How honest is the jarring partisanship instigated by Pastor Ray McCauley? Would another church leader such as the archbishop of the Anglican Church have gotten away with inviting one political leader to their congregation in the middle on an election campaign? Maybe, but would anyone have gotten away with a blatant refusal to invite the other political leaders as we saw in the blatant refusal early this year, to invite the United Democratic Movement’s Bantu Holomisa to address the same congregation?
So, does it mean that the saved and worshiping faithful of Pastor Ray’s church are also all ANC faithful and that the expensive prayers of that congregation are reserved for the ruling party high ups? A lowly chap like Holomisa does not deserve their prayers apparently. How does McCauley explain to his faithful who happen to belong to the UDM, DA or Cope about this spiritually inspired political choice he has clearly made on their behalf? How does he explain this terribly partisan stance to them? This raises the question about how such a church is governed. Does it have some kind of a board or council with some influence over McCauley and if so how did such an action that surely brings the church into partisan disrepute pass their holy eyes? Why am I going back to this unholy episode?
Maybe it is because of the new high horse that McCauley is now climbing daring to challenge Tutu and those lead by Judge Kriegler to challenge the JSC on their poor and spineless handling of the Judge Hlophe matter recently.
I wonder quite frankly, is this because Tutu dared to challenge Zuma’s moral rectitude not so long ago? The criticism that was so well-deserved that Zuma himself acknowledged it recently as Tutu’s execution of his duty as the conscience of our nation. It boggles my mind why McCauley does not think that citizens like Tutu and Kriegler should be able, without undue insult, to take any matter on review to the highest court in the land the same way that the Zuma forum shopped our courts until he was acquitted of all wrongdoing. Why is it now wrong for other citizens to take up these matters with our courts to their hearts’ content? What assessment did the church according to McCauley conduct so quickly to arrive at the incredible determination that the actions of Tutu and Kriegler will lead to the undermining of the judiciary?
A determination that has not been forthcoming up to now? Me wonders, where was McCauley and his ilk when the judiciary was being threatened by Zuma supporters and the ANC top brass who unashamedly asked for (and received) a political solution for Zuma’s litany of cases? Where was McCauley when Blade Nzimande and his ilk called judges who found against the ANC last year apartheid apologists and thieves with no honour? Where was he when Vavi called the Human Rights Commission a kangaroo court when they sought to act against those threatening to kill for Zuma? Maybe these trivialities were no concern of our holy man. What about the current proposed laws that threaten to subject the courts to government or even those that threaten to make local government toothless and provincial governments non-existent?
I venture to suggest that while busy ingratiating himself to the new administration, it is important that he remembers the role that the church must play in being an honest broker of peace among polarised factions in our society and its role to truly safeguard institutions of our democratic dispensation when it truly matters not when it is the most popular thing to surmise. The manner in which the new religious forum was formed demonstrates that McCauley is ready to be sucked into a terrible partisanship that he started by patently favouring Zuma over his competitors during the elections.
On SAfm last week he failed under the incisive questioning of Xolani Gwala to explain why the establishment of the new body he now leads came as a surprise to the SACC with whom he participates in the religious leaders’ forum established by the previous administration. He went on to declare that the current body “does not represent the grassroots” a clear indication that there was a deliberate agenda to sideline one of the strongest voices of our faith in South Africa at the altar of political expediency. In the same interview he delivered judgment on the lack of efficacy of a body which he has been part of forever — he could not give an honest nor intelligent answer why these deficiencies he is pointing out could not be fixed in the old body. This state of affairs will frankly compromise the church, at least that part of the church represented by McCauley and his cohorts, in its mission to be the conscience of our nation.
It is quite frankly, total hypocrisy to be so selective about things that threaten our constitutional democracy in an attempt to please the powers that be. A long list of strange machinations of some in our governing party hopefully will one day earn the wrath of our hero of salvation.
Being an eternal optimist I believe that:
Maybe the workers who are trashing the streets, communities that are burning down public facilities and students who are destroying campuses will hear from him about cleanliness being next to godliness.
Maybe the civil servants who are paying themselves and their wives, families and friends with taxpayers’ money will hear from his holy self about the commandment “thou shall not steal”.
Maybe the soldiers who attacked the seat of government will hear from his Bible-stomping self about the respect for authority of the courts that interdicted them not to strike. Maybe Julius Malema who has roundly insulted women and at rape survivors and Tokyo Sexwale, who has called elderly women witches, will hear from his holy self about respecting elders and a common respect for women.
Maybe the commissioner of police who is preaching an eye for an eye policy of shoot to kill will hear from his grassroots loving self about building a forgiving and compassionate and not a blood-thirsty and trigger-happy society. Maybe his former spokesperson, who has now been promoted to speak for President Zuma, who sees nothing wrong with the terrible conflict of interest by civil servants who are stealing money from the public every day will hear from him about infusing some morality in the influential role of speaking on behalf of the highest office in the land.
Because more than Tutu and Kreigler’s challenge to the ineptness of the JSC, these and many acts by many high ups are more of a threat to our democracy and requires church men like him to stop the cosy act and speak out on moral issues that are facing our nation. Speaking truth to the powers that be requires the necessary distance perceived or real. It is sad that in the midst of our moral bankruptcy we can’t rely on men of the cloth like McCauley to rise above the petty partisanship and play the prophetic role for which they have been ordained. Maybe some nosy journalist must cut through the nonsense and explore his role during the apartheid years, maybe that will shed light about his insatiable need to ingratiate himself to the new powers that be — but that is a conversation for another day.
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53 Responses to “What is Pastor Ray up to?”
And, of course, we are expected to trust and believe whatever you say, (as “partial” & “none partisan” as it is) because you are (wait for it….a Political Advisor to COPE Parliamentary Leader, a reverend by religion, Dr Mvume Dandala.
Well said… I will add that mixing religion and politics is always quite tricky… the mixture can either be a great means to bring about positive change or it can ultimately ‘justify’ poor/criminal governance by the state.
Bravo. I’m tempted to ask - Where were you during Apartheid Pst. Ray? Coz I know where the SACC was! At the forefront of fighting oppression!
And indeed, where were you when the ANCs internal fighting took this country the brink? Where was he when Mugabe went crazy?
It’s simple really, most charismatic/ evangelical pastors of megachurches are autocrats. They believe that have divine revelation, they look down on older churches because they believe them to have no Holy Spirit. The entire agenda of many of these churches is defined by the politics of the religious American Right, out of which the contemporary global evangelical movement was born. Therefore their biggest concerns are not equality, freedom, and justice; their main concern is to defeat three groups - so-called:
- Queers, Feminists, Liberals.
I would like to openly label Pst Ray’s actions as HYPOCRITAL - He is a divorced Christian - this is a sin; who lives superlavish life in a country where modesty is the best way to regain our sense of moral footing in a culture of greed and hyperconsumerism; and has not yet once publicly criticised the President on choices which are clearly not Christian.
All he cares about is to advance an extreme Right Wing agenda because he is arrogant enough to believe God has given him all the authority as a Believer.
All due respect to the ordinary members of Rhema, but we will not allow your leader to hijack Simon Nkoli’s legacy from you all benefit!
If you are unsaved, you are not allowed within a 10-kilometer radius of our church, nor are you allowed in our goverment of the SAVED. Kindly leave, and be about the Devil’s Cope business, for you are not welcome at our church. Glory!
The old NP always had the three Dutch Reformed denominations squarely in their ideological corner and the ANC similarly has had all of the denominations in the SA Council of Churches in unconditional support. The fleas of organised religion routinely choose what they see as the fleshiest dog upon which to feed for best opportunity. And Ray McCauley has always been in the whole religion business for what’s going to make Ray’s personal riches gleam brighter. Hallelujah!
What amazes me is how a thoroughly mediocre snake-oil salesman like McCauley can get away with what he does in the name of ‘religion’. There should be a huge response to his interference in matters of state! South Africa is NOT a theocracy of any stripe. It is dangerous to mix politics with religion when both are founded on such dodgy assumptions.
Someone should remind the ‘Reverend Ray’ that religion is like SEX: BEST PRACTICED IN PRIVATE…
Apostle Paul cautions us to eschew the temptation to sell our birthright for a passing moment’s pleasure, in the manner of Esau, who, famished from fruitless days of hunting, was tricked by his younger twin into give him his firstborn status for a bowl of vegetable soup. The hunger will subside, but only to come back a few hours later. By the same token, the momentary satisfaction of being seen as the president’s confidante, over and above most citizens, will surely pass with Zuma falling into disfavour, as he wont; but Rhema will surely find it difficult to remove the stigma of having been partial to Zuma’s questionable leadership. Discern the spirits Oom Ray, discern the motives of your inner cycle. Did you deploy Vusi Mona to the presidency in order to create Zuma in God’s righteous image; or is the ruling party so desperate for the support of the church, the most critical of institutions, that they have bought your silence and acquiescence for the amoral? Are you the government’s Trojan horse? Or is Lazarus, Basi, Crizzelda, Baby J, the party’s Joshua and Caleb. Stadig, Pastor. If Chikane could….Don’t go there. I am not in a hurry to come to Sunday services at Rhema, whether in Randburg or Pimville.
In my opinion he is a charismatic fake. He could successfully sell real estate or insurance but he chooses instead to sell conscience relief to the spiritually empty who desperately want to be told they can carry on with their shallow lives by someone stronger than them. He chooses this business because there is more power and money in it and less competition - thankfully most people can’t fake indefinitely.
In a country where the truth is small beer this article is a welcome departure.
There is not one ‘leader’ in this country trying to motivate people to aspire to leading a godly life. There has not been for ages. Thabo Mbeki’s regime appeared to wage a cultural war against Christian values. A search for truth is taboo, to speak the truth frowned upon.
Abandoning 6 million of the people they were responsible for to AIDS, the leprosy of our time, is simply one example of the godless, shameless ANC’s reckless disregard for the values ‘duty’ and ‘honour’, any kind of ’sense of responsibility’ for those whose interests they say they represent - call it noblesse oblige, if you will. Or Christian charity.
If everybody would simply treat the next person as created in the likeness of God ‘reconciliation’ and all the other feelgood cliches would be superfluous.
The ASA Board’s condonnation of Chuene’s lies is symptomatic of the moral malaise that is gripping this nation, that is part of the social fabric of deceit and dishonesty woven by the godless shameless ANC and its ruling elites. Ray is toadying to that lot who see no inconsistency between a Bible on the bedside table, and that bed being on bricks.
Who said ‘to speak the truth is a revolutionary act’?
I want to predict that we will one day draw crosses next to the name ‘Tabane’ on a ballot - representing the ACDP!
Ray McCauley starts his own church and makes a fortune out of gullible idiots. Why would you expect anything but hypocritical behaviour from this dity monegrubbing self-proclaimed “pastor”.
He fits in perfectly with the corrupt culture of the ANC. It’s about the money and the power stupid.
Simple Siphiwo appears to fall into the same category of ethically challenged individuals if he support McCrawly.
It has nothing to do with religion or ethics or moral government. This man wouldn’t know morality if it bit him in his formerly firm buttocks.
Strange!
A white writes the filth of society, critics will exclaim….’becoz u r white’. And now, good observations here….and there we go….because ‘you are a COPE supporter’.Pliz.
Lets give credit where its due.
Good observations JJ.
I’m not aligned to any church but I do recognise the extent to which they have a hand in governing the masses. (This has been the case as long as human history exists itself).
Therefore if I read your account of the REMA and McCauly’s doings and his implicit aspirations, I should perhaps not be surprised –but I am nevertheless.
Thanks very much Onkgopotse for your eye opening piece.
I will see the charismatic (because he really is very good at his game) Ray in a whole new light from now on.
@Paul Whelan,
So basically you say that it isn’t wrong that a (well heeled) church such as Rhema has substantial influence with our government, (even if there are huge question marks hanging above said government in terms of corruption and subversion of the very constitution) –as long as some of us here know about it?
And also not even so if said church is most uneven handed and opportunistic in increasing that influence evermore?
Remember that what some (even most of us know) will not dissuade the government from doing pretty much what it can get away with –which is a lot as you know.
(By the way are you perhaps related to one of our attorneys; there seems to be a resemblance to Peter?)
@George Makola - me too, George, me too!
Last year, there were reports about the Good Pastor’s reidiculous expenditure - R25 000 on restaurant bills on a credit card the church pays for. etc. Would love to know if this kind of corrupt behaviour is just swept under the carpet by churhc management?
It seems the campagning for 2011 municipal elections has started.The party that the writer belongs to, does have its share of reverends and archbishops emeritus.For him to suggest that Arch Bishop Tutu and Former Judge Krigler are just upright citizens with no partisan interests in power contest is naive if not plain intellectual dishonesty. Since when does a religious leader appropriate the right to himself to judge the moral standing of others?
Another great article - well done. What a pity the Rhema Church is never investigated and exposed. (Pastor) Ray’s fake concern for the poor is evident by his lifestyle, what happened to “Practise what you preach”? perhaps he does - except that his is a fake gospel of prosperity r those who believe in the “Word according to Ray”.
THe Rhema Church offers a goldmine to investigative journalists - get digging!
“Zuma forum shopped our courts until he was acquitted of all wrongdoing.”
I agree wholeheartedly with your article. Well said. One small point of fact that in no way negates your overall message. Zuma was NOT acquitted of all wrongdoing. Acquittal is something that happens in a court after a court has considered the evidence. In Zuma’s case, political machinations and appointment of a cadre resulted in a hugely flawed decision by the acting head of the NPA to drop charges.
Usually, I dont have an opinion about church but I once made my way to Rhema and lordy lordy lord was it sensational. The fact that people take this Ray McCauley dude so seriously and honestly believe that a man of the cloth who also happens to be a total hypocrite is actually a conduit into the Almighty’s hands. The man is shady, and his sudden favourable opinion is shady, and those who choose to reduce JJ’s comment down to nothing more than the opposition whining should go back to the basics of learning what it is that Pastor Ray is meant to represent in society, and not the dynamics between COPE and ANC. Really dude, get with the times.
Awesome article JJ - somethingt is definetley ‘rotten in Denmark’ & McCauley will have to answer to the SA people as well as the God that he claims to represent. I hope for his sake & ours, his conscience is clear, but the covert dealings so far indicate otherwise. Great point Alto - too many South Africans have been mislead about this fact!
@siphiwe and sipho, lets tone down the party loyalty and perhaps try to discuss the points made by the article. In a democracy, politicians/parties should be loyal to people… as opposed to people being loyal to politicians/parties. As I mentioned earlier, mixing religiion and politics is messy and is probably best not done. The analogy between Desmond Tutu and Ray McCauley is not accurate. Ray McCauley tried to use spirituality and religion to support Zuma’s political ambitions. This is were I think it gets tricky…. suggesting that somehow Zuma is the ‘divine’ choice for leader is misuse of religion. Many a despot have used religion in the same manner. Desmond Tutu however uses a sense of morality inspired by religion to criticize leadership on specific social/economic issues were leadership is felt to be lacking or has failed.
If Ray McCauley is seeking influence and all that goes with it, he will be best advised to side with govt. rather than against it. From the other side the advantage in a politician having a large congregation ‘delivered’ in support are obvious. This mutual interest of spiritual and terrestrial power goes back thousands of years and takes different forms at different times.
One way for it to be weakened is for people to be made aware of it and how it does not work in their interest long term. This article attempts to do that, whether or not it is also ‘politically motivated’.
Only a small minority seem to see any harm in the Rhema Church supporting Zuma and vice versa and very few indeed objected to Zuma addressing their congregation during the election and walked out to show it.
SA is a religious country and a monocracy. It is hard to see at this stage what more can be done about it except to expose the matter.
Very interesting, if robust, debates here. You really stirred the bees’ nest. Seems you have a knack for bringing people out of the woodwork. Good work m’chana. The unbridled expression of opinion on an issue that could in other quarters be easily dismissed as mundane shows how observant, critical and cynical folks are. Good for democracy. Serves Vusi right. Tlaya gape ka mogagamola o mongwe, JJ.
So what happened to freedom of association or does it only apply when one associates with COPE. During the antiZuma campaign we had all sorts of pseudo memorial lectures in our universities and it all seemed normal to Mr Tabane. When one youth league leader claimed that he registered for a law degree at a distance education university, a spokesperson of the said university was promptly dispatched to refute the claim of the youth leader. When the said youth leader was a thorn to Mr Tabane’s side, his matric results were leaked and published. It all seemed normal to Mr Tabane.
Sipho Freedom of associatioin means that if i go to a Church i expect to associate with people who are at least honest. So if I am subjected to someon with a dubiuous pursuation who calls himself a pastor it is the first violation of such asscoiation. Secondly Such association means that I may also want to hear what the UDM has to say rather than have the ANC forced down my throat..This is what happened in this case. You must learn to have a decent debate and not think that simply taking a port shot at an argument qualifies for engagement. Now can we hear whether yuo believe that religious bodies must be abused in the manner that Pastor Ray has edone rather than this incoherent response to a debate. What on earth has COPE got to do with this straightforward pointing out of an apparent rotten conduct in what is supposed to be a man of God?
Yours Frankly,
Onkgopotse
Siphiwo…I wish you could debate. i wish that on you truly. I never claim to be non partisan nor impartial. I use this platform to share my views frankly..such views are mine alone and are not sanctioned by anyone. It is a sort of freedom I have to cut through the nonsense and say exactly what I believe…u will find however that my views are consistent…and not out of sink with what I have declred publicly that I believe politically - this is different from being a COPE lacky or mouth piece something I am not - Wait for more posts here to see that…I hopld no brief for COPE or anyone for that matter. the sooner you accept that the sooner you can start engagingw even with my so called partisan views - their partisanship does not make them less of views to be engaged intelligently and not via a shortcut of political labelling. Quite Frankly people like you cheapen forums of this nature where we expect robust engagement and not jeering and howling……Now what are your views on the subject matter again??
Yours Frankly
“Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion”
From there it was a small step to his founding the Church of Scientology and making himself many a million dollars.
Pastor Ray learned that lesson well.
Obi you’re missing the point. Rev Dandala was ropped into the party leadership because of his assumed moral uprightness.Arch Tutu expressed his concerned about how he’d explain Zuma in the streets of America. Surely this had nothing to do with South Africans.
Mr Tabane seem to be pleading for COPE’s exclusive use of religion to achieve political goals. There are so many churches that he can recruit to his cause but why choose Rhema.Didn’t leaders of his party go to Moria? Didn’t some Anglican minister who doubles as a university chancellor, endorse Mr Tabane’s party?
“Didn’t some Anglican minister who doubles as a university chancellor, endorse Mr Tabane’s party?”
In fact, another convicted fraudster who also happens to be a ‘man of cloth’ (from Cape Town), a prominent leader in Shikota, is being ignored–from this in depth scrutiny or analysis afforded to Pastor Ray–by Mr Tabane.
Talk about double standards.
Anyway, Mr Tabane has just pronounced that we should “Wait for more posts here to see that…I hopld no brief for COPE or anyone for that matter.” So perhaps we should give him one more chance to see whether he’s not indeed a party lackey.
@Paul Whelan,
Of course from the good pastor’s perspective it would be good to side with the government of the day (which will actually last until the second coming –or so they say).
ANYBODY who wishes to further his own interests will do well to the same –that is stating the obvious. (But if in doubt, ask those who got very wealthy, very influential by doing so.)
At issue here is the degree of eagerness and the methods shown by Rhema to ingratiate itself –it is simply way too much to be kosher, especially when SA is supposed to be a secular state.
That the ANC itself sees fit to hook in upon Rhema’s machinations, well that should not be much of a surprise to any observer of this august organisation.
I stated myself that religion has throughout the ages had a big influence upon governing the people; but an analysis shows that in most of the cases this was not for the benefit of the people at all. It stands to reason that the schemes at hand are to further Ray and his gang’s interest –not those of the people.
And you are probably right when you say few see harm in Rhema’s objectives –hey, until a few days ago I was oblivious myself.
Still does not make it kosher –actually I think it downright sinister.
@ Sipho,
You asked: “Since when does a religious leader appropriate the right to himself to judge the moral standing of others?”
Since ever, that’s their job.
Religions and their leaders –for better or worse- have always been the custodians of others’ morals. (Not necessarily of their moral STANDING; a little misnomer there.)
If the issues are deemed important, then commenting on the conduct of those who are not affiliates of a particular religion, is normal practice.
But so is commenting by the media or even bloggists.
Actually the important right to voice such judgement is protected by the Constitution as well; it is not “appropriated” but rather “implicitly owned”.
Nobody should have a problem with that right.
@Twannie, I’ve always thought that God is the only one who is the to judge. All others have to preach his word and hope that people will listen. Otherwise we are going back to the era of crusaders where we have to beat people onto religious submission.
@JJ Tabane, it’s unfortunate that you respond to uncomfortable questions by trying to undermine the poser of the questions. For me it’s a basic principle of balancing the equation in a debate. If you raise a concern about something you need to look around you first and take all the factors into consideration, even if these factors implicate you. Mr Tabane unfortunately COPE is the monkey on your back, whatever you say cannot be completely divorced from your contest for power.Are you a member of Rhema if not, why not? What makes you think most members of Rhema would like to be addressed by Mr Holomisa or Mr Buthelezi for that matter?
By the way,is is pure coincidence that you’re not taking issues with those who are praising your blog?
@ JJ Tabane, freedom of association also mean Zuma chose to associate with Rhema on the said day and some members of Rhema chose to disassociate with him on the said day. I’m not sure how many Rhema members change their entrenched views (positive or negative)on Zuma just because he addressed them. If they find McCauley’s actions unacceptable why are they still in the church and what business of yours to speak on their behalf.
Sipho!
First of all your sentiment that COPE is a ‘monkey on my back” is a pure excuse to always refuse to engage with what I place here and paint it with a COPE brush….the reality is I DONT call a mass meeting of COPE before i express views here. In fact many COPE members may not agree with my sentiments. This is thought leader if you cant handle views of people just because you see an imaginary monkey on their backs each time they open their mouths that is your problem. Frankly I dont give a damn. And I dont give a damn also about the monkey on your back I care about what proceeds from your brain and often and so far it is just prejudice that does not amount to intellectual discourse. The issue is:
* The Church must be impartial and must be the conscience of the nation. To do this it cannot cosy up to government, full stop.
* Mr Ray was wrong to invite one party and not others. This is poor judgement on his part.
* Three PASTOR ray must be a lot more consistent and speak out publicly against various sectors of society that are doinga all sorts of things that ‘threated democracy’ .
Now what has these things got to do with COPE and its monkey bla bla ….learn to debate man and not waste space bitching about people’s politcal affiliations…….
Sometime I think you play dumb deliberately. Why on earth would I take issue with someone who ‘praises my blog’ - what would I say to them. A debate is most enriched not by patting each other on the back but by sharpening the contradictions in discourse…..so I will take issue with those who choose - like you excell in - to deliberately miss the point of my post or who seek clarity on what I have said….I will not waste time commenting on post of people who are agreeable unless such posting of mine will add value - this is thought leader deabte platform not a chat room……So sorry if u expected me to comment on those that agree with me - have no inclination to do that…..
@Sipho,
The Biblical “let he whom is without sin cast the first stone” should never be used as a cop out in that it would forbid us to use our own judgment or would remove from us the right to point out wrongdoings. By that logic we’d end up with total anarchy.
But clearly it suits you to allow certain parties to harbour sinister plans and to stifle protests thereto from others.
I do not want take away from you the right to try so, but you’ll have to expect that other will judge this to be for what it is: a cheap ploy to subvert fair comment.
@Paul Whelan, I’m glad that in principle we agree about most matters concerned. But we disagree apparently on one important point: to take much for granted in what is essential a suspect democratic system may result in ending up with a failed democratic system. You think there is nothing wrong with the Ray-JZ alliance; I think that it is just another way in which the rot manifests itself.
Failing to be vigilant (or indignant) about such matters may turn out be costly.
But granted, “normally” such a cooperation would be almost de rigueur.
One has to keep an eye on the career of William Wilberforce, the man who led Britain to become the first nation in history to renounce the slave trade of its own initiative. A very religious man Wilberforce advocated the separation of Church and state whilst advocating Christian issues from his platform as a Member of Parliament. This was not a contradiction, the Church as an organisation should never be controlled by the state. The African Christian Democratic Party who were also denied an election message at McCauley’s pulpit, know this and take their faith into the public square but do not advocate Church control of Government nor Government control of the church. In order to seek a platform of influence Pastor Ray has sold the religious iodeals of his part of the Church to the state, to serve a totaliterian god. (Note small g) He has not advocated a state and government that actually honours God (Capital) in it’s ethics, morality and humanity. Shame on a Church organisation that has become a department of the temporal authority.
@JJ Tabane: 1.Why should the church be impartial? 2. What is wrong with Mr McCauley choosing his own guests to his own church?
3. What is wrong with inconsistency, isn’t life made up of contradictions?
4. Do you want to tell me you take whatever praise comes your way?
It would be great if you can honestly address these questions instead of personal attack.
Thought Leader is not a library or a class room it is a debate forum I have put my argument about why it is not desirable for a churchman to be partial if u believe differently argue and not just pose intellectually lazy questioins.
The rest of yuor questions are frankly not worth my time. You can answer them yourself.
Your inputs belong to a high school debating society. Frankly I dont have the time for meaningless engagement.
@JJ Tabane,exactly my point. thinking is an integral part of debate. Anyone can throw around platitudes and get a fair amount of non thinking persons to agree with him. the fact that you honestly believe in something doesn’t necessarily make it right. I raise these to help you to think critically about your points of reference. I can easily ignore you like I normally do with other bloggers who throw socialised platitudes around.
By the way I’m not a member nor a supporter of the ANC. Unfortunately I don’t just accept any criticism of the party, people still need to work hard to make believe in them. Throwing slogans around doesn’t do it for me. That’s exactly why I haven’t joined any party.
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Onkgopotse JJ Tabane is the political adviser to Cope's parliamentary leader. He writes in his personal capacity.
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Onkgopotse JJ Tabane is a Media and Communications Specialist who has become a public commentator on a wide range of socio political issues over the last decade.
He has cut his teeth in both Government and Private Sector as a top communicator winning awards such as the Government Communicator of the year in 2002 and holding senior positions such as Ministerial Spokesperson for various ministers, Head of Ministry of Environmental Affairs, Communications Advisor to the Chamber of Mines Communications Vice President and General Manager at South African Airways as well as Chief Executive of Graphicor and Simeka Communications. He has also held a senior corporate affairs Job at Top Electonic Company Altron where he was in Charge of the company’s Transformation Programme and Corporate Social Investment.
When COPE was formed in 2008 Tabane quit his Corporate Job to Join COPE as their Head of Communications leading up to the 2009 General election. Today amongst his many activities he is Political Advisor to COPE Parliamentary Leader Dr Mvume Dandala and occasional contributor to many publications. He has also served on various boards of directors including as a member of the Gauteng Tourism Authority, Johannesburg Tourism Authority and until recently chaired the board of the Indalo Yethu Environmental Campaign.
He is still a member of the Northwest University Council where he is serving his second term. JJ Tabane is widely known for his forthright manner of debate and fearless tackling of public commentary since his student days where he was SRC President and Vice President at the Universities of the North and Western Cape where he qualified in Law and Politics. He holds a BA,( UNIN), BPROC (UWC) and Masters in Political Economy (NMMU).
He is married to Lorraine Ditshedi Tabane and has two children, Oreabetse (3) and Resego (12).
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So Public Enterprises Minister Barbara Hogan has done it again. After a shocking indifference across the ANC on the Chancellor House/Eskom scandal, sh...
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And, of course, we are expected to trust and believe whatever you say, (as “partial” & “none partisan” as it is) because you are (wait for it….a Political Advisor to COPE Parliamentary Leader, a reverend by religion, Dr Mvume Dandala.
Ja, ne.
Hands off Pastor Ray !
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