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Faith and Courage: Praying with Mandela
We thank you for the inspiration and strength that you have given to Madiba, enabling him, over so many years, to draw out the best in others, rousing us always, by word and example, to seek the highest good for every child of this nation. So prayed Archbishop Thabo Makgoba with Nelson Mandela in his home in 2009, in response to the request of Madiba's wife, Graça Machel. This moment marked the beginning of a moving relationship between southern Africa's Anglican leader and Mandela until his death in 2013. Join Makgoba on his journey towards faith - from his boyhood in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg, as the son of a ZCC pastor, to Bishopscourt and spending time with Mandela. The archbishop reveals his pastoral approach to this world icon, and writes eloquently about the influence Mandela had on his ministry to church and nation. What did praying with those nearest and dearest to Mandela mean? What was Madiba’s spirituality? In trying to answer these fascinating questions, Makgoba opens a window on the spiritual life of South Africa.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published August 16, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 26, 2019
The very title will put a lot of people off reading this book, and that is a shame. It is Archbishop Thabo Makgoba’s account of the last years of Nelson Mandela, and of the relationship that was built up between the two men during those final years. Of course, it is a one-sided account, as it is the view of only one of the participants. The other is not alive to confirm what is being said, and may not have agreed with it at all. That, however, is not relevant. We can take Thabo Makgoba’s honesty as a given. This account is as near to the truth as he can possibly get.
All of this is a necessary caveat, simply because the title will make some people react with either indifference or outright hostility. They will not want to read a book whose title includes the words “faith” and “praying”. That would be a mistake. Anyone who wishes some kind of insight into the development of politics in South Africa should read this book. It is not just about an old man on his deathbed seeking some kind of spiritual comfort. It is also about the life, achievements and legacy of Nelson Mandela and how Jacob Zuma, in particular, has not been of the stature to carry that legacy forward.
It also tells you something of the life of Thabo Makgoba. Hr grew up in and went to school in Alexandra and c1976 his family moved to Soweto. He did not change schools, but travelled across Johannesburg to his school in Alexandra This is important, because it meant that he did not take part in the Soweto Uprising on 16th June 1976. The schools in Alexandra did not join the uprising until two days later. So, Thabo Makgoba was part of the generation that grew up influenced by Steve Biko and the Black Consciousness Movement. He was one of the schoolchildren who took on the might of the apartheid state, and whose challenge proved to be the beginning of the end for the racist, apartheid state. The book outlines Makgoba’s struggle credentials, and that is important because it shows that he had a role in the resistance to apartheid which would have won him Mandela’s confidence.
Makgoba grew up in a family that had a tradition of resistance. One of his ancestors, Kgosi Makgoba, led one of the last wars of resistance against the expansion of the British Empire in southern Africa. Makgoba’s Kloof was taken from his people as part of the general dispossession of Black people under the terms of the 1913 Land Act. Thabo Makgoba became involved in student politics when he went to Turfloop in 1981. He was a member of the Anglican Society and, inspired by the example of Desmond Tutu, that organisation became involved in the struggle against apartheid. It was during this period that he discovered his vocation for the priesthood and was admitted for training.
He recounts his clerical career succinctly because it is not the main theme of the book. I think that he may also have recognised that it will lack interest to people who have little or no religious inclination. He tells of how he became Bishop of Grahamstown and spent a lot of time travelling Mandela’ beloved Eastern Cape. He tells of one occasion when, travelling the road from East London to Mthatha, he saw a python, which he described as beautiful. As someone who has travelled that road on more than one occasion, I do not find that reassuring.
One of the main themes of the book, however, is the corruption that became endemic in South Africa under the Presidency of Jacob Zuma. [This is not to say that there was not corruption in post-1994 South Africa, because it was inherited from apartheid and the bantustans]. Makgoba rages, like an Old Testament prophet, against corruption. His address to a “Procession of Witness”, which is included as one of the appendices, is well worth reading. The book, and the speeches quoted in it, was written before Zuma appeared before the Zondo Commission. It would be interesting to hear what Makgoba makes of that testimony.
This is an important book. It is a summation of the current state of South Africa in relation to Mandela’s career and his legacy. Of course, it is about bringing comfort to an old and dying man. That man, however, was not a fool and the comfort offered was that, in a resonant South African phrase, others would “take up the spear”.
That is the task that this book calls on us to do – to take up Mandela’s spear. It will require thousands of us to do that, but it is not a task that we can shirk. Amandla awethu!
All of this is a necessary caveat, simply because the title will make some people react with either indifference or outright hostility. They will not want to read a book whose title includes the words “faith” and “praying”. That would be a mistake. Anyone who wishes some kind of insight into the development of politics in South Africa should read this book. It is not just about an old man on his deathbed seeking some kind of spiritual comfort. It is also about the life, achievements and legacy of Nelson Mandela and how Jacob Zuma, in particular, has not been of the stature to carry that legacy forward.
It also tells you something of the life of Thabo Makgoba. Hr grew up in and went to school in Alexandra and c1976 his family moved to Soweto. He did not change schools, but travelled across Johannesburg to his school in Alexandra This is important, because it meant that he did not take part in the Soweto Uprising on 16th June 1976. The schools in Alexandra did not join the uprising until two days later. So, Thabo Makgoba was part of the generation that grew up influenced by Steve Biko and the Black Consciousness Movement. He was one of the schoolchildren who took on the might of the apartheid state, and whose challenge proved to be the beginning of the end for the racist, apartheid state. The book outlines Makgoba’s struggle credentials, and that is important because it shows that he had a role in the resistance to apartheid which would have won him Mandela’s confidence.
Makgoba grew up in a family that had a tradition of resistance. One of his ancestors, Kgosi Makgoba, led one of the last wars of resistance against the expansion of the British Empire in southern Africa. Makgoba’s Kloof was taken from his people as part of the general dispossession of Black people under the terms of the 1913 Land Act. Thabo Makgoba became involved in student politics when he went to Turfloop in 1981. He was a member of the Anglican Society and, inspired by the example of Desmond Tutu, that organisation became involved in the struggle against apartheid. It was during this period that he discovered his vocation for the priesthood and was admitted for training.
He recounts his clerical career succinctly because it is not the main theme of the book. I think that he may also have recognised that it will lack interest to people who have little or no religious inclination. He tells of how he became Bishop of Grahamstown and spent a lot of time travelling Mandela’ beloved Eastern Cape. He tells of one occasion when, travelling the road from East London to Mthatha, he saw a python, which he described as beautiful. As someone who has travelled that road on more than one occasion, I do not find that reassuring.
One of the main themes of the book, however, is the corruption that became endemic in South Africa under the Presidency of Jacob Zuma. [This is not to say that there was not corruption in post-1994 South Africa, because it was inherited from apartheid and the bantustans]. Makgoba rages, like an Old Testament prophet, against corruption. His address to a “Procession of Witness”, which is included as one of the appendices, is well worth reading. The book, and the speeches quoted in it, was written before Zuma appeared before the Zondo Commission. It would be interesting to hear what Makgoba makes of that testimony.
This is an important book. It is a summation of the current state of South Africa in relation to Mandela’s career and his legacy. Of course, it is about bringing comfort to an old and dying man. That man, however, was not a fool and the comfort offered was that, in a resonant South African phrase, others would “take up the spear”.
That is the task that this book calls on us to do – to take up Mandela’s spear. It will require thousands of us to do that, but it is not a task that we can shirk. Amandla awethu!
July 5, 2022
Extremely interesting autobiography. Makgoba goes into a lot of detail about his pastoral interactions with madiba and his family, and finishes with insightful reflections on Christianity in South Africa and in the world. He asks what role religion plays in the future, and a Christian understanding on reconciliation, how listening to others is a Christian duty, and essential to reconciling and creating a peaceful society. He reminds us how Christianity should be revolutionary, reminding me of Bonhoeffer. He gives interesting examples of Anglican and other Christian organisations opposed to apartheid, but i feel that it would be very interesting if he answered more clearly how much a role faith played in inspiring Mandela to challenge apartheid, however, he answers clearly how it inspired him to keep fighting and his attitude when he left prison. It would be interesting if he had a chapter dedicated to answering how much of a role religion played in ending apartheid, and inspiring organisations.
July 29, 2022
This book is a beautifully written autobiography/ history book/manifesto/prayer by Archbishop Thabo. The book is a personal account of the author's colourful life that eventually leads him to become one of Nelson Mandela's prayer warriors.
The book begins with the author's account of the dispossession of the Makgoba ancestral homend how he comes to terms with how the land was lost in his case.
The first part of the book looks at the author's life in the townships of Alexandra and Soweto, his coming to a choice of career as a church minister, and his career serving as a minister in the diocese of Johannesburg, St. Alban’s, and Christ the King, Sophia town and as Bishop of Queenstown and Grahamstown. The second part of the book discusses his relationship with Nelson Mandela and the Mandela family, praying for them and the relationship he builds in the quieting years. Particularly focusing on the lesson he learnt from Mandela regarding religion and reconciliation. Archbishop Thabo also takes time to share various references regarding historical events surrounding his life story, he also shares prayers for South Africa and the muse of this book: Nelson Mandela. The book is a beautiful reminder of what important role religion played in subduing apartheid and the role it continues to play in garnering peace. This book also highlights the need for healing for many South Africans in dealing with their apartheid past and is a "true reflection of how just naming the facts brings catharsis" to each individual.
The book begins with the author's account of the dispossession of the Makgoba ancestral homend how he comes to terms with how the land was lost in his case.
The first part of the book looks at the author's life in the townships of Alexandra and Soweto, his coming to a choice of career as a church minister, and his career serving as a minister in the diocese of Johannesburg, St. Alban’s, and Christ the King, Sophia town and as Bishop of Queenstown and Grahamstown. The second part of the book discusses his relationship with Nelson Mandela and the Mandela family, praying for them and the relationship he builds in the quieting years. Particularly focusing on the lesson he learnt from Mandela regarding religion and reconciliation. Archbishop Thabo also takes time to share various references regarding historical events surrounding his life story, he also shares prayers for South Africa and the muse of this book: Nelson Mandela. The book is a beautiful reminder of what important role religion played in subduing apartheid and the role it continues to play in garnering peace. This book also highlights the need for healing for many South Africans in dealing with their apartheid past and is a "true reflection of how just naming the facts brings catharsis" to each individual.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews