Of pastors and politicians

When news emerged that Zuma had descended on Rhema Church and blessed regular congregants with his presence, a thought swiftly somersaulted in my mind that at last this man has decided to put aside all that unsavoury behaviour that has got him into trouble all so often. Then it became all too clear that being a man of the cloth himself, he very well knew that religion in times of adversity operates as effectively as a psychological band-aid.

But this reverend was on another mission. He stood on the podium before the parishioners and began to dispense his biblical wisdom, quoting nervously from the Old Testament and telling those who were not close enough to exits that, “the story of Moses and his mission as a man of God inspired many an oppressed people and made them realise that indeed God is on the side of the poor and the oppressed”.

Jacob Zuma is a man who courts controversy wherever he goes. Though many of us see nothing untoward in politicians addressing people in places of worship it becomes suspicious when churches seek to advance a particular political agenda. Ray McCauley has defended the decision to extend an invitation to Pastor JZ, ambushing the parishioners who had no knowledge that their regular service was to become a political rally. Churches have from time immemorial played an important role in the emancipation of our people from the shackles of slavery, colonialism and apartheid. Men of the cloth during such difficulties inspired their congregation with the message of hope and turned their pessimism into optimism.

McCauley denies his church has any links to the ANC and that the visiting reverends presence was coincidental to the election period. Though he reluctantly said on Talk 702 that all other political leaders would be welcome at his church, his spin-doctor, Vusi Mona, (do you remember him?), categorically dismissed any notion of having other political leaders come to address the church when interviewed on Kaya FM
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Mona disappeared into the woodwork after humiliating himself in 2003 when he published claims against the former national director of public prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka. He ran a story in City Press that alleged Ngcuka was an apartheid spy agent and further claimed that Ngcuka had made derogatory remarks against Mac Maharaj, Zuma and Moe Shaik at an off-the-record briefing with editors. What clearly emerged from this soap drama was that Mona was a Zuma sympathiser and apologist and had chosen to run a malicious and sensational story in a desperate attempt to improve his hero’s fortunes. Some of us would indeed not find it surprising that Mona would immediately dismiss the possibility of others being given the same privileges enjoyed by Zuma recently.

Failing to invite others to campaign in the church will be a tacit endorsement of the ruling party. It is rather interesting to note that self-confessed fraudster Carl Niehaus was appointed CEO and spokesperson for the church in mid-2004. A CEO of the church? Is McCauley running a business or a place of worship? The close and cordial relationship that this church has had with ANC-connected individuals and the recent faux pas does suggest to sceptics everywhere that the decision to invite Zuma might have been a business decision. Private companies donate handsomely to the ruling party at the detriment of other smaller and emerging parties with the knowledge that theirs is an investment that should and will yield mouth-watering results in the near future. What makes Rhema different? Like all other private companies this church appears to be driven by earthly considerations, placing material interest ahead of its theological obligations to its members.

It would be incorrect for any person to draw the conclusion that people of the cloth have no place in politics. McCauley should not disguise his political games as part of the normal course of ministering to sinners. Nothing prohibits him from openly declaring his interest to become a player in the arena of politics. Cope does accept that public service demands men of indisputable ethical and moral sensibilities. Religious leaders enjoy the overwhelming trust and confidence of ordinary people.

The similarities with our own Jacob and Jacob in the book of Genesis are striking. Jacob in Genesis tricks his father Isaac, who was nearing death, to bless him by pretending to be his brother Esau.

We have been fed the conspiracy by our own Jacob, that he is a victim of some sinister mechanisations. He portrays himself as a champion of the poor and a messiah who will lead people to the Promised Land.

Zuma has promised us that the ANC will rule until Jesus comes back! We should in our numbers turn to the polls to welcome the false messiah and return all glory to the public service.

“Let my people go!”

Our people can only be emancipated from the scourge of poverty when have leaders we can trust, who inspire confidence and hope that a better tomorrow is dawning!