Look at South Africa - 'Celebrate the Beloved Country' ...but now time to show some firm leadership on Zimbabwe, PRESIDENT MBE

Article Title: Look at South Africa - 'Celebrate the Beloved Country' ...but now time to show some firm leadership on Zimbabwe, PRESIDENT MBEKI (and the WORLD)
Author Name: Craig Lock
Category (key words): "Inspiration, Spiritual", South Africa, Inspirational Writings.
Web sites: http://www2.webng.com/write
z/ andnhttp://www.craiglockbooks.com

Other Articles are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles.htmln(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, words of inspiration and money management)

Publishing Guidelines: This piece (based upon an inspiring address by former Archbishop, Desmond Tutu) may be freely reproducednelectronically or in print. All my articles (and quotations) maynbe freely published. If they help at all, or make any difference innpeople's lives by bringing some joy, then I'm very happy.nnn *
Look at South Africa - 'Celebrate the Beloved Country' ...but now time to show some firm leadership on Zimbabwe, PRESIDENT MBEKI (and the international community)

In the light of current world events and global uncertainty,
I say: "Look at South Africa"...

Thousands of people died over the years of South Africa'snturbulent, history (and under the "nightmare" called apartheid -nforgotten already ???)...which has ended relatively peacefully.
In a land of such contrasts, a "happy, sad" land of great wealth and the disparity of abysmal poverty; yet the beauty and richness of the land ...and most importantly its most valuable resource, the spirit of its 45 million diverse and vibrant peoples always seems to shine through in conquering adversity.

Out of a violent and bloody past, South Africa's extraordinarynrelatively peaceful transition to democracy was a minor
"miracle"...n nand I believe, South Africans have accomplished something unprecented, unparalleled in the last decade.

"How apartheid was finally buried, without requiem; but in njoyous celebration, will remain forever in the hearts and mindsnof a nation reborn. When tears came, and there was dampness innthe eyes of even the most stern, it was for putting the past innthe past and hoping for hope in the future."n *
Perhaps there is a message in South Africa's violent and ntortuous path towards "democracy" somewhere for the current "trouble spots of the world"... perhaps there was a reason for the misery and tragedy of apartheid (as well as learning something from the lessons of history over many centuries of colonialism around the globe), after all...

South Africa - a possible role-model for the world??

In spite of the corruption, endemic crime and "cheapness of life there, South Africa may yet be a "trail-blazer", the beacon ofnmagnanimity, hope and reconciliation to the world. With strongnleadership, a spirit of goodwill, tolerance, acceptance ...andnmost importantly, attempts to understand other peoples andncultures, who are different to us (yet we humans have far morenin common than our differences)...and especially with the SPIRITnof peace, your nightmare too will end. An end to the evil of nterrorism, man's inhumanity to man and the "impossibility" ofnworld peace CAN one day be achieved.

So
Let the world celebrate the quite magnificent achievement South Africans of ALL races and creeds, "The Rainbow People of God" have accomplished in the past decade of "democracy", where the will of the people have spoken. With your "torch of light"nyou may yet illuminate the path to a world one day at peace withnitself.

"South Africa's ability to overcome deep divisions, nto negotiate a common future and to commit itself nto reconciliation and reconstruction offers new hope - nnot only to South Africa, but across the globe."

"South Africa is blessed in resources beyond many. It dare notnlive just for itself. It must work and labour to bless Africanand the world...but especially Africa. If only for Africa's sake we dare not fail; because as South Africa goes, so will the rest of Africa."

CELEBRATE THE "BELOVED COUNTRY" nand the great spirit of its inhabitants,nnand especially, PLEASE do something about Zimbabwe nand so leave your important legacy, President Mbeki!

Finally and most importantly,nthe message of forgiveness and hope in the future is 'the miracle' of South Africa today. Now if only other countries could offer the kind of leadership South Africa produced at that precarious time in its blood-soaked history...and learn the lessons from the past, then the whole of Africa and even the entire world would be a far better and more peaceful place for all of us.

Craig Locknhttp://www.craiglockbooks.com n
"The greatness of a nationnconsists not so muchnin the number of it's peoplenor the extent of it's territorynas in the extentnand justice of it's compassion."nn- Inscription at the Horse Memorial in Port Elizabeth, for horses killed in the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902).

P.S: I am reminded of something Mahatma Gandhi's said not longnbefore he was assassinated:

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way ofntruth and love has always won. There have been tyrants andnmurderers and for a time they seem invincible; but in the end,nthey always fall.

Think of it, ALWAYS."

"Love suffers long and is kind. Love does not rejoice in niniquity, but rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, nbelieves all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Lovennever fails. And now abide faith, hope, love; but the greatestnof these is love."

1 Corinthians 13

"When the world is filled with love, people's hearts are overflowingnwith hope."n- craig

Craig's novels on South Africa that he "felt inspired to write" are available at: http://www2.webng.com/write
z/books.html

THESE WRITINGS MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED