My dear friends
The 20th Anniversary celebrations for Domino Servite School
last weekend left me with a lot to reflect on.
For me, one of the climaxes was the testimonies by some of
the DSS pupils on Sunday morning. Somehow, God's dealing with them has provided me with
many key pieces to a puzzle that I have been working on for quite some time.
It was my privilege to be involved with DSS since its
inception in 1986. I know the misgivings parents had as they watched in horror how the
political climate of the time was influencing what got taught to their young ones. They
could not bear to see their children being fed with racial prejudice and a spirit of
rebellion which at that time seemed to be politically expedient. As part of inculcation of
cultural values children were being introduced to the world of ancestral spirits.
I identified totally with the original vision of offering
our young ones top quality education based on sound Christian principles. Our desire was
to produce Christian men and women who would be missionaries, whether they are in
full-time ministry or other careers.
20 years down the line it is only right that we do some
stock-taking. And that is where Sunday's testimonies shed a lot of light.
As far as academic excellence is concerned DSS has been an
astounding success. The walls of the principal's office are decorated with numerous awards
from the Department of Education. DSS belongs to the league of schools that consistently
achieve a 100% pass rate, year after year. What some may not know is that DSS staff
accepts that in humility, constantly looking to God and pleading for His blessing.
Many former DSS students have gone on to attain well-paying
positions in the professional and business world.
How have our students fared spiritually after leaving
school? I dare say to the glory of God that we have some precious souls who have become
part of the ministry, serving at DSS and other Christian schools, others being Christ's
ambassadors in their daily professional lives.
On the other hand, we have shed many tears as we saw how
lots of former students turned out to be luke-warm or cold towards the things of God.
The pupils who testified on Sunday confirmed what has been
breaking our hearts over the years, seeing them sitting through years of Biblical teaching
but with lives that seemed indifferent. Worse than that, some pupils worked actively
against any sign of spiritual life; pressurising those that showed interest in heavenly
matters.
How does one explain the hatred the boys who spoke on Sunday
had against KwaSizabantu and the school? All they wanted was the good education offered by
DSS; from there they would go out to make money and live comfortably.
After being told repeatedly that God should be the first in
our lives, a life without him is directionless, some still look for alternatives. As one
young man put it, he had seen how some former students seemed to prosper without God. That
impressed him and he had decided that five years after leaving school he will have shown
the world what his true godless identity is.
Most of those that resent DSS cite instances where they are
convinced that they were treated unjustly. Their cases have to do with disciplinary
measures taken against them.
From my involvement with the school-leadership I can
honestly say that I know of no one who deliberately and maliciously went out of their way
to prejudice any child. On the contrary, God is a witness to the blood, sweat and tears of
His children who have given themselves sacrificially in the service at DSS. I regret
deeply those cases where wrong decisions were made because of false or insufficient
information. In my history as a grandchild, a child and a father I have to admit that
unfortunately these things happen and one has to find a way of dealing with them.
An observation I have made is that it seemed easier for
older generations to put behind them whatever excesses or wrongs they felt were done to
them in the area of discipline. Often they would sum everything up by saying,
"Basisiza kodwa" (But they helped us). The younger generation seems to be more
prone towards nursing grudges and harbouring resentment. It is a pity to see young lives
being soured by bitterness.
Another sensitive aspect touched on by one of the boys on
Sunday was politics. He said that in the past he saw everything from a political
perspective. Unfortunately there are many that are stuck right there.
We have to live with the reality that at KSB and DSS we are
a multi-racial society from different family, cultural and economic backgrounds. With
hundreds of people in such a close community rubbing shoulders on a daily basis the
potential for friction is always there. After being part of this community for 29 years I
believe that it remains the closest to the ideal to what I have seen anywhere else in the
world as far as harmonious racial relations are concerned. Of course, to a great extent
that depends on how far individuals are prepared to allow God to reign supreme in every
area of their lives.
Let me add that the critical point in my life in this
respect was when I took the conscious decision that in the first place I am a Christian,
then an African and a Zulu. By allowing God to deal with racial prejudice in my life I
found genuine freedom. I interact freely and frankly with others about aspects of our
backgrounds that if allowed to can become barriers between us.
It is my belief that those who want to be part of the
solution in political conflict situation need to rise above it. They need a spiritual lift
to higher ground. Carnal minds will not help; walking in the Spirit will.
It is in the light of these sentiments that the spiritual
breakthrough at DSS last year warms my heart. God's mighty working through His Spirit is
what we need above all else. Suddenly the eyes of the learners are opened; they start
understanding what we have been trying to convey to them all along.
One's eyes become misty when DSS teachers testify how the
spiritual breakthrough has changed the atmosphere at school. One teacher shared with me
how she is even learning valuable lessons from learners. Another brother remarked how some
supervising duties are becoming redundant because pupils are so well-behaved.
One of the hallmarks of God's working has been a deep
conviction of sin. Counsellors are approached day and night by young people seeking peace
with God. It moves one to hear teenagers lament lost years, praying that they would be
restored.
Is there something more beautiful than seeing young people
catch the vision of spreading the gospel of our Lord and Saviour? Learners are going
beyond their school, sharing the great things that God has done for them. Who knows how
far they will still go?
These wonderful developments have given me hope that a
question that has been haunting me for years will be answered. "Elikabani leli
fa?" - Whose inheritance is this? Who will be the real heirs of DSS? Who will be the
real heirs of KSB?
Let me cite a recent experience that illustrates this point.
A young man from Germany, Artur Schmunk, shared with my
family from the story of Moses and the burning bush. What struck him was the fact that
Moses did not avoid the burning bush, instead he went closer to the fire. When God spoke
to him from the fire, instructing him to take off his shoes he obeyed.
Artur told us that when he saw the fire of revival he
decided not to run away from it; in fact, he was drawn towards it. He wants to be part of
the fire. He is taking off his shoes at the Lord's command.
It is the likes of Artur and the learners who have caught on
the fire that will be true heirs of DSS and KSB.
On Saturday I nearly broke down when a group of DSS past
pupils entered my room singing in their beautiful voices like they did many years ago,
"Ingum'mangaliso imisebenzi
kaThixo"
(God's works are amazing)
We love these young people. How we wish that every one of
them would have God's fire burning in their hearts!
As a father, my earnest prayer is that beyond all things my
children might inherit that they will inherit God's fire.
"The promise is for you and your
children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."
(Acts 2:39)
Have a blessed weekend!
Pressing on!
In His love
Fano Sibisi
