Africa is the largest continent in the world, but is also the poorest with many people living without enough to eat and poor water supplies.
South Africa is the richest country in Africa, but compared to Britain it is still very poor.
For many years South Africa was dominated by apartheid, a system where the white people rule over the blacks and coloureds even though there were 10 times as many non-whites that whites. This ended 10 years ago and all people now have equal rights.
The change from apartheid to a fair goverment was achieved peacefully rather than the feared fights and wars. The courage of F.W. de Klerk, the fairness of Nelson Mandela and the prayers of God’s people were key workings in this.
Big efforts made by local churches to get over the years of hate, cruelty and pain have borne fruit. There is a great distance to go, but praise God for what has been achieved.
The church has done great things to help the poor – people who live in slums, people without jobs, victims of crime and disease.
The need for stable government. Pray for all in leadership that wise decisions, fair laws and improving life for all will be the aim. Pray that there are many committed Christians involved in the running of the country.
Like many African countries there are a few people who are very rich, but most people are very poor. Pray that the available resources may be best used for the good of all.
AIDS has become the primary cause of death. 1,200 victims are buried every day. There were 420,000 AIDS orphans in 2000. Over 20% of the adult population and a third of all teachers are infected. Pray that this terrible disease might be tamed and that God might use Christians in caring for the victims and raising moral and family standards to prevent its spread.
The Church in South Africa needs more leaders. Prayer that God will bring forward leaders and that they can be trained well.