A celebration of Africa

FUMCOG sees visit from South African ambassador

By DENISE MAHER

Nkosi Sikelel' i Africa. God bless Africa.

With the visitation of distinguished guest Barbara Masakela, ambassador of South Africa, to the First United Methodist Church of Germantown (FUMCOG), the pastor, Rev. Fred Day, catered the readings and hymns of Sunday's 11 a.m. services to celebrate Africa.

To mark the ambassador's speech, thirteen choir members belted out South Africa's popular hymn "This is our song."

Masakela gave the post-gospel message to the gathering of about 200 captivated churchgoers, trying to spread the message of hope and equality that is evolving in South Africa. In a church that prides itself on social justice throughout the world, it was a speech that rang true for many.

She began by thanking the congregation "because it has afforded me a time to think quietly ... To be quiet and think about why we are here, and what we can do while we are here."

This past spring marked the tenth anniversary of South Africa's first free vote, and the end of apartheid.

"In the '60s and '70s ... people were either in jail or were in exile," she said.

The government, she said, was so oppressive that they lied to everyone, and everyone hurt because of it.

"Even the white people were oppressed," Masakela said, "because the truth was being held from them equally, they were being controlled in all manner of behavior."

"We owe our freedom in South Africa in no small part to people all around the world like you who supported us in our struggle."

And because people like Masakela, who sought everyday witnesses to the lies and evil being spread in South Africa by its leaders -- working in ways that harmed the people -- that "it was not possible for the evil to do their work in secret anymore."

An oil painting sat in an easel on the last step of the altar. In it, South Africans were lined up, waiting for their first chance to vote on April 27, 1994 -- the first time democracy reached the shores of South Africa. Hundreds of people just waited, thirsting for that first chance at freedom. The line kept going over the valleys and beyond the canvas of the painting.

It was a reminder of how much social justice can mean to helping a third world country start its journey to self-actualization.

"Ten years cannot wipe out the past. In many, even more fortunate countries, even centuries cannot wipe out the past. Ten years ago we would still be talking about hopes and not realities," Masakela said.

It is a journey, Masakela kept saying, and one that the entire world must continue to help provide for. The people of the world are one, and must work together as one to succeed.

"Because we believe all life started in Africa, you are all Africans!" Masakela said, raising her voice. A 30-second standing ovation followed. The congregation clapped fiercely in understanding.

Now that South Africa is on the road to being a democracy on their own terms -- not a forced one, she reminded the audience -- people must stop referring to the occurrences there as a miracle.

"We grow weary of the phrase 'The South African Miracle.' This talk about miracles. It is human beings inspired by great ideals that make a better world for all. To succeed we had to build a strong foundation," Masakela said.

Since the first free vote and the end of apartheid, the South African economy has grown. Unemployment has dropped, tourism is up, the AIDS pandemic is being talked about.

As she talked about this progress, Masakela, in her brown woolen jacket and skirt, her bright red African beads around her neck, stood taller. Her glasses slid slightly more down her nose. There was pride in her voice. The lights had been dimmed so that only one bright light above her podium shone.

"Come and meet the people of South Africa," she said. Don't just come to the country to see the rare animals, but come and meet the people.

She ended her speech saying "we are prepared to walk that long distance [to freedom] because we have friends all over the world -- to help."

The Rev. Fred Day began his introduction of Masakela with three words from Martin Luther King Jr. "God is able."

It's a statement that rang through Masakela's entire speech, and resonated with the congregation, who gave another minute-long standing ovation.

"She promises she will accept another invitation back," said Day, "and we are certain to take her up on that offer."