Tag Archives: The Africa Review In Five

The Two Worlds in Africa

Posted on by
1

–– Seth Meyers

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

Of the 80 members in the South African Tsonga churches, 15 members have full time jobs. Several of those 15 are informal jobs such as cleaning houses or selling snacks to school children, meaning that the pay is less than R2,000 ($110) per month or R66 ($3.70) per day. One man told me that he is 100% satisfied with the job he has had for a year because it pays R4,500 ($250) per month. Other members work from time to time doing hair, building, or cleaning when part time work presents itself. 

But that should be compared with a friend in Johannesburg South Africa who told me that it would be hard for a family to live with less than R30,000 ($1,666) per month. How could it be hard to live with 10 times more than other Christians are making? 

Continue reading →

A Christian Perspective on Male Circumcision Schools

Posted on by
Reply

–– Paul Schlehlein

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

Male circumcision schools are as common throughout sub-Saharan Africa as they are dangerous. Recently in Zambia, for example, forty-eight boys were rescued from a circumcision school after parents complained that their children had been abducted. In Malawi among the Yawo people, this rite of passage is called jando, marking a new era of sexual freedom.

Among the Tsongas in South Africa, it is called madlala. I have watched nearly two decades worth of coming home ceremonies, including the days I lived at the chief’s kraal when the boys were met with cheers from the community and dances from hordes of topless women. The father of a strong young Christian in our church tricked his son by capturing him in a vehicle and forcing him to attend the school. 

While differences in this practice vary widely between tribes and countries, I’d like to give a broad biblical perspective on male circumcision schools. 

Continue reading →

Concern Over Christianity’s ‘Growth’ in Africa—5 Common Marks of Rural Churches 

Posted on by
Reply

–– Seth Meyers

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

In war, the most important news and updates concern the conflict. The great reality beyond all others in Africa is the spiritual war where gazing angels are dazzled by the grace they see when true believers meet (Eph. 3:10). As we evaluate African churches, in this struggle over the souls of men some would say that Christianity in Africa is growing. But what is the nature of that Christianity? Should all of the growth be celebrated? Should missionaries pack up and be directed to other shores in this great battle? As one foot-soldier in the trenches on the Tsonga and Venda front in the northern part of South Africa, I report today on five marks that I have seen over and over in churches that use an African language. 

Continue reading →

TARIF: Sudanese Strife and the Climate Change Conundrum

Posted on by
Reply

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, July 18th, A.D. 2023. This is The Africa Review in Five, written by Mark Christopher and presented by Yamikani Katunga

Strife in Sudan

On April 15, 2023 fighting erupted in Sudan’s capital city of Khartoum. The fighting quickly spilled over into other regions of the troubled nation. After the overthrow of long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir in October 2021 there has been a power vacuum that has sparked growing tensions between the Sudanese Army and the rival para-military faction known as Rapid Support Forces (RSF). 

The carnage of Sudan’s war is beginning to mount and take its toll on the general population. There are the usual tragic reports of hunger, rape, disease, broken supply chains, and causalities with over 3000 deaths being recorded in the last few weeks alone. In recent days, there was a total communications blackout in Khartoum and the surrounding areas with residents forced to flee because of aerial bombings and tanks and soldiers fighting in the streets while rampant looting took place. It is estimated that 2.4 million Sudanese people have been displaced so far with refugees pouring into surrounding border countries like South Sudan, which has its own civil war uprising. 

Continue reading →

TARIF: Homosexuality Laws, Outlawing Protests, and Hyper-Inflation

Posted on by
1

Today’s episode is HERE. The Africa Review in Five highlights African current affairs from a Christian perspective. Listen and subscribe through Youtube, Apple podcasts, or Spotify.

TRANSCRIPT

Today is Friday, June 2nd, A.D. 2023 and this is The Africa Review in Five, written by Paul Schlehlein and presented by Yamikani Katunga

Ugandan Courage

This week Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed into law restrictions on homosexual behavior. The law does not criminalize homosexuality per se, but does advocate strict penalties for “aggravated homosexuality”, defined as sodomite activity with a person having HIV, as well as minors or those that are vulnerable.

Many around the world have condemned Uganda’s stand against homosexuality, saying it is an attack on human rights. The United States in particular has threatened economic consequences, with President Joe Biden calling the new law “…a tragic violation of human rights—one that is not worthy of the Ugandan people, and one that jeopardizes the prospects of critical economic growth for the entire country.”

Continue reading →