissions, or summarization; “1.3 present only what may reasonably be true as fact; opinions, allegations, rumours or suppositions shall be presented clearly as such

>> From Steuart Pennington To Tim Cohen

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https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-12-06-after-the-bell-why-are-our-potholes-not-being-fixed-well-lets-ask-socrates/

Hi Tim

,

I admire you greatly; your writings are eminently readable, erudite, well-researched, and often with a quirky sense of humor. I invariably enjoy the read. But the article “Why are our potholes not being fixed? Well, let’s ask Socrates,” in which you have an AI (Artificial Intelligence) chat with the ancient philosopher, but specifically, you write that “more people tell me they just don’t bother to read the news anymore because it’s too depressing.” And then you point out that “the press by being negative is, in its own perverse way, being positive” I choose to differ.

“Trust me” you continue, “fluffy, feel-good stories get read by very few people. And that makes absolute sense: if you are driving on a road, what you want to know is not whether there is a road, but whether there are dangers on the road.”

Really, is that all?

Sensing that you are somewhat umbriferous regarding my work in www.sagoodnews.co.za, I’m uncomfortable with your view that the antithesis to ‘bad’ news is ‘fluffy, feel-good stories.’ So, on four counts, I’d like to contend that: Feel good, fluffy stuff’ differs significantly from factually based, informed, balanced, and contextual writing with a positive slant.

Using your road analogy above, it’s not just about knowing ‘whether there is a road or whether there are dangers on the road’; it is also about knowing of positive developments, if any, on the condition of the road.

Anecdotally, six times a year, I drive from Pietermaritzburg to Kenton-on-Sea via Howick, Kokstad, Mthatha, Butterworth, and East London through the middle of the Transkei. Comments like ‘you must be mad, the roads are shocking’; ‘the road is so narrow you have to go on the verge to avoid oncoming traffic’; ’I’d never go that way’; ‘you’re taking your life into your own hands’ are ubiquitous. No one will tell you that the entire road has been massively upgraded in the last five years, with double overtaking on uphills, broad shoulders, not one pothole, and a growing police presence.

Why do so few know? Surely, if they did, they would have a more positive outlook and different perception of ‘driving on that road’?

‘People are not bothering to read the news anymore because it’s too depressing’ is, in my view, more about the quantity of the news.

This may have to do with the diminished size of newsrooms or just plain lazy journalism; as eminent BBC journalist Nick Davies pointed out in his book ‘Flat Earth News’ (2009) ‘the rapid repackaging of largely unchecked second or third-hand material, with only 12% of stories in the average newspaper being original, and only 12% of key facts being checked’ means that the quality of news has become chiefly unreliable, unverified, unbalanced, even fake, and with little context. That’s why people find it depressing.

Anecdotally, why do we have to hear on national radio about a murderer who took a selfie with his victim and put it on FB? Why do we have to read about a bus accident in Afghanistan or an earthquake in Iceland - because it’s easy to download from Reuters? On the same day, a school in SOWETO won a global award, and a young South African photojournalist received gold at an Art fair in Paris. Not on Reuters!

What is to be learned from our inane SAFM radio talk shows when expert opinion gives way to babble and the host has seldom done his/her research?

It’s the quality and quantity that’s depressing, so the content is increasingly not worth reading and very often can’t be trusted; no wonder more and more readers ‘are not bothering.’

Generally, ‘bad’ news tends to be a dramatic event, sensationalist and attention-grabbing, easy to download, report on, and write about – attractive to journalists who need word count and filled space to earn their bucks.

This gives rise to what I call ‘Conventional Wisdom Madness’ where sensationalist ‘facts’ are reported so often that they become the ‘truth’ and go unchallenged when repeated; there are hundreds of them… ‘South Africa the most unequal society in the world’; ‘Unemployment at 32%’; ‘55% of South Africans living in poverty’; ‘Racism in SA worst in the world’; ‘University standards are dropping’; comes to mind! None of them is the truth or factual (in 195 countries in the ‘World,’ do we often come 195th?)

Positive developments or ‘good news’ are often a trend, requiring investigation, research, and patience. This also applies to some tireless work journalists do to expose malfeasance across the board – admiration and respect for them!

Anecdotally, though, as you page through our daily and weekend newspapers, how many articles grab your attention because they are original, well researched, well written, and expose developments positive or negative that you want to read about – only 12% says Nick!

If so, why buy them?

In my own experience, trying to understand and write about positive developments in SA has alerted me unprecedentedly to the negative; I’d change what you said to “Journalists in researching and telling the positive will, perversely, become experts on the negative.” Put describing and promoting the positive requires a deep knowledge of the negative.

Lastly, and most importantly, our SA Press Code exhorts us to recognize and commit to … (see sidebar left) Do you think Editors ever test their content against our commendable SA Press Code?

Socrates’ AI response Were Socrates alive today, how do you think he would comment on the state of our media, given what he said in your chat?

Says Socrates on AI, “Our beliefs make up the fabric of our lives. If we do not examine them, we are left with an untried and untested worldview that could potentially hinder our actions and decisions every step of the way. If you do not examine the beliefs that you base your entire life around, you open yourself up to the possibility of making poor choices and having a life not worth living”. When people refuse to examine their beliefs, they are not simply living in ignorance, rather they are living in denial. Ignorance is a consequence of lack of knowledge. Denial is an intentional refusal to acknowledge the truth of a situation. So living in partial denial is never a better choice than living with an examined life”.

How are beliefs made, indeed in part, by what you experience, what you read, and what you write about? In that context, I’m sure Socrates would have concurred: “If we believe in and promote the positive, two things happen: hope and confidence to fix the negative.”

I wonder, given the above, who Socrates would finger?

Journalists for not delivering on their beliefs and commitments as defined by our SA Press Code?

Readers who, by choosing not to read/listen to their daily serving of negative news, are thus living in denial?

As you said, “Now there is a question for you!”

Last word: “You can’t describe the future you see; you only see the future you can describe.”

Positive cheer during the new year!

S

teuart DEVOTED Magazine

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ETHICS AND THE MEDIA

CONTEXT IS ESSENTIAL IN NEWS REPORTS

OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE LEARNED THE IMPORTANCE OF EVALUATING A STORY OR PIECES OF INFORMATION IN CONTEXT AND AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF UNTOLD STORIES – ESPECIALLY THOSE NOT TOLD TO US BY THE MEDIA. THE STORY OF SAMMY, ALIAS “AMANDA,” IN THE ARTICLE “A STORY OF HEALING AND FORGIVENESS” (FOLLOWING PAGES) IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF HOW VITAL CONTEXT IS IN A NEWS REPORT WHERE SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS ARE BEING MADE. I USE THIS CASE AS AN EXAMPLE TO DEMONSTRATE THIS POINT AND MAKE OUR READERS AWARE OF THE RED FLAGS IN JOURNALISM. PREREQUISITES PENNED IN THE CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT FOR SOUTH AFRICAN PRINT AND ONLINE MEDIA INCLUDE THE VITAL ETHICAL STANDARDS OF FAIRNESS, PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY, HONESTY, INDEPENDENCE, AND MINIMIZING HARM. LET’S SEE HOW THE NEWS REPORTS ABOUT SAMMY’S CASE FARED REGARDING THESE ETHICAL PRINCIPLES. I’LL GIVE YOU THE FACTS, AND YOU DECIDE!

T

he media’s coverage of the Christian Mission, KwaSizabantu, lacked much-needed context.

Sammy (alias Amanda) came

forward to set the record straight about her role and lies in the media onslaught against the Mission even before the News24 documentary, “EXODUS, uncovering a cult in KwaZulu-Natal,” was aired. She wrote two emails about that to her former counselor in April 2020. The documentary and news reports about her case were released on 19 September 2020. The media had ample time to verify and report on the information ethically. However, the media framed the Mission as a cult where children are abused, and women are raped. Sammy’s untrue story about her alleged rape while she was held captive at KwaSizabantu, formed a

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“AMANDA” HAS IN FACT A HISTORY OF CLAIMS ABOUT BEING RAPED. UNDER HER REAL NAME, SHE HAS OPENED FOUR DIFFERENT RAPE CASES WITH THE POLICE SINCE 2016 (BRONKHORSTSPRUIT, PIETERMARITZBURG, JEFFREYS BAY, AND PRETORIA. THE FOUR CASES ARE NOT RELATED; THEY REPORTEDLY HAPPENED AT DIFFERENT PLACES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND FOUR MEN WERE NAMED AS SUSPECTS.”

critical part of the media onslaught on the Mission.

Lying by obmission? Why did News24 not share all the information about the other alleged rapes with

The investigative magazine, Noseweek,

its audience? Was it omitted to hide something?

investigated the News24 allegations

Omitting critical information that the audience

against the mission over an extended

need to conclude is generally regarded as telling

period and exposed many lies and hearsay;

a lie. Was it because the audience would have

and a smear campaign. In Nose 250, they

concluded differently about the story knowing the

published several findings about Sammy’s

complainant had a history of rape claims and the

case in the News24 coverage. Noseweek’s

audience could think differently from what they

finding are first (in red) and then an

wanted them to think? News reporters should

explanation of why it was a red flag:

report the truth and not a version of the truth.

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While the ‘affidavit’ is typed on a police letterhead and signed by “SHE CLAIMED THAT SHE HAD TOLD NEWS24’S SENIOR JOURNALIST TAMMY PETERSEN ABOUT THE OTHER RAPE CASES SHE HAD OPENED, BUT THE INFORMATION WAS OMITTED BECAUSE THE STORY ‘WAS ABOUT KWASIZABANTU’”.

“PETERSEN, THE LEAD WRITER OF THE EXODUS DOCUMENTARY, WAS NOT PREPARED TO DISCUSS WHY THIS INFORMATION WAS OMITTED FROM THE DOCUMENTARY AND IF SHE KNEW ABOUT THE EMAILS (THE EMAILS SAMMY WROTE IN WHICH SHE CLAIMED SHE LIED ABOUT THE RAPE) AND ‘AMANDA’S’ OTHER REPORTED RAPE CASES WHEN SHE PRODUCED THE PROGRAM.”

her, the name of the person who took down the statement is not given, and a commissioner of oaths did not verify the document.”

Such an affidavit would not stand in a court of law and is not sufficient evidence for such a serious claim. Sammy also claimed that she was “told by the instigators what to write in her affidavit.”

Noseweek eloquently exposed the lack of ethics in the media coverage of KwaSizabantu: “It is most probably this document (affidavit) that Koos Greeff (one of the instigators) peddled to Rapport and News24 while, by his own admission, he has never met ‘Amanda’ in person and only spoke to her on the phone once or twice. He told Noseweek: “I only reacted on the grounds of the information I received from my sources.” Noseweek claimed

Continuing misrepresentation? A news reporter

the informant shared hearsay stories with the media and could

who make such serious claims should use

not provide evidence of the serious allegations. This is a severe

all opportunities to verify information, ensure

oversight.

informants are credible, and provide all the shared data. I also discovered that the News24 editorin-chief did not visit the Mission and rejected the opportunity to participate in the independent panel’s investigation of the allegations. News reporters are responsible for providing truthful and comprehensive accounts of the subject they report on, and they should verify the information, and

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“PEET BOTHA, WHO KNOWS ‘AMANDA’ VERY WELL, TOLD NOSEWEEK THAT HE AND HIS WIFE ONLY RECENTLY LEARNED ABOUT THE EMAILS (IN WHICH SHE WROTE SHE WAS NOT RAPED) FROM AN INDEPENDENT PANEL THAT KWASIZABANTU SET UP TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THEM. HE ADMITTED TO KNOWING ABOUT HER OTHER RAPE CASES BUT SAID HE HAS DOUBTS ABOUT HER CREDIBILITY AND CAUTIONED NOSEWEEK THAT SHE WAS ‘A BROKEN PERSON WITH MANY ISSUES, WHO TENDS TO MANIPULATE PEOPLE.’ IT IS NOT CLEAR IF HE HAD OFFERED THE SAME ADVICE TO NEWS24.”

make sure the informants are credible.

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“REFERRING TO THE RAPE ALLEGATIONS IN THE DOCUMENTARY, PETERSEN SAID: ‘THESE ALLEGATIONS WERE OF A SERIOUS NATURE, AND WE TOOK VARIOUS STEPS TO VERIFY THEIR AUTHENTICITY BEFORE PUBLICATION, INCLUDING INSISTING ON SWORN AFFIDAVITS ABOUT SEXUAL ABUSE BEFORE PUBLICATION.’”

Credible informants are crucial. I had several questions about this information. Peet Botha was an essential informant of News24 and wrote several articles about the case for them, published under his name. If he offered different advice to News24, why? And, if he advised News24 the same, why did they publish a story told to them by a “broken person with many issues” as the truth and nothing but the truth?

Hearsay information is not evidence. Noseweek

News reporters are responsible for providing truthful and

questioned if “Amanda’s” so-called “sworn affidavit”

comprehensive accounts of the subject they report on. The media

was sufficient evidence for such a serious claim

should have put all the information in a context that would have

and if it was legit. Noseweek wrote, “Noseweek is

provided their audiences with an accurate representation of the case.

in possession of a typed document that purports

They should also have provided the Mission with a fair right to reply. The

to be an affidavit made by ‘Amanda’, under her real

“Amanda” case and the lack of verification by the news reporter put the

name. She describes a horrific rape, which she says

entire media campaign in jeopardy. With so many red flags in one news

happened to her while she was hospitalised at the

report, how many others are there in the many negative media reports

mission.

about KwaSizabantu?

DEVOTED Magazine

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TESTIMONY

AANDSTORY OF HEALING FORGIVENESS

AS I SIT LISTENING TO THE YOUNG WOMAN IN FRONT OF ME, I HAVE TO WORK HARD TO CONTROL MY EMOTIONS, WHICH FLUCTUATE BETWEEN RESENTMENT AND EMPATHY. IT IS DECEMBER 2023, AND SAMANTHA (SAMMY) ELOFF, ALIAS “AMANDA,” HAS JUST BEEN RELEASED FROM A PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL WHERE SHE WAS TREATED FOR, AMONG OTHERS, DEPRESSION.

>> ON PHOTO

Sammy in the beautiful gardens at KwaSizabantu 8

DEVOTED Magazine

S

he is heartbroken but trying hard

I used it as a case study in my research about the red flags of unethical journalism.

to shake off her sad past and

Sammy was introduced to the News24 audience using the pseudo “Amanda.” It

make amends for what she has

was alleged in the news coverage that she was held captive against her will at

done under pressure while she

KwaSizabantu, accused of being a Satanist, forced to confess her sins daily, drugged,

was vulnerable. I spoke to her again a

brutally raped, sodomized, and then she was read from the Bible by her alleged

few weeks later to confirm her story,

attacker. News24 used extraordinary emotive language and dramatic images to tell

and I was happy to see she was more

her story to evoke emotions in its audience. Still, even before News24 launched a

relaxed and on her way to restoration.

comprehensive media onslaught against the mission, she wrote in April 2020 (the News24 documentary was only released later, in September 2020) two emails to her

Sammy is no saint. She has caused

counselor at KwaSizabantu admitting she was not raped at the Mission and asking for

immense harm to many people by

forgiveness.

making allegations that were not true, but she is suffering the consequences

She wrote she was manipulated into saying that she had been raped. Sammy claimed

and meant no harm. She wants to make

she was “told what to say in a statement which she made,” but it was not her intention

up for what she did wrong. Sammy

that it should be given to the media. She claimed she had also told “the news reporters

wants to break free from the after-

that she was not raped, but they were not interested in the truth.”

effects of childhood neglect, abuse, rape, and witchcraft that caused trauma

Noseweek investigated the so-called exposé and published in Nose 250 and 251

as well as significant harm to her body

two articles, exposing that News24 published “lies, distorted facts, and fabrications

and soul.

from disgruntled former KwaSizabantu workers and embittered family members”.

Despite Sammy revealing the truth to the media to set the record straight, the

Trauma made her a vulnerable person

onslaught against the Mission continued for almost three years. The media also

who could be manipulated easily by

ignored the countless letters written to them by others in support of the Mission.

unscrupulous people to advance their

According to Noseweek and Sammy, the “manipulators” had only one goal: to close

agendas. The more she talks, the more

the mission for personal gain. This (that the goal of the smear campaign was to close

I understand why she did what she did.

to the mission) was also confirmed by an independent panel that exonerated the

As she told her story, I became aware of

Mission after they investigated the News24 allegations. My research in a book about

how my initial negative feelings towards

unethical journalism demonstrated how the News24 headlines and the storyline were

her were replaced with empathy.

extraordinarily sensationalized in reporting the stories without any solid evidence that any of the media stories were accurate.

As I listen to her story, I sense she is honest in her efforts to tell the truth.

She wants to make up for what she did

Sammy later explained to me and others in my presence how she was manipulated into partaking in the smear campaign against KwaSizabantu. I can confirm that her

wrong. She wants forgiveness from

story did not change as she talked to us – I was sensitive about that. She also provided

those she wrongly slandered and has

evidence of the claims she made.

already asked for forgiveness. She sought the professional support needed

Sammy has been through proverbial hell since she told the fabricated stories.

to complete her journey to restoration

Because she filed a false rape complaint with the SAPS, she tried to avoid the police

and is now supported with love and

until recently, when she contacted them to retract her rape claim. Her conscience

compassion from those who care about

drove her to a psychiatric hospital. She has recently been released and visited a

her, even though she harmed them

professional in the field to ensure she is ready to fix what needs fixing. After that, she

tremendously.

willingly started to contact alternative media to share the truth. We gladly share her story unaltered, as she voluntarily told it to us. Sammy’s independent psychologist

Sammy’s story starts in 2019.

recommended to her she should return to KwaSizabantu, and she did.

As you read the story, remember that it is not for us to judge. Sammy did

The media reported about her for the

something wrong, but she wants to fix it, and she is willing to bear the

first time in December 2019. Still, I first

consequences. She wants to tell the truth so she can be forgiven by those she

heard about the case in 2020 when I

has harmed, and she wants their names to be cleared. I greatly respect her

analyzed the News24/KwaSizabantu

efforts to make amends, and I think she has the courage of a victor.

coverage, ‘EXODUS, uncovering a cult in KwaZulu-Natal.’

DEVOTED Magazine

9

TESTIMONY

Continue SAMMY, WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND? “I did a course in ECD (Early Childhood Development) and had a diploma from UNISA. I am passionate about working with children. This is one reason why I got so involved in the KwaSizabantu story. I was told that to help the children there, I have to say I was raped at the Mission so that they can close it.”

COULD YOU GIVE OUR READERS A GLIMPSE INTO YOUR CHILDHOOD AND WHEN AND HOW YOU GOT TO THE KWASIZABANTU MISSION?

“Former residents of the Mission contacted me and told me they don’t want it to exist anymore, and I should help them close down the Mission to help the children there. I told them I had a dream that I was raped (because of the medicine I used), and they convinced me that I was raped at KwaSizabantu and I should report it to the Police. They also told me to tell News24 the story and included it in their documentary. However, I retracted the claim before the documentary and news reports were published. I told News24 that I was not raped.

I feel so bad about what I did because never in my life, have KwaSizabantu ever hurt me or beat me or do anything terrible to me. I stopped

“I arrived at the KwaSizabantu Mission in 2012, and from there, I went on and off until 2020. I did leave for a period, but then I went back. All in all, I was there for about eight years. It’s a wonderful place, and I was happy there. It is my place of safety.

contacting those people who manipulated me because I saw what they did to me. They left me after that.

The people at the Mission were a family to me when my family wasn’t there for me. They were always there for me, and I did this wrong thing to them.”

“I grew up with a dysfunctional family, and they (KwaSizabantu) were like my family because they always gave me love; they were always there for me - no matter what. When I first stayed, I was a bit sick; they looked after me and wanted to see what they could do for me. Yes, they were very, very good to me.

“My stepbrother is eight years old, and my stepsister is 4. They are in an orphanage in Kroonstad in the Free State. The reason for that is that their mother, my father’s second wife, is using drugs. So, she is very unstable, and our father passed away in 2021. I do have siblings from my mother and father. They are all in the Free State, and they are adults.

DO YOU MEAN THAT NONE IN YOUR STORY ABOUT AN ALLEGED RAPE AND ABUSE WERE TRUE??

“It (the alleged rape and abuse) never happened. I am vulnerable and I was rebellious. I know I should not listen to people, but they just got me at a fragile time. I gave in because I was vulnerable, and they knew I could be manipulated.”

WHY WERE YOU REBELLIOUS? WHAT CAUSED THAT? “Nothing happened at KwaSizabantu; I thought they had too many rules.

But it was to protect us. The way we lived was God’s way. I began to be rebellious about it, but nothing terrible happened. They only told us to let

“My father misused alcohol, and he would beat my mother. He would also hit my two brothers, which would be challenging for us. From the age of 5, he molested me and then, from the age of 8, raped me.

That happened a lot, like a lot in my life. So, yes, that is my past, and I ran away from and sought help at KwaSizabantu. KwaSizabantu was a safe place, far away from abuse and neglect.”

BUT WHY DID YOU THEN LEAVE KWASIZABANTU? “I became very stubborn at the Mission. I just wanted to do things my way. I did not want to adhere to their rules, but the rules are there to protect us. I ended up at the Mission’s hospital, which, in real terms, is more like a spiritual retreat. During that time, I was contacted endlessly by the people who planned to close the Mission. They said the Mission was not good for me, and they wanted to get me out. I told the Mission I had to go to another town for a case I reported at the SAPS. They allowed and helped me to go, but in the News24 documentary, it was portrayed as if I was held captive there against my will and prevented from leaving.

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God show us the right way.

I was previously put on medication by a medical doctor, but then I stopped taking my meds, which were for anxiety and depression. I was doing fine until those who wanted to take over the Mission phoned me.”

BUT HOW WAS IT POSSIBLE FOR THOSE PEOPLE TO MANIPULATE YOU TO CLAIM RAPE? “They played on my fears. They told me that one of the senior managers was a witch doctor and was using witchcraft toward us. I now know that they lied to me. I was scared back then and wanted to get out, which was my main reason. Now that I can think clearly, everything has become clearer about what happened in those days.

I can’t be part of a place that is a witchcraft place because that is what I have run away from. My father never served God; he was a Satanist, so he never served God. I grew up in a house where it was very dark; everything was very, very dark. And I never wanted to be part of it because a witch doctor for me is the same as a Satanist. It’s the same thing for me. They promised to support me but left me when they got what they wanted. The people against KwaSizabantu set up a fund to support those who stand up against the Mission, but I did not receive any support from that fund.”

LOUISE PRETORIUS

TRYING TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT

DID THEY GIVE YOU SOME MONEY AS THEY DID WITH OTHERS? YOU PROBABLY KNOW THAT A CONVICTED CRIMINAL ALLEGED SHE WAS PROMISED R1 MILLION FOR TELLING HER FABRICATED STORIES AND LIES ABOUT THE MISSION. “I read about that in your book. Yes, some individuals paid money into my bank (not from the fund), and I can show you bank statements proving that. They said they would support me, but they left me after they got what they wanted from me.”

WHAT HAPPENED AFTER YOU LEFT KWASIZABANTU? “I felt terrified and wanted to return to the mission. But I already went to the police and told the story to the police because that’s what they (the “manipulators”) wanted. They told me to go to the police and even told me what to put in my statement. So, for four years, I have never been happy because if the police wanted to come and do an investigation or they wanted to talk to me, I ran away. I packed my bags and ran. I got depressed. Because I knew the story about rape and witchcraft was not

Louise Pretorius was at KwaSizabantu’s spiritual retreat in 2019 while Sammy was there, and the two connected.

According to the News24 documentary, both Sammy (under the pseudonym Amanda) and Louise were held hostage.

Like Sammy, Louise came forward in 2020 to confirm that the claim was invalid. Interestingly, not one person who made the allegation that she was held captive contacted her to determine the truth before the falsities were published.

Louise afterward published a video on You Tube to set the record straight and she wrote endless letters to News24 and the Press Ombud to try and get the truth out - without any success. Louise showed us emails in which she told the media that the news stories were not true. She wrote to me: “…on the 19th of September 2020, News24 starred me in their famous Exodus ‘exposé’ as a ‘victim of brutality’ – without my consent. Imagine my shock at watching a national news podcast and, without warning, hearing my voice being played as supporting evidence of a ‘victim’.”

“And so began the battle to prove that I indeed was in my right mind, was never held captive, had no need of being rescued’ by blatant fabrications and so-called compassion, and never knew about or consented to be used by News24”. “…News24 never contacted me to confirm or refute these allegations or to request permission to broadcast something about me in their documentary…”

the truth. It always haunted me, I couldn’t sleep at night because I knew what I did was wrong, and I did it against people who loved me. And I could not think of what I did wrong and how I did it and how it should make them feel and after what they did for me, how they sat in hospital with me, helping me.

I tried to take my life. And that’s why they admitted me to the psychiatric hospital in Steve Biko. I was in ICU in Steve Biko, and I was on a ventilator. Then I got out, and they admitted me to the psychiatric ward.

So, they treated me for traumatic stress and also what happened in 2020 with the media. I felt it was my punishment..”

“My first response was to make a YouTube recording to set the record straight about my story that News24 and my aunt (the News24 so-called whistleblower) had taken such liberties with…” “…There was another way of seeking redress” — the Press Council… “…Not only did the Press Council’s Ombud dismiss my complaint, but he also confused me with another witness on News24’s video called ‘Amanda’. I was staggered. They could not even be bothered to establish the basic facts of my identity before delivering a judgment.”

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THIS EXPERIENCE? “I would say to others to never allow people to cloud their minds with nice stories of how they would be there for you. Also, never leave the people who are there for them. Never leave them and talk about untrue stories because they can affect many lives. Many people can get hurt.”

Sammy said she tried to commit suicide about a year ago, but the instigators of the smear campaign posted on social media that she indeed committed suicide and blamed KwaSizabantu for her alleged death. I interviewed Sammy Eloff twice and a few weeks apart to ensure she did not provide any conflicting information.

She offered solid evidence of what she told us. Others also interviewed her, and the facts correlate with the information she

TO GET THE FULL STORY

ABOUT HOW KWASIZABANTU WAS UNFAIRLY FRAMED BY MAINSTREAM MEDIA AS A CULT WHERE WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE ABUSED, READ THE NOSEWEEK REPORTS AND THE REVELATION VIDEO SERIES

BY FOLLOWING THE LINKS BELOW. SAMMY’S STORY IS DETAILED IN THE CHAPTER, “WHEN THEY GOT WHAT THEY WANTED, THEY LEFT ME,” IN THE BOOK A JOURNEY TO THE TRUTH, THE CASE OF KWASIZABANTU MISSION. THE BOOK IS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

gave on different occasions. I am convinced that she is now telling the truth. Sammy is seemingly solidly on the road to recovery. She is back at KwaSizabantu – the place she loves and feels safe. According to her mentor, Cecille Schneider, she is making tremendous progress.

Cecille said,

“Since Sammy decided to come to the light with her story and expose the lies, I literally saw her change from an anxious, fearful person, to a contented, happy, almost confident individual. It was remarkable for me to witness the healing and restoration in her life. How profound is the Scripture: ‘The truth will set you free.’”

Link to the YouTube video

KwaSizabantu Mission Hospital Abuse Eyewitness Account – Erika Bornman’s niece speaks out: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q3Uqazt6MVQ DEVOTED Magazine

11

FAITH

THERE IS NO PEACE WITHOUT

>> By Dr Peter Hammond

THE PRINCE OF PEACE

DR PETER HAMMOND IS NO STRANGER TO SPIRITUAL WARFARE, UNFAIR MEDIA ATTACKS ON HIS LIFE’S WORK, HARASSMENT, AND PERSECUTION. DESPITE THE ONSLAUGHTS, HE REMAINS COMMITTED TO HIS FAITH AND CALLING. IN THIS ARTICLE, HE SHARES HOW THE PREVIOUS YEAR WAS A TESTIMONY TO HIS LIFE, HEALTH, FAITH, AND FREEDOM. HE REMINDS US THAT THERE IS NO PEACE WITHOUT THE PRINCE OF PEACE…

A

s we look back over the previous year, we must

excuse myself. Minutes later, I was vomiting in the bathroom.

be grateful for life and liberty. Those of us who

Having suffered kidney stone eruptions several times in my

have survived aerial bombardments, artillery

life, I knew the symptoms, drove home, packed my things

barrages, rocket attacks, ambushes, capture,

away, and requested Daniela to drive me through to the ICU

and imprisonment are very aware of the precious gift of life

at the hospital.

and freedom. Perhaps we do not appreciate the blessings of good health until we lose it or it is threatened.

“A scan confirmed that I had some large stones in my kidney. The next morning, I went into surgery when they

“Last year, I was hospitalized three times. That is more times

put in a stent, told me I would suffer some discomfort, and

than in the rest of my adult life combined. I have been used

discharged me. They told me to return in 3 weeks for them

to visiting hospital patients, but being on the receiving end

to remove the stent and the stone. The next week, I was

as a patient is different. On 28 February, I suffered a stroke

ministering at the July Youth Conference at KwaSizabantu

and realized that I was dying. My daughter, Daniela, drove

Mission to about 7,000 young people. Later, I asked the

me to Vincent Palloti Hospital. I was sent for a CT scan, which

doctor if ’some discomfort‘ was the medical code for

confirmed that I had suffered a stroke. I told the doctor I

extreme agony! Why they did not remove the stone at the

had to be in KwaZulu-Natal for a conference. He laughed and

same time as they put in the stent, I do not know - it was

said: ’You are going nowhere! You have suffered a stroke.’

three weeks of severe agony before the operation that

The same day I was admitted, our board chairman, Anthony

removed what they described as a ’lovely large stone.’

Stander, came during visiting hours in the evening, read

Spiritual warfare can include some physical severe pain as

James 5, anointed me with oil, and prayed the prayer of faith.

well.

1

I knew that I was healed, and the following day, this was confirmed by the doctor, the physiotherapist, the speech

ENDLESS CHALLENGES

therapist, and the cognitive therapist. They gave me a battery

“The medical crises coincided with financial crises,

of tests and declared with much surprise that there was no

complications with our banks, and attempts to hack into

evidence of cognitive decline. However, I needed to work on

and sabotage our computer system at the Mission. Aside

my speech to overcome the slurring.

from the scheduled power failures, which are part of the failed state of ANC corruption and incompetence, and

“Exactly one week after being admitted to the hospital ICU, I

despite every effort from our side, the national telephone

travelled through to KwaZulu-Natal to KwaSizabantu Mission

provider, Telkom, has been unable to provide any telephone

to deliver a plenary address to the Minister’s Conference

connectivity/service for our home for the whole year. We

with over 2 000 participants from 68 countries.

also went several months without any Internet connectivity at our house. For almost two weeks, we had no water at our

12

“In June, shortly after returning from conducting a

home either. Our primary IT computer, which controls our 20

Discipleship course for prisoners and lecturing on African

websites, SoundCloud, Sermon Audio, Slide Share, podcasts,

Church History at Back to the Bible Mission in Mpumalanga,

and video galleries, was stolen. Our codes were changed, and

I was hosting American author and radio presenter Kevin

we battled for over a month to regain access to and control

Swanson at Livingstone House when severe pain led me to

our various online A/V platforms.

DEVOTED Magazine

>> Special note:

Here are valuable links to some of the relevant websites:

https://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/news/quartermaster-store-for-missions-throughout-africa https://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/articles/undermining-terrorism-with-evangelism https://www.givesendgo.com/GreatCommissionHandbookhttps://www.givesendgo.com/CaseforSecession https://www.givesendgo.com/ResistanceinRomania https://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/events.html https://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/missions/the-christmas-truce https://www.livingstonefellowship.co.za/discipleship/two-men-went-up-to-the-temple-to-pray https://www.themessageofnabiisa.org/

“In addition, censorship and serious restrictions on

fighting, come out of their trenches, and celebrate Christmas

social media attempts to de-platform some of our most

with their enemies, perhaps we can do the same with our

crucial online ministry activities, and insidious malicious

family members and neighbours (Isaiah 9:6-7).

campaigns by pathological antagonists determined to destroy our mission. But ’greater is He who is in us than

“There is much hate in the world, but no one can point to

him who is in the world. I can do all things through Christ

anything wrong with Jesus Christ. He was, and is, the only

who strengthens me. We are more than conquerors through

perfect person who has ever lived. Even the Quran teaches

Christ Jesus, who loved us. Submit to God, resist the devil,

that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a holy life, was without

and he will flee from you. They that wait upon the Lord shall

sin, healed the sick, raised the dead, worked miracles,

renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like

created life, and is the Word of God and the Messiah. The

eagles. They shall run, not grow weary; they shall walk and

Lord Jesus Christ commands us to love our neighbour and

not faint.’

enemies.”

BAD TIMES ARE GOOD FOR SPIRITUAL WORK “We praise God for our faithful friends, prayer warriors, coworkers, supporters, and allies who stand with us in difficult times. You do not lose friends; you learn who your real friends are! ’Through our God, we shall do valiantly; He will tread down our enemies. No weapon formed against us shall stand.’ God has sent His angels to encamp around us. Thanks be to Almighty God, our rock-solid Foundation, Fortress, Redeemer, Deliverer...and our friends and supporters.

“By God’s grace, just in December, I was able to be part of three international TV programs, 15 radio programs, four

>> ON PHOTO

Dr Peter Hammond preaching at KwaSizabantu Youth Conference

church services, proclaim the gospel in a Mosque in Cape Town, minister to over 7 000 young people at the December KwaSizabantu Mission Youth Conference in KwaZulu Natal, and conducted a series of services and outreaches in the run-up to Christmas. We distributed hundreds of Bibles and hundreds of thousands of gospel booklets in numerous African languages throughout Southern Africa. We annually distribute an average of 100 tonnes of Bibles, Christian books, and gospel booklets throughout Africa.

“On Saturday, 16 December, I was invited to a Christmas celebration at a mosque in Wynberg. Dr Taj Hargey of the Oxford Institute for British Islam organized and hosted this

>> ON PHOTO

The KwaSizabantu choir, welcoming the youth

extraordinary event. Christian hymns and Arabic carols sung

by Christian congregations in Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq were screened, and a delicious Christmas lunch was served.

That was remarkable enough, but I was invited to speak to all in attendance once there.

“I used the opportunity to relate the inspiring testimony of the Christmas Truce of 1914 during World War I. It remains an extraordinary testimony to the power of the Gospel of Christ that, during such a terrible time of world war, soldiers of so many armies on opposite sides could sing Christmas carols together, cease fighting, come out of their trenches, and embrace their enemies, in honour of the Prince of Peace.

There is no peace without the Prince of Peace. If so many

>> ON PHOTO

Christmas celebrations at a mosque

soldiers on all sides of a destructive world war could stop

DEVOTED Magazine

13

INSPIRATION

BRENT BRENT LINDEQUE

THE GOOD THINGS GUY

I BELIEVE THE WORLD NEEDS MORE GOOD STORIES, SO I STARTED TO WRITE POSITIVE STORIES ABOUT INSPIRING PEOPLE AND LIFE-CHANGING EVENTS WHILE NOT SHYING AWAY FROM CHALLENGING ISSUES. ALMOST A YEAR AGO, I BEGAN TO PROFILE ALTERNATIVE MEDIA OUTLETS FOCUSING ON POSITIVE STORIES ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA AND ITS PEOPLE. I HAVE MET SUCH AMAZING PEOPLE IN THE PROCESS, PEOPLE LIKE BRENT LINDEQUE, WIDELY KNOWN AS THE GOOD THINGS GUY., MY INTERVIEW WITH HIM WAS OUTSTANDING. ALTHOUGH HE IS RATHER FAMOUS BECAUSE OF HIS SUCCESSFUL MEDIA HOUSE, HE HAS NO EGO. I FOUND HIM A DOWN-TO-EARTH-KINDA-GUY!

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LINDEQUE B

“I BELIEVE ONE OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT JOBS IS TO MAKE THIS JOURNEY EASIER FOR THOSE AROUND US. AND I GUESS WE DO THIS BY BEING KIND, HELPING EACH OTHER, AND CREATING MOMENTS OF MAGNIFICENCE FOR THOSE AROUND US.”

rent, you are described as a blogger, influencer, journalist, change-maker, and the Good Things Guy. Who is Brent

Lindeque if he is not the Good Things Guy? I would describe myself as an average guy.

I like to think I am a kind person. I grew up in the south of Johannesburg and am proudly South African. If you want adjectives, I would describe myself as a social person and a gamer. I like to play games such as PlayStation and others. I am very sporty, go to the gym often, and am obsessive about my work. I believe we are all equal.

You are regularly featured in the media.

Why did you start spreading only good

>> BRENT LINDEQUE

news about South Africa when we know so many bad things happen daily?

It started with the #ChangeOneThing Movement in August 2015 when people contacted me with good stories. 1 I was soon

In the first quarter of 2023, you tweeted a poll asking what the current ‘mood’

inundated with good news. When beginning

of South Africans was, and 56% of the votes went towards being “incredibly

the Good Things Guy outlet, I wanted to bring

dysphoric – a state of generalized dissatisfaction, restlessness, and emotional

a little sunshine into the lives of others, to

discomfort”. You pointed out that these ‘moods’ are generally accompanied

bring hope to people who felt despair, and

by sadness, anger, and negativity. How do you think we got to this “state of

perhaps offer some balance in a world that

hostility”?

can sometimes feel overwhelmingly sad and

It is not only now. We tend to forget what happened in the past and in history. The

difficult. I undertook to share one good news

world was always a tough place to live in. And this is real, not only for South Africa

story daily and make South Africans proud

but also for the rest of the world. What is around us is sometimes very sad, but many

to be part of this fantastic country and the

positive things exist. We have to focus on the positive and share positive stories.

world. The rest, as they say, is history.

Do you think mainstream media has something to do with the state of affairs, The platform has grown tremendously

namely that we have become such a hostile and negative nation?

since you started it... How did it increase

Yes, absolutely. But mainstream media has a job to do. Mainstream media only exists

so rapidly, and did you expect that to

because people keep reading their work. But news consumers have choices to make

happen?

about what to read. They should learn what to look for, find the balance, and give their

No, I did not expect it, and I am humbled by

bodies and souls a break. There are many choices and ‘feel good’ news outlets, many

it all. I definitely did not see it as a business.

of which are online.

I started alone, and now I have an entire team helping me. I believe it was right at

One of Daily Maverick’s editors, Tim Cohen, recently wrote that “fluffy, feel-good

the right time, and I created the space for

stories get read by very few people.” What is your view on that?

people to share their inspiring stories. And

I would tell Tim that I’m afraid I must disagree with that. I have factual things to show

the more good stories I shared, the more

the opposite. As you know, we recently published a book, and it is really going great

positive stories I got. It became the new thing

with the book. We sold so many books that we can now self-publish. We are busy with

back then, and its success humbles me. My

a second print. This was a gift to South Africa. In 2023, we published over 4,000 good

successes, I believe, is a gift from God.

stories... and have more to share.

1 Brent Lindeque pioneered the #ChangeOneThing movement, which went viral internationally, using the simple premise that everyone has the power to change everything.

INSPIRATION

A LOVE STORY

ABOUT OLD TRACTORS I HAVEN’T UNTIL NOW MET SOMEONE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT HIS HOBBY THAT IT CAN BE BETTER DESCRIBED AS A WAY OF LIFE. KOBUS GROENEWALD COLLECTS TRACTORS AND OTHER THINGS FROM PREVIOUS PERIODS AND RESTORES THEM TO THEIR ORIGINAL CONDITION. HE BELONGS TO VETERAN TRACTOR GROUPS AND TRAVELS FAR AND WIDE SEARCHING FOR ORIGINAL PARTS. HE DOES THE RESTORATION WORK WITH COMPLETE DEDICATION AND PATIENCE. WE ASKED HIM WHY HE DEVOTES SO MUCH TIME AND ENERGY TO RESTORING AND PRESERVING THINGS OF YESTERYEAR. >> By Johannes Froneman and Gerda Potgieter

S

“

ince I was a boy, I found it a punishment

His work resulted in a large shed with not one but some 65

when the sun went down. I could not

beautifully restored tractors, cars, and other farm implements.

wait for the sun to rise again and the

They stand proud testimony to this man’s work ethic over many

next day’s work to start.” These are the

decades. His restoration work has been acknowledged several

words of 76-year-old Kobus Groenewald

times at the National Vintage Tractor and Engine Show as the

from Stilbaai in the beautiful Garden Route. He

best in the field. Each one of his entries is lovingly restored to

is still an early riser, impatient to start his day’s

its original. No fake or modern parts are used. If need be, he

work, but he has vast amounts of patience in

makes the parts himself. He often uses spare parts acquired

practicing his hobby. Restoring one vintage

over the years from across the country. Sometimes, a tractor,

tractor requires painstaking commitment and the

therefore, has to wait several

patience of a saint but also a tremendous amount

years to be completed. He still

of resilience. Added to that is the passion to finish

has lots of tractors and other

the metalwork as smooth as silk with the mark of

implements waiting to be

a craftsman. He is doing the job perfectly for the

restored.

sake of doing a good job.

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When completed, every tractor is in total working order and

When Kobus was 20, his father died in a freak accident, and

finished in the original colour. Kobus rarely leaves a tractor’s

he had to stand on his own feet. He moved to Stilbaai in

paintwork in its weather-beaten state, accentuating the

1964, where his parents came from originally. Without formal

worked-in sheen and contrasting with the painted tractors.

training, he continued repairing tractors and implements and slowly built up a civil engineering business doing groundwork,

Kobus is not only a restorer of note; he is an outstanding

dam building, deforestation, and the like.

storyteller. Forgotten brand names such as the Field Marshal and Massey Ferguson fill Kobus’s stories about how he acquired

His interest in vintage implements took off in 1998. His son

and restored each one of the tractors. He has travelled some

Gielie, now mostly runs the business, leaving Kobus to focus on

250 000 km with his 8-ton truck, going to shows, auctions, and

the restoration work. But Gielie is always available to give his

far-off farms to seek out old tractors worth buying and restoring

dad a hand when needed.

and collecting stories.

Vintage tractor clubs are found all over the country and the His story began when he grew up in the Edenburg district of

world. They form a unique group of people who mostly do this to

the then-Orange Free State. The Groenewald family was not

bring an old tractor or implement back to life.

ritch, and Kobus was always on a tractor, even as a baby. Later,

“I still have a long queue of tractors and implements waiting,”

he assisted his father where he could, always learning on the

Kobus noted. “This restoration story never stops”.

job! His father had a brilliant mechanical brain. Kobus told me he built a bicycle with a sidecar propelled by an old washing machine!

Kobus’s son, Gielie, helps his father restore the tractors and old cars and learns this skill from his father’s good example. According to him, his father is a perfectionist when restoring old tractors, and he spares no effort to restore a tractor with original parts.

His father taught him more than mechanics. “My father was a religious man. He assisted those in need and, for example, never asked clients for an after-hour tariff. Yes, he died poor, but he understood the value of decent work and inculcated this value,” Kobus told us passionately.

DEVOTED Magazine

17

NEWS

Mercy Amid War in Ukraine THE MINISTRY OF REV HEERO HACQUEBORD AND THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN L’VIV ARE EXAMPLES OF THE GRACE OF RESILIENCE AMID TERRIFYING AND PAINFUL CIRCUMSTANCES. WHEN BELIEVERS EXPERIENCE TRAUMATIC EVENTS, GOD’S RESILIENCE HELPS US FIND WAYS TO CHANNEL HIS GRACE TO THOSE AROUND US AMID DISTRESS. HE AND HIS FAMILY WERE ON A SHORT VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA RECENTLY AND WERE WILLING TO TELL US ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING IN UKRAINE. HE WAS ALSO ABLE TO BRIEFLY TALK ABOUT THEIR CONGREGATION’S SERVICE WORK AT THE SERVICES OF THE REFORMED CHURCHES IN MOSSEL BAY AND PLETTENBERG BAY-KNYSNA.

D

uring his final year of study in 1996, he

>> By Flip Buys and Johannes de Bruyn

>> ON PHOTOS

Prof Buys and friends

Dr Hackebord and his family talking about spreading mercy in times of war

The congregation hosted 200 of these refugees in the

developed an interest in missions. On

past two years. The Hacquebord family

the recommendation of the professor

themselves housed several

of Missionary Science, he goes on a

refugees in their own home.

short mission internship to Odesa in Ukraine.

This led to his moving to Mykolaiv in 1997,

There has also been a

where he learned to speak Russian and

large humanitarian aid

worked for four years. While there, his

project, not only for the

Russian language teacher introduced him

refugees but also for

to Anja, who became his wife. In

those in the country where

2007, he accepted a call from

the Russian invasion has

the Mission to the World

destroyed homes and cities.

missionary organization of

Crates with food supplies and

the Presbyterian Church

emergency aid from churches in

in America to establish

America come to L’viv through

a congregation in L’viv

Poland. Willing parishioners

through mission and

come on Friday evenings to

evangelization work,

help sort out the crates, repack

where he has been

them, and redistribute them with

working for 16 years now,

Bible passages and evangelistic

and a healthy, growing

messages in the country.

congregation has emerged.

The congregation continued with their The war in Ukraine Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022,

18

worship services, weekly Bible studies, youth work, and youth camps, and some of the refugees who

approximately 8 million people have fled Ukraine.

were not Christians came to faith. Rev. Heero and his

Many see it as Europe’s biggest refugee crisis

wife even offered premarital counseling for couples and

since World War II. L’viv is located on the western

confirmed marriages. The congregation’s worship

side of Ukraine, close to the border of Poland.

services also appear on an internet website, and

About two hundred thousand refugees fled

the number of subscribers from elsewhere who

through L’viv on their way to Poland and stayed

follow the worship services has dramatically

there temporarily.

increased.

DEVOTED Magazine

Read more

about their experiences from regular newsletters at https://us7.campaign-archive. com/home/?u=49d839383d86ec3614 b01b767&id=7be70c1b6a

AFRICA IS IN URGENT NEED OF BIBLES AND BIBLE TEACHING

>> By Dr Peter Hammond

Operation World informs us that there are now over 600 million people in Africa who claim to be Christians. The number of Christians in Africa is set to double by 2050 when, if present trends continue, the continent is expected to be home to 1.2 billion Christians. There is phenomenal church growth in Africa, but the challenge is that over 100 million churchgoers do not yet have a copy of the Bible or even a New Testament.

Most of the pastors in Africa have no formal Bible college training. Most pastors have no access to a library. Study Bibles are rare; some pastors do not have a complete Bible. By God’s grace, the Literature4Africa Ministry distributes an average of 100 tonnes of Bibles, books, Sunday school materials, and Gospel booklets in over 100 languages, completely free, throughout Africa each year.* Africa’s greatest and most urgent need is Bibles and Bible teaching, which is the primary focus of our mission. Africa for Christ! We have established a variety of online platforms, such as givesendgo and PayPal, and Pay Fast, for those who want to partner with our Mission:

https://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/donate.html “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. For the Kingdom is the Lord’s and He rules over the nations.”

PSALM 22:27-28 For those who want to prayerfully and financially partner with us in ministry: Our banking details: For South African supporters: Acc. Name: Frontline Fellowship First National Bank – Rondebosch Branch code: 201509 Acc. No: 5017 0589 260 Swift No: FIRNZAJJ (for overseas supporters) Ref: Initial and surname and what it is designated for.

For overseas supporters wishing to donate into our South African Mission account: Bank Name/Credit Institution: First Rand Bank Bank Street Address: Bank City, floor 2 Place: 4 First Place, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2000 Account Number: 50170589260 Account Name: Frontline Fellowship Street Address: 28 Park Road Rondebosch Place: Cape Town, 7700, South Africa Swift No: FIRNZAJJ (for overseas supporters) Ref: Initial and surname and what it is designated for.

Please see the: Prayer and Praise Update - Life, Health, Faith and Freedom with Pictures.

You can view it in Magazine format here: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/68590501/prayer-and-praise-update-life-health-faith-and-freedom To view our Frontline PRIORITY PROJECTS for PRAYER and ACTION with pictures: https://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/donate-to-frontline-fellowship---south-africa.html 13 Frontline books are now available, worldwide as Print-on-Demand: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&contributor=Peter+Hammond&page=1&pageSize=10 Books by Peter Hammond available: https://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/books-published-by-dr-peter-hammond.html 30 E-books available: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ChristianLibertyBooks *https://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/news/quartermaster-store-for-missions-throughout-africa

DEVOTED Magazine

19

ADVERTORIAL

The play, Jesus the Crucified, is a spectacular musical drama presented by the Pro Patria Museum (NPC). It will take place later in the year in Pretoria. It depicts the last days of Jesus Christ as recorded in the gospels of the Bible.

The musical begins with the Last Supper, followed by Jesus’ appeal in the Garden of Gethsemane to take the cup of suffering away from Him. The flogging and mocking of the Roman soldiers follow his trials before Joseph Caiaphas, Herod Antipas, and Pontius Pilate. The cross is given to Him, and the procession reaches the top of Calvary, where the Crucifixion takes place in a portrayal of the entire drama found in the Gospels.

The Tshwane Gospel Choir performs throughout the drama, and the well-known Nymph Kellerman is the director. She promised it would be a passionate play with a difference that will be remembered for a long time. She says, “ I am excited about the play. It is a passion play that feeds the audience surprises small ones … and big ones.”

Tom Moodie, one of the three directors of the Pro Patria Museum, is is involved in producing Jesus the Crucified and said, “It is a privilege to see so much young talent being developed by utmost competence.”

Nymph Kellerman Nymph Kellerman has been in the performing arts as a singer and actress since the beginning of the 80s. She studied drama and opera at the University of South Africa and the Academy for Drama Art in Cape Town, where she obtained her license in drama art. She trained as a formal singer under various renowned vocal advisers such as internationally known Fred Dalberg (Nico Malan Opera House, Cape Town), Sarie Lamprecht (SABC Johannesburg), and internationally known George Fourie (PACT Pretoria). She did her Master’s classes in opera in London with world-renowned Dame Vera Roza Nordell (Covent Garden Opera House London). After completing her Master’s Classes, she stayed in London to work and perform in various recitals. Returning to South Africa, she joined the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), produced and performed in multiple musicals, shows, and music videos. She is involved in skills development projects in the Performing Arts. Nymph is also the director of “Bloedrivier tot Bosoorlog”, the play of the Pro Patria Museum at the Voortrekker Monument during the “Gelofteweek” in December.

Tshwane Gospel Choir The internationally acclaimed Tshwane Gospel Choir is a musical group from Pretoria. The group’s vibrant and versatile performances include worship music, dance, praise music, and musical plays. The group has received awards and accolated for their work, twice the SABC Crown Gospel Award as the best gospel group in South Africa and was a nominee in the South African Music Awards (SAMA).

The group was also rated five stars for its ‘Spirit of Africa’ production.

CAPTIONS: (1) Tom Moodie, one of the three directors of the Pro Patria Museum, is the producer of Jesus the Crucified.

(2) Nymph Kellerman, director of Jesus the Crucified – a musical with a difference.

SECOND PRINT AVAILABLE

Be aware of the red flags of unethical journalism.

This book is also recommended for news reporters.

AT Amazon Christian Liberty Books, Cape Town Ebook link

Paperback link

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CC2V989F

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0639797032

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