Page 325 - Volume 2_CHANGES_merged_with links

m̩ 'zuŋ u memories of the Christian Church in Africa
ɡ

walk softly, go quietly and you wlll see...

It’s impossible to overestimate the power of the christian church across much of Sub-Saharan

Africa. African leaders certainly don't estimate it.

"If I kissed my wife in public, I'd lose the next election."
Yoweri Museveni 407
President of Uganda

(Of course, it’s not strictly true. There have always been other ways to ensure that particular election result.
But the point was well made and accurately sums up the level of African christian 'propriety'.)

***** ***** *****
And on one of my visits to South Africa, almost the whole ‘page 3’ of a main English language

paper was taken up with the story of how the head of the national airline was divorcing his
wife. Nothing unusual about that. But a key part of the narrative was the detailing of the new

wife to be was living in France. In other words, she could not possibly be held responsible for

the marriage breakup. The newspapers readers should realise that her personal conduct was
absolutely beyond reproach. Thousands of miles distance of separation from relevant events.

Such is the necessity for perceived christian propriety even for a non-politician who doesn't

need to rely on public votes.
*****
Our bus has left Blantyre on its way to Lilongwe. As usual, we have waited and waited before

the bus is so packed with absolutely no standing room left before the driver will set off. And
minutes after departure, the 'priest' who is not a priest starts to earn his daily crust by

sermonising...and sermonising. This is the sort of fiery sermon you would expect from one of

those caricature witch doctors you used to see in Hollywood stereotypical films.
Up and down the aisle, time after time, pushing others out of the way, all the time

screeching and spitting his words...of the Bible !As he moves back and forward, he demands
m̩
ɡ
eye contact with each African passenger. Which means everyone but me, the only 'zuŋ u
passenger.

After 45 minutes of this intensity, timed to perfection as you will shortly learn, his
journeys up and down the bus are to pressurise each passenger to make a contribution ... as

they would have expected if they had listened to a service in a church.