New Element Discovered in South Africa to Be Included on the Periodic Table:
The Nuclear Physics Department of the University of Stellenbosch has discovered the heaviest element yet known to science. The new element, Governmentium (Gv), has one neutron, 25 assistant neutrons, 88 deputy neutrons, and 198 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312.
These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons. Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert; however, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact. A tiny amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction that would normally take less
than a second, to take from 4 days to 4 years to complete.
Governmentium has a normal half-life of 2 - 6 years. It does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places. In fact, Governmentium's mass will actually increase over time, since each re-organization will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes. This characteristic of moron promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a critical concentration.
This hypothetical quantity is referred to as critical morass.
When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium, an element that radiates just as much energy as Governmentium since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Friday, September 3, 2010
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
News on the lighter side
There has to be satire in a democracy - an outlet for the nation to be able to laugh at itself and see the incongruous. Follow this link as a matter of course - brighten up your day! Click here
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Work and Rewards
An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but had once failed an entire class. That class had insisted that socialism worked, and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich: a great equalizer. The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on socialism. All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade, so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.
After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset, and the students who studied little were happy.
As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less, and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too, so they studied little. The second test average was a D! No one was happy.
When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.
The scores never increased, as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings, and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.
All failed, to their great surprise; and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great; but when government takes the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.
It could not be any simpler than that.
The following profound short little paragraph says it all:
"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom.
What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."
Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931.
After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset, and the students who studied little were happy.
As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less, and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too, so they studied little. The second test average was a D! No one was happy.
When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.
The scores never increased, as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings, and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.
All failed, to their great surprise; and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great; but when government takes the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.
It could not be any simpler than that.
The following profound short little paragraph says it all:
"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom.
What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."
Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Islam - 'Religion of Peace'
These are pictures of Muslims marching through London on their 'Religion of Peace' Demonstration. We need to be aware that their concept of 'peace' is a world submitted to Allah. It is a territorial religion - the land which is submitted to Allah, with all living under Allah's rule, is then 'at peace'. So, being both an imperial and a territorial religion it stands to reason that it is a militant religion. Their struggle is with the enemies of Islam - which means anyone not under Allah's rule.
I am thankful for our Trinitarian God. If God were only one person, then God could not be love, because love is a relationship. Allah is not and cannot be love, and is neither in relationship with nor accessible to humanity. Unlike the Living God in whom I find my acceptance, security and significance - who initiated relationship with us; whose Son took human form, lived among us, suffered for and because of us; died our death on the Cross; was raised triumphant over death and sin and broke the power of those over our lives. It is in this great work of reconciliation that we find our peace with God. And it is as ministers of this reconciliation that we lead others to this peace with God. I am grateful that I do not have to demonstrate and be a war-mongerer for my God, who draws us into relationship by love, not by force or coercion. Christ is risen indeed. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
I am thankful for our Trinitarian God. If God were only one person, then God could not be love, because love is a relationship. Allah is not and cannot be love, and is neither in relationship with nor accessible to humanity. Unlike the Living God in whom I find my acceptance, security and significance - who initiated relationship with us; whose Son took human form, lived among us, suffered for and because of us; died our death on the Cross; was raised triumphant over death and sin and broke the power of those over our lives. It is in this great work of reconciliation that we find our peace with God. And it is as ministers of this reconciliation that we lead others to this peace with God. I am grateful that I do not have to demonstrate and be a war-mongerer for my God, who draws us into relationship by love, not by force or coercion. Christ is risen indeed. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
I saw this movie last monday - and was stunned at the ending. An event too awful to contemplate - but the consequence not really surprising when
- a drive for personal career advancement
- placing of mindless duty over accountable moral responsibility
- ignoring the reality that is playing out in one's backyard and under one's nose
- prejudice and
- evasion
encounters naivety and innocence.
We need to be reminded of the horrors of WW2 and the inhumanity of man to man. When supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, Genl. Dwight Eisenhower, found the victims of the death camps, he ordered all possible photographs to be taken, and for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered through the camps and even made to bury the dead. He did this because he said, in words to this effect: 'get it all on record now - get films - get the witnesses - because somewhere down the track of history some b*stard will get up and say that this never happened'. These photos were taken in Germany by James Emison Chanslor, an Army Master Sergeant who served in World War II from 1942 until 1945. They are a stark reminder of the reality of the Holocaust.
I have heard that the UK has removed 'the Holocaust' from its school curriculum because it 'offended' the population adhering to the Islam faith, who claim that it never happened. I hope that this is not true, but I would not be surprised as it is more and more evident, from what we heard from friends in England on our recent visit there, that compromises are being made to the detriment of truth and long-held, Christian-based values in Britain.
On the 27th January commemorations were held in Brussels and in the U.S. of the holocaust, and were attended by survivors of the camps. This photo shows Nazi death camp survivors commemorating the 64th anniversary of the liberation from Auschwitz by the Red Army on 27 January 1945.
To see more check out here
- a drive for personal career advancement
- placing of mindless duty over accountable moral responsibility
- ignoring the reality that is playing out in one's backyard and under one's nose
- prejudice and
- evasion
encounters naivety and innocence.
We need to be reminded of the horrors of WW2 and the inhumanity of man to man. When supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, Genl. Dwight Eisenhower, found the victims of the death camps, he ordered all possible photographs to be taken, and for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered through the camps and even made to bury the dead. He did this because he said, in words to this effect: 'get it all on record now - get films - get the witnesses - because somewhere down the track of history some b*stard will get up and say that this never happened'. These photos were taken in Germany by James Emison Chanslor, an Army Master Sergeant who served in World War II from 1942 until 1945. They are a stark reminder of the reality of the Holocaust.
I have heard that the UK has removed 'the Holocaust' from its school curriculum because it 'offended' the population adhering to the Islam faith, who claim that it never happened. I hope that this is not true, but I would not be surprised as it is more and more evident, from what we heard from friends in England on our recent visit there, that compromises are being made to the detriment of truth and long-held, Christian-based values in Britain.
On the 27th January commemorations were held in Brussels and in the U.S. of the holocaust, and were attended by survivors of the camps. This photo shows Nazi death camp survivors commemorating the 64th anniversary of the liberation from Auschwitz by the Red Army on 27 January 1945.
To see more check out here
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Overheard
I overheard the following conversation:
Question:"My thought for the day is to ask you whether you are still going to vote for Jacob Zuma?"
Reply: 'Why not? Who else? He's the best that the ANC can offer. And he only faces 738 charges of corruption, tax evasion and racketeering.
After some further thought: 10 other reasons to support Zuma
1. He now has 4 wives, 1 ex-wife (Nkososana) and a wife who committed suicide in 2000. Does he have 4,5, or 6 mothers-in-law? Whatever the count, he is a brave man. We need a brave man to lead RSA
2. He has 18 children that he can account for, possibly more. He needs the money (Pres' salary + perks as well as other kick-backs) to support these guys so they can support him when he's older. That's planning. We need a leader who looks to the future. We also need a leader who sets examples by being highly productive.
3. He was found 'not guilty' of rape. He was not found innocent. We need a leader who has lawyers who know the finer points of the law. JZ is our man.
4. He's facing 738 charges of racketeering, tax evasion and fraud, and he doesn't seem fazed. We need a leader who can face all the stresses that come with being an African leader without folding under the pressure.
5. He has said he wants his day in court, and has spent so much energy to keep his face out of court. He says and does what is expedient at the time. He's a good politician and worthy to lead us.
6. He says he is innocent of charges, but has done all he could to make sure that the diary which could incriminate him in the arms deal was not released to the NPA. (If he was innocent, why would he not say:"Go ahead. Look for whatever you want in the diary"? Maybe he is protecting other powerful people in the ANC.) What a hero. We need heroes.
7. He says he encourages debate, but has refused to take part in a public debate with opposition leaders. [Can you see JZ debating with Helen Zille and Patricia de Lille? It would be fun, but not for him]. We need a leader who recognises his strengths and does not want to expose his weaknesses.
8. He is a natural source of material for cartoons from the likes of Zapiro. Zapiro needs to make a living too.
9. He has shown the people of RSA that, despite a lack of education or intellectual capacity, he has made it to the top. We need more people like JZ to give credence to the oft-repeated statement:"If I truly believe I can get to anywhere I want to, I can". It doesn't matter whether or not you have the capability. Pass one, pass all.
10. Ma's Boys need another bass. But since they don't sing Mshimi wam (and he seems to know no other song), he should not be invited to join.
Question:"My thought for the day is to ask you whether you are still going to vote for Jacob Zuma?"
Reply: 'Why not? Who else? He's the best that the ANC can offer. And he only faces 738 charges of corruption, tax evasion and racketeering.
After some further thought: 10 other reasons to support Zuma
1. He now has 4 wives, 1 ex-wife (Nkososana) and a wife who committed suicide in 2000. Does he have 4,5, or 6 mothers-in-law? Whatever the count, he is a brave man. We need a brave man to lead RSA
2. He has 18 children that he can account for, possibly more. He needs the money (Pres' salary + perks as well as other kick-backs) to support these guys so they can support him when he's older. That's planning. We need a leader who looks to the future. We also need a leader who sets examples by being highly productive.
3. He was found 'not guilty' of rape. He was not found innocent. We need a leader who has lawyers who know the finer points of the law. JZ is our man.
4. He's facing 738 charges of racketeering, tax evasion and fraud, and he doesn't seem fazed. We need a leader who can face all the stresses that come with being an African leader without folding under the pressure.
5. He has said he wants his day in court, and has spent so much energy to keep his face out of court. He says and does what is expedient at the time. He's a good politician and worthy to lead us.
6. He says he is innocent of charges, but has done all he could to make sure that the diary which could incriminate him in the arms deal was not released to the NPA. (If he was innocent, why would he not say:"Go ahead. Look for whatever you want in the diary"? Maybe he is protecting other powerful people in the ANC.) What a hero. We need heroes.
7. He says he encourages debate, but has refused to take part in a public debate with opposition leaders. [Can you see JZ debating with Helen Zille and Patricia de Lille? It would be fun, but not for him]. We need a leader who recognises his strengths and does not want to expose his weaknesses.
8. He is a natural source of material for cartoons from the likes of Zapiro. Zapiro needs to make a living too.
9. He has shown the people of RSA that, despite a lack of education or intellectual capacity, he has made it to the top. We need more people like JZ to give credence to the oft-repeated statement:"If I truly believe I can get to anywhere I want to, I can". It doesn't matter whether or not you have the capability. Pass one, pass all.
10. Ma's Boys need another bass. But since they don't sing Mshimi wam (and he seems to know no other song), he should not be invited to join.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Chaos in the Zimbabwe Anglican Church
These following came via my brother-in-law from a close friend still living in Zimbabwe:
2. From The Zimbabwe Independent, 1 February
High Court says Kunonga Diocese 'non-existent': Lucia Makamure
High Court judge Justice Charles Hungwe yesterday said the Anglican Diocese of Harare which fired bishop Nolbert Kunonga purports to head cannot exist at law outside the constitution of the Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA). Hungwe said this when he dismissed an urgent application by the diocese represented by Kunonga for a spoliation order against the CPCA and acting Harare bishop Sebastian Bakare. Kunonga's diocese approached the court to bar the CPCA and Bakare from using Anglican property in the capital. "Applicant (Kunonga's Harare Diocese) cannot exist outside the constitution of first respondent (CPCA). It has no separate constitution of its own. It, therefore, has no structures of its own other than those set out in the constitution," Hungwe ruled. "The assets under contention are assets which respondent lays claim to. The question of ownership of these assets is not presently before me." Hungwe said it was clear to him that Kunonga's diocese was nowhere "near demonstrating that it has placed itself within the purview of those who confess to be Anglicans and who abide by the constitution" of their church. There is no claim that there was resolution of the synod of the diocese adopting this alleged breakaway (by Kunonga)," the judge ruled. He said Kunonga by breaking away from the CPCA violated the constitution of the church. What the papers do show is that Bishop Kunonga and the diocesan secretary and a handful of other worshippers have decided to leave the first respondent. They have, however, not followed the church's constitution, as such they cannot seek to rely on a constitution that they have so much violated. They claimed they have been despoiled by the acts of the second respondent (Bakare) whose only offence was to minister members of the first respondent," Hungwe's judgement read.
Hungwe said Bakare did not despoil Kunonga and the Diocese of Harare of anything when he accepted invitations to conduct services in the diocese. "I am unable to hold that where a bishop of one diocese is invited to minister in a different diocese and accepts such invitation by the faithful, such services as he may conduct amount to unlawful dispossession of whatever rights are held by the ordained bishop for the locality," the judge ruled. "In my respectful opinion no unlawful dispossession occurred in this matter|for to argue that entry into a church premise by a bishop of a separate diocese constitutes dispossession would be to stretch the mandament too far." Hungwe said the parties to the dispute, being men of the cloth, ought to resolve their disagreements in a "God-fearing manner".
3. Report on the enthronement of Bishop Bakare - 3 Feb 08 From: "Avondale Parish"
Dear all,
We woke to a beautiful sunny day and praised the Lord for his goodness. When we arrived at the City Sports Centre around 9:15am the car park was already full of buses and cars and people were streaming into the Sports Centre. The Security and Usher teams were in force provided by the Youth and the Bernard Mizeki Guild. They had name cards identifying them and some had sashes as well. The choirs were in magnificent voice and the noise emanating from the inside was wonderful to hear.
By the time the service commenced the Centre was almost full and continued to fill during the morning. The Cathedral and St Stephen's had dressed the altar, lectern and the stage in white and green with two magnificent white arrangements of flowers on pedestals. The chairs for the bishops had white slip covers on them. The playing area had seats arranged in blocks with padded chairs in the front two rows for invited guests and dignitaries. The choirs sang the whole time and every now and then there would be a roar from the congregation. The Mothers Union were present in force and they made quite an impact in their blue and white uniforms. Two large screens had been set up so that people would be able to see some close-ups of the proceedings.The choirs were seated to the right in bays 13,14 and 15 and were all wearing white blouses or shirts.
Just prior to processions of the bishops the servers, sub-deacons, deacons and priests had filed in to sit in bay 16 immediately behind the altar. For those who know the Sports Centre, this bay is where the score board is situated. The service commenced with the arrival of the bishops. The first one was Bishop Peter Hatendi followed by those from Zambia, Malawi, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Each was announced and a brief curriculum vitae given stating where they had been trained, when enthroned as a bishop and other pertinent details. The bishops were led in down the aisle by servers wearing red surplices and priests. The teams rotated so they walked many hundreds of metres. The choirs continued to sing throughout the procession apart from when the announcements were made.
Bishop Bakare commenced the service which was partially in Shona and partially in English. The readings were Nehemiah 2: 11->; Psalm 99:1-9; 2 Peter 1:1-16 and Matthew 17: 1->. The Sermon was on Reconciliation and Rebuilding based on Nehemiah 4:1-4. The sermon was given in English with Rev Chris Tapera translating into Shona.
The Registrar Michael Chingore and the Deputy Registrar Vimbai Nyemba were commissioned by Bishop Bakare assisted by the Diocesan Chancellor Bob Stumbles.
The Peace took several minutes as people milled around greeting friends and passing on the Peace.The Collection Hymn followed with the ushers moving around with large plastic bags to receive the collection. This was then put into a fertiliser bag to present to Bishop Bakare. Perhaps not the most elegant of bags but it served the purpose very well and possibly many were not aware of it, but as we were sitting right near the altar we could see everything.
During the Collection hymn just before the Preparation of the Elements, Bishop Bakare went out of the Sports Stadium for several minutes. We were told by Pam Stumbles and Rhona Harris who went out briefly that this was a News Conference but it seemed strange to us to have one in the middle of the Eucharist. The ciboriums had been filled with wafers and the bottles of wine were put onto the altar, some decanted into the chalice and the consecrated wine was then poured back into each bottle. The Dean of the Province, Bishop Chama conducted the Preparation with Bishop Bakare also participating half-way through. The bishops then received communion, followed by the priests and their sub-deacons and servers. The priests and sub-deacons then administered the sacraments by intinction. Those on the centre section came up to the red carpet in front of the altar to receive and those in the bays moved either up or down as directed by the ushers. It was incredibly orderly and when one considered the size of the congregation took an amazingly short time.
The service had just about concluded at 1:25pm when the power failed and Bishop Bakare announced when the generator started that we would move to Plan B. Plan B was then revealed that as the congregation was so large and so many would like to be present and the cathedral would not accommodate everyone, the enthronement of the Bishop would take place at the Sports Centre. In effect Kunonga had apparently camped at the cathedral all night on Saturday and the cathedral was locked with guards so the service could not take place there. People who had been invited to the Enthronement and went to the cathedral were therefore unable to witness it, but those at the Sports Centre were delighted that they were going to be able to witness the entire ceremony.
The actual Enthronement was very simple as part of the pomp and ceremony could not take place. A chair was placed in front of the altar as the throne. The Dean of the Province presented Bishop Sebastian Bakare to the congregation so "that all may know him to be the rightly appointed and confirmed Bishop of Harare, and to give him that esteem and love which are due to him for the work's sake as one set over you in the Lord."
The certificates of Confirmation of Appointment were handed to the Registrar who also received from the new Bishop the Deeds of his Consecration and Collation. The Registrar having satisfied himself that these were in order then affirmed that "Sebastian Bakare is our undoubted Bishop"
The Bishop responded and thanked the congregation for their welcome and promised "to be a faithful shepherd and servant among us." He prayed that "the ministry which we shall share may be pleasing to God, and that it may strengthen the life of this Diocese and the whole Church of God."
He was led to a "suitable seat" and the pastoral staff was laid on the Altar. He then faced the congregation and promised "to respect, maintain and defend the rights, privileges and liberties of this Diocese and to rule in it with truth justice and love, not lording it over God's heritage, but showing myself in all things an example to the flock of Christ."
The Acting Dean then enthroned him as Bishop of Harare
The Acting Dean then blessed the Bishop who knelt before the altar. The Acting Dean then took the Pastoral staff from the altar and handed it to him saying " May the Giver of all grace enable you to be so merciful that you be not remiss, so to minister discipline that you do not forget mercy; that when the Chief Shepherd shall appear you may receive the never-fading crown of glory."
The Bishop was then presented to the people who welcomed him with a shout, ululation and clapping. The priests then expressed their loyalty to the Bishop while he was seated on the throne. This was followed by messages of solidarity. The first was given by Bishop Nywatiwa of the Methodist Church and a German lady from Africa University. Rev David Bertram (Christchurch, Polokwane - SA), St Aiden's Church Chitungwiza and the Bishop of Rochester had also sent messages. Bishop Hatendi also gave a message of solidarity and a message was read from the Archbishop of Canterbury. The message concluded with an invitation for Bishop Bakare to attend Lambeth Congress later this year. (Kunonga had not been invited to this meeting.)
The wives of the various bishops were also acknowledged. The service concluded with a Blessing and then the priests, etc. processed out followed by the bishops and lastly the Dean of the Province.We were pleased that so many people were able to witness this historic occasion in the rebuilding of our Diocese but were sad that we were denied the right to have it in the Cathedral. We feel too for those who waited in vain for the Enthronement at the Cathedral as I understand some people waited for at least two hours. Ruth Chard had spent several hours practising on the organ for the service.We hope that we will now be able to move forward in the love of Christ. So much unity and joy was expressed yesterday and our congratulations go to all who made this historic occasion happen so smoothly.
Trish McKenzie. Warden Avondale Church
4. From: "Avondale Parish" <avondaleparish.cpca@gmail.com
Subject: Supporters of pro-Mugabe bishop blockade cathedral - from ZW News 4 Feb 08
From Associated Press, 3 February
Supporters of pro-Mugabe bishop blockade cathedral, locking out worshippers
Harare - Supporters of an Anglican bishop who is a staunch supporter of Zimbabwe's ruling party blockaded Harare's cathedral Sunday, preventing the swearing-in ceremony of his elected successor. Police ignored a court order and did not intervene. Gangs of supporters of Bishop Nolbert Kunonga locked the doors and gates to the cloisters of St. Mary's Anglican Cathedral in downtown Harare and at least two worshippers who tried to enter were assaulted, witnesses said. The High Court on Thursday ruled that the swearing-in of Bishop Sebastian Bakare, voted bishop of the Harare Anglican province by local churches to replace Kunonga, should go ahead and Bakare's followers should be allowed to worship in the cathedral. But from early Sunday, Kunonga's supporters circled the cathedral entrances and barred entry to churchgoers showing up for Sunday services. A few police, watched by witnesses and reporters, did not intervene.
Bakare was later installed in an "investiture" ceremony as the new caretaker Anglican bishop of Harare at a service attended by several thousand worshippers at a sports arena across the city. The standoff was the latest incident in a bitter dispute that has racked the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe since Kunonga last year refused to hand over the cathedral, its administrative offices, its check accounts and vehicles to church elders after losing the election for bishop. In January, Kunonga declared he was breaking away from the Church of the Province of Central Africa, the regional Anglican governing body, and declared the formation of an independent Anglican Harare diocese that retained him as its leader. But in his court ruling Thursday, Judge Charles Hungwe ruled that declaration invalid, saying church elders across the region had not accepted the schism and it violated longstanding constitutional rules of the Anglican church in central and southern Africa.
He dismissed an appeal by Kunonga to bar Bakare from using church property for worship and said "men of the cloth ought to resolve their differences in a God-fearing manner". In an earlier ruling last month, the High Court permitted both Kunonga's and Bakare's followers to hold services in the cathedral at separate times while the issue of the bishop's post was resolved. Scuffles occurred at those services, watched over by armed police, and in one incident Kunonga snatched Bakare's bible from his grasp and threw it across the cathedral nave. In 2004, Kunonga faced a regional church court on allegations of incitement to murder, fostering ruling party politics, ethnic hatred and incitement from the pulpit during the often-violent seizures ordered by Mugabe and the ruling party of thousands of white-owned farms since 2000, and using intimidation against his opponents. That court adjourned in confusion and rancor before it could make a ruling on the behavior of Kunonga, a former lecturer in liberation theology in the United States.
Soon after becoming Harare bishop, Kunonga ordered the removal of memorial plaques and insignia honoring the country's dead before independence in 1980, including those of black soldiers who fought alongside the forces of Britain, the former colonial ruler, in World War II. Last month, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, head of the worldwide Anglican Church, said he unequivocally condemned the use of armed police and state machinery to intimidate Kunonga's opponents. "Kunonga's position has become increasingly untenable within the Anglican Church over the last year, as he has consistently refused to maintain appropriate levels of independence from the Zimbabwean Government," Williams said.
We have had some excitement at Church, which we could well have done without. Nolbert Kunonga the Bishop of the Diocese of Harare and a bad man, and his political cohorts and episcopal supporters decided they would withdraw the Diocese from the Province of Central Africa, which includes all the other four Zim Diocese and the Church in Botswana, Zambia and Malawi. He cited the Provinces softness toward homosexuality as the reason. He announced at the Provincial Synod he was going to do it and when he got back here held a Diocesan Synod where he overrode the laity and with the support of his supporters in the clergy passed a resolution that they were pulling out. The Province responded by appointing Sebastian Bakare, retired, as an interim Bishop for the Diocese and we have had two factions since then. About 90% or more of the laity are against Kunonga and some clergy. For a couple of weeks there was chaos, as we had services in school halls and eventually got into church halls and last week received a Judicial Order that allowed us into church, but only 90 minutes after the last service of the Kunonga crowd. So our Rector prolonged his service so that the Bakare church service only started about 11.45 instead of 10.45.
What it has done is unite the congregations in a way nothing else ever has. We get 160-200 in our service and the Rector has less than 20 in his three services. The accounts have been separated so none of our money goes to "them". However, we are deprived of the rightful use of the church buildings and other assets. We know the whole thing is politically driven and the Sunday after Christmas we were back from the Doormans in Trelawney and went to Church unaware that there was any sort of problem. On arrival we saw a cop sitting in the parking area and then some 'heavies' with dark glasses on the steps but we all went in. The new Bishop was to take the service and we were delayed. Eventually the church Warden came in and said, "We have a problem". The Rector stalked down to the altar with a face some described as "long as a bad road" and when the Bishop came in, the Rector started shouting at him and the congregation. He said "This is my church so this man can't serve here." The congregation shouted back in unison" This is our Church and we want him to take the service." The CIO heavies tried to take him out so the congregation all filed out onto the lawn and started singing and praying in both English and Shona. The police, CIO and clergy of both factions then met in the vestry to sort it out. The CIO sent a police reservist to shush the singing, the Shona choir sang louder. Eventually the big shots all went to the Police Station and we carried on. We had to leave as we had another engagement. After we left the CIO sent the policeman to arrest the choir master and the choir surrounded him and said you cant have him. Eventually the outcome was no service but a lot of singing to the Lord was done. In other churches the riot police have been sent in to arrest our side when they are in services. We await the next exciting episode.
Kunonga and all his supporters have been excommunicated by the worldwide Anglican Church but he has now said he has formed his own Province and divided Harare Diocese into five Diocese so that it can be a Province. The Archbishop of Canterbury has said he is a bad lad, etc. We will find out tomorrow what is going on we have an 11.00 am service in the Church! We hope! No power, no water, no food, bad roads, and now no Church - darkest Africa returns! The new Bishop is supposed to be enthroned the first week in February we await with interest what will happen as Kunonga refuses to leave the Cathedral.
High Court says Kunonga Diocese 'non-existent': Lucia Makamure
High Court judge Justice Charles Hungwe yesterday said the Anglican Diocese of Harare which fired bishop Nolbert Kunonga purports to head cannot exist at law outside the constitution of the Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA). Hungwe said this when he dismissed an urgent application by the diocese represented by Kunonga for a spoliation order against the CPCA and acting Harare bishop Sebastian Bakare. Kunonga's diocese approached the court to bar the CPCA and Bakare from using Anglican property in the capital. "Applicant (Kunonga's Harare Diocese) cannot exist outside the constitution of first respondent (CPCA). It has no separate constitution of its own. It, therefore, has no structures of its own other than those set out in the constitution," Hungwe ruled. "The assets under contention are assets which respondent lays claim to. The question of ownership of these assets is not presently before me." Hungwe said it was clear to him that Kunonga's diocese was nowhere "near demonstrating that it has placed itself within the purview of those who confess to be Anglicans and who abide by the constitution" of their church. There is no claim that there was resolution of the synod of the diocese adopting this alleged breakaway (by Kunonga)," the judge ruled. He said Kunonga by breaking away from the CPCA violated the constitution of the church. What the papers do show is that Bishop Kunonga and the diocesan secretary and a handful of other worshippers have decided to leave the first respondent. They have, however, not followed the church's constitution, as such they cannot seek to rely on a constitution that they have so much violated. They claimed they have been despoiled by the acts of the second respondent (Bakare) whose only offence was to minister members of the first respondent," Hungwe's judgement read.
Hungwe said Bakare did not despoil Kunonga and the Diocese of Harare of anything when he accepted invitations to conduct services in the diocese. "I am unable to hold that where a bishop of one diocese is invited to minister in a different diocese and accepts such invitation by the faithful, such services as he may conduct amount to unlawful dispossession of whatever rights are held by the ordained bishop for the locality," the judge ruled. "In my respectful opinion no unlawful dispossession occurred in this matter|for to argue that entry into a church premise by a bishop of a separate diocese constitutes dispossession would be to stretch the mandament too far." Hungwe said the parties to the dispute, being men of the cloth, ought to resolve their disagreements in a "God-fearing manner".
Dear all,
We woke to a beautiful sunny day and praised the Lord for his goodness. When we arrived at the City Sports Centre around 9:15am the car park was already full of buses and cars and people were streaming into the Sports Centre. The Security and Usher teams were in force provided by the Youth and the Bernard Mizeki Guild. They had name cards identifying them and some had sashes as well. The choirs were in magnificent voice and the noise emanating from the inside was wonderful to hear.
By the time the service commenced the Centre was almost full and continued to fill during the morning. The Cathedral and St Stephen's had dressed the altar, lectern and the stage in white and green with two magnificent white arrangements of flowers on pedestals. The chairs for the bishops had white slip covers on them. The playing area had seats arranged in blocks with padded chairs in the front two rows for invited guests and dignitaries. The choirs sang the whole time and every now and then there would be a roar from the congregation. The Mothers Union were present in force and they made quite an impact in their blue and white uniforms. Two large screens had been set up so that people would be able to see some close-ups of the proceedings.The choirs were seated to the right in bays 13,14 and 15 and were all wearing white blouses or shirts.
Just prior to processions of the bishops the servers, sub-deacons, deacons and priests had filed in to sit in bay 16 immediately behind the altar. For those who know the Sports Centre, this bay is where the score board is situated. The service commenced with the arrival of the bishops. The first one was Bishop Peter Hatendi followed by those from Zambia, Malawi, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Each was announced and a brief curriculum vitae given stating where they had been trained, when enthroned as a bishop and other pertinent details. The bishops were led in down the aisle by servers wearing red surplices and priests. The teams rotated so they walked many hundreds of metres. The choirs continued to sing throughout the procession apart from when the announcements were made.
Bishop Bakare commenced the service which was partially in Shona and partially in English. The readings were Nehemiah 2: 11->; Psalm 99:1-9; 2 Peter 1:1-16 and Matthew 17: 1->. The Sermon was on Reconciliation and Rebuilding based on Nehemiah 4:1-4. The sermon was given in English with Rev Chris Tapera translating into Shona.
The Registrar Michael Chingore and the Deputy Registrar Vimbai Nyemba were commissioned by Bishop Bakare assisted by the Diocesan Chancellor Bob Stumbles.
The Peace took several minutes as people milled around greeting friends and passing on the Peace.The Collection Hymn followed with the ushers moving around with large plastic bags to receive the collection. This was then put into a fertiliser bag to present to Bishop Bakare. Perhaps not the most elegant of bags but it served the purpose very well and possibly many were not aware of it, but as we were sitting right near the altar we could see everything.
During the Collection hymn just before the Preparation of the Elements, Bishop Bakare went out of the Sports Stadium for several minutes. We were told by Pam Stumbles and Rhona Harris who went out briefly that this was a News Conference but it seemed strange to us to have one in the middle of the Eucharist. The ciboriums had been filled with wafers and the bottles of wine were put onto the altar, some decanted into the chalice and the consecrated wine was then poured back into each bottle. The Dean of the Province, Bishop Chama conducted the Preparation with Bishop Bakare also participating half-way through. The bishops then received communion, followed by the priests and their sub-deacons and servers. The priests and sub-deacons then administered the sacraments by intinction. Those on the centre section came up to the red carpet in front of the altar to receive and those in the bays moved either up or down as directed by the ushers. It was incredibly orderly and when one considered the size of the congregation took an amazingly short time.
The service had just about concluded at 1:25pm when the power failed and Bishop Bakare announced when the generator started that we would move to Plan B. Plan B was then revealed that as the congregation was so large and so many would like to be present and the cathedral would not accommodate everyone, the enthronement of the Bishop would take place at the Sports Centre. In effect Kunonga had apparently camped at the cathedral all night on Saturday and the cathedral was locked with guards so the service could not take place there. People who had been invited to the Enthronement and went to the cathedral were therefore unable to witness it, but those at the Sports Centre were delighted that they were going to be able to witness the entire ceremony.
The actual Enthronement was very simple as part of the pomp and ceremony could not take place. A chair was placed in front of the altar as the throne. The Dean of the Province presented Bishop Sebastian Bakare to the congregation so "that all may know him to be the rightly appointed and confirmed Bishop of Harare, and to give him that esteem and love which are due to him for the work's sake as one set over you in the Lord."
The certificates of Confirmation of Appointment were handed to the Registrar who also received from the new Bishop the Deeds of his Consecration and Collation. The Registrar having satisfied himself that these were in order then affirmed that "Sebastian Bakare is our undoubted Bishop"
The Bishop responded and thanked the congregation for their welcome and promised "to be a faithful shepherd and servant among us." He prayed that "the ministry which we shall share may be pleasing to God, and that it may strengthen the life of this Diocese and the whole Church of God."
He was led to a "suitable seat" and the pastoral staff was laid on the Altar. He then faced the congregation and promised "to respect, maintain and defend the rights, privileges and liberties of this Diocese and to rule in it with truth justice and love, not lording it over God's heritage, but showing myself in all things an example to the flock of Christ."
The Acting Dean then enthroned him as Bishop of Harare
The Acting Dean then blessed the Bishop who knelt before the altar. The Acting Dean then took the Pastoral staff from the altar and handed it to him saying " May the Giver of all grace enable you to be so merciful that you be not remiss, so to minister discipline that you do not forget mercy; that when the Chief Shepherd shall appear you may receive the never-fading crown of glory."
The Bishop was then presented to the people who welcomed him with a shout, ululation and clapping. The priests then expressed their loyalty to the Bishop while he was seated on the throne. This was followed by messages of solidarity. The first was given by Bishop Nywatiwa of the Methodist Church and a German lady from Africa University. Rev David Bertram (Christchurch, Polokwane - SA), St Aiden's Church Chitungwiza and the Bishop of Rochester had also sent messages. Bishop Hatendi also gave a message of solidarity and a message was read from the Archbishop of Canterbury. The message concluded with an invitation for Bishop Bakare to attend Lambeth Congress later this year. (Kunonga had not been invited to this meeting.)
The wives of the various bishops were also acknowledged. The service concluded with a Blessing and then the priests, etc. processed out followed by the bishops and lastly the Dean of the Province.We were pleased that so many people were able to witness this historic occasion in the rebuilding of our Diocese but were sad that we were denied the right to have it in the Cathedral. We feel too for those who waited in vain for the Enthronement at the Cathedral as I understand some people waited for at least two hours. Ruth Chard had spent several hours practising on the organ for the service.We hope that we will now be able to move forward in the love of Christ. So much unity and joy was expressed yesterday and our congratulations go to all who made this historic occasion happen so smoothly.
Trish McKenzie. Warden Avondale Church
4. From: "Avondale Parish" <avondaleparish.cpca@gmail.com
Subject: Supporters of pro-Mugabe bishop blockade cathedral - from ZW News 4 Feb 08
From Associated Press, 3 February
Supporters of pro-Mugabe bishop blockade cathedral, locking out worshippers
Harare - Supporters of an Anglican bishop who is a staunch supporter of Zimbabwe's ruling party blockaded Harare's cathedral Sunday, preventing the swearing-in ceremony of his elected successor. Police ignored a court order and did not intervene. Gangs of supporters of Bishop Nolbert Kunonga locked the doors and gates to the cloisters of St. Mary's Anglican Cathedral in downtown Harare and at least two worshippers who tried to enter were assaulted, witnesses said. The High Court on Thursday ruled that the swearing-in of Bishop Sebastian Bakare, voted bishop of the Harare Anglican province by local churches to replace Kunonga, should go ahead and Bakare's followers should be allowed to worship in the cathedral. But from early Sunday, Kunonga's supporters circled the cathedral entrances and barred entry to churchgoers showing up for Sunday services. A few police, watched by witnesses and reporters, did not intervene.
Bakare was later installed in an "investiture" ceremony as the new caretaker Anglican bishop of Harare at a service attended by several thousand worshippers at a sports arena across the city. The standoff was the latest incident in a bitter dispute that has racked the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe since Kunonga last year refused to hand over the cathedral, its administrative offices, its check accounts and vehicles to church elders after losing the election for bishop. In January, Kunonga declared he was breaking away from the Church of the Province of Central Africa, the regional Anglican governing body, and declared the formation of an independent Anglican Harare diocese that retained him as its leader. But in his court ruling Thursday, Judge Charles Hungwe ruled that declaration invalid, saying church elders across the region had not accepted the schism and it violated longstanding constitutional rules of the Anglican church in central and southern Africa.
He dismissed an appeal by Kunonga to bar Bakare from using church property for worship and said "men of the cloth ought to resolve their differences in a God-fearing manner". In an earlier ruling last month, the High Court permitted both Kunonga's and Bakare's followers to hold services in the cathedral at separate times while the issue of the bishop's post was resolved. Scuffles occurred at those services, watched over by armed police, and in one incident Kunonga snatched Bakare's bible from his grasp and threw it across the cathedral nave. In 2004, Kunonga faced a regional church court on allegations of incitement to murder, fostering ruling party politics, ethnic hatred and incitement from the pulpit during the often-violent seizures ordered by Mugabe and the ruling party of thousands of white-owned farms since 2000, and using intimidation against his opponents. That court adjourned in confusion and rancor before it could make a ruling on the behavior of Kunonga, a former lecturer in liberation theology in the United States.
Soon after becoming Harare bishop, Kunonga ordered the removal of memorial plaques and insignia honoring the country's dead before independence in 1980, including those of black soldiers who fought alongside the forces of Britain, the former colonial ruler, in World War II. Last month, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, head of the worldwide Anglican Church, said he unequivocally condemned the use of armed police and state machinery to intimidate Kunonga's opponents. "Kunonga's position has become increasingly untenable within the Anglican Church over the last year, as he has consistently refused to maintain appropriate levels of independence from the Zimbabwean Government," Williams said.
Please be Politically Correct
While Eskom apologizes for the recent load shedding, we would also like to remind our customers that it is no longer politically correct to refer to an area as suffering from a blackout.
These areas should now be referred to as 'previously lit'.
These areas should now be referred to as 'previously lit'.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Eskom Help Desk
For 20 years the government has prevented Eskom from increasing capacity and infra-structure. Now the crunch has come and what Eskom projected would happen, has happened. Our president, Mbeki, concurs that it was a mistake - ah maiway - aziko power - enzelo mustake!
So, as you see in this picture, Eskom has handed the manning of their Help Desk over to government.
It speaks for itself, doesn't it!
An opportunity for in-house training?
So, as you see in this picture, Eskom has handed the manning of their Help Desk over to government.
It speaks for itself, doesn't it!An opportunity for in-house training?
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Interesting
This was forwarded to me by a friend in the UK. Check out this film clip - aired on Al Jereeza television. The lady is Wafa Sultan, an Arab-American psychologist from Los Angeles. I hope the link is still active!!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
We Won?
THE WORLD CUP - A game of rugby, won on penalties. Five for us, and two against us. Won by exacting restitution from the opposing team (in this case the Brits) because of their fouls against us. Their fouls against us were more than our fouls against them. And so we came out on top. Is this not symbolic of our nation as a whole? - demanding restitution for evils committed in the past? It is not only evident in our politics but also in our failing health system (glaringly in the Eastern Cape), in our policing and justice system, where the criminals seem to be encouraged rather than brought to book. I have heard it said that crime is a good thing - because it creates employment opportunities in the policing sector! The blame game is paramount. There are always extenuating circumstances??? - particularly if you hold a position in parliament or other significant leadership.
When will our nation, and the various sectors of our nation, begin to take responsibility, stop blaming or forcing fouls, grab the ball (as it were) instead of booting it around without making a difference, pass to team mates (those on the same responsible side), break through the opposition, and run full tilt into the future that is there for us to embrace?
We won.
Or did we lose, really?
God help us - you're the only one who can.
When will our nation, and the various sectors of our nation, begin to take responsibility, stop blaming or forcing fouls, grab the ball (as it were) instead of booting it around without making a difference, pass to team mates (those on the same responsible side), break through the opposition, and run full tilt into the future that is there for us to embrace?
We won.
Or did we lose, really?
God help us - you're the only one who can.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
