In Brief... World News Review Antiforeigner Violence in South Africa
Former President Nelson Mandela supported the idea of ibuntu, the principle that strangers are always welcome in the Republic of South Africa. But immigrant violence has stalked certain of the nation's streets—poor against poor—resulting in at least 24 dead and many injured.
Former President Nelson Mandela supported the idea of ibuntu, the principle that strangers are always welcome in the Republic of South Africa. But immigrant violence has stalked certain of the nation's streets—poor against poor—resulting in at least 24 dead and many injured.
Despite a 5 percent growth in the economy and a commodities boom, frustrated citizens have unleashed their anger against foreigners. The increasing wealth of South Africa has not trickled down to those now trapped in poverty. Governments never seem to deliver enough jobs, housing and schools. Such is the byproduct of deficient human administrations.
The Bible teaches that poverty will finally be abolished during Christ's coming millennial reign. But until that time it declares in the Old Testament, "The poor will never cease from the land," and in the New Testament, "For the poor you have with you always" (Deuteronomy 15:11; John 12:8).
As Time magazine reported, "Xenophobia can be as much about poverty as skin color. The grim tide of killing, raping, burning and hacking that has torn through the northeastern province of Gauteng is centered on shanty towns such as Alexandra and Kya Sand that form a ring of destitution around [South] Africa's commercial capital [Johannesburg]" (June 2, 2008).
It is interesting to note that "the hot spots of anti-immigrant brutality today were the furnaces of anti-apartheid rebellion two decades ago" (ibid.).
A Wall Street Journal editorial sums up what may lie in the relatively near future. "In its Pan-African enthusiasm the government has now signed a protocol allowing free movement of people within the 15-nation Southern African Development Community. When this comes into effect shortly, many million more Mozambicans and Congolese could well attempt to move to South Africa. Apostles of African unity like Mr. [Thabo] Mbeki [present president] cannot see why Africa should not follow the example of the European Union. In effect the street mobs are demanding the opposite. Future collisions can hardly be ruled out" (May 27, 2008, emphasis added).
An Article from:
World News and Prophecy: June 2008
Course Content
John Ross Schroeder
John died on March 8, 2014, in Oxford, England, four days after suffering cardiac arrest while returning home from a press event in London. John was 77 and still going strong.
Some of John's work for The Good News appeared under his byline, but much didn't. He wrote more than a thousand articles over the years, but also wrote the Questions and Answers section of the magazine, compiled our Letters From Our Readers, and wrote many of the items in the Current Events and Trends section. He also contributed greatly to a number of our study guides and Bible Study Course lessons. His writing has touched the lives of literally millions of people over the years.
John traveled widely over the years as an accredited journalist, especially in Europe. His knowledge of European and Middle East history added a great deal to his articles on history and Bible prophecy.
In his later years he also pastored congregations in Northern Ireland and East Sussex, and that experience added another dimension to his writing. He and his wife Jan were an effective team in our British Isles office near their home.
John was a humble servant who dedicated his life to sharing the gospel—the good news—of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God to all the world, and his work was known to readers in nearly every country of the world.
