Article May 1, 1995 Issue

Praying for South Africa

by Kim Shippey

This week the Sentinel speaks with several South Africans about their first year of true democracy.

On May 10, 1994, Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as President of a truly democratic South Africa. In his speech to the nation—and to the world via satellite television—he said: "We enter into a covenant that we shall build a society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity—a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world."

This month South Africans are reviewing the year that has passed—some with gratitude for clear signs of unity and progress; others with anxiety. One of those with reservations is a young South African who wrote a letter to the U.S. magazine Christianity Today in response to an August 15 article by Michael Cassidy, "Behind South Africa's Miracle." The correspondent expressed concern that the world should not forget a country in which people still need to learn to live together in an entirely new way. It was readily conceded that prayer had played a vital role in transforming the country, "but," said the letter writer, "that is only the beginning. We are facing tremendous hurdles and difficulties.... If we want to see the miracle last ... my country needs the prayers of all Christians and churches around the world."

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