July 2015
Supreme Court's Marriage Ruling is Shocking Abuse of Power

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Family Research Council (FRC) President Tony Perkins responded today (30 June2015) to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision forcing the people in all 50 states to embrace same-sex "marriage," regardless of their votes to define marriage in their states as a man-woman institution. Of the decision FRC President Tony Perkins said: "Five justices on the Supreme Court have overturned the votes of 50 million Americans and demanded that the American people walk away from millennia of history and the reality of human nature. "In reaching a decision so lacking in foundation in the text of the Constitution, in our history, and in our traditions, the Court has done serious damage to its own legitimacy. "No court can overturn natural law. Nature and Nature's God, hailed by the signers of our Declaration of Independence as the very source of law, cannot be usurped by the edict of a court, even the United States Supreme Court. "Marriage is rooted not only in human history, but also in the biological and social reality that children are created by, and do best when raised by, a mother and a father. No court ruling can alter this truth. "It is folly for the Court to think that it has resolved a controversial issue of public policy. By disenfranchising 50 million Americans, the Court has instead supercharged this issue. "Just as with Roe v. Wade in 1973, the courts will not have the final say on this profound social matter. The American people will stand up for their right to have a voice and a vote, especially as they experience the ways in which redefining marriage fundamentally impairs their freedom to live and work in accordance with their beliefs. "With this ruling, the Supreme Court has set our government on a collision course with America's cherished religious freedoms, explicitly guaranteed in the First Amendment of the Constitution. "Americans will not stop standing for transcendent truth, nor accept the legitimacy of this decision. Truth is not decided by polls or the passage of time, but by the One who created time and everything that exists therein. "We will not lapse into silence but will continue to speak uncompromisingly for the truth about what marriage is, always has been, and always will be: the union of one man and one woman," concluded Perkins. Family Research Council's amicus brief in this case can be found here .

October 2013
Biblical morality replaced with a new man made and man centred 'morality'

The government of South Africa, aided and abetted by the official opposition, is consistently replacing Biblical morality with a new man made and man centred 'morality'. It is this 'morality' that has created and is perpetuating an 'entitlement' mentality, leading to a 'we demand' and 'we deserve' society. A society that lays claim to all manner of 'rights' without 'responsibility', 'privileges' without 'productivity' and 'actions' without 'consequences'.

Secular humanism, whether socialist or liberal, is the single biggest contributor to the moral decay that is taking place in this, so called, new South Africa, which is becoming more and more like the old Sodom and Gomorrah. Our Christian faith is being aggressively undermined only to be replaced by a 'religion' called 'liberal secular humanism'. We can already hear them say, 'we are not a religion! In fact we are opposed to any religion prescribing to us on moral or any other issues'. Yet, these same anti-Christ forces, whilest going out of their way to ridicule the Bible, calling its teachings and world view irrelevant and out-dated, try to prescribe to us, on how society should be ordered, according to their value system. A tirade of abuse and name calling is unleashed on anyone who dares to 'step out of line'. They are committed to the teachings of their 'religion' and as fanatical about defending it as any fundamentalist Muslim. Under the auspices of these twin evils, socialism and liberalism, many unbiblical laws have been added to our law books resulting in the following:
Abortion
More and more women are claiming 'the right' to own and have control over their own bodies at the expense of over a million unborn babies that have been sacrificed on the altar of abortion (Molech). This in spite of clear biblical teaching that life begins in the womb and at conception. Abortion is murder and is, therefore, a transgression of God's law that says, 'Thou shalt not kill' (commit a murder). It is now legal for a twelve year old girl to have consensual sex with an older boy, sixteen or younger, and should she fall pregnant, she is 'entitled' to have an abortion without her parent's consent.
Same-sex marriage
Not only are the 'rights' of homosexuals and lesbians entrenched in the constitution, but laws have been passed to afford them extra protection and privileges. Taking advantage of this 'favoured' position, fanatical homosexual lobby groups have succeeded in even infiltrating one of Christianity's most sacred sacraments, namely marriage. This, contrary to Biblical teaching that marriage is a sacred bond between one man and one woman and is a union primarily for procreation. Something these 'same-sex liaisons' can never be. To overcome this obvious obstacle, it is now legal for these 'couples' to adopt children into this unnatural environment. Many liberal clergy and church denominations and groups, acting in conformity to the spirit of this age, and turning their backs on the Word of God, are compromising on this issue with some even going so far as to 'solemnize' these 'unions'. These are the people that we are allowing to occupy our pulpits and to 'speak into our lives'? They are called shepherds but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
Gambling
New casinos are being opened all over the country turning us into a nation of gamblers, as yet another addiction is added to the many that already enslave us. The rich, bored with life and looking for something new to amuse themselves with, sit for hours and gamble away millions. The poor, on the off chance of striking it rich, spend their meagre pittance, while their children go to bed hungry. All this while there are those who rub their hands together and line their pockets. A group of churches in Pretoria east recently submitted a petition against a casino to be included in a development next to a school. The CDP put out a press release, supporting this action, that was carried in a number of local newspapers, including the Pretoria News. Although it is gratifying to see the church beginning to become involved in moral and community matters and taking on the authorities, putting in a petitions is one thing, carrying the matter through to the bitter end is something else.
Pornography
Legalized pornography that started with a few flimsily clad models in a glossy magazine has now escalated into graphic sex acts on computers and cell phones; sex acts between men and women, men and men, women and women, children and children, children and adults and even humans and animals. If you think it is going to stop, then think again, there is no limit to what will emanate from the heart of man that is 'desperately wicked'. This is the challenge that the church in our time needs to face up to. Their silence will do nothing to stop this flood of swill destroying our country. What is worse is that all this is available at the 'push of a button' to the youngest and most vulnerable amongst us. Now parents could even be curtailed from checking up on their children as it could be regarded as infringing on their right to privacy.
Corporal Correction
This matter has, for some time, been hotly contested by some of those, regarded as the best minds in Child psychology. On the one hand opponents, like Dr Murray Straus of the University of New Hampshire blames spanking for "depression, juvenile delinquency, spousal abuse and lowered mental ability'. Others say it is "a form of abuse" and claim that it causes "long-term harm to children."

On the other hand there are many, like professor Gunnoe of Calvin College in Michigan, who after a study involving 2600 interviews, came to the conclusion that: "The claims made for not spanking children fail to hold up. They are not consistent with the data." Her findings further showed that those who were physically disciplined performed better than those who weren't, in a series of categories, such as school grades, an optimistic outlook on life and the ambition to attend college (University).

Dr Diana Baumrind of the University of California in Berkeley USA, working with a team of professional researchers, conducted what is considered one of the 'most intensive and methodological child development studies' to date. During this research 164 families were interviewed and their children from age 4-14 monitored. She came to the conclusion that spanking can be helpful and that there was, "no evidence for unique detrimental effects of normative physical punishment". She argued that, "an occasional swat when delivered in the context of good child-rearing, had not been shown to do any harm." She concluded with the following well considered statement, "without compelling evidence that spanking is harmful, parents should be free to rear their children in accordance with their own values and traditions." Many parents say that when it comes to deciding on how to discipline their children they rely on the model provided by their own parents, their religious beliefs or, importantly, on their own experience of what works.

A Christian psychologist Dr James Dobson suggests that, "the spanking should be of sufficient magnitude to cause the child to cry genuinely".

Dr James Fuller of the University of Akrow Law School, in a study centred on Sweden, which was the first nation to impose a complete ban on physical discipline of children, found that "child abuse had exploded ……. and children under seven endured an almost six-fold increase in physical abuse". It also showed that teen violence sky rocketed with teenagers under fifteen becoming more violent towards their peers. Youth criminal assaults had also increased.

With the UN committee on the rights of the child, challenging laws permitting physical punishment of children and calling on all governments in the world to prohibit every form of physical discipline, including within the family, our government, eager to please their international masters, is now taking it upon themselves to invade our privacy and prescribe to us what we can and cannot do in our own homes.

Where will all this lead to in the future? Making the Word of God of no effect, they are telling us that it could soon become illegal for us to spank our children. As Christian parents we have no option but to say, 'we ought to obey God rather than men' (Acts 5:29) It is time to stand up and boldly declare, 'take your hands off our children! God has placed them in our care and has made them our responsibility. Our children belong to us, they are not the property of the state. Yes by all means protect those children that are being abused but to call spanking my child, abuse, is an affront to Almighty God who calls it correction and the best means of teaching a child discipline. Proverbs 22:15 says, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." Proverbs 25:13, "Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod he shall not die". In fact Proverbs 13:24 goes so far as to say that, "Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them." A hard pill, for even some Christians, to swallow, especially those, who have allowed this world and its philosophies to squeeze them into its mould and who are listening to fallible physiologists rather than the infallible God.

With corporal correction having already been removed from our schools, we have, on a regular basis, heard of incidents of pupils attacking their teachers and knifing one another. In fact violence in schools is being described as "an on-going problem" with reports such as, "A schoolteacher was beaten and kicked by a primary school girl," and "pupil's ear cut off; other had a sharp object in back, during a school skirmish where an assortment of weapons, including knives and pangas were wielded", becoming an all too common occurrence . What has become of children and young people showing respect for their elders and those in authority? Have you recently been in a shopping centre and seen a four-year old throw a tantrum until its embarrassed parents, in sheer exasperation, give in to his or her demands? Brace yourself because should parents no longer be allowed to spank their children for fear of being 'persecuted' by government, yes I said 'persecuted and not 'prosecuted', the situation will only become worse. In Britain and many other countries, where these liberal measures have been in place for quite some time, gangs of idle, undisciplined and binge drinking young thugs roam the streets terrorising the elderly and taunting police.

When a nation turns its back on God and defies Him and disobeys His Word, the consequences become immediately apparent. Isaiah 3:4 says, "I will give children to be their princes, and babes will rule over them."
Other areas of concern
Future legislation that appears to be inevitable is the legalisation of dagga, prostitution and a further lowering of the age of consent, to name but a few. Although moral issues are not the only issues to be addressed by a Christian political party, and the CDP has consistently raised its voice on a vast array of subjects, its primary focus should be on challenging the conscience of the nation and to boldly speak out against any sign of moral degeneration. 'This surely is the task of the church', we hear you say. Yes it is, and should we do it in unity and with the right motives, so much more could be accomplished. The CDP is a ministry dedicated to the Lord and made up of members of the Body of Christ. Church groups and Christian organisations should support us as politicians, called of God and so help us fulfil the "high and holy calling" of God in Christ Jesus.

Rev Theunis Botha
Leader: Christian Democratic Party

September 2013
A Pastoral letter to Ministers of the Word, and Christians in general

The Almighty God of Scripture, is the creator God upholding His Creation with His power. As the God of righteousness, who expects His creation to act righteously He is involved in every area of human activity.

Ideologically South Africa is burning:
because Marxist Socialism and Communism, which forms part of the political thinking of the so-called majority, is reigning supreme; because Humanistic liberalism with its exagger-ated emphases on individual freedoms is offered as the only alternative to centralism.

Religion in South Africa is burning:
because God Almighty has been banned from public life and confined to within the walls of churches and religious organisations.

Ethically South Africa is burning:
because corruption is rife and dishonesty has taken root in public life.

Morally South Africa is burning:
because it is now legal for a twelve year old girl, not only to be involved in sexual intercourse, but also to have an abortion without parental consent should she fall pregnant; and because murder has been legalized through abortion.

Socially South Africa is burning:
because reverse discrimination is resulting in the marginalization of minority groups which, along with the lack of proper service delivery, is creating a dangerous and volatile situation.

Juristically and politically South Africa is burning:
because in spite of the political compromise of 1993, the ANC/SACP/Cosatu alliance has unilaterally seized power and has reneged on the provisions of the negotiated settlement.

Economically South Africa is burning:
because of the ideology of excessive materialism and the pursuit of material possessions, entitlement has become the motivating force in society, and meritocracy has been driven from public life; because farmers and property owners are becoming increasingly more uncertain about the consequences of draconian powers-of-expropriation being legislated by government; because the social-welfare programmes instituted by the state have discouraged plus minus 17 million people from fulfilling a productive role in society; because a culture of dependence on the state has been created.

Infrastructure in South Africa is burning:
because of the collapse of service and communication networks, and the near bankruptcy of municipalities and parastatal institutions.

For this reason the CDP appeals to all ministers of the Word and Christians in general, to enter into an agreement to support one another and to openly and publically proclaim the absolute sovereignty of Almighty God, so that:
traditional institutions such as marriage, the family and community are protected and preserved; matters such as abortion, same-sex marriages, pornography, crime, corruption etc are effectively addressed; a powerbase may be formed against all anti-Christian power formations; the Christian heritage in South Africa may be preserved; the Kingdom of God may be advanced in every area of human activity; power may be equally shared between individuals and groups in order to curb the abuse of power; the power of the state is restricted to effective governance through just laws that will afford organs of the public sector the right to operate free of government interference; fauna and flora is properly managed to ensure a healthy environment and that water sources and animal and plant life may be preserved for future generations; South Africa may be saved from total collapse.

To God alone be all the Glory!
Dr Christo Landman
Rev Theunis Botha : Leader - Christian Democratic Party

FEEDBACK
We have had quite a busy time and would like to report back:
Local:

1. The Tshwane Metro donated an area in Valhalla, designated as a park, to a Muslim Trust, for a Mosque. This they did, without consulting the community. There was an immediate negative reaction and Richard Botha and Rev Noel Brinton organized a petition with 2600 signatures in a matter of three days.
   * The CDP made the front page of the local Record newspaper in response to a press statement.
   * Two weeks later, a second press release again featured prominently in the same newspaper.
   * Richard Botha was interviewed and mentioned in the Citizen.
   Richard Botha and Rev Noel are also the only representatives of the community, at a Petition Board hearing of the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. Without here, going into the merits of the case, suffice it to say, the CDP wholeheartedly supported this community, which is passionate about maintaining its character and special Christian Ethos.
   Should you have any questions or suggestions please contact us by email.
2. The CDP supported Christian ministers who put together a petition objecting to a Casino being included in a development next to a School in the Eastern suburbs of Pretoria. Once again the CDP's part in this important matter was reported in detail in the local newspaper as well in the Pretoria News.
3. The CDP is represented on Ward Committees within their communities and we would urge our members to become more involved in local issues.

National

1. The Leader and co-federal Leader Richard, took a trip which included Cape Town, Mossel Bay, George, Knysa, Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein. We touched base with some of our members and met with about sixteen Pastors, during this time. The trip which covered 4,000 km was done in just less than a week.
2. During this trip we attended a meeting of the Bruin Bemagtegings Beweging (BBB). We were the only political party invited to attend, and more than 21 coloured organizations were involved. The CDP also forms part of the Supreme Council of this movement. We see this as a positive development in establishing a strong federal approach to governance and are proud to be a part of it.
3. The CDP was invited to attend the anniversary celebration of the Marikana massacre and we were one of the few parties not represented in the National Parliament. Richard, along with the Leaders of IFP, UDM, COPE, AGANG, UCDP, ACDP, ACP, PAC and others, were each given 3 minutes to speak. He was loudly applauded and well received.
4. Many press releases, covering a wide spectrum of political issues and matters of national interest were sent out. All of these can be seen on our website.
5. We are contemplating taking part in next year's elections, and there are moves a foot to join together with others, in an alliance. Please pray, as this is a very important matter. When we say 'please pray', we would really appreciate it if you do. Of course there are a number of hurdles that we still have to overcome and the most formidable is the financial one. Please prayerfully consider what you can contribute in this regard and please let us know. When we say, 'please let us know' it is important that you do so, as it will aid us in our planning.

April 2013
Spiritual Warfare

Much is being taught on spiritual warfare these days:

• Spiritual Mapping
• Identifying 'strongholds'
• Mass prayer meetings
• Prayer walks, and various other activities.

Know your enemy
The most important thing in warfare, however, is to clearly identify your enemy in all his guises and then to make sure that you have the right arms and ammunition to bring him down.

Many have portrayed the Devil as a defeated foe, and that in spite of the fact that in: John 12:31 he is described as "…..the ruler of this world…….." 2 Cor 4:4 "…..the god of this age ", Eph 2:2 "…the prince of the power of the air…", and in 1 Peter 5:8 we are warned that "….your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour…." It is against such an adversary we are told to, "Be sober, be vigilant…." and in 1 Peter 5v9 to, "………resist him, steadfast in the faith….", and if we do so he will, "… flee from us…", but only if we "…submit to God…" James 4:7.

Some have used Rev 12:11 to describe the enemy as a defeated foe and a disarmed adversary saying that we have,"….Overcome him by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of their (our) testimony….." V12, however, says "Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them…" And then turning attention to the earth it says "…woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that his time is short." V10 tells us that it is only at the return of the LORD and at the setting up of GOD's Kingdom on earth that, through the power of His Christ "…the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night…." Will finally be cast down.

Another scripture in this regard that demands our attention is found in 2 Cor 11:14 "For satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. V15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness…." It is important to note that reference is here made not only to demon spirits but also those human agents and agencies that have made themselves available to operate on Satan's behalf.

Satan's many disguises

Although most of us are aware of the guises in which his spirit forces operate it appears that few are aware of who his human agents and agencies are.

Romans 13:1-2 says, that all governing authorities receive their authority from God, Who is Sovereign and in Whom all authority is vested and that according to V5, we need to subject ourselves to them. For those who like the Bereans, however, want to search the scripture to see if this is so, a more careful and circumspect approach is needed.

What God expects of rulers

In verses 3-4, God says that rulers who rule in His authority, are not to be a terror to good works and that they are to be His ministers for good to punish those who practice evil. Peter in 1 Peter 2:14 reiterates this when he says that governors are sent by GOD to punish evil doers and to praise those who do good. In 2 Samuel 23:3 we read, "He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God." While Hebrews 13:17 says that rulers "…must watch out for your souls, as those who must give account…."

Some specific questions that arise from this

• Is it reasonable to assume, that although God has clearly stipulated what is expected of rulers, that He will now appoint them and give them His authority, when He knows full well that they will disregard the standards He Himself has set and will actually use demonic methods to subjugate and oppress the people.
• If all those in authority are appointed by GOD without any requirement of how they should rule, and if we are to be subject unto them, it would mean that if we were living in Germany under Hitler, or under Stalin in Russia, or Moa Sedong in China, we would not be allowed to oppose them in any way. As Christians we would also not be allowed to smuggle bibles into those countries where the ordinances of government prohibit this.
• If all those in authority in South Africa are appointed by GOD, where we have a socialist/communist government that is seeking through draconian-expropriation-laws to snatch land and property, from the rightful owners (including yours) - are we to submit and accept and not oppose what they are proposing? Are we also not to use our 'democratic' right to vote them out? Because should we do so, we will be saying that GOD has made a mistake by putting them into authority in the first place. Also should they not rule according to the ordinances of God and be corrupt and self-serving, we can always blame God for putting them there.
• Hosea in Chapter 8:4 shows us what God's reaction is to those that have been democratically elected to be the government of South Africa and for that matter the secular humanist official opposition. "They set up kings, but not by me; They made princes, and I did not acknowledge it…." The result in V7 "They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind…."
• Do Christians actually pray and ask God who they should vote for, and get an answer from Him, before they go to the polling booths.

Let us now go to Ephesians 6 and see

• Who our enemy is, how he operates and whom he works through
• How we can come out of this warfare victoriously.

• Principalities are territories ruled over by princes and in the SA context would be called municipalities.
• Powers are those in higher authorities such as at provincial level.
• Whilst rulers are those who exercise political authority and power over the entire country.

The rest of the armour is described in v15-17 and each of these components are of equal and vital importance. But if wicked and evil principalities, and powers and rulers of the darkness of this age are operating under the power of spiritual hosts of wickedness, whose absolute power are we to draw upon? Will introducing gimmicks do it? Will worldly criteria do it? Will operating according to the wisdom of man, do it? V10 gives the answer "….be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." . 2 Cor 10:3 says, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds."

We need to ask ourselves where these strongholds are being set up. The answer of course is here on earth. The need is for us to clearly identify them and then use all the means at our disposal to bring them down. Armchair Christianity is no longer an option, bench warming-Sundays-only- Christianity is no longer acceptable. What God is looking for are those who recognise the season we are in and who will take up their God-given responsibility, of not only being watchmen on the wall, who warn about impending danger, but who will "…earnestly contend for the faith which was once for all deliver to the saints" Jude:3

Don't you think it is time that we as Christians recognise the powers behind the secular/ humanist philosophies of the socialist/communist ANC and the liberal DA? Philosophies that have led to GOD being excluded from all their failed human efforts. Is this not what our warfare should be all about?

For Christians to vote for a government merely on the basis of empty promises and the colour of their skin, is not acceptable. For Christians to vote for an official opposition merely on the basis of being in opposition to the government, is not acceptable.

Socialism and liberalism are equally responsible for anti-biblical legislation such as

• a twelve year old girl being allowed to engage in legal sexual intercourse, and should she fall pregnant as a result, have an abortion without parental consent;
• the murder of innocent babies in their mother's wombs;
• the removal of the death penalty as an option to root out the scourge of murder plaguing the nation;
• allowing same-sex marriages;
• the promotion of and easy access to pornography.

If we as Christians think that we should love what God hates, that we should support what he opposes, and that He will be pleased with that; we have another think coming.

March 2013
A political solution for South Africa

Culture has been defined as - a distinct way in which people living in different parts of the world, or in a country, classify and represent their common experiences. These common experiences manifest themselves through 'material culture' such as art, architecture, artifacts etc and through 'intangible culture' such as language, music, history, religion etc.

These common experiences result in people developing a sense of belonging and self-worth. Culture with its moral norm of accepted behavior is the fabric that holds a community together and that fosters a sense of ownership. This in turn produces a sense of common responsibility to maintain and develop the culture for the good of the community as a whole. It stimulates a sense of responsibility in an individual causing him to take into consideration all the members of his particular community in the decisions he makes and the actions he takes.

When a community loses the foundation to its culture, it gives rise to individualism and a general detachment from society. The loss of the moral core of a culture spawns insecurities, which in turn generate greed and exploitation as a way for individuals to safeguard themselves.

We are presently experiencing a precarious and volatile period. This has the potential of profoundly affect the future of South Africa. Widespread unemployment, the rise of intolerance towards different groupings, unchecked corruption, rampant murder with sinister undertones, and cultural cleansing or transformation as it is called, are all factors in creating civil unrest, that could lead to an outright civil war and even eventual mass genocide. As a country we have to seriously look for solutions and stop trying to enforce ideological imperatives, that will certainly fail here, as they have in other parts of the world.

What do we mean when we say ideological imperatives?
The political elite in South Africa have systematically, over the past two decades, propagated socialist and liberal ideologies. This is in direct contradiction to the way in which the different cultures, representing the majority of people in the country, view things. These ideologies have, as experienced in other countries, been responsible for increased poverty, destruction of the 'moral fabric of societies', the weakening of the 'core pillars of society' such as family structures, education, religion etc. They have not been able to deliver the utopia they promised. Instead they have attempted to force different cultures into a melting-pot of humanity, resulting in polarisation, isolation and general animosity. This has in turn eroded a sense of responsibility that people feel towards their communities replacing it with individualism and materialism.

Socialism/Communism has managed to destroy the culture and economy of the East, while liberalism has single handily been responsible for destroying the culture and economy of the West. Malcolm Muggeridge described the negative effects of liberalism on Western society in the following words "Liberalism will be seen historically as the great destructive force of our time, much more than Communism, Nazism or any other lunatic creeds which make such immediate havoc. Compared with the long term consequences of (arch liberals such as) a Gilbert Murray, Bertram Russell or a Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt, Hitler was an ineffective dreamer, Stalin a father Christmas and Mussolini an Arcadian shepherd". To implement something that has failed elsewhere in the world and expect it to work here, is not only short sighted but foolhardy. We have often, in the past, warned against the deleterious effects of liberalism on our society.

South Africa is made up of different cultures. It is imperative that we recognise this. Unless we assist in the development of these unique cultures and allow them to manage their own advancement, we run the risk of destroying them. These cultures form a binding factor for the different communities which together form part of the solution to the problems we face as a country.

We need to take into account the contribution made by the different cultures in creating our unique society. We are to celebrate and not denigrate these differences, by allowing each culture the right and space to develop naturally, and so evolve into that which they were destined to be. As a group of cultures we dare not do anything that could lead to cultural displacement. This will inevitably result in the problems we stated earlier.

What is the solution?
To find a solution we need to recognize the following:

• Neither socialism nor liberalism is the solution for this country
• The system of majority rule has failed.
• Differences in culture will eventually give rise to conflict unless people from the different cultures feel a sense of entitlement.
• There are five main cultural groupings in South Africa; African, Caucasian, Coloured, Indian and Koi-San.
• The culture groupings are further divided into distinct sub-cultures such as, with Africans; Zulu, Xhosa, Tshwana, Pedi, Venda, Sotho, and with Caucasians; Afrikaner, English, Portuguese, Greeks etc.
• That each grouping and sub-culture be given the space and opportunity to develop themselves into cohesive entities and so fulfil their ultimate potential, without undue interference and domination of one over the other.
• That if we do not create a sense of belonging and common responsibility we will eventually destroy the very fabric of our different communities which ultimately will result in the destruction of society as a whole.

A Three-tier system
In order to facilitate the co-existence and co-operation between the different cultures, we suggest the following:

• The first or local tier is defined as an autonomous community that is responsible for its own development. The shape and the make-up of the community is decided by the community itself.
• The second tier is comprised of an elected body where the different communities in tier 1, who wish to co-operate as a collective, appoint representatives and combine resources to implement common goals decided on by them.
• The communities, making up the first tier, also elect representatives to the third tier, which is a body, that through consensus, negotiate common objectives with all communities, for the benefit of the country as a whole.

South Africa, and we are going to include Africa, have to recognise their responsibility to come up with a system that offers solutions for their own unique problems. We have to retain that which is good from the past and the present, and develop it into a system that will best address the future needs of our societies.

As South Africans we cannot afford (as has happened in other countries in Africa), to discard, to our detriment, anything that has helped in the development of the country as a whole. We need only recognise the history and contribution of the indigenous peoples of Africa, as well as realise that unless we recognise the history and contribution of those that have formed part of Africa over the past, more than three hundred years, we stand to risk losing everything that has been established during this time.

It is the responsibility of an enlightened government to recognise all homogenous groupings and the role they have played in the development of the country.

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