March 21, 2005
East London

E-newsletter # 13

Dear Friends,

Today is not only the first day of autumn, but also Human Rights Day, a public holiday in South Africa. Forty-five years ago, during an unarmed and non-violent protest against the pass laws of the national government, 69 people were killed and hundreds wounded when the police opened fire on the crowd. This violent act, known as the Sharpeville Massacre, caught the attention of many, both within as well as outside of South Africa. Thus it is often seen as the beginning of the eventual end of apartheid.

Schools and offices are closed today and in our coastal region many head for the beaches. In a way, this is a fitting celebration of hard-won human rights. Prior to 1994, people of color were prohibited from using beaches and facilities reserved “for Whites only.” Today the South African constitution guarantees a long list of rights, among them the freedom of movement for all throughout the land.

While walking along Eastern Beach this morning, we watched kids of all skin colors play in the sand and the surf. We marveled that these young ones, who have no personal recollection of previous restrictions, do not hesitate for a moment to claim this public space as rightfully theirs.

Yet on beaches about 400 miles away, a new kind of restriction is being imposed on people. Around the relatively affluent city of George, world-class golf courses and holiday resorts have sprouted up, catering predominantly to overseas tourists. These estates require large areas of arable land, consume enormous quantities of water, and add very little to the local employment situation. Not surprisingly, the best beaches and most beautiful views are all of a sudden claimed as part of these resorts and thus “posted” as private property.

Descendents of the aboriginal San people who now live in the township of Pacaltsdorp, near George, have for generations cherished a particular beach as a sacred cultural and religious site. Overnight, a gate was erected and surprised visitors were told that a fee of R20 ($3.50) would be collected from all who wished to access the beach. Soon local protests were organized. The Reverend Christopher Saaiman, from the Congregational Church in Pacaltsdorp, found himself in the role of a spokesperson for the outraged community.

Christopher gives credit to the Joining Hands Against Hunger program for helping to prepare him for this leadership role. As a member of the National JHAH Steering Committee, he has been encouraged to explore the role of the local church in addressing social justice issues in the community. He also received practical training in lobbying and advocacy strategies, which he has passed on to members of his congregation and town.

National media coverage of the demonstrations in Pacaltsdorp attracted the attention and support of key government officials, including the provincial minister of environmental affairs and the deputy president of South Africa. The offensive barrier was removed. Yet the incident has created new awareness among the residents. Encouraged by their small victory, they feel ready to address land use issues in their area on a larger scale.

Conflicts in regard to land issues are as old as dirt. The jubilee teachings in Hebrew Scripture regard all land as God’s possession, to be justly shared among humans as on loan from God. The road toward this goal is long and hard, in South Africa as well as in most other places around the globe. Our brothers and sisters in Pacaltsdorp are leading the way. The kids playing at Eastern Beach this morning give us the hope that it can happen.

Susanne and Ken

The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 339

To support our ministry financially

Contributions from individuals may be sent to: PC(USA) Individual Remittance Processing, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700. Please write “JHAH South Africa” and Designated Account # H000109“ on the check and on the cover letter. Send a copy of the cover letter to: Presbyterian Hunger Program, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202-1396. Or click on the "give" button below to contribute online.

Sessions may help the denomination to support us in the field by designating a portion of their annual GA mission giving to account # D506580.

Financial support for the educational and advocacy work of the JHAH Mission Group in the Presbytery of the Western Reserve may be sent to PWR, 2800 Euclid, Cleveland, OH 44115.