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May - Jun 2003
Index:
PROSTITUTION’S
WAR ON FAMILY RIGHTS
Report on Public Outcry against Abuse
On Human Rights Day, 21 March 2003, about 250 people joined in an action
against prostitution, in Durban. The organisers of the action, Christians for Truth, used
the opportunity to highlight the casualties of the prostitution war against the family.
At 2pm on Friday afternoon the procession started opposite Addington Hospital at the
Durban beachfront. A few ladies were dressed as prostitutes and carrying slogans such as:
"It's my body, it's my right"; "Prostitution it's my job"; and
"Commercial Sex Workers Union". Following close behind the `prostitutes' was a
float depicting a brothel. On the float were slogans like: "Kiki's Massage
Parlour"; "210 Bored Housewives Avenue"; "Marie Stops Life";
"Broken homes"; "Galaxy of STDs"; "Escort Agency".
Chained to the float, the `house of ill repute', were a number of smartly dressed men of
different walks of life, including a minister of religion.
Following the float, participants carried posters saying: "Prostitution is part of
the War against Women and Children"; "Prostitution Is Illegal";
"Prostitution degrades women"; "Prostitution is anti-family";
"Jesus is the way out".
A large display "We Care prostitution, are you involved? Talk to us", including
help-line cellphone numbers (073-224 9221; 083 - 529 4373 ), was pulled behind a pick-up.
About 5,000 pamphlets were distributed to the large crowds enjoying the public holiday at
the beachfront. The crowds stood and listened attentively and eagerly accepted the
pamphlets.
Pre-recorded factual information about prostitution, its effect on society and the abuse
that these 'sex workers' face, was continuously announced over a sound system.
After the procession the crowds gathered at the amphitheater next to the Durban Aquarium
for an hour of prayer and messages about prostitution. Rev Greg Dennyschen, of Jivannadi
Mission, spoke about the impending destruction of Nineveh and the way of escape through
repentance and coming to Christ.
(to index)
LATEST
NEWS SNIPPETS ON SEX-SLAVERY & CHILD PROSTITUTION IN SOUTH AFRICA
‘SA is home to victims of sex-slave trade' - Independent Online, 24
March 2003
South Africa is the main destination for the trafficking of people for the sex trade in
southern Africa, a report has found. Victims are from most countries in the region as well
as from Thailand, China and eastern Europe. The report, undertaken by the International
Organisation for Migration from August 2002 to February 2003, says international
syndicates also buy and sell people in South Africa. Regional victims of trafficking are
recruited by deception, coercion and force…"Refugees are both victims and
perpetrators of trafficking to South Africa."… Individual traffickers are
assisted by ethnically-based refugee syndicates in delivering the recruiting letter to the
victim in her country of origin. They also escort her to South Africa and sexually assault
her as an initiation to sex work should she resist upon arrival.
The report says the absence of specific legislation criminalising trafficking in southern
Africa is a main obstacle preventing the police and prosecutors from investigating these
crimes and charging perpetrators… Sapa
'Child trade rife in KZN cities’ - The Natal Witness, 3 March 2003
Pietermaritzburg and Durban are two of the worst cities in South Africa for the
trafficking in children for prostitution, according to a report delivered to the
KwaZulu-Natal provincial legislature on Monday (3 March). Cape Town based humanitarian
welfare organisation Molo Songololo (hello millipede) project co-ordinator Debora Mobilyn
delivered a harrowing account of how international crime syndicates use local couriers to
target children as young as four from indigent families, promise them meaningful work
overseas and then force them into a debt-bound, inescapable life of prostitution and
drugs.
According to SAPS statistics, it is estimated that there are over 28 000 child prostitutes
in South Africa.
Mobilyn warned that child trafficking had become the third-largest profit-making criminal
enterprise after drug and gun running, earning billions of dollars every year... Factors
contributing to children's vulnerability include economic migration, family
disintegration, sexual abuse and an increased demand for sex with children…
'Child sex trade flourishing in SA’ - The Daily News, 4 March 2003
South Africa has become a transit country for girls as young as 10 from other African
countries who are being sold as sex slaves to international syndicates, research has
revealed. The non-governmental organisation Molo Songololo… said the trafficking of
children for sexual exploitation involved both in-country and cross-border trafficking,
with South Africa having been turned into a transit point for girls who were being
transported from African countries en route to Europe.
Man arrested for 'running underage brothel' The Daily News, 13 February 2003
Metro police raided a suspected brothel in a Malvern home and arrested a man and a woman
on Wednesday (12 February)… Section leader Kacey Naicker said, "We believe the
man used a cottage on the premises as a brothel." According to Naicker, five underage
girls were working as prostitutes on the premises. The girls - aged between 13 and 17 -
have since been released into their parents' care.
The unit is also investigating a charge of child prostitution against the man…
Sex syndicates prey on Durban's children - The Mercury, 24 January 2003
Girls as young as 10 are being sold as prostitutes in Durban's Point area, the centre of a
growing child prostitution problem in the city. That was the shocking revelation from
Pinetown Child and Family Welfare Society director Priscilla Mckay, who challenged the
eThekwini Municipality to make the safety and welfare of children its top priority…
Another challenge was street children and the related problem of child prostitution.
"I quite agree that the solution is not more shelters, but rather empowering
communities to care for the children and tackling at their roots the forces that compel
children to move on to the streets," Sutcliffe answered.
No law to prevent human trafficking - UN iafrica.com news, 25 March 2003
No country in southern Africa has any modern law to deal with trafficking in people
effectively, a United Nations criminal justice expert said on Monday (24 March). Only two
countries in the region Botswana and Namibia had ratified the UN's Convention on
Transnational Organised Crime, Ugljesa Zvekic of the UN's regional office for drug control
and crime prevention told Sapa.
The convention deals with trafficking in people.
However, ratifying the convention meant nothing if there was no specific domestic laws to
address the problem, he said in Pretoria after the release of the International
Organisation for Migration's (IOM) report on human trafficking in the Southern African
Development Community (SADC) region… "Victims need medical and psychological
treatment. They are terribly scarred."
In some cases, victims were made dependent on drugs to give their traffickers better
control over them. Provision should be made to rehabilitate such addicts, Jonathan Martens
(who co-ordinated the study for the IOM) said.
Victims should also be reintegrated into society and given some skills, so they did not
fall in the same trap as they did before. - Sapa
(to index)
BODY MODIFICATION
(A summarized article taken from the CFT
Powerpoint presentation found on www.cft.org.za)
The history of various types of body modification has evidence found all over
the world wherever animism and spiritism has been the religion. From ancient China through
to primitive tribes in Africa and South America there have been all manner of adjustments
to the body to signify identity with a certain group and certain gods/spirits.
Among the tribes in Borneo, tattooing is mainly associated with head hunting (a visible
sign of success) for men and the coming of age of women - in some cases it symbolizes
their social status. Tattoos are part of the "rites of passage" and next to
blackened teeth and long ear-lobes, intricate tattoos on fingers, hands, lower arms,
thighs, calves, and feet served as important elements of beauty for women.
A pagan view on the subject: "A tattoo is a complex signifier: it signals class; it
signals sexuality; and it has specific content as a signifier: a depiction of an animal, a
person, an abstract tribal design. The most usual motifs are signifiers of power and
masculinity... But what the tattoo signals above all is the power one seizes over one's
own body… To be branded or tattooed shows also that you have the requisite guts to
join the group. It is not the most extreme or painful form of initiation, but it serves as
a sign of pain and hence of resolution." (Crispen Sartwell)
"Tattooing is often a magical rite in the more traditional cultures, and the
tattooist is respected as a priest or shaman." (Michelle Delio, Tattoo: The Exotic
Art of Skin Decoration, p. 73)
"In Fiji, Fromosa, New Zealand and in certain of the North American Indian tribes,
tattooing was regarded as a religious ceremony, and performed by priests or
priestesses." (Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 64)
"The actual tattooing process, which involved complex ritual and taboos, could only
be done by priests and was associated with beliefs which were secrets known only to
members of the priestly caste. . .Historically tattooing had originated in connection with
ancient rites of scarification and bloodletting which were associated with religious
practices intended to put the human soul in harmony with supernatural forces and ensure
continuity between this life and the next." (Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source
Book, p. 158)
(to index)
From the CFT President
IN YOUR LIGHT
"For with thee is the fountain of life: in
thy light shall
we see light."
Have you ever been in a meeting where a solution is being sought to a
difficult situation? Somehow the issue is clouded and there is more heat than light.
Somebody stands up and announces, "Ladies and gentlemen, let me shed some light on
this topic!" By the time they sit down, however, there is more "darkness"
than before!
I wish this would happen in isolated cases, but this is the true picture of most meetings
around the world today. Which is why these words excite me, "...In thy light shall we
see light." (Psalm 36:9b)
Since my first decision for the Lord in 1970 I have gone through many situations where I
longed to know what the correct path to take was. As you can imagine, there are always
those who are eager to share their "wisdom" with you. These include the type in
the joke, "Take my advice, I don't need it." Or even the other joke of a man who
went to ask another for the medicine he had used when his dog was sick. The man gave it to
him, and soon after drinking it the dog died. When he confronted him with the situaion his
response was, "Mine died as well."
It's so different when God gives advice. Some of the greatest moments in my life were
those where God in His grace made things so clear in front of me that I knew exactly what
course of action to take. He shone His light on my path!
I know of no other nation that is so conscious of the importance of having a "shining
path" before one as the Zulus. Izangoma and izinyanga (traditional healers) thrive on
this, offering advice and portions to shine people's paths. Chickens, goats and cattle are
slaughtered to help in the process. Amulets are hung on bodies and even vehicles to make
sure it happens. How do you know that your path is shining?
As a young man, girls will like you. At work you will be the boss's favourite. You will be
prosperous in your financial dealings. You will be popular with the people in your area.
By now, you can add to the list as well... Wealth. Health. Prosperity.
Before being carried away, let me return to the excitement when one discovers that it is
through God's light that we see light. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light
unto my path." (Psalm 119:105)
That for me is one of the keys to our fleeting earthly life. God's Word! Not only did He
create us, but He answered our deepest questions and showed us the way to Him. The
greatest joy for me is not the philosophy around God's Word, but to see how it guides me
through my daily life.
Satan knows the power that lies in God's Word, that's why it's his perpetual target for
ages. He uses any tactic to keep us away from it, from denying it, pointing to errors and
contradictions, belittling it, mystifying it, to keeping us so busy that we have no time
for it. O that God would open our eyes to see the need to feed on His Word daily! And then
to pray for grace to obey it!
Then there are situations where we think that we have the light. We think we know what the
truth is. We might even be prepared to fight for it. And then God in His grace suddenly
comes onto the scene and shares with us His mind on the issue. Then we see the light
through His light. That is too precious for words! It's the fresh shining of God's light
on their light keeps God's men and women being God's men and women!
How amazing that Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education chose these deep
words for their motto: IN U LIG (IN THY LIGHT)
Can you imagine what would happen if God's light was allowed truly shine on every learning
area, Psychology; Anthropology... ; and even Religion?
God have mercy on us!
Pressing on!
In His love
Fano
(to index)
ATTEMPT TO
KIDNAP THE CHILDREN
The Proposed Child-Care Act
The Minister for Social Development commissioned the South African Law
Commission (SALC) to revise the Child Care Act a few years ago. This was done to
streamline adoption procedures, since there are currently many legal problems in this
area.
Africa Christian Action wrote a submission to the SALC expressing concerns from a
Christian point of view (you can read this on our web, www.christianaction.org.za, under
submissions, or contact our office and ask for the "Hands off our Children!"
newsletter). Many of our contacts and supporters also wrote submissions. Earlier this
year, the SALC released their report into the revision of the Child Care act - a huge tome
(if you need an insomnia cure, you can download it from the SALC website at
www.law.wits.ac.za).
Unfortunately, the unGodly, promoting their own agenda, have managed to hijack the process
and the proposed law reflects their (lack of) values. On the other hand, these proposals
are not law yet, and Christians still have plenty of opportunity to make a difference. If
we show the government that there are many of us who are strongly opposed to the
proposals, and have viable alternatives, by the Lord's grace we can win this battle.
According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary, to kidnap means to "carry off by illegal
force or deception". In the proposed law:
- Children before birth are specifically excluded from protection, thus endorsing and
allowing continued bloodshed through abortion.
- All girls are specifically given the right to have abortions without parental consent,
even though all other surgery requires parental consent.
- Children are alienated from their parents by making condoms "a child's right",
thus undermining their sexual morals. There is no responsibility to investigate abuse (no
matter how young the child requesting or buying condoms is) even though sex with a child
under 16 is a crime.
- Parents' Biblical right and duty to discipline their children is restricted. Currently,
"reasonable" chastisement is legally accepted, but if the proposed law is passed
by parliament, any parent using corporal punishment (no matter how reasonable) to
discipline a child can be charged with assault and put in prison.
- Children have the right to social security. To a socialist this sounds good, but the
State is undermining and usurping the family and church's role.
- "Parental rights" can be given by courts to more than two people - this
reflects our society's widespread family break down, and is open to abuse.
1. Pray, Bible study the issues
We are continually bombarded by the world's views on family, sex and child raising.
By God's grace, we don't have to accept these lies and half-truths, but can renew our
minds by studying what the Bible says on these issues. Then we can pray powerfully as we
pray in line with God's will, as revealed in His Word.
2. Inform others
I am often surprised at how strongly Christians hold to unBiblical views. Once you
have done your homework, invite your friends, family and church to study these issues with
you once we know what the Bible says, we can obey without shame!
3. Speak and Write
Non-Christians monopolise the media because Christians are silent. We need to make
our views known by calling into radio talk shows, writing letters to the editor and
writing to the government.
You can make a difference to the law that will be passed by writing to the Minister of
Social Development, Mr. Zola Skweyiya, at PO Box 15, Cape Town, 8000. Please send a copy
of your letter to the Chairman Mr Cassim Saloojee, Portfolio Committee on Social
Development at PO Box 15, Cape Town, 8000. Express your concerns about the proposed Child
Care Act politely and clearly. If possible, write on behalf of an organisation (e.g. your
church, your local action group). Don't be afraid to ask for a response to specific
questions.
4. Be ready to mobilise
We need to be ready to mobilise quickly. If you have e-mail, make sure you receive
our updates by sending an e-mail to acaction-subscribe@yahoogroups.com - you can
automatically unsubscribe anytime you want. Please write letters and come to protests when
requested to. Encourage your friends to do so too.
5. Prepare the foundations to re-build
On these issues, we have a good chance to win the battle. Even though aspects of
the Constitution are against us, we can argue that we are campaigning for the best
interests of the children and for their right to parental care. These issues are very
important. Christian parents may be able to shield their children from some of the worst
proposals, but if this law is passed unchanged, the moral environment that the next
generation will grow up in will be polluted. Even if our own families are doing what is
right before the Lord, we will be affected by the decayed atmosphere.
"Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves
be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 4:31-5:1
ARGUMENTS WE CAN USE
It is always good to understand and use Biblical arguments. Even if we are
talking to hardened non-Christians, the Word of God is powerful and active, and will touch
their consciences.
We can also use the South African Constitution, since it mandates that everything be done
in the best interests of the children (a nebulous standard) we can argue that our
proposals are in the children's best interests. The Constitution also gives children the
right to parental care, and we can argue that e.g. giving children an absolute right to
condoms negates their right to parental care.
HOW TO ACT
1. Pray, Bible study the issues
We are continually bombarded by the world's views on family, sex and child raising.
By God's grace, we don't have to accept these lies and half-truths, but can renew our
minds by studying what the Bible says on these issues. Then we can pray powerfully as we
pray in line with God's will, as revealed in His Word.
2. Inform others
I am often surprised at how strongly Christians hold to unBiblical views. Once you
have done your homework, invite your friends, family and church to study these issues with
you once we know what the Bible says, we can obey without shame!
3. Speak and Write
Non-Christians monopolise the media because Christians are silent. We need to make
our views known by calling into radio talk shows, writing letters to the editor and
writing to the government.
You can make a difference to the law that will be passed by writing to the Minister of
Social Development, Mr. Zola Skweyiya, at PO Box 15, Cape Town, 8000. Please send a copy
of your letter to the Chairman Mr Cassim Saloojee, Portfolio Committee on Social
Development at PO Box 15, Cape Town, 8000. Express your concerns about the proposed Child
Care Act politely and clearly. If possible, write on behalf of an organisation (e.g. your
church, your local action group). Don't be afraid to ask for a response to specific
questions.
4. Be ready to mobilise
We need to be ready to mobilise quickly. If you have e-mail, make sure you receive
our updates by sending an e-mail to acaction-subscribe@yahoogroups.com - you can
automatically unsubscribe anytime you want. Please write letters and come to protests when
requested to. Encourage your friends to do so too.
5. Prepare the foundations to re-build
On these issues, we have a good chance to win the battle. Even though aspects of
the Constitution are against us, we can argue that we are campaigning for the best
interests of the children and for their right to parental care. These issues are very
important. Christian parents may be able to shield their children from some of the worst
proposals, but if this law is passed unchanged, the moral environment that the next
generation will grow up in will be polluted. Even if our own families are doing what is
right before the Lord, we will be affected by the decayed atmosphere.
"Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free
woman. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let
yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 4:31-5:1
(to index)
RESPONSE
TO RELIGION IN EDUCATION
On behalf of CFT, an organisation with 108,000 members in South
Africa, we strongly object to the proposals laid out in the `Religion in Education'
document which has only just been released and gives virtually no time for proper
response.
Briefly, our main concerns are:
The document has a particular religious point of view which very few South Africans, of
whatever religious persuasion, would subscribe to. This secular humanist point of view,
deeply religious in its own right, suggests that all religions are equal. This simply
conveys the understanding that there is no real truth that is exclusive and that all
religions are basically the same.
The school is viewed in this document as a state apparatus. This is declared as such in
the document: "public schools are an extension of the state". This is a form of
kidnapping and brainwashing children who belong to their families. This `state theology'
of declaring children to belong to the government is Orwellian in nature and should be
rejected by all family-loving South Africans.
The religious ethos of the school has been removed from the control of the local governing
board into the control of the central government.
Surely the parents, by election onto the school board, should control what their children
learn.
The document is yet another example of the radical transformation outcomes philosophy
which the education department has decided to follow. Instead of caring for the
educational needs of the child the focus is on creating good citizens for the state. This
type of OBE must be completely rejected as undemocratic and anti-family.
Local ministers will be prevented from giving religious instruction, as has always been
the tradition in South Africa (as stated in 5.1). It seems that organisations like Planned
Parenthood, loveLife and other secular humanist organisations, will have government
endorsement to instruct our children.
By insisting that "Teaching about religion, religions, and religious diversity needs
to be facilitated by trained professional educators" (executive summary), the
fundamental right of `freedom of religion' is threatened. This ruling would mean that even
private schools and home schools would have to include a state-accredited educator who has
a multi-faith understanding of religion, in other words, an opposing religious viewpoint.
We insist that the Department of Education gives at least another month for this document
to be studied and commented on.
(to index)
PRO-LIFERS MEET
‘THE MERCURY’
At a meeting with the Editor of The Mercury, Mr David Canning, 20 February
2003, Pro-life groups were given the assurance that pro-life adverts, letters or articles
will be considered for publication in The Mercury in appropriate sections. Canning said
that The Mercury strives to be balanced in its publication of differing opinions on
issues.
This concluded the incident where an ad by Christians for Truth (in commemoration of the
legalisation of abortion-on-demand on 1 February) had not been run in The Mercury
Classifieds, creating the impression that the newspaper does not welcome pro-life ads.
At the meeting Mr Canning said that he had simply declined running the ad in Death Notices
due to classification criteria. Canning assured the meeting that similar ads would be
accepted in Personal Notices. Christians for Truth felt that the death column was the
appropriate place for the advert, but was willing to accept it being published in a
different column.
The meeting, which included representatives from Christians for Truth, SA Cares for Life
and Pregnancy Crisis Centre; Doctors for Life, Phoenix Ministers' Fraternal and Concerned
Ministers Outreach Forum, was called to discuss a fair opportunity to present the pro-life
view in The Mercury.
If you intend sending pro-life information to your local newspaper, it is best to address
it to the person in charge of the Women's or Health section or any other relevant section.
The paper's switchboard should be able to supply you with the necessary contact details.
…ADVERT PLACED IN NEWSPAPERS
1 February 2003
BABY JANE
Tragically killed by abortion in January 2003. Christians for Truth mourns the 265
398 lives lost in the six-year holocaust of legal abortions on demand since 1 February
1997. "They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters..." Psalm
106:38. May God have mercy on South Africa.
For further information contact: 032 481 5512
As an afterthought for pro-lifers:
You will be encouraged to know that lifting your individual voice does make a
difference. We received copies of quite a few letters that were sent to The Mercury in
support of our pro-life ad. The Mercury's initial reluctance to publish the ad under any
section near Death Notices, was reversed when the editor agreed to publish future pro-life
notices in the Personal Notices Section.
Your support in the matter has definitely made a difference!
(to index)
ELECTRONIC NEWS
If you are interested in receiving the CFT Newsletter by email instead of by
post, please send a message to:
enews-list-subscribe@cft.org.za
Please inform us that you have subscribed for the electronic letter so
that we can remove your name from the post list. You can email us on
mail@cft.org.za
Make sure you include your postal address, and if possible, your
membership number
(to index)
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