Maravi

Honouring Rev Japhet Ndhlovu’s contributions

Honouring Rev Japhet Ndhlovu’s contributions
By Editor
Monday February 26, 2007 [02:00]

There are people who, by pursuing their own convictions and without being self-conscious about it, touch the lives of millions of others. Such has been Reverend Japhet Ndhlovu’s work in our country and among our people. Rev Ndhlovu has contributed immensely, through his personal example, to nurturing the outlook of a responsible citizen and clergyman which is so evident in the ranks of our clergy and, increasingly, in our country today. Let those politicians who have based themselves on narrow ethnic constituencies now ponder over Rev Ndhlovu’s example.

Rev Ndhlovu symbolises and personifies the alliance of the Church, the Law Association of Zambia and the Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council in the Oasis Forum. It is an alliance whose durability continues to bewilder opponents. They fail to understand its deep roots and its ongoing practical relevance. Rev Ndhlovu underlines what this alliance is all about. It is about a common commitment to overcoming the problems and challenges facing our people today. It is an alliance based on serving the social needs of our people.

Rev Ndhlovu’s contributions to the struggles of our people are many. But it is, we think, his being especially a fearless, courageous, articulate and resolute spokesperson of the Oasis Forum that he’s held most dear by so many of our people. Rev Ndhlovu has played a role, often a central role, in most of the outstanding problems and challenges facing our country over the last ten years or so.

He has always been able to respond practically and dynamically to changing circumstances. Rev Ndhlovu has had the courage of his convictions, spelling out the implications of new situations which sometimes we, as a nation, have found hard to admit.

We have been extremely fortunate to have within the ranks of our civil society and the Church such an outstanding leader, who has combined a rigorous mind with attention to practical organisational work. For this reason, it is with a sense of pride and emotion that we wish him farewell and best wishes in his new assignment in Nairobi.

Rev Ndhlovu has taught us that we are living at a time when politics has entered a near-religious sphere with regard to man and his behaviour. He has shown us that we have come to a time when religion can enter the political sphere with regard to man and his material needs. From Rev Ndhlovu, we have learnt that there is no need to create artificial divisions among men. We have learnt to respect convictions, beliefs and explanations. Everyone is entitled to his own position, his own beliefs. We must work in the sphere of these human problems that interest us all and constitute a duty for all.

A person who is devoted to an idea, to work, and who sacrifices himself for others is doing what Christ wants us to do. Rev Ndhlovu, through his work and commitments, has shown us that Christ’s entire doctrine was devoted to the humble, the poor; his doctrine was devoted to fighting against abuse, injustice, and the degradation of human beings.

From Rev Ndhlovu we have learnt that spirituality is a way of living life according to the spirit and doing is the best way of saying. For Christians, living is the best way of believing. Faith without deeds is worthless. Our way of life is the result of what we believe. Our way of being the Church is a reflection of our concept of God. And in this sense, all who struggle for life are included in God’s scheme, even if they lack faith. It is our fellow man, and especially the one who lacks life and needs justice, in whom God wishes to be served and loved. They are the ones with whom Jesus identified.

Therefore, there is no contradiction between Rev Ndholvu’s struggles for justice and the fulfilment of God’s will. One demands the other. All who work along that line of God’s scheme for life are considered Jesus’ brothers and sisters. This is the best way to follow Jesus, especially in our country’s present situation.

Man’s material need, the basic foundation of life, was the most sacred thing for Jesus. For Jesus it was impossible to speak of spiritual life apart from the material conditions of existence. There is nothing more sacred than man, the image and likeness of God. The hunger of that man was an offense to the creator himself. A religion that cares for the supposed sacredness of its objects but turns its back on those who are the real temples of the spirit is worthless.

They don’t understand that, in Jesus’ way of thinking, there’s nothing more sacred than the right to life. A Church that places its patrimonial interests ahead of the demands of justice, life, and the people among whom it is inserted is certainly a Church that considers man less important than the Sabbath and, like the Pharisees, reverses evangelical priorities.

In his practice, Jesus didn’t separate spiritual needs from the material demands of human life.

We believe that this is what Rev Ndhlovu stood for and symbolised in our struggles. He was there all the time at hand to take up any just cause without hesitation or considerations. Above all, he was always capable of feeling deeply any injustice committed against anyone. Rev Ndhlovu acted on his beliefs and was loyal to his convictions.

What should really matter is not what one believes in but how one uses his belief or faith to constantly increase his respect for the people, to pay systematic attention to the social and human problems with which our people are faced, to raise the level of economic efficiency, to raise the quality of services and education and to do our specific jobs the best we know how.

It is our collective duty to give millions of Zambians an essential piece of dignity in their lives, the dignity that comes from having a solid roof over one’s head, running water and other services in an established community. Rev Ndhlovu’s contributions to this national agenda will certainly be missed. However, we wish him the very best in his new responsibility in Nairobi.

For all that we have said, we find it necessary to honour Rev Ndhlovu’s contributions to our people’s struggles.

Labels: CHILUBA, EDITORIAL, REVEREND NDHLOVU

posted by MrK @ 4:39 PM