Supporting southern Africa's 'economic engine' with prayer

BY ABIGAIL MACKAY

Since 2004, South Africa's growth has been robust. Its financial system looks to remain sound even in the face of the current global crisis. Its stock exchange is the 17th largest in the world, and it is what might be described as the "engine" of southern Africa.

But all of this good news is balanced by significant urban violence, an AIDS pandemic, high unemployment, and uncertainty in government leadership. Recently, President Thabo Mbeki became the first democratically elected president in South Africa to be forced from office before the end of his term. He had been increasingly at loggerheads with his own party.

The nation is further pressured by a high influx of immigrants from countries suffering crises of their own, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe. Such widespread poverty and desperation would challenge any country, and it's fair to say that South Africa, which has so much to contribute to the region's stability and progress, would greatly benefit from our prayers.