Tag Archives: David de Bruyn

Gender-Based Violence: A National Disaster?

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— David de Bruyn

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

In the run-up to the G20 conference, various lobbyists in South Africa were calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare Gender-Based Violence a “national disaster”. Eventually, this was conceded, and the Department of Social Development posted the announcement on its website

What is meant by this declaration? What difference will it make? And what does it say about the beliefs of a large number of South Africans?

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African Media: The Flight From Truth

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–– David de Bruyn

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

The past few weeks have moved South Africa into the international spotlight as U.S. President Donald Trump accused South Africa of expropriating property and mistreating various groups. He then offered a form of refugee status to Afrikaner farmers affected by the South African government’s actions.

This produced howls of opposition and derision from liberal media and commentators in South Africa, variously accusing the American administration of lying, deceit and, unsurprisingly, racism. People were quick to ‘fact-check’ the U.S. President and respond with everything from crying foul to thumbing their nose at the cancellation of U.S. money sent to South Africa. Conservatives applauded the U.S. for finally revealing the racism in South African politics and law.

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From Kings to Courts: Does the Bible Support Any Government System?

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–– David de Bruyn

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

The recent riots in Kenya is another example of the weakness of governments in Africa. The failure of governments in Africa regularly make the news. Whether it is corruption, neglect, incompetence, or outright scandal, Africans long for better governments. But what makes for good government, according to Scripture?

Government is meant to serve the good of its people. As Romans 13:4 puts it, “The civil authority is God’s servant for your good.” But what does this actually look like? What should government protect and promote, and what principles should guide its structure? 

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How Merry Should Your Christmas Be? A Christian View of Drinking 

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–– David de Bruyn & Tim Cantrell

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

The holiday season is fast approaching, with all of its blessings but also its dangers – of which one of the most notorious and widespread is the abuse of alcohol.  It was more common in my father’s generation for Christians to stand firm and swim upstream as teetotallers who abstained from alcohol.  But in our day, a trendy ‘Young, Restless & Reformed’ generation has arisen and at times foolishly flaunted their liberties in an effort to be more contextualised and hip with the culture.  A hyper-grace (antinomian) mood has fallen on the modern church and calls a “legalist” anyone who makes you uncomfortable in their zeal for holiness.

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What Does A Trump Win Mean for Christians in Africa?

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–– David de Bruyn

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Donald Trump is a divisive figure. Reactions to his victory in the U.S. Presidential election are usually polarised: some seem to celebrate it, and others appear to mourn it. But what will a Donald Trump presidency mean for Africa, and for Christians in Africa in general?

Some have pointed out that many American Christians voted for Donald Trump not for what he was, but for what he was not. In the last four years, the Democratic Party has pushed further left, endorsing and promoting aggressively progressive agendas. These include a radically pro-abortion stance, the promotion and protection of transgenderism in sport, public life and even in families, an anti-Israel stance and a tolerance of incipient anti-semitism. The Biden Administration’s attitude towards the border and immigrants revealed a hostility towards national sovereignty and a friendliness towards globalism.

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Xenophobia and the Christian

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–– David de Bruyn

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Recently, a contestant in the Miss South Africa pageant withdrew because of widespread hostility to her parentage. Chidimma Adetshina, who was born in Johannesburg began receiving widespread criticism and hostility because her father is Nigerian and her mother is Mozambican.

Hostility to foreign African workers and migrants has long been a South African problem. Widespread unemployment has made South Africans resentful of the millions of Africans who have made South Africa their home, often beginning businesses or occupying paid positions. So-called xenophobia (fear of foreigners) is often touted as a problem in South Africa. 

How should Christians view those who leave their nation and settle elsewhere?

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Does the Minimum Wage Protect Workers?

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–– David de Bruyn

Audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Because of Africa’s history of slavery and racial discrimination, African governments often believe it is their duty to protect labourers from exploitation. They believe one of the ways to do this is to enact and enforce minimum wage laws, forcing businesses and employers to pay labourers no less than a stipulated amount. 

On the surface, this seems fair. After all, shouldn’t governments stop greedy businesses from exploiting desperate people? 

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A Biblical Guide to Voting

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–– David de Bruyn

Audio version of this article available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

This year sees a number of crucial elections around the world: Taiwan, Pakistan, Russia, the United States, and South Africa among others. All in all, at least 64 countries will vote for government, including 18 African countries. 

When Christians vote, they are exercising a right given to citizens of a democratic state: they are requesting certain persons to be their government. And since Christians answer to God first, their vote must represent a request for a government that obeys God’s mandate for human government.

The Bible lays certain obligations on all human governments. Any political party that refuses or neglects to do these things is disobeying God, and a vote to support them is essentially a Christian ignoring his or her Father’s explicit will for human government. 

So what does God expect from human government?

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The Dangers of Gaming

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–– David de Bruyn

Listen and subscribe: Youtube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Amidst much economic downturn, one industry that is thriving in South Africa is gaming and e-sports. The Price-Waterhouse-Cooper Africa Entertainment and Media Outlook reported that South Africa’s gaming and e-sports increased its revenue by 30% in 2022, and leads both Kenyan and Nigerian markets. Although power cuts, slow rollout of 5G, and poor quality networks have hampered growth, Africa’s mobile-first landscape has allowed for quicker adoption of digital currencies. E-sports and gaming often use digital currencies for betting and in-game purchases. 

Worldwide, the gaming industry makes more money than the film and music industries combined. In 2021, the gaming world brought in over $180 billion. Companies such as Facebook and Google have invested billions of dollars into Virtual Reality, which is certain to become a major part of gaming in the next 5-10 years. 

Although using games for harmless diversion and amusement may be a lawful use of leisure for Christians, there are some real spiritual dangers associated with gaming. 

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TARIF: No Satellite Internet For South Africa Because of Racial Quotas

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The Africa Review in Five highlights African current affairs from a Christian perspective. Listen and subscribe through Youtube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Today is Tuesday, August 8th, A.D. 2023. This is The Africa Review in Five, written by David de Bruyn and presented by Yamikani Katunga.

No Satellite Internet For South Africa Because of Racial Quotas

Elon Musk’s company Starlink, provides high-quality internet service via satellite to most places on earth. Many African countries have signed agreements with Starlink including Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Mozambique. It is likely that most of the African continent will have issued licenses to Starlink by the end of 2024. But not South Africa.

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