For everyone who prays...

Homosexuals are doomed to spend eternity in hell. If they wanted to change, they could be healed of their evil ways. If they would turn away from temptation, they could be normal again if only they would try and try harder if it doesn't work. These are all the things I said to my son Bobby when I found out he was gay. When he told me he was homosexual my world fell apart. I did everything I could to cure him of his sickness. Eight months ago my son jumped off a bridge and killed himself. I deeply regret my lack of knowledge about gay and lesbian people. I see that everything I was taught and told was bigotry and de-humanizing slander. If I had investigated beyond what I was told, if I had just listened to my son when he poured his heart out to me I would not be standing here today with you filled with regret. I believe that God was pleased with Bobby's kind and loving spirit. In God's eyes kindness and love are what it's all about. I didn't know that each time I echoed eternal damnation for gay people each time I referred to Bobby as sick and perverted and a danger to our children. His self esteem and sense of worth were being destroyed. And finally his spirit broke beyond repair. It was not God's will that Bobby climbed over the side of a freeway overpass and jumped directly into the path of an eighteen-wheel truck which killed him instantly. Bobby's death was the direct result of his parent's ignorance and fear of the word gay. He wanted to be a writer. His hopes and dreams should not have been taken from him but they were. There are children, like Bobby, sitting in your congregations. Unknown to you they will be listening as you echo "amen" and that will soon silence their prayers. Their prayers to God for understanding and acceptance and for your love but your hatred and fear and ignorance of the word gay, will silence those prayers. So, before you echo "amen" in your home and place of worship. Think. Think and remember a child is listening.- Quote from the movie Praying for Bobby

The Promised Land: 100-year-old demon

When I was born it was already 70 years since we were condemned to poverty. We were deep in the belly of the evil apartheid era. I am now 30-years-old and that makes today 100 years since the Natives Land Act was passed into law by the all white rulers of our land. We were bulldozed and robbed of our land. Today, for the first time, I read the original text of this piece of legislation. I am bitter that this system was especially meant to set us back. Dumped into a generational crisis that lasted for this long. The dawn of democracy in 1994 was a pacifier for the outspoken. It was a glimmer of hope. Those who screamed "Mayibuye" at the height of apartheid had tears of joy when we cast a vote for the ANC government. 

Twenty years down the line, our mothers, fathers still wake up at 3am to make their way from the townships to the urban areas to report for duty only at 8am at the white man's mansion. That's how our mothers and fathers earn a living two decades after the end of apartheid. Our government is dragging its feet in fixing the injustices of the past. We remain shackled in poverty, crime and all the ills of society. This Natives Land Act helped apartheid to confine us to townships. Far away from the economic activities that would see more and more black people exiled in their own country. Banished! Usizi lo mntu'mnyama! 

The ghosts of apartheid today celebrate because their legacy has lasted till this day. The disempowered black nation remains poor. The custodians of the Constitutions are too afraid to confront this hundred-year-old-demon. Who will lead us to the promised land? The one written in the Freedom Charter. The land that was taken from us. Mayibuye iAfrika. Izwe lethu! Not yet uhuru! 

People's Power: Welcoming Power FM

Today South Africa is welcoming a new player in news and current affairs industry. Power FM is certainly a rare scene in this country. Talented journalists, broadcaster, media personalities and social scientists - working together in the same newsroom? And might I add they are all black and educated. It really gives me hope that Given Mkhari's brain child give black people in particular a new image in media. 

There are few intelligent, educated, progressive black women making regular appearance in the media. Whether it's Television or Radio, the face or voice of a black woman is crying, bereaved, poverty-stricken, raped and degraded. Always a victims of circumstance. Sadly it is our reality. Stories like that easily make it to the front page of the paper, top story on TV and you will hear it on your radio drive time show. 

I just pray that Power FM will highlight the plight of our people and go as far as offering solutions. Patriotism is very scarce in South African journalism. Everyone wants to be first with the story. And when I say patriotism I am not talking hiding the dirty laundry. Journalists must be community builders and not just prey on the misfortune of the disadvantaged South Africans. 

Today however, we celebrate the fruits of our Constitution through the birth of Power FM. South Africa can only benefit from more independent media. To Given Mkhari and the whole Power FM team, may God of your Ancestors give your strength, wisdom and success. Power to the people.