Our aim is to address the root causes of the violent crime in our country, as well as the bitterness and woundedness of our people; and re-establish that wonderful spirit of ubuntu. In this culture of ubuntu, there is a sense of oneness, where we co-operate and care for one another, and show respect and kindness towards each other as well as towards our environment. It is with this new found respect and kindness that we will connect to our universe and discover healing and unity.
The spirit and culture of ubuntu will permeate throughout our villages, schools, communities and rural areas….and the new conversation will be, “Peace begins with ME! I can make a difference each day in some way, and be the change we wish to see in the world.
The foundation for a peaceful transition to democracy, laid by Mr. Nelson Mandela, was one of forgiveness, compassion and understanding. As the world looked on, expecting the worst, that expression of humanity (ubuntu) throughout South Africa, carried the process to a successful, peaceful conclusion.
We are once more rekindling this expression of humanity and bringing awareness to the capacity we each have to care and create peace within ourselves, and within our families and communities. We would then raise the consciousness of the whole country!
As a nation we spend a great deal of our energy focusing on what we don’t want. We fight against crime, we fight against violence, and we fight against abuse. History proves that fighting against anything does not work. In fact it actually creates more violence, and more of what we don’t want. In 1994 we focused entirely on what we wanted: a peaceful transition to inclusive democracy. It became a reality!
We must now focus on the one result everyone wants, PEACE: and the return of humanity, kindness and security in our lives, as we rediscover that sense of uBuntu, that sense of unity.
We call upon your support as we reach out to create peace, and enable our country to achieve success – economically, socially and spiritually. I believe we can do it. And we can do it by remembering that “Peace begins with ME!”
Each day, in some way, I can make a difference; and be the change we wish to see in the world.
Photos by Rob Brien
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