L I F E H AC K S F O R E X A M G LO R Y
SPRING EDITION 2016
J- S O M E T H I N G & T H E M I C A S A M U S I C L E G AC Y
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DIE AFRIKAANSE KWESSIE
POTCHEFSTROOM
D I G I TA L EDITION
SUMMER 2016
Y O U R C O M PA N I O N F O R T H E C H R I S T M A S S E A S O N
S C O P E M AG A Z I N E . C O. Z A
IDENTITY
INTRODUCING STUDENTS TO A BIGGER SCOPE OF OUR WORLD TODAY THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPEL.
TEAM
CONTRIBUTORS
Publishing Director - Jonathan Just Creative Director - Michael Just .. Publishing Coordinator - Zoe Ras Finance Manager - Brad Latre
Main Feature - Mikhail Manuel
Managing Editor - An-Mari Fouche
Engage - Hanke de Kock
Copy Editors - Hardus Ludick Proofreaders - Juanita Panther Designer - Waldo Raats Photographer - Louise-Mari Muller Videographer - Lizel van der Merwe Distribution Manager - Wian Nel .. Marketing Manager - Corniel Calitz
Paradigm Shift - Moses Phiri Reason - Peter du Plessis Resound - Joseph Gage Interview - Hardus Ludick My Story - Matthew Llewellyn
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Helpful Hints - Rina de Klerk, Suzilna Wepener
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FIRST WORD
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PERSPECTIVE
H E Y E V E R YO N E !
Finding your own identity is a lifelong journey. Every experience you have and choice you make shapes who you are and who you are destined to become. In the world in which we live, society tries it’s best to prescribe who we have to be and ‘staying true to yourself’ according to the world can be hard at times. Living out an identity within biblical guidelines is a matter of finding balance. So, how do you find that balance while
SPRING EDITION 2016
Varsity Pulse - Rina de Klerk
CONNECT WITH US:
When I heard that the theme of this issue would be on identity, my first thought was of the church – the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:27 states “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually” (NKJV). As Christians we believe we are all different. We each have our own God-given identity that comes with a specific purpose. But when people come together to do something for the glory of God, all of their talents and identities are combined to achieve something far greater than what we could ever accomplish alone.
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living out your personal, religious, cultural and even sexual identity? All of these questions are answered in this edition. We had the privilege of an interview with Professor Annette Combrink (see page 15) to ask her about her experiences. We also included some fun ideas to help you find your inner pliggie as we draw closer to exams (on page 20).
03 WHO D O YOU SAY I AM? 05 DIE AFRIKAANSE KWESSIE 06 LO OK UP 08 IS GOD OK WITH ME BEING GAY? 09 HOW D OES RELIGION SHAPE WHO YOU ARE?
REVIEWS 11 J’SOMETHING & THE MICASA MUSIC LEGACY 13 UNCOVERING UPCOMING ARTISTS 14 BEST BO OKS FOR YOUR MADIBAS
P U K K I - G R E E T I N G S,
TESTIFY 15 INTERVIEW: PROF. ANNETTE COMBRINK 17 MY STORY: MATTHEW LLEWELLYN
AN-MARI FOUCHE Managing Editor
Look for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.”
~
C.S LEWIS
SIMUNYE 18 ON-CAMPUS CHURCH COLLABORATION
S AV V Y S T U D E N T 19 POETRY, RECIPE & ART 20 LIFE HACKS FOR EXAM GLORY
ANY OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS PUBLICATION ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE PUBLISHER, SPONSORS, ADVERTISERS, OR SCOPE MAGAZINE.
MAIN FEATURE
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BY MIKHAIL MANUEL
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f you could describe who you are in ten seconds, what would you say? This is the question we asked a variety of students on six main university campuses across South Africa. We got a mixed bag of answers, some students more sure than others. In reality, however, our identity as humans is an extremely complex and convoluted issue – ten seconds not nearly long enough to do it justice!
Figuring out who you are is a process. It could take someone an entire lifetime to be able to say with confidence who they think they are. As students, this is a time of self-discovery where we can analyse and critique common-held beliefs and worldviews – framing the choices we make around what we believe to be fundamentally true. But how do we come to the point of knowing that some things are better for us than other things? And what are our motives behind the key decisions that we make which will determine who we are as people? A lot of the time we care so much about what others say or think about us that we form who we are based on society’s expectations of us. We crave others’ approval and praise, forgetting what our hearts desire most
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which is the love, freedom, joy, and peace that flow from relationship with God. In Mark 8:29, Jesus asked His disciples: “Who do you say I am?” He never asked them this question because he was unsure about His own identity, in need of affirmation, which is often the case with us. Instead, He wanted to make sure that they knew who He truly was and with what authority He was saying and doing the things He said and did. Peter answered Jesus’ question by stating that He is the Christ. Effectually, ‘Christ’ was Jesus’ title. The Greek derivation of ‘Christ’ is translated to mean the ‘Anointed One’ or the ‘Chosen One’. This was significant because the Old Testament prophets prophesied about a coming King that would set God’s people free. Isaiah predicted that “a King will reign in righteousness”1 and Daniel prophesied the “coming of an anointed one, a prince”2. Jesus’ time on earth was the fulfillment of many prophecies by many people over many centuries. To understand the purpose behind why Jesus came to earth, Paul tells us in a nutshell that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”3 I think each person will be able to understand these words by first deeply considering the state of their own heart. At the core of who we are is a yearning to feel loved and to live with
freedom, joy and peace. But these desires are never fully met because we are sinful, searching in all the wrong places for satisfaction and always coming away empty. To see the truth in that statement, we need only to look at any human rights issue in the world. You will find that the fundamental desire behind the fight for equality is a group of marginalised individuals wanting simply to feel loved, free, joyful and peaceful. My parents fought for these fundamental desires when they struggled against the Apartheid government. Gay rights movements around the world have fought for marriage equality for decades under the same auspices. Today, Fees Must Fall, Rhodes Must Fall, and every other student protest is a struggle for the same cause. Everyone wants to feel loved and live freely with joy and peace. God never intended for us to attain these fundamental desires by forcing social or government reform, or trusting in these things to save us from the problems we face. They will never fully be able to solve the real problem of sin in our hearts. Only Jesus can. This Messiah has made it possible for anyone to experience abundant life because He died so that our sins might be forgiven. He rose in victory over death and has promised to restore all things to how they were meant to be in God’s perfect world where “there will be
no more death or mourning or crying or pain”4. All who are called His children will be able to live with their Father forever. LOVE “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”5 Is it not true that we feel most loved when we are accepted unconditionally? I believe it to be the case. The Merriam Webster Dictionary mistakenly only describes love in terms of feelings, affection and emotions. But love is action. To love is to accept someone irrespective of their flaws, putting their needs and wants ahead of your own. “Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends.”6 That’s exactly what Jesus did for you and me and now He is calling us to do the same. FREEDOM The sense of freedom you have always yearned for will be fully realised. Picture Sarafina on stage in her black and white school uniform, afro hair and broad smile, the joy beaming in her eyes singing: “Freedom is coming tomorrow!” Sarafina sings with jubilation because she has declared that the oppression of Apartheid in South Africa will end. That song captures the joy that we ought to experience to an even greater degree when we know we have been forgiven and set free from sin. JOY You will have the utmost joy. In 2 Samuel 6, King David is described to be leaping, dancing and rejoicing before the Lord. David possessed a special relationship with God, one that was rare for the era in which he lived because few truly understood God’s love for His people.
Today, we too can have the same level of intimacy with God as David had, understanding the ultimate sacrifice God made for us in dying on the cross so that all can draw near to Him. That consistent relationship with God is what will bring you true joy. PEACE You will have peace. David writes, “He leads me besides still waters. He restores my soul.”7 Matthew Henry explains how this passage shows that God will not only provide us with rest but also with refreshment and delight. I can testify to this truth. I have always had trouble with clarity over the potential direction of my career and often fret over daily decisions. This verse helps me to remember that my true rest is found when remaining in His presence. Jesus is everything your heart has always yearned for; love, freedom, joy and peace. These deepest desires and where we go in search for them shapes who we are. Whether you regard yourself as an average Joe, plain Jane, freedom fighter, student activist, university executive, or sports hero – whoever you think you are – in God’s eyes you are more. You are His beloved son or daughter. “Who do you say I am?” A question Jesus is asking you today. However you answer won’t change who He is. But I can guarantee that once you have come to know the love, freedom, joy, and peace only He provides – it will change who you are forever. ENDNOTES:
AT THE CORE OF WHO WE ARE IS A YEARNING TO FEEL LOVED AND TO LIVE WITH FREEDOM, JOY AND PEACE.
1. Isaiah 32:1 2. Daniel 9:25 3. 1 Timothy 1:15 4. Revelation 21:4 5. Romans 8:1 6. John 15:13 7. Psalm 23:2-3
MIKHAIL MANUEL is a Development Consultant; he recently graduated from UCT and will be returning to do his Masters in 2017. He loves spending time with mates, reading novels and going for early morning runs.
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PERSPECTIVE
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KAMPUS KLOP
DEUR RINA DE KLERK frikaans is deesdae baie onder die vergrootglas, veral by universiteite. Daarom moet ons die vraag vra: is dit belangrik – en hoekom is dit belangrik?
Afrikaans is tans die tweede jongste Germaanse taal in die wêreld. Dit het binne ’n kwessie van byna 300 jaar van ’n kombuistaal tot ’n volwaardige taal ontwikkel. Dit staan vir geen ander taal in die wêreld terug nie, want dit is ook ’n erkende wetenskap taal. Dit is ook die 120ste grootste taal ter wêreld. Prof. Wannie Carstens, dosent in Afrikaans aan die NWU-Puk, sê dit klink wel nie so indrukwekkend nie, maar as jy in ag neem dat daar volgens statistieke 7 105 tale op aarde is, is 120ste nie te sleg vir ’n taal wat grootendeels net hier aan die onderpunt van Afrika gepraat word nie. Daar is ’n paar redes waarom mense met Afrikaans wil wegdoen. Een daarvan is dat dit die taal is wat met apartheid en Afrikanernasionalisme geassosieer word. Daar is sekerlik gronde daarvoor, maar dan moet ’n mens ook in ag neem dat die grootste gedeelte van Afrikaanssprekendes bruin mense is wat niks met die apartheidsbeleid te doen gehad het nie. Dus hou hierdie argument teen Afrikaans nie water nie, want dan straf jy ’n groep wat nie skuldig is nie.
Een van die ander redes waarom mense teen Afrikaans wil besluit is dat Engels die taal van die ekonomie is. Dit is in ’n redelike mate waar, maar as jy hierdie argument wil voer moet jy ook Mandaryns leer praat, want dit is ’n groter besigheidstaal as Engels. Baie Europese besigheidsmanne leer Mandaryns praat, omdat die Chinese so ’n groot invloed op die
DIT IS BAIE INTERESSANT DAT AFRIKAANSSPREKENDES AL HOE MEER ENGELS TOE NEIG OP AKADEMIESE VLAK, MAAR OP KULTUURVLAK BLY HULLE TOG GETROU AAN AFRIKAANS. Ekonomie het. Groot besigheidsmanne soos Anton Rupert het al baie sukses behaal met hulle besighede sonder dat hulle in Engels moes gaan studeer het daarvoor.
Afrikaans het ook die derde grootste getal moedertaalsprekers in SuidAfrika, naas Zulu en Xhosa. Met ander woorde is dit op moedertaal vlak eintlik groter as Engels.
Die slegte nuus is dat Afrikaanssprekende mense al hoe meer die geneigdheid toon om eerder Engels te ondersteun as Afrikaans. Afrikaanse mense skryf byvoorbeeld hulle kinders eerder by Engelse skole in as by Afrikaanse skole, want hulle glo dit sal beter wees vir hulle toekoms. Al hoe meer studente aan universiteite verkies eerder Engels as onderrigtaal bo Afrikaans. 05 SPRING EDITION 2016
In skerp kontras hiermee staan die toename in die gewildheid van Afrikaans musiek. Dit is tans een van die gewildste musiek genres in Suid-Afrika. Daar is selfs ’n nuwe swart Afrikaanse sanger wat deesdae groot opslae in die musiek bedryf maak. Refentse se hele aanslag is om te sê dat taal nie oor ras gaan nie. Op die webwerf madeliefiemakietie sê hy hy hou van Afrikaans en daarom sing hy dit. Die Afrikaans filmbedryf het ook ’n groot herlewing beleef vandat die fliek “Liefling” uitgekom het. Toe die fliek “As jy sing” waarin Bobby van Jaarsveld en Leah te siene was uitgekom het dit 40% meer kaartjies verkoop as Tom Hanks se “Captain Phillips” wat ook op dieselfde naweek uitgekom het. Dit is baie interessant dat Afrikaanssprekendes al hoe meer Engels toe neig op akademiese vlak, maar op kultuurvlak bly hulle tog getrou aan Afrikaans. En hierdie mense wat Afrikaans ondersteun is nie net oumense nie. Die musiek en films is nét so gewild onder die jonger Afrikaanssprekende geslag.
Prof. Carstens sê dat ’n taal hoë en lae funksies het. Hoë funksies van ’n taal sluit in onderrigtaal, taal wat in die staat gebruik word, ’n taal waarin daar kerk gehou word en as die taal in die media gebruik word, soos op ’n radiostasie of in gedrukte media. Die meeste van hierdie funksies van Afrikaans is nog aktief. Daar is nog een universiteit in Suid-Afrika wat as ’n Afrikaanse universiteit bekend staan, naamlik die NWU-PUK. Daar is nog beslis Afrikaanse kerke in Suid-Afrika waar daar elke Sondag minstens een Afrikaanse diens is. Ook die koerantberig staan nog sterk: behalwe vir die groot Afrikaanse koerante soos die Beeld of die Burger het byna elke gemeenskap ’n kleiner gemeenskapskoerant, soos byvoorbeeld die Overvaal wat wyd in Noord-Wes versprei word of die Brits-Pos in Brits se omgewing. Ongelukkig word Afrikaans nie meer baie in die parlement gebruik nie. Lae funksies behels dat die taal in huise gepraat word, en hierdie funksie het Afrikaans baie beslis nog. Afrikaans kan ook as evangelisasietaal gebruik word. Dit is baie goed om evangelisasiewerk in ’n persoon se moeder taal te doen – dit is hoekom daar so baie moeite gedoen word om die Bybel in alle tale te vertaal. En soos ons gesien het, is daar ’n redelike persentasie mense wat Afrikaans as moedertaal het.
As ’n mense na al die bostaande feite kyk is dit regtig nie nodig om negatief te wees oor Afrikaans se toekoms nie. Afrikaans is besig om van sy funksies te verloor, maar dit beteken nie dat Afrikaans besig is om uit te sterf nie. Die sprekers van die taal moet net weer vir hulle regte opstaan en aandring dat Afrikaans ’n groot genoeg taal in Suid-Afrika is om nog sy hoë funksies te behou en nie ’n tree agteruit te staan vir Engels nie. RINA DE KLERK is ‘n plaasmeisie wat in die Wolmaransstad omgewing grootgeword het. Sy het ‘n borrelende persoonlikheid en ‘n groot liefde vir haar medemense.
PERSPECTIVE
PARADIGM SHIFT
LOOK UP E ANS KW
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don’t know about you, but I sometimes wonder how much of our lives are a product of the culture we find ourselves in. It is a culture obsessed with living for the next big trend. Live for the moment, they say. But if you have a Creator who has made you for a purpose, could there be a higher calling He has for your life?
The Bible is replete with scripture revealing how we live selfpleasing, self-enhancing, and usually self-destructive lives. In Ephesians 2:1-3 Paul addresses the people of Ephesus and tells them that before they were united to Christ through His death and resurrection, they were separated from God, that is, they were dead in their trespasses and sins. This separation from God was made evident in their lives by their enslavement to three things.
THE PATTERN OF THIS WORLD Firstly, a slave to the world. What do I mean by this? When someone lives with no reference to God thinking that surely following God’s design is limiting, there is ironically less freedom than what that person thinks. Why is this so? Because everyone follows some kind of pattern which predominant culture in the world often dictates. It’s a clear sign of our age when, for example, we’ve seen fashion designers subtly dictate how many dress, usually disregarding all virtues of modesty. When the world spoke of ‘sexual liberty’, everyone went that direction. “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”1
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PARADIGM SHIFT
THE GREAT DECEIVER Secondly, they were enslaved by Satan. He is described as the prince of power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.2 If the Holy Spirit of God inspires obedience toward God in Christ, then evil spirits will inspire disobedience against God. This is the reason why some people honestly don’t know what to say when they are asked, “Why do you do the things you do?” Maybe you’ve never really thought about it before, but the devil is very much still active in the world. What he wants more than anything is to blind people to the reality of what Jesus did on the cross, and so keep them in his kingdom of darkness.
ME, MYSELF, AND I The third object of enslavement is to self. Paul tells us that before knowing God, we all lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind. There are many examples I could share, but for the mind it could be things like academic goals and ambition. There is nothing wrong in doing well with your studies and being ambitious, but to what end?
WHEN SOMEONE LIVES WITH NO REFERENCE TO GOD THINKING THAT SURELY , FOLLOWING GOD S DESIGN IS LIMITING, THERE IS IRONICALLY LESS FREEDOM THAN WHAT THAT PERSON THINKS. In Philippians 2:3 we read: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” It’s selfish ambition we need to be wary of, where intellectual pride can so easily creep in for all of us. Later on in Philippians 3:18-19 Paul again asserts: “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”
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How true is this of the society we live in today? So many idolise their image – their god is their body. Their main focus has become feeding and dressing it even though they probably won’t admit it. Their minds are fixed on earthly things that are passing away. But, as Albert N. Martin once poignantly said: “The cross radically disrupts the very centre and citadel of our lives and draws us from a commitment to serve self, to a commitment to serve Christ.”
YOUR SIN CAME AT A PRICE Ephesians 1:7 speaks about us having redemption through the blood of Jesus. Redemption, in the context of when this letter was written, was the buying back of slaves at a price. This is exactly what Jesus has done for those who realise that even though they are enslaved to the world, to Satan, and to themselves – He can set them free to live for more than the empty standards of our self-obsessed culture. To be truly free is to have the power from the Spirit to say no to the temptations that are there to bring you down. Look up! A great promise from 1 Corinthians 10:13 is that God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. “But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Christ has bought us back by His blood so that we can serve Him with the gifts He gives and pour ourselves out for others, just like He did for us.
LIVING FOR A NEW MASTER Once you take Christ for who He is, a right response to the cross is to put to death that which He died for. It’s about honestly examining the things that have taken the place of Him in your life, like sexual immorality, impurity, evil desires, and covetousness.3 And display or “clothe yourself” with more of His characteristics; compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and love. These don’t come naturally to most people, which is why they’re called the fruit of the Spirit. By ‘pruning’ away the dead branches of our sin, we will exalt more of Christ and less of ourselves. Maybe you’re reading this today and you’re just tired and worn out by all the empty promises you believed to be true from the world. Jesus has the following to say to you: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”4 This is the kind of Master worth serving who first gives all who come to Him rest for their souls and then shows them how they will live and work differently as a result. Come with your burdens and sins, come with your failures and shame, come to Him and He will give you rest for your soul. Look up! The King will be returning soon.
ENDNOTES: 1. Romans 12:2 2. See Ephesians 2:2 3. Colossians 3:5 4. Matthew 11:28-30
MOSES M. PHIRI is a 29 year old Christian living his life sold out to the Lord. He strives to express this life of devotion in his roles as a husband and a postgrad student in Biochemistry.
PERSPECTIVE
REASON
IS GOD OK WITH ME BEING GAY? BY PETER DU PLESSIS*
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hether you’re reading this as a Christian or not, the question above is one that I’m sure you’ve wondered about at some stage of your life.
Part of the problem in answering it is the constant bickering about terminology. For the purpose of this article, “gay” is taken to mean the expression of a homosexual attraction in homosexual acts – as opposed to a homosexual attraction without such acts. So what makes homosexual acts sinful? Besides the (infamous) passage in Genesis 19 about Sodom and Gomorrah, other passages also make God’s answer to our question clear. Leviticus 18:22 reads, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” If one were to doubt whether the Old Testament still applies, the New Testament confirms this teaching. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul writes: “Do not be deceived: neither sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
There is debate about the Greek words “malakoi” and “arsenokoitai”, translated in the ESV as “men who practice homosexuality” – some take this to mean only homosexual prostitues. However, there are considerable grounds1 to maintain that the ‘traditional’ (as opposed to revisionist) interpretation is correct, and that God does prohibit homosexual behaviour of all kinds. Romans 1:18-32 and 1 Timothy 1:8-10 support this, as does Matthew 19:4-5 where Jesus speaks about a man and woman becoming “one flesh” in marriage. But then, what about those of us who struggle with homosexual attraction? We didn’t choose this (as some believe). Are we still sinners by default? Are we abominations? Shall we not “inherit the kingdom of God”? I would say the answers lie in the texts themselves. In Leviticus 18, it is an abomination – not the sinner. And 1 Corinthians 6:11, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” If those who are tempted by the other sins mentioned in this passage were all excluded from God’s kingdom, instead of washed and justified in Christ, there would be no-one left! What then are the options available if we want to live according to the Bible’s blueprint for our sexuality? A relationship with Jesus
entails that we repent of our sin2, putting off the old self and putting on the new self.3 Romans 12:2 gives us three commands: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer”. In prayer, we should bring our hearts to God in repentance, admitting that we know that this isn’t what He wants for us, and asking Him to bring about the change in our minds. For some who struggle with homosexual attraction, their healing may be instantaneous. For others, it may be a life-long journey. It is sad that many have fallen prey to the current worldview in which expression of one’s sexuality takes centre stage. Many heterosexual couples forget who granted them their love, and that (heterosexual) marriage is not the only way to glorify God with one’s sexuality. What about singleness? As 1 Corinthians 7:36 puts it,“So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.” Can we think of someone who demonstrated how one could glorify God without marrying? A certain Someone, perhaps? Many non-Christians and Christians object to a life of celibacy saying that denying one’s identity is unhealthy and unfair. Of course, it is true that denying one’s identity is unhealthy – it’s actually much worse! But what is our identity as Christians, and can this only be expressed in heterosexual marriage? What ultimately matters according to Colossians 1:27 is the glorious reality of “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Celibacy, if that is what God calls us to, is therefore not a denial of our identity, but an affirmation thereof. This doesn’t mean that it is easy to not give expression to one’s sexuality in a sexual relationship, especially in a world that continuously bombards us with sexual imagery. However, I can personally testify that God’s grace abounds in countless other ways. Friendship (genuine friendship) and the communion with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, although not substitutes, are still just as much gifts from God as a romantic partner would be. So, is God okay with me being gay? No. But is there hope? Thanks to God’s grace: yes! ENDNOTES:
*PETER DU PLESSIS
1. http://www.livingout.org/the-bible-and-ssa 2. Matthew 3:2 3. Colossians 3:9-10 Writers on this subject: Sam Allberry, Matt Moore and Brent Bailey.
is a pseudonym
WHAT ABOUT THOSE OF US WHO STRUGGLE WITH HOMOSEXUAL ATTRACTION? SCOPEMAGAZINE.CO.ZA 08
PERSPECTIVE
ENGAGE
How Does Religion Who You Are? BY HANKE DE KOCK
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he moment I started thinking about this, I realised that this is an important question to anyone, no matter their religion or frame of belief. If we cannot address and speak about this openly, several other questions will remain unanswered. In my quest to see what other student think about this, I took a walk around campus and came across two ladies who were willing to be interviewed; the first from a Muslim viewpoint and the second who is a Christian. My interviews with them led me to compare the two to seek out the similarities as well as the differences. Savannah Roopa and Lana de Lange* were willing to answer some questions. The following is the interview I had with Savannah, a Muslim girl: Q1: What is the crux of your religion?
A: The crux of my religion is that there is only one God (Allah) and that Muhammad is the last prophet of God and that he is the only God there is. Q2: How does that manifest in your everyday life?
A: This means that I have to live according to my religion every day. It means that I have to act differently than my peers and respect my religion through my actions.
Q3: What kind of obstacles are there to living out your religious identity? A: As a Muslim I have certain traditions and rules to obey. I have to pray during certain hours of the day and it is difficult to pray when I have class during that time. The rules are very strict and have to be followed correctly and precisely. No drinking or smoking and women do not have a say about what they may or may not do. It is difficult to make friends because I have to be able to live out my religion with my friends. They have to respect me for who I am and for who and what I believe in, whether they share that same belief or not. This means I can’t go to a club or drink alcohol and that certain parties or activities with my friends aren’t
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allowed because of my religion. Not all of the Muslims on campus live by the same rules as I do, however. They act out and do what they want because their parents don’t know what they are doing. Religion, however, asks you to be true to it whether people can see you or not. It makes it difficult because people want to be friends with people who act just like them. I choose to be different and stay true to who I am and true to my religion. Every day has its challenges. Next was Lana de Lange, a Christian:
Q1: What is the crux of your religion?
A: The crux of my religion is that Jesus died for my sins on the cross so that I could receive everlasting life, because he was fully human and fully God. Q2: How does that manifest in your everyday life?
A: This entails that I have to live out my religion every day to show people who I believe in through my actions and my reactions.
Q3: What kind of obstacles are there to living out your religious identity? A: As a Christian I have certain rules and traditions to obey and live by. The rules are called laws: there are ten of them, pertaining to how one should live your life. I also try to follow in the Lord’s footsteps in my actions and reactions. The laws are very strict, but they entail certain things without implying that directly. Making friends and keeping them is difficult. I want to make and have friends who share and respect my moral values as well as the implications of my religion. I have to say no when people ask me if I want to go out
This is what I learned from these w different religions face both simila when living out their religion in the
Shape with them to a club or drink alcoholic beverages. I can’t go to certain parties or join some groups or do some activities because of my religion. I also see that some of my fellow Christians act out because of the freedom they are experiencing, because their parents are not aware of everything they do wrong – they are under the impression their children do what they do when they are at home. I find it difficult to keep my friends because they are not like me. I choose to stay true to myself, my religion and my roots. So, it would seem that the answers these ladies gave to Question 1 tells of the vast differences of their faiths. Muslims believe that Allah is the only God there is, and that he is immortal. Christians, on the other hand, believe that Jesus was both God and man, and that He died on a cross for our sins.
In the answers to Question 2 we can see both similarities and a slight difference if you look closely. Savannah’s answer indicates that she has to live according to her religion, while Lana also lives out her faith for others to see it’s not because she’s religious, but because she loves Jesus. Then in their response to Question 3 we see how both these women share their different struggles and the almost similar yet different ways in which they deal with them. These answers therefore reveal some interesting similarities as well as some differences too. From these interviews I concluded that many people are unaware of some of the obstacles that religious students face in their everyday life. This was very enlightening for me as it showed the struggles people
women: that people from ar and contrasting challenges eir everyday lives.
have to overcome as well as the tough decisions they have to make daily. This is what I learned from these women: that people from different religions face both similar and contrasting challenges when living out their religion in their everyday lives. It was interesting to learn how they let their religion shape their lives. Hence it was quite significant to see how staying true to your religious identity isn’t easy in the world we live in today, especially on campus. We are confronted with so many new philosophies and different people, and in most cases a never-before-experienced sense of freedom. The choices we make have a lasting effect on us: they shape our future. The world around us is a dark and scary place and most of the time we are afraid to be ourselves and stay true to our identity. We have to make decisions to reflect on who we are, no matter what religion or culture we come from.
Whether we are Christians or Muslims or have any other faith, and even though it is difficult to stay true to our religious identities on campus and the world around us, it is not impossible. You may not be the most popular student now for holding to your convictions, but later on your friends may come to realise that maybe you had the courage to do what they could not, because of the choices that you made. Your friends will respect you more further down the line, because you managed to do what they couldn’t *These are not their real names because these women wanted to stay anonymous.
HANKE DE KOCK never wishes to be easily defined in every aspect of her life. God is however the central point of her life even if the rest of her life is organized chaos. Her life is filled with her loved ones and music and all her other loves in life.
SCOPEMAGAZINE.CO.ZA 10
REVIEWS
RESOUND
J’SOMETHING
& THE MI CASA MUSIC LEGACY BY JOSEPH GAGE itting on a couch in a beautiful old apartment, I eagerly wait for J’Something to join me at any moment. Admiring the architecture around me, it feels like a place full of history and life, the colourful flower garden outside showing that it was also one worth preserving.
S
I hear a knock at the door and in strolls J’Something, or just ‘J’ as he introduces himself. The most noticeable thing about him is his smile. This guy is happy. After some initial small talk, we begin almost immediately chatting about God. It was beginning to become apparent what made him so happy. Excited to hear what he thinks about his band and their success: “If you could describe Mi Casa in one sentence, what would it be? “ “A band that is focused on creating a legacy through music,” he answers almost immediately. Funny, that is what I thought the building we were in must have – a legacy.
THE MORE WE EXPOSE O CULTURES AND LEARN W WE’LL STOP BEING SO IG THINGS THAT WERE IMPO 11 SPRING EDITION 2016
Mi Casa has certainly made a great start in leaving behind a legacy. Songs like ‘These Streets’ and ‘Heavenly Sent’ are well remembered from a few years ago and more recently, ‘Jika’ and ‘Don’t Wanna Be Your Friend’, are loved by millions all over the continent. It is no surprise that they have won a number of accolades over the last five years including South African Music Awards for Best Dance Album, Group of the Year, and Record of the Year. But how did this legacy start? “I think God intended for us to be together. It was in 2010 on the rooftop of the Radisson Hotel in Johannesburg. Soul Candi was hosting a party. I had just moved to Joburg after studying in Stellenbosch. I had nothing to do in Joburg and was staying on a cousin’s couch so I went to this party. And when I got to this party I saw this DJ playing and I thought he was so cool. And then all of a sudden I saw this trumpeter start to play with this DJ and I thought, ‘Ah, this plot just gets cooler.’ Then my cousin who knew that I could sing said I should go and ask them if I could sing. And even though I’m quite a reserved guy and there were like a hundred people there, I went to the DJ and asked him if I could sing. He looked at me and was like, ‘Yah, okay.’ Then I pickeds up the mic and started to share it with the trumpeter guy and started to do whatever covers I could think of and whatever I could freestyle. “After the show people came up to us and asked for our autographs and where they could get our albums. And I was like let me just get these guys’ names first! And that’s the day that me, Mo and Duda met. And three months later we got into studio and recorded our first song. We had such a vibe that three months later we got our first album out. And then we released a song called ‘These Streets’ and it became record of the year and now five years later here I sit in front of you today.” Mi Casa consists of just three members: J’Something, Dr.Duda, Mo-T. J sings and plays the guitar, Dr.Duda is the producer and DJ, and Mo plays the trumpet. With this lineup, Mi Casa produces a unique jazzy and soulful house sound. And they are planning on bringing this to more of Africa. “We have been working on an Africa tour called the Legacy Tour to start next year. We’ve travelled to a total of 28 African countries. This year we have done about ten. We’ve been working on a whole bunch of new music and collaborations with Wizkid, Yemi Alade, Eddy Kenzo and C4 Pedro – these massive African artists.” His identity in Christ has made him look at life from a humble perspective.
OURSELVES TO DIFFERENT WHAT THEY ARE ALL ABOUT, GNORANT TO THOSE OSED ON US.”
“My identity has always been deeply rooted in the fact that without people I am nothing, so I always pay tribute to the people around me. When I do an interview I feel very blessed to be able do an interview, like why would people want to listen to me? I literally feel like a kid from school who is doing what he loves and that’s music. So I feel extremely blessed that people care and want to listen to what I have to say about my music. But I think that our identity is rooted in humility that without people we are absolutely nothing. And I think that’s what keeps us very close to the ground.” I can personally vouch for him paying tribute to those around him – he even complimented my beard! He has achieved a large amount of influence throughout Africa being in a popular mainstream band. But as a Christian, he uses his influence for what is good. One of the things J is most passionate about is unity and as a result, he hates racism. So I asked him about how he thinks we in South Africa can move on from that to a new identity of racial unity. “It would be extremely ignorant of you and me to think that we could ever fix racism in our lifetime. I don’t think we will ever be able to fix racism. I pray that my kids will have a better picture of a united world than I do right now. “I think one of the biggest steps we can take though is exposing ourselves to different cultures. So many things have been shaped the way they are because that’s just how they were. I remember going to school and my black mates could not have longer hair and if they did, it had to be straightened. Those things were imposed on us. The more we expose ourselves to different cultures and learn what they are all about, we’ll stop being so ignorant to those things that were imposed on us.” God uses Christians in all types of spheres of influence to affect change. “It is our role and responsibility to make a lifestyle out of Christianity which appeals to the masses. And it’s not by Bible bashing. It’s about love and understanding that life is a journey. You can’t fix everything right now, you need to understand that and work on doing what you can.” J’Something and Mi Casa are going places. They are influencers in the mainstream African music world and perhaps one day even beyond Africa. Ultimately, they plan on going somewhere which glorifies God and leaves a legacy of unity to all they come into contact with. If you ask me, that’s exactly what I see. FIND MI CASA ON: MiCasaMusic MiCasaMusic MiCasaMusic MiCasaTVRoom micasamusic
JOSEPH GAGE is an electrical engineering student at Wits. He loves family, friends, the church, sports, music, video games, beards and being happy. All of his love and happiness come from Christ Who died on the cross for him.
SCOPEMAGAZINE.CO.ZA 12
L O CKE D REVIEWS
NEW TUNE
I N
SHINING THE SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL CHRISTIAN HIP HOP BY MILO APRIL
Christian Hip Hop is fast becoming a major genre in South Africa. Below are some of the artists who are helping to grow the movement.
LYRICAL NOVEL
A N D E R S BY DEWALD MARE
NDERS is beslis anders. Twee splinternuwe Ghoemamusiektoekennings en ’n nuwe album wat binnekort verskyn, sit die alombekende musiekduo Anders op die voorgrond van die Afrikaanse gospelmusiekbedryf. Hierdie getroude paartjie, Lindi en Wynand Delport, het verseker ’n unieke gawe ontvang om deur musiek en hulle menswees, eer aan God te bring en Sy Vaderhart aan die wêreld te openbaar. Om die unieke musiek en suksesstorie te verstaan, word daar gekyk na die fondasies waarop Wynand en Lindi hulle lewens bou. Die paartjie is al sedert 2007 getroud en hul huwelik is gevestig op wedersydse respek en beginsels vanuit die Woord. Vir hulle is hierdie van die kern fondasies wat in enige liefdesverhouding behoort te wees. Wynand probeer die liefde wat hy vir sy dogtertjie het beskryf en vergelyk dit met die liefde van God. Hy sê die opoffering wat ons Hemelse Vader moes maak, deur Sy eie seun te stuur om die mensdom te red, is alreeds iets wat mens nie kan begryp nie. Na hierdie ongelooflike liefdesdaad is daar steeds mense wat teen Hom kies. Die hartseer, teleurstelling en oneindige liefde van die Vader in hierdie verband, is vir dié twee iets wat hulle eers kon begin begryp nadat hulle self ouers geword het. Identiteit is iets wat hulle hoog op die prys stel. “Wees jouself, al dink ander mense jy is weird. Op die einde van die dag gaan jy by die regte mense uitkom wat jou gaan aanvaar vir wie jy is.” ’n Kort les wat Lindi uit haar lewe deel is dat mens nie jouself moet probeer verander om iewers in te pas nie. Haar raad aan meisies is dat jy die lewe en
13 SPRING EDITION 2016
jou liggaam baie meer moet geniet. Mens moet tevrede wees met wie jy is en hoe jy lyk. Sy voel baie sterk daaroor dat dames oor die algemeen te hard op hulself is en dat vrouens trots moet wees op hoe hulle lyk en wie hulle is. Alles wat hierdie diverse duo glo, kom na vore in hul musiek. Om God te aanbid is ’n leefstyl en daarom is elke liedjie, Christelik of nie, ’n manier hoe hulle God verheerlik. Alhoewel hulle dit baie meer geniet om gospelmusiek te skep, is hulle sekulêre musiek nie iets om te onderskat nie. Hulle lewens spreek van God se liefde en daardie
ALLES WAT HIERDIE DIVERSE DUO GLO, KOM NA VORE IN HUL MUSIEK. goue draadjie vleg deur elkeen van hulle albums. Daar is nie ’n wenresep nie maar wanneer hulle gospelmusiek skryf, kom dit somtyds makliker juis omdat dit deur die Heilige Gees geïnspireer word. “Wanneer jou musiek eg is, dan sien mense dit raak en dan sal hulle daarvan hou.” Dit is waaraan hulle vashou en dít is hoe hulle musiek maak. ’n Mens word onmiddellik gevul met opgewondheid vir hul nuwe album. Eg aan hulle identiteit, eg aan hulle liefde vir God en eg aan die tipe musiek wat hulle skep, is daar verseker plek vir hierdie album op die mark. Hoekom die naam Anders? Omdat God ons roep daartoe in 1 Petrus 1:16, “Wees anders, want Ek is anders.”
Black Man In His 20s
Born in Limpopo, raised in Polokwane, 22-year-old Tshepo “Lyrical Novel” Nkoana is already making major moves in the industry. He was recently crowned ‘Artist of the Year’ at the 2016 University of Johannesburg Student Choice awards. His body of work from his Abstract Thoughts mixtape put him on the map and got him recognised as a nominee for the award. He is currently working on his follow up album titled Abstract Thoughts 2: Conscious Tshepo. He is also the Co-CEO and artist of Page 1One Records. Look out for him!
GRUTH
They Don’t Care
Yanga “Gruth” Zweni is originally from King Williams Town in the Eastern Cape, though he resides in East London. He has an album out currently called Salt and Light which is worth the listen, especially the single They Don’t Care produced by Mawat – definitely a banger! He released a cypher along with his label mates Lux Kent and AV titled Legacy: The Cypher and according to the man himself, this is but an appetiser of what to expect from the Living Legacy Movement team in the near future.
LUX KENT
Image ft. YeYe
Luxolo “Lux Kent” Kentane, also from East London in the Eastern Cape, is probably the biggest underdog in the game currently. He just recently signed for Fresh Impressions, which is a label that houses names like Blaque Nubon and Lilly Million. He is also the “Co-Captain” (as he calls himself) of The Living Legacy Movement, and having heard his Past 12 mixtape I can safely say that he has a lot to offer the industry. He is currently working on an EP which he says should be complete soon. Brace yourself for maturity and musicality all in one project. HONOURABLE MENTIONS Blaque Nubon, Ricwa, C-Jay, Incense, Danny V, Courtney Antipas, Last Days Fam, Clay Misfit and Lyrical D’cyples.
REVIEWS
FOR YOUR READING
O
ur hearts are after something. It’s an undeniable part of human existence. We spend our lives searching for something to put to rest the unrelenting yearning for something more. Affirmation. A good reputation. Financial security. Freedom. Success. Simply put, we were created to find meaning and lasting satisfaction in the ‘everything’ that our hearts desire so intensely. And all of this is found in the ‘everythingness’ of Jesus. Personally, this is one of most refreshing books I’ve ever read – it wrecked my heart from beginning to end because it spoke to me so simply and profoundly. Turns out, the gospel isn’t just a message about Jesus that people outside the church need to believe in order to be accepted by God. Everyone needs the gospel, because at the heart of it is a new identity where God secures for us in Jesus what none of us could secure for ourselves. This book is predicated in Paul’s letter to the Christians in Colossae who were faced with a plethora of conflicting ideologies which sought to distort the knowledge they had of who Jesus is that seemed compatible with some kind of add-on to authenticate their faith. This is so relevant today, especially for those who want to know which beliefs about the world are true and actually worth pursuing. Tchividjian shows us why ‘Jesus + x’ is such a dangerous formula (x being feminism, for example, would imply that the gospel considers women with low regard, which is a common misconception). He also examines how, through the book of Colossians, the gospel came alive for him in the midst of his own personal crisis. He honestly shares how the gospel freed him from his own struggle with idolatry, which wasn’t bowing to a golden calf but placing his entire identity in how much people liked him. He writes to everyone – those in and those out of the church. He addresses what he calls ‘performancism’ in the church, where
B O O K B I T E
Christians try to become better, thinking that doing good works and obeying God more will mean that He will love them. He also addresses lawlessness, where those outside the church break all of the rules because they believe their behaviour keeps them from being accepted by God. Both of these groups are mistaken. The determining factor in a relationship with God is what Christ has done: His performance and His obedience – not what we must do. God’s love doesn’t grow with our obedience and shrink with our disobedience, because it’s based on Jesus. This sets us free from trying harder or becoming apathetic, because we realise that it’s not really about us at all. I tend to fall into the performance camp – believing that “God will love me if I___” and it’s such a relief to know that this exhausting practice actually goes against who God is. If you find yourself in the “God doesn’t/can’t love me because___” group, God loves you anyway. God’s love or acceptance isn’t based on our ‘good’ behaviour. This is liberating for Christians and nonChristians alike, because it means that our behaviour, whether good or bad, will never disqualify us from the love of God. The gospel is not only counter-cultural, but also counterintuitive. We’re so accustomed to earning our place and working for what (we think) we deserve, that we believe phrases like “God helps those who help themselves” when the Bible is actually clear that “God helps those who know they cannot help themselves”. This book reminded me of Jeff Bethke’s famous spoken word piece, ‘Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus’, where he, just like Tchividjian, really captures the message of the radical freedom that comes with the gospel, because “religion says do. Jesus says done. Religion says slave. Jesus says son”. Sons neither have to work for nor can they ever lose their place at their father’s table. And that is what the gospel makes us: sons and daughters of the all-loving Father. ~ MATSHEPO MADUPELA
THE FREEDOM OF SELF-FORGETFULNESS
TIMOTHY KELLER
“I
f we trust in Christ, what should our hearts be like? It is not simply a matter of morally virtuous behaviour. It is quite possible to do all sorts of morally virtuous things when our hearts are filled with fear, with pride or with a desire for power.” When you pick up a new book promising to tell you more about Jesus and this Christian walk, there is a tendency to sit at the feet of the author, look to him/ her and think “Ok, teach me new things I don’t yet know.” What is special about this
small, 7 page book is that the author has turned everything to the word of God and sits with its reader at the feet of the Author of Creation saying, “Ok, God, teach us new things we don’t yet know.”
to popular belief, God’s thoughts are outside the menial opinions of man. If our ideals are structured around societal norms, then we are settling for an understanding that is void of ultimate perspective.
The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Timothy Keller is a gem of a book based on a sermon he gave from 1 Corinthians 3:21-4:7. Keller addresses man’s source of personal accreditation – the ways in which we feel most validated and how that affects the way we contribute to society. Contrary
Keller probes the manner in which we view ourselves according to the ideals we’ve adopted. He will get you thinking about where you have seen it fit to adopt these ideals from, and why. ~ MÉGAN SCHILDER
SCOPEMAGAZINE.CO.ZA 14
TESTIFY
INTERVIEW
PROF. ANNETTE COMBRINK CHATS TO HARDUS LUDICK
I W LO 15 SPRING EDITION 2016
W
e caught up with one of Potchefstroom’s celebrities, Prof. Annette Combrink. This was not an easy task, because even though she just turned 72 years old, the admirable Mrs. Combrink moves at quite a quick pace. Despite her busy schedule and the unfortunate passing away of her eldest brother earlier in the week that we met, we were fortunate enough to be granted an interview with her at the Akker.
I completed my PhD when my youngest child was two years old, and somebody said: how do you manage it? And I said: you need ferocious determination. Sounds terrible, but that is true. You have to be focused, but you also have to be on hand to deal with crises. Sometimes when I think of my life up to now, I’m utterly exhausted.
AS A CELEBRATED MEMBER OF THE NWU, YOU’VE SAID THAT THIS UNIVERSITY IS A PART OF YOUR IDENTITY. LOOKING FORWARD, WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIVING OUT
I’m very bad at that – I have a problem with my neck muscles: I can’t shake my head sideways, only up and down. I tend to overreach. I climbed Kilimanjaro ten years ago, and turned 61 on top of the mountain. When I came home and my daughter fetched me at the airport, she gave me one look and said: “Ma, what happened?” I said to her: I think I overreached.
YOUR IDENTITY HERE?
My link with the university at the moment is an interesting one: I’m a member of the University Council, so I can have an influence. And the council can have a restraining influence on excesses, to make sure that things don’t go wrong at the university. I’m also, at the moment, still a research fellow at the university, because I’m editing Koers, which is a Christian journal. I didn’t come to this university because it was a Christian university, but because it was the closest to home. Over the years the ethos of the university has simply been ingrained in me, so I cannot imagine it being any different. Going to a completely secular university, one can still live one’s own worldview. HOW DOES YOUR CHRISTIANITY INFLUENCE YOUR IDENTITY?
I think it’s irrevocably fused with who I am. I have not ever conceived of myself as not being a Christian. My idea of God, of Christ, is that it is infinitely greater than the human mind can encompass. So I think about Christianity perhaps more abstractly, but I try to see it as far greater – and therefore I am sometimes intolerant of people who are fundamentalist. I think that reduces God. If my human mind can encompass Him completely – I’m not interested. It has to be greater. WITH THE DIFFERENT CAREERS THAT YOU’VE HAD, DO YOU FIND THAT THE WAY YOU SERVE GOD CHANGES OVER TIME?
In line with how I see God, I do not really think that every decision I make is influenced by God. I think that God has given me a brain, a sense of ethics, a sense of purpose, and so the decisions that I make are my responsibility. I have to make the kind of decisions that will fit in with what I believe. And in my different careers, I’ve had that as a sort of guideline for myself with how I run my life. My first career was as a teacher, and I felt very strongly that a teacher has a huge responsibility. HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR PERSONAL AND WORK LIFE, AND DO YOU FIND A NEED TO CREATE A DIVISION BETWEEN THE TWO?
For me, that’s never been possible! The longest time that I ever left the workforce was for three months, for maternity leave – and I didn’t stop working; I simply took leave. I felt I had a calling to do the work that I did. One does pay the price, a personal one, in that one is never free. I did take my work home. However, I tried not to take my personal life to work, in other words: if I had a personal crisis at home, I had to manage it. If you want to do the wife and mother thing, you have to have a support system, and my support system has been my family. The central thing in my life is family, and everything else emanates from that. That’s why, for me, losing my brother is so devastating.
DOESN’T THAT ALSO REQUIRE A SENSE OF BOUNDARIES AND UNDERSTANDING THE LIMITS OF YOUR ABILITIES?
If I get into boundary situations – I have to get out of them myself. I can’t expect somebody to bail me out. I think at one stage it might just catch up with me (it hasn’t yet), though I’ve come close. But I need people around me: people energise me. AS YOU MENTIONED, ONE OF YOUR CAREERS WAS ACADEMIC, LECTURING ENGLISH LITERATURE. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN IDENTITY AND LITERATURE?
Literature is the living capturing of human society and human nature. I think that good (not high) literature is the most enriching source of knowledge that there is. My late second husband died many years ago, and he was a zoologist. When we were first married, he couldn’t imagine how I could justifiably make an honest life out of reading story-books. But I convinced him. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE OF SOUTH AFRICA, HOW DO WE MANAGE OUR IDENTITY IN THIS CHALLENGING BUT ALSO EXCITING FUTURE?
What is going on in our country is devastating. But if you look wider, it’s even worse in many other countries. I won’t leave this country. But there are times, especially when things go very badly in the city council, when I look and think: how on earth are we going to do this? Those brief times when I was mayor of Potchefstroom, I tried my best to do whatever I could, but one is very constrained if you’re a political head, while the entire level below belonged to the opposition party. Being campus rector at the university was wonderful, because I could rely on the people below me. What I did manage in that time, I think (and people still say that to me), was to convey to many people a sense of caring, of being colour blind. I cared about all the people of Potchefstroom. I think one must trust in the Lord about what will happen in this country, but trusting in the Lord is an abstract way – we have to roll up our sleeves, and do the work. If we’re believers and if we have a strong ethical sense, we know what we have to do, and we have to do it. That would be the fulfilment of our calling, of our vocation. And we have to do it as strongly as we can, because we have only one life. FINAL THOUGHTS?
I have hope for the future. I have faith that we will improve things, because things are beginning to improve, but human nature is very difficult to change: a person has to want to change. I’m cautiously optimistic. But I also at times feel very tired at the prospect of the hard work that is ahead of us!
THINK ONE MUST TRUST IN THE LORD ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THIS COUNTRY, BUT TRUSTING IN THE ORD IS AN ABSTRACT WAY – WE HAVE TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES, AND DO THE WORK. SCOPEMAGAZINE.CO.ZA 16
TESTIFY
MY STORIE
MATTHEW
LLEWELLYN
D I E WO N D E R VA N S Y W E Ë Geliefde lesers,
E
k skryf graag om te vertel en te getuig hoe genadig ons God en Vader van ons Here Jesus Christus in my lewe was en ook hoe getrou Hy nogsteeds is. Ek was bevoorreg om in ’n klein Christelike privaatskool in Johannesburg, Leeuwenhof Akademia, my skoolloopbaan te begin (5) en daar te voltooi op 18-jarige ouderdom. En ek onthou hoe ek van my ouers my eerste Bybel ontvang het en toe later nog een (1953-Afrikaanse vertaling) en gereeld aanmoediging ontvang het om Sondagskool/katkisasie by te woon in ons plaaslike kerk. Maar my getuienis vandag is taamlik ver verwyderd van hierdie geskiedenis.
My lewe was as’t ware leeg. Ek was leeg. Ek het eenvoudig nie die Evangelie van Jesus Christus verstaan nie. Ek kon na baie jare, nie regtig sê wie God is nie – ek het nie geweet nie! Ek kon sien hoe my smagting na seks, eer, geweld, en aanvaarding alles ’n poging was om vreugde te vind om vergenoegd te voel in myself. Maar helaas: die afgode, alles waarin ek my sekuriteit, betekenis en geluk gevind het, het my koud, leeg en ontevrede gelaat. Die soeke na wie ek is, en wat my regtig gelukkig kan maak – my identiteit – was ’n verlore stryd. Dit was omdat ek – wat die skepsel is – wou sê wie ek is en nie kon luister na die Een – die Skepper – wat gesê het van Sy skepsel, “Jy is mens, want in My beeld het ek jou geskape (Gen. 1:27), en ’n gebroke beeld is jy in hierdie sondige wêreld; jy wat deurdring is van alles wat besmet en waardeloos is, sondig, geskei en ontevrede, (Gen. 3:23) totdat jy weer in My een sal word’ (1 Korintiërs 6:17). Maar dit was hier in die verlore toestand wat Hy my kom opsoek het. Die wonderlikste deel en krag van die Evangelie het tot my gekom: ek is, deur die Heilige Gees se werk,verander! Ek kan dit nie genoeg benadruk dat ek
níe so waffers was om eendag op te staan en dít te sien waarvoor ek en elke ander natuurlike skepsel blind was nie! As die Here in Sy werk nie my hart kom sag maak het en my ’n haat kom gee het vir dít wat ek eers so lief gehad het nie, en my nie kom lief maak het vir dié dinge wat ek vantevore so gehaat het nie, het ek hom nie geken nie. “Daarom as iemand in Christus is, is hy ’n nuwe skepsel; die ou dinge het verby gegaan, kyk dit het alles nuut geword” (1 Kor. 5:17) Hy het my kom verander! Waarvan ek dan ’n getuie is, is dat Sy weë, die werke van God, nie is om te kom en nuwe morele wette te gee vir Sy mense nie, want die natuurlike mens sou hulle nooit kon onderhou nie. Hy kom nie en bring nuwe dreigemente van oordeel eerstens aan Sy skepsels nie, want dit sou nie die verharde hart ooit kon sensitief maak vir Sy Seun se werk nie. Hy kom nie net en vergewe sondes nie, want dan sou ons hardkoppig aanhou doen wat vergifnis nodig gehad het, sonder vooruitgang! Nee, geliefdes, geloofd sy ons Here wat kom en nuwe lewe gee. Hy werk deur Sy Gees en bring ander karakter en natuur. “Kyk dit alles word nuut.” Dit is asof ons vir tweede keer gebore word. (“Weergebore” – Johannes 3:4).
Ek dank my God en Hemelse Vader dat Hy my nie in die strate van die wêreld gelos het nie, maar op Sy skouer getel het en my ’n vreugde gegee het, ’n identiteit in Christus: Nie meer wie ék dink ek is nie, maar nou wie my Skepper sê ek is!
Groete en liefde met die wens dat ons Hemelse Vader en onse Here Jesus Christus deur die werk van die Heilige Gees met julle elkeen sal wees, MATTHEW LLEWELLYN
MAAR HELAAS: DIE AFGODE; ALLES WAARIN EK MY SEKURITEIT, BETEKENIS EN GELUK GEVIND HET, HET MY KOUD, LEEG EN ONTEVREDE GELAAT. 17 SPRING EDITION 2016
SIMUNYE
PLUGGED IN
CHURCH COLLABORATION ON CAMPUS
WHAT IS SIMUNYE? Simunye is an on-campus church collaboration initiative that operates through the local church network for the North West University region. Simunye, which in Zulu means ‘we are one’, is a desire for the up-and-coming generation to belong to a community radically changed by the love of God who demonstrate what real unity in diversity looks like. The words from Jesus Christ in John 13:35 are simple but challenging: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Our prayer is for churches with a presence on the university campus to be united in love, creatively expressing what this looks like for all to see. Scope Magazine is merely a medium for those both inside and outside church to see the beauty of the Gospel in this way.
SCOPEMAGAZINE.CO.ZA/SIMUNYE
SCOPEMAGAZINE.CO.ZA 18
SAVVY STUDENT
EXPRESSIONS
Besoedelde refleksie SUZILNA WEPENER
Soetbrood / Sweet Bread
Wat net die oog kan sien,
RINA DE KLERK
wat geen nagedagte los;
is die valse skoonheid wat haar, haar ware siel kos.
Versteek agter maskers, eenvoud en eerlikheid.
BESTANDELE:
INGREDIENTS
500ml room
500ml cream
12 eetlepels bruinsuiker
12 tablespoons brown sugar
Van gelaatstrekke
Deeg wat jy in enige supermark kan koop
Vaal lippe verkleur met aarbeisap
Voorverhit oond op 180°C. Smeer ‘n medium grootte brood/beskuit pan met botter of olie. Gooi die helfte van die room onder in die pan en strooi die helfte van bruinsuiker oor dit. Maak bolletjies met die deeg soos vir beskuit en sit dit in die pan. Gooi die res van die room bo oor die bolletjies en strooi die ander ses lepels bo-oor die bolletjies Bak dit vir so ‘n half uur.
vermom tot onwerklikheid.
en moeë oë tot albasters verhelder.
Haar neus verfyn tot net ʼn gedagte, Ten einde rooi spatsels gekelder. In ʼn besmette spieël,
haar refleksie verdraai deur verwagtinge
waardeur sy angstig blaai. Die besoedelde masker los sy merk,
op die perfeksie
van God se kunswerk.
Self Portrait
19 SPRING EDITION 2016
EMMA GROBLER
Dough that you can buy in any supermarket Preheat oven to 180°C. Butter or spray a medium sized bread pan. Pour half the cream in the bottom of the pan and sprinkle half of the sugar over it. Make balls with the dough (like for rusks) and put it in the pan. Pour the rest of the cream and sugar over it. Bake for roughly half an hour.
SAVVY STUDENT
NUTTIGE WENKE
DEUR RINA DE KLERK & SUZILNA WEPENER
S
wot, swot en nogmaals swot! Lekker, opwindend en fantasties is dit nou regtig nie!
Dis skoon hartseer net om daaraan te dink dat jy moet begin opsom en vir ure moet sit en leer vir daardie vraestel. Ons verstaan jou pyn, so in hierdie artikel gaan ons vir jou ’n paar wenke gee wat dalk van die stres en hartseer kan verminder.
Neem ’n stappie voor die eksamen Oefening is baie goed vir mens se brein – pampoenpitte groei immers beter as die son skyn.
Walk around on campus and learn your work out loud Be the crazy person talking to him / herself. Reward youself every hundred steps with something sweet, unless you’re concerned about your health. In that case, an apple will do the trick too.
Wees die onderwyser van jou eie leerwerk Onthou jy daardie tyd toe jy klein was en jy jou spelwoorde vir jou teddies geleer het? Wel, nou is die tyd om weer daardie skills uit te haal. Plak jou kamermaat op ’n stoel neer en verduidelik sorgvuldig vir haar/hom presies hoe ’n mens daardie wiskundesom (wat eintlik na Grieks lyk) moet benader. As jou kamermaat nie wil luister nie: die stoel sal beslis luister na wat jy te sê het.
Vir die tegnologies gevorderdes wat hulle opsommings tik Times New Roman is die maklikste font om te lees. Moenie lettertipes gebruik met allerhande tierlantyntjies aan nie. Dis moeiliker om te lees.
Teken prentjies van jou werk as dit moontlik is. Al lyk jou Picasso soos ’n stokmannetjie, dit is jóú leerwerk. Al persoon wat dit moet verstaan is jy.
Maak vir jouself flitskaarte (flashcards) Gebruik kleure en sticky notes vir elke belangrike deel en afdeling. Nie net sal jy dan maklik die plekke kan kry nie, maar dit is veel lekkerder om ’n veelkleurige boek oop te maak as een waaraan jy nog nie geraak het nie.
Take a break regularly But this does not include a visit to the Draak! Just a few minutes to get some fresh air.
Ou vraestelle moet jou beste vriend word. Jy gaan skielik verstaan waar “uitskryfwerk” vandaan kom, want dit help om die werk oor en oor uit te werk tot jy dit verstaan.
En die ou storie... “Kry genoeg slaap in, my kind.” Jou ma sê dit nie omdat sy oud is en self baie slaap nodig het nie. Dit help regtig vir konsentrasie.
Hierdie volgende een verskil van persoon tot persoon As jy daarvan hou om saam met mense te werk is hierdie wenk vir jou! Werk in ’n groep om die werk te bespreek, dan sal jy vrae kan beantwoord wat jy nie noodwendig op jou eie sou kon beantwoord nie.
Music can help you study If you are a fan of classical music, you can try Mozart, Bach and Handel. Please do not listen to Chopin: you will sleep before the first piece has ended. If classical is not your thing, try ambient music.
Julle eie weird tips! Dít was nou studiewenke wat ons self ontdek het, maar ons het ook met ’n paar studente op kampus gaan praat om uit te vind wat vir hulle in die praktyk werk. Ons het by elkeen ook ’n weird tip probeer kry, wat julle ook dalk kan help, maar waaraan julle dalk net nog nooit gedink het nie.
SCOPEMAGAZINE.CO.ZA 20
HELPFUL HINTS
Hierdie wenke kan jou dalk net daardie ekstra bietjie persent gee wat jou kan deursit. Vutomi Hlungwani is a first year BCom CA student and a resident of Heide. TIP: Make sure that you are well prepared before you go into the examination room. You should make sure that you have all your stationary (pen, pencil, ruler, calculator etc.). You should also use the scope provided as your guideline and not study a lot of material at the same time. WEIRD TIP: After studying a chapter she will go somewhere else and try to remember everything that she has just studied by saying it out loud and then go back to study the next chapter. Marietjie Greyling is ’n tweedejaar BCom GR-student en is ’n lid van Lavaria-koshuis. TIP: Werk deur oefeninge en doen ook die huiswerk, want die huiswerk wat die dosente gee, kom gewoonlik in vraestelle ook voor. Sy sê ook dat baie van die werk wat in haar klasse gedoen word baie teorie is en dat jy daarom vroegtydig moet begin leer. WEIRD TIP: Doen vyf star jumps ná elke leereenheid. Dit help jou wakker bly en so kry jy sommer bietjie oefening ook in! Francois Pelser is ’n tweede jaar in BCom Forensiese Rekenmeesterskap en ’n inwoner van Over de Voor-koshuis. TIP: Wanneer jy begin leer, lees eers alles stadig en met begrip deur. Hy sê ook dat as die eksamen begin, jy eers moet sit en rustig en ontspanne raak. Jy moet nie dadelik met die vraestel begin nie en moet eers al die vrae rustig deurlees. Dan moet jy begin met dié wat vir jou moeilik is, want dit gaan die meeste inspanning vat. WEIRD TIP: Ek maak rympies op en luister dan deur die dag daarna en probeer só die werk onthou. Lebogang Digwamaje is a third year studying BA Psychology and Sociology. TIP: He watches YouTube videos on the topic to refresh his mind after studying for a long time. WEIRD TIP: He eats ice to remember while he’s studying. Rudolf Koekemoer is ’n eerstejaarstudent in BIng elektroniese ingenieurswese en ’n lid van Heimat-dorpskoshuis. TIP: Moet nie eers die dag voor die tyd begin leer nie, want jy gaan nie klaarkry nie en dan gaan jy ook meer stres. Hy sê ABC is die beste raad: Apply Butt to Chair.
21 SPRING EDITION 2016
WEIRD TIP: Hy sê dat jy ’n snaakse prentjie vir ’n konsep moet probeer kry sodat jy ’n geheelbeeld kan vorm. Hoe snaakser dit is, hoe beter sal jy dit onthou. Danielle Aucamp is ’n tweedejaar BCom GR-student en is ’n lid van Lavaria-dorpskoshuis. TIP: Werk ou toetse uit om jouself te toets. Sy sê ook dat jy na die tydlimiete vir elke vraag moet kyk en sekermaak dat jy die vraestel in die gegewe tyd sal kan beantwoord. WEIRD TIP: Sy beloon haarself ná elke leereenheid deur ‘n episode van haar gunsteling series te kyk.
Using apps for studying An app that will help you control yourself on websites such as Facebook and Twitter is “Self Control for Study”. ‘Study Checker’ / ‘Study Timer Lite’ is a timer that can help you track your breaks and study time. There are even apps with study music, like ‘Music for Studying’ or ‘Study Music – Memory Booster’.
Apps for making time to read the Bible Sometimes you dont have enough time between studying to read your Bible. These few apps can help you to make time and still be able to study. ‘Bible Reading Schedule’ and also ‘Bible Reading Chart’ can help you remember where you were last. Hierdie wenke behoort jou te help om ten minste bietjie lus te raak om te begin leer (veral die versnaperings). Begin vroegtydig en gebruik die apps om jou te help om te konsentreer. Hierdie wenke kan jou dalk net daardie ekstra bietjie persent gee wat jou kan deursit. Hierdie wenke kan jou ook ekstra tyd gee wat jy nooit gehad het nie en in hierdie tyd kan jy ook meer aandag gee aan Bybelstudie. Deur jou studietyd beter te beplan en meer effektief te leer, kan jy alles doen waarvoor jy gewoonlik nie tyd gehad het nie. RINA DE KLERK is ‘n plaasmeisie wat in die Wolmaransstad omgewing grootgeword het. Sy het ‘n borrelende persoonlikheid en ‘n groot liefde vir haar medemense.
SUZILNA WEPENER is a second year student at university and loves writing and listening to music. She is an enthusiastic and fun person who loves being herself.
with Pastor Marnes & Clarissa Nel Abundant Grace Ministries Church Property Address: Small Holding 29, Wilgeboom, Potchefstroom
Healing School 14-16 October Outreach Week 17-21 October
Be equipped to minister healing and to operate in the power of God. You will see signs, wonders and miracles!
NO registration and NO costs! For more information contact: Cell: 084 608 5570 or Tel: 018 293 3209 Website: www.abundantgraceministries.co.za E-mail: abundantgrace@lantic.net Abundant Grace Ministries
E N C O M PA S S