Devoted Mag Issue 39

Issue 39 www.devinepublishers.com devotedmag.co.za WILL JUSTICE PREVAIL FOR KWASIZABANTU OVER 40 MILLION ARE ENSLAVED TODAY THE POWER OF LANGUAGE LIVING BY FAITH MANDELA DAY CLEAN UP

Are you tired of negative news? WE ARE TOO.… .. Devoted is available on various online platforms. If you want to read inspiring stories of real-life www.facebook.com/devinepublishers experiences that will uplift you, Devoted is an www.linkedin.com/gerda potgieter/devinepublishers online wellness magazine focusing on mind, body www www.devinepublishers.com www.devotedmag.co.za and soul. It is a Good News publication aimed to change the negative narrative. Devoted provides authentic and honest content. “Journalists cannot always guarantee truth but getting the facts right is the cardinal principle in journalism.” (The Ethical Journalism Network) [email protected]

www.devinepublishers.com devotedmag.co.za IN THIS ISSUE... CONTENTATTACKS ON CHRISTIANS AND CHRISTIANITY magazineINCLUDE MEDIA MISREPRESENTATION OF CHRISTIAN ORGANISATIONS AND NEWS Devoted ARTICLES THAT SPREAD DISINFORMATION ABOUT CHRISTIAN INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS OR INSTITUTIONS … OR EVEN CHRISTIANITY AS A “The Lord detests lying lips, but delights in people who are WHOLE. SECULAR MEDIA MANY TIMES USE trustworthy.” FRAMING TO ADVANCE AN AGENDA. THE BOOK, (Proverbs 12:22) A JOURNEY TO THE TRUTH, EXPLORES SUCH A CASE. 02 12 Advertise with us & build LETTER FROM THE FAITH relationships with your EDITOR Living by Faith customers. There is a time to keep quiet and a time to speak out We have introduced special advertising rates to help you and your business during 04 these trying times. NOW is NOT the time to FEATURE ARTICLE 14 stop marketing your business, rather be more strategic and use cost-effective STOP the Traffick! STORIES UNTOLD options. Contact us. Celebrating restored lives Managing Editor Gerda Potgieter Siyanda Cibane [email protected] 06 Language Editor Mignionette de Bruin ACTUAL 15 EditA Services Will justice prevail for STORIES UNTOLD KwaSizabantu Production Manager/Creative Director Celebrating restored lives Enola Meyer 08 Johnson Pillay [email protected] ACTUAL 16 Publisher The power of language Devine Publishers NEWS Subscribe: https://www.devinepublishers.com/devoted-magazine . Follow us: www.facebook.com/groups/devinepublishers/ Mandela day clean up LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerda-potgieter-devine-pubishers/ 10 FLoiklleouwsuosnoFnacFeabceocooko: k: ACTUAL wwwwww.f.faacceebbooookk..ccoomm//ddeevvionteepdumbalisghaezrinse Is it right and fair to ridicule CONTENT DISCLAIMER: All rights reserved. While every precaution has been what people believe? taken to ensure accuracy of the information, the editors and Devoted magazine cannot accept liability of whatsoever nature arising out of or in connection with the contents of the publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of any of the Devoted team members. It remains the sole responsibility of the writers.

editors note a time to speak outTHERE IS A TIME TO KEEP QUIET AND THE NEWLY RELEASED FILM ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING, SOUND OF FREEDOM, REMINDED ME OF SOMETHING I LEARNED FROM MY GRANDMOTHER AS A YOUNG CHILD: THERE IS A TIME TO KEEP QUIET, AND THERE IS A TIME TO SPEAK OUT! WHAT IS CURRENTLY GOING ON IN THE WORLD I do not doubt that the human race is in danger, and WITH HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS HAIR- our children are especially at risk. RAISING, AND IT PROMPTED BE AWARE The onslaughts and fight for our souls are ME TO ENCOURAGE OUR OF FAKE NEWS, never-ending and ongoing, but over the READERS THAT NOW IS THE AND ENSURE last few years, they have been done TIME TO SPEAK OUT AND TO YOU CAN TRUST openly and seemingly without a fight DO SO LOUDLY AND CLEARLY. from people who identify as Christians. YOUR NEWS This is shameful, to say the least. Devoted speaks out against all forms Another wisdom shared with SOURCES. of abuse, even the abuse from powerful me is: If you do not stand for mainstream media on Christianity and something, you will fall for everything. And Christian organisations. I refuse to fall for everything! Devoted stands for My book, A Journey to the Truth: The Case of KwaSizabantu ethics and what is good, not evil. It is all about Mission, is a result of almost three years of research about building the kingdom and glorifying His Name media abuse against the Christian Mission. unapologetically! The media onslaughts were exposed as lie-based, fabricated The abovementioned film is based on the true stories, anomalies, and a wide range of atrocities with the story of a federal agent who journeys into the aim of a hostile take-over of the Mission and its lucrative darkest of places to rescue a particular girl businesses. The informants were paid for the lies, and I from child traffickers. On 2 August, my newsfeed found hard-core supporting evidence. This fact alone has reported that the film outgrossed “Big-Budget jeopardised the media onslaught on the Mission but also films, ‘Fast X’, ‘Elemental’,” at the domestic box highlighted the shamefulness of using money issues in a plot office in the United States and has grossed more for self-gain. than $149 million! Like the independent panel that investigated the allegations This is encouraging because, hopefully, people against the Mission, I was appalled that “such a serious are starting to wake up and become aware of this matter was used in a ping-pong squabble about the Mission’s ‘modern slave trade’ atrocity that is currently the finances”. Issue 38 of Devoted put the case into perspective fastest-growing money-spinner in the world! They (it is still available online), but we have included an article are, at least, paying attention. The film will start about the findings of the CRL Commission in this issue showing in cinemas in South Africa on 18 August because it was so distorted by the secular media! 2023 (NuMetro and Ster-Kinekor). I hope people A word of caution from us: Be aware of fake news, and will watch the movie and educate themselves on ensure you can trust your news sources. Fake news is not a the subject as it impacts all of us. Do not for one rumour... in fact, it is a sad reality! This is just another social moment think your child or grandchild is safe. issue we must deal with because it impacts us all, not only Rather be informed than sorry... those targeted by the media! 2 DEVOTED Magazine

We partner with organisations such as Frontline Like Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, we believe that life ends Fellowship, Doctors for Life International, and the day that we keep quiet about important things like this the KwaSizabantu Mission because they are all very important issue. like-minded organisations that are openly and We originally planned to dedicate this issue of Devoted to the unconditionally concerned about human life in Women’s Month celebration in August. But then we thought general and, more specifically, about our beloved that creating awareness about human trafficking, among children’s future. I am a grandmother now, other forms of abuse, would be the best way to celebrate and I most definitely turn into an angry lioness womanhood — even though human trafficking, sadly, also when you try to hurt my cubs in any way! It is focuses on male children. Our next issue will focus on special not negotiable, and I will not apologise for it to women who have made a mark in their communities. If you anyone. know somebody like that, please send us the information This brings me to the gender ideology that has and their story could be featured in Issue 40. slowly but surely taken over the narrative — not only on social media but in general. Read our May you be blessed! article on the changing language and become Until next time, If you, aware of the agenda behind it on page 8. Gerda or someone Devoted has spoken out against social ills and specifically against human trafficking in the past you know, and will keep on doing that. have a story to tell, please share www.facebook.com/devinepublishers it with us. We love www.linkedin.com/gerda potgieter/devinepublishers celebrating successes and achievements. Follow our Facebook page and we will share your inspirational story. www www.devinepublishers.com www.devotedmag.co.za DEVOTED Magazine 3

Feature article STOP THE TRAFFICK! OVER 40 MILLION ARE ENSLAVED TODAY HUMAN TRAFFICKING REFERS TO THE UNLAWFUL ACT Boys under eighteen are increasingly lured into OF TRANSPORTING OR COERCING PEOPLE IN ORDER TO sexual exploitation and used for pornography BENEFIT FROM THEIR WORK OR SERVICE. IT IS TYPICALLY (IOM). IN THE FORM OF FORCED LABOUR OR SEXUAL West African crime syndicates operate in Pretoria, EXPLOITATION. IT IS A GLOBAL CRIME. ACCORDING TO Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg, and Bloemfontein, THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS and traffic local, black South African females REPORT OF 2021, SOUTH AFRICA IS KNOWN TO BE A into the sex trade (IOM). The Eastern Cape, SOURCE, TRANSIT AND DESTINATION COUNTRY FOR Mpumalanga and Limpopo are the main HUMAN TRAFFICKING. DEVOTED COLLABORATES WITH “recruitment” areas for victims of trafficking. FRONTLINE FELLOWSHIP AND THE DOCTORS FOR LIFE (IOM, US Research report, Die Burger). INTERNATIONAL TEAMS TO CREATE AWARENESS FOR Trafficking involves the victim being: THIS CRIME. THIS ARTICLE IS A DUPLICATION OF THE STOP THE TRAFFICK LEAFLET THAT WAS DISTRIBUTED • Tricked—seduced or deceived. WIDELY BY FRONTLINE FELLOWSHIP. DEVOTED SALUTE • Transported—to another city or across TO THE TEAM FOR THEIR HARD WORK TO CREATE borders to other countries. AWARENESS AND WISHES OTHERS WILL JOIN US. • Trapped—possibly by physical force or by being drugged into submission, or by death ‘Modern slavery’- It sounds like a paradox. threats and removal of passports. Hasn’t humanity progressed? Didn’t we • Used—exploited, usually for humiliating abandon this barbaric practice centuries sexual acts. ago? Didn’t Christian reformers like William Wilberforce legislate REAL-LIFE SCENARIOS against such cruelty over 212 years ago? So we had thought. “She is told there are good jobs in the city.” But, with over 42 million enslaved people across the world (a Women of all ages are promised good jobs by US$150 billion industry), human trafficking is back and it is traffickers away from their homes. Often it is rife today. friends, and even family members, who offer Regardless of nationality, victims are systematically stripped to pay for the travelling costs, passports and of their identity, battered into gruesome submission, accommodation. The community allows the and made to perform humiliating sexual acts on up to 30 trafficker to take these girls because they think strangers every night. Most are held in makeshift jail cells, it is a good opportunity for them. The traffickers forced to take heavy doses of illegal drugs, and monitored also promise nice clothes, jewellery and other very closely. On average, victims thrown into such ghastly expensive gifts. oppression are 13 years old, or even younger. Some are Some traffickers put adverts in newspapers abducted outright, while others are lured out of poverty, promising good jobs, training and romantically seduced, or sold by their families. These cruel accommodation. The opportunity offered to the realities are well-documented! girls does not exist and they are tricked. When a girl arrives at her new job, the trafficker TRAFFICKING IN SOUTH AFRICA asks her to hand over her ID or passport for Between 28,000 to 38,000, Children are currently being safekeeping. The girl thinks it is the right thing to prostituted in South Africa (National Centre for Justice and do. If the girl is from another country she can now Rule of Law). Victims are often recruited from rural areas or not prove that she is legally in the country. She is informal settlements and transported to the urban centres now without her papers and also doesn’t have the of Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, and job that she was promised. This makes her too Durban (International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Report scared to go to the police. on Internal Trafficking in South Africa). 4 DEVOTED Magazine

The trafficker tells the girl that she can make WHAT CAN I DO? money by working as a prostitute. If she says she does not want to do it, the trafficker will beat WHOM CAN I CALL IF I AM IN DANGER? and rape her. The trafficker will even take away National Human Trafficking Hotline: 0800 222 777 food and water. Even if she starts working as a prostitute, the money she makes is never enough WHAT CAN I DO TO STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING? to “pay back” the trafficker. Educate your community on how to avoid being trafficked. Sometimes the trafficker tells the girl that they will hurt her family if she tells someone what they Invite Traffick Proof (021 689 4480) or STOP Trafficking of are doing with her and other victims. If the girl People (081 720 7181) to present anti-trafficking awareness has a child, the trafficker will keep the child from presentations to your school, church or community group. her and tell her to go to the street and work as a prostitute. The trafficker tells her that if she does REPORT PROSTITUTION TO THE VICE SQUAD not do it she will never see her child again. The Vice Squad are a unit of the Cape Town Metro Police, The trafficker never takes his eye off the girl. The tasked specifically with cracking down on the exploitative girl is taken everywhere and she cannot be alone. She now has to do everything the trafficker tells practice of prostitution. her to do. The trafficker makes the girl so scared If you suspect that a house in your area may be operating that she becomes afraid to talk to anyone about the problem she has. as a brothel, or if streets in your neighbourhood are affected by prostitution, please report this to the National The life of being a prostitute is very hard. The trafficker gives the girl drugs so that she will do Human Trafficking Hotline: 0800 222 777 what they tell her to do. She starts taking drugs all the time to take the pain away. Soon the girl INVITE A SPEAKER becomes addicted to drugs. Invite a speaker from Traffick Proof (021 689 4480), STOP Trafficking of People (081 720 7181), or Straatwerk (021 WHO ARE THE TRAFFICKERS? Most trafficking rings are run by gangs and 930 8055) to motivate and mobilise your school, youth organized crime. But often it is smaller rings of group or congregation to prayer and action on this issue. people, such as brothel and strip club owners, pimps, taxi drivers and even aunts or uncles! VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME OR SUPPORT A SHELTER Over the last few years, they have conducted Volunteer at, or support, Doctors For Life International numerous raids on brothels in the Cape Town which runs Prostitution Relief outreaches in Durban and area, and have helped to uncover several cases of Pietermaritzburg on Friday evenings. Contact them on 032 trafficking and child prostitution. They have been 481 5550 or [email protected], www.doctorsforlife.co.za able to shut down some brothels for not having a Volunteer at, or support the work of Ani Vileli in Tzaneen, business licence. Trafficked victims are taken to run by STOP Trafficking of People. Ani Vileli is a drop-in shelters and child prostitutes are restored to their centre and skills training programme, which assists people families where appropriate. Prostitution is still illegal in South Africa according in prostitution to exit the industry. to the Sexual Offences Act, although this law is rarely enforced by SA police. S-CAPE runs a shelter for victims of trafficking in the Cape Town area. You can support them by volunteering, giving GLOBAL TRAFFICKING STATISTICS skills training to the residents, or donating toiletries, cleaning products, or food such as rice and sugar. Victims • 42 MILLION PEOPLE ARE receive care and discipleship and, by partnering with other VICTIMS OF MODERN-DAY SLAVERY organisations, they will be repatriated, or reintroduced into (INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION). • MOST TRAFFICKING VICTIMS ARE GIRLS society. BETWEEN 5 TO 15 YEARS OF AGE (UNICEF). • 1.2 MILLION CHILDREN ARE TRAFFICKED “Speak up for those who cannot speak for EACH YEAR (UNICEF). themselves.” Proverbs 31:8 • IT IS A BUSINESS THAT MAKES 2,000 BILLION RAND EVERY YEAR (US$150 BILLION) Contact Details (INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION). S-Cape Safe House (021 788 8207) • 161 MEMBER STATES OF THE UN ARE [email protected] INVOLVED IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING s-cape.org.za (WWW.FREETHESLAVES.NET). Traffick Proof (021 689 4480) [email protected] facebook.com/traffickproofsa The Joseph Movement (082 766 9870) [email protected] JosephMovement.org.za Straatwerk (021 930 8055) [email protected] straatwerk.org.za Doctors For Life Intl (032 481 5550) [email protected] DoctorsForLife.co.za Christian Action (021 689 4480) [email protected] ChristianAction.org.za Traffick Proof (021 689 4480) [email protected] facebook.com/traffickproofsa DEVOTED Magazine 5

Actual WILL JUSTICE PREVAIL FOR KWASIZABANTU? FOLLOWING AN ALMOST THREE-YEAR INVESTIGATION INTO THE DOCTRINE OF THE KWASIZABANTU MISSION, AMONG OTHER SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS, THE COMMISSION FOR THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS AND LINGUISTIC COMMUNITIES (CRL) HAS EXONERATED THE MISSION. THE CRL ABSOLVED THE MISSION FROM BLAME FOR WRONGDOING AND FOUND NO GROUNDS FOR THE SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS MADE BY THE MEDIA AGAINST THEM SINCE 2019. I ATTENDED THE MEDIA CONFERENCE OF THE CRL’S REPORT ON 13 JULY 2023 AT THEIR OFFICES IN JOHANNESBURG. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE OUR READERS FEEDBACK ON THE FINDINGS BECAUSE IT WAS NOT AT ALL BALANCED IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA. NEWS24, FOR INSTANCE, UNETHICALLY REPORTED ON THE PRELIMINARY REPORT, WHICH DIFFERED FROM THE FINAL REPORT, RELEASED ON 13 JULY 2023. The report results from an Allegations of criminal activities were given over to the Police, but no arrests were investigation into alleged made to date, even three years after the allegations started. violations of the religious The investigation followed a media uproar that began in 2019 and, by 2020, led to a rights of the congregants nationwide consumer boycott against the Mission’s products, including the award- of the mission church. The allegations winning aQuellé bottled water.  concerned the church’s teachings, The boycott was spearheaded by News24 and its editor-in-chief, Adriaan Basson, principles, doctrines, employment who personally incited his readers to stop buying aQuellé to stop a so-called cult. issues, money laundering, fraud, and The Mission’s bottling plant produces 23 million litres of water monthly, and the cultural practices. The Commission monetary loss was immense. This unprecedented request impacted the livelihood conducted various investigative of thousands of workers at the bottling plants. hearings at different locations Regarding the church and cult practices, the Commission found that the teachings with current and former members and doctrines of KwaSizabantu are within the scope of freedom of religion as and congregants of the Mission, prescribed in the Constitution. The Chairperson, Professor Mosoma, stated that complainants, and the management KwaSizabantu does not fit the definition of what people generally perceive as a cult team. and what was claimed by the media. He also said that the media sometimes abuses The offices of the MEC of Social the word ‘cult’ to create doubt about a Christian institution. Development and the Premier of The CRL reported that Prince Buthelezi called KwaSizabantu a place free of racial KwaZulu-Natal also provided reports segregation and oppression where people of all races lived, worked, ate, learned regarding the allegations after their on- and worshipped together in his submission to the CRL Commission regarding the site investigations. It was clear from the serious allegations. CRL’s feedback that the investigations He wrote: “Indeed, the repercussions of a knee-jerk reaction will be devastating for were thorough, and no stone was left the thousands of people who call KwaSizabantu home, for the tens of thousands unturned to get to the bottom of the who worship there and for the millions who have engaged with the Mission over the accusations. past fifty years.” 6 DEVOTED Magazine

The Chairperson said they did not investigate the Read the book, criminal allegations as they did not fall within the scope of their mandate. Susan Puren from the Bond Servant of investigative magazine Noseweek asked the Chairperson Christ, why they then entertained the many stories told by the complainants on such a public platform. The reply was that the CRL Erlo Hartwig did not know beforehand what the complainants would complain Stegen about. This was misleading. by EM Fleischmann SOURCE WAS PAID FOR FABRICATIONS Commissioner Botha, who was closely involved in the CRL The book is available from the investigations, was asked whether the Commission was aware KwaSizabantu Mission and you can visit of the fact that there were allegations that the entire smear campaign had its origins in a planned plot to take over the Mission the website, www.ksb.org for contact and its businesses. Furthermore, the source of information was details. paid for an affidavit and to smear the Mission as part of the plot. He replied that they were made aware of the payments but did not have evidence. When he was told that there was a court case in which it was proven that the media’s source of information was paid for an affidavit and that she was paid huge amounts for fabricated stories and lies, he said that he was unaware of that court case. But many was aware of that course case as it was in the public domain. Why was he not? When I asked if the Commission was mandated to rule that the editor-in-chief of News24 specifically, and the Media24 powerhouse, should retract their boycott of the Mission’s bottled water and the false claims that were published extensively and widely, the Chairperson replied that processes should indeed be followed. He also said that recourse is part of the democratic process. It remains to be seen how the Mission and those involved will navigate the aftermath and whether justice will prevail. But to be real and fair: How can they prove something that did not happen? >> Note from the editor: READ THE BOOK, A JOURNEY TO THE TRUTH – THE CASE OF KWASIZABANTU. DETAILS ARE AT THE BACK OF THIS ISSUE. READ ALSO SUSAN PUREN’S ARTICLE IN ISSUE 38 OF DEVOTED FOR ANOTHER BALANCED VIEW. THEN YOU DECIDE! DEVOTED Magazine 7

Actual THE POWER OF LANGUAGE LANGUAGE HAS ALWAYS INTRIGUED ME, ESPECIALLY THE MEANING OF WORDS. DICTION (THE WORDS CHOSEN BY A WRITER OR JOURNALIST) CAN BE POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE, DEPENDING ON HOW A WORD IS APPLIED. OVER THE YEARS, I’VE PICKED UP HOW THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA USE EMOTIVE WORDS TO PLAY ON THE FEELINGS OF NEWS CONSUMERS, SOMETIMES DELIBERATELY TO GIVE GRAVITAS TO AN ALLEGATION (MOSTLY FALSE) OR STORY. THEY USE THE TECHNIQUE TO FOOL THE AUDIENCE AND MANIPULATE THEM INTO BELIEVING THEIR STORY, ESPECIALLY WHEN UNSURE ABOUT THEIR FACTS. Emotion It avoids terms, phrases or expressions that could be seen as racist, in news reporting raises ethical sexist or biased against a particular group of people. But like most questions about the coverage things in life, it can be abused as well. as it plays on readers’ emotions and evokes We have seen tons of examples where inclusive language was taken an emotional response instead of reporting to another level of irrational thinking or rather feelings. The use of facts. It can also make an issue appear pronouns, for instance, clearly demonstrates the ridiculousness of more significant than it really is. Similarly, trying to change the language to suit an agenda. A single person is now a word expressing negative emotions can called ‘they’ or ‘we’, depending on the person’s mood (how they feel). impact a reader’s mind. Similarly, a biological woman could now be a ‘he’ (‘him’) and a biological man On the other hand, using ‘alternative’ a ‘she’ or ‘her’. It is all about how they ‘feel’, how they perceive themselves – language for a serious issue or even crime not reality.People who believe the biological truth that there are only two genders can make it look less serious than it is by (sexes) are regarded as old-fashioned and problematic, and it is even seen as hate normalising the abnormal. “Language is speech. Where will all this end? powerful. It alters what we remember, how There are even cases where people identify as a cat or some bizarre animal or we perceive ourselves and the world around thing and suddenly insist on being called that when they are clearly not that ‘thing’. us, how we feel, the insights we have, the Such examples are rife on the internet. decisions we make, and the actions we Gender-neutral words are fast becoming a part of the mainstream vocabulary, take,” writes Viorica Marian, an American and many people are confused by it. For instance, instead of ‘father’, ‘non- psycholinguist. 1 birthing parent’ is used, ‘breastmilk’ is called ‘chest-milk’ and ‘breastfeeding’ is ‘chest-feeding’. A notice from University Hospitals Sussex Maternity Services, INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE for instance, reads: “Today we are launching the UK’s first clinical and language In general, people seem to regard inclusive guidelines supporting trans and non-binary birthing people.” Nurses were also language as a good thing as it is aimed at discouraged from using the terms ‘mother’ and ‘father’ and instead exchange making people think about the impact their them with ‘biological parent’ and ‘second biological parent’. But in terms of biology, words or phrases have on others. a non-mother is a father... or not? I struggle to figure out what they are trying to communicate and why there is suddenly the need to change the language we are used to in order to fit an agenda. I fail to see how something true (even real) can be hate speech. But there are cases where this is happening. For instance, Murray Allan was expelled from school in 2019 in Scotland after clashing with a teacher when he said there are only two genders and that it is a biological fact.2 He was reportedly also prevented from furthering his education. How can an alternative viewpoint be seen as hate speech by any definition? It is beyond ridiculous, and I have no words for this mix-up and do not know how people can get away with it. It also seems that, in general, you are not allowed to have an open dialogue about these issues. 8 DEVOTED Magazine

But, it reminds me again of what Dr Martin King This manipulation refers to the influence exercised by a minority group Junior said about people keeping quiet about on another group through speech to achieve a specific goal to change a important things: “The ultimate tragedy is not person’s or group’s behaviour or perceptions. the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but Walsh demonstrated how the trans agenda has infiltrated society the silence over that by the good people. There through language manipulation. By giving the impression that comes a time when silence is betrayal.” To me, it language is fluid, they imply that people are fluid. He pointed out that feels like a betrayal if we keep silent about these for decades, since the birth of mankind, people believed that there important things that impact us all. are only two genders (male and female). Now, suddenly, gender is a social construct, and anyone can ‘feel’ to be anything, anytime, and on MANIPULATING LANGUAGE a wide range of the so-called gender spectrum. He asked the following The argument is that exclusive language (the question, which struck me in particular: Since when has gender and opposite of inclusive language) is excluding sex had anything to do with how you feel, rather than what you were someone else through the words you use, making born as? them feel rejected, not valued, and like an Why do we allow the minority to get away with this irrational way outcast from a group. Of course, nobody in their of talking to us? Why do they not respect the way I feel about this right mind wants to be responsible for making particular topic and how do they get away with this? people feel bad, but do I not have the right to include (or even exclude) whomever I want in PEOPLE-FIRST LANGUAGE my conversation without making them ‘feel’ It is concerning how far people-first language is taking us. At first excluded, rejected, or whatnot? It seems it is all glance, it could be seen as a good thing, as it refers to being sensitive about feelings — how your words make another to not label a person in terms of an illness, crime or disability. But person ‘feel’ at any given time. But feelings perverts are now generally called ‘having alternative lifestyles’ to make change all the time, and sometimes I cannot them seem increasingly normative. Paedophiles are called ‘minor- keep up with the changed moods and feelings of attracted people’ in an effort to try to normalise this horrific crime! people! What the Bible calls sin is now called ‘sickness’. One reason is to make My feelings have certainly changed numerous these sins (crimes) less stigmatised. times while I was writing this article. However, In this context, ‘alternative lifestyles’ refer to being outside the cultural the reality is that I remain a woman who can norm and include homosexuality and LGBTQIA+ identities. The list of only be seen and called a woman with certain what people can identify with gets longer and longer by the day and obvious womanly qualities. And even though people can no longer keep up with it. I went through an identity crisis sometime in Homeless people are called ‘home fluid’ or even ‘unhoused’ because, my younger days, this is how God made me, a apparently, they have different homes and are not really homeless. female child in His image. Today, I can only thank The list of absurdity can go on forever and probably will. Because we the people who didn’t put up with my changing tolerate it! emotions and mental illness but rather lovingly Many argue that the high divorce rate and increased premarital sex helped me back on the right path. (promiscuity), cohabitation, and extramarital sex are consequences The American political commentator Matt Walsh of the efforts to normalise alternative lifestyles. I, for one, can see why is not afraid to speak from a rational point of there is that concern. view, and he has some rational (some would call it radical!) discussions about the changing CHILDREN IN CRISIS language. He focuses especially on the fact that The enemy is after the next generation and their identity in Christ. Our language is an orderly construct with definite children are in crisis, and there should not be any doubt about that! It rules that cannot be changed. He has said that is vital that parents educate themselves on the issues that confront there is an effort to change reality and make their children and be aware of what children can find on the internet. people perceive reality for what it is not. I tend to For instance, do yourself a favour and watch this video, My pal Satan. agree with this wise man. I follow him on YouTube Protecting our children can never ever be seen as a movement... It because what he says speaks to my rationale. should be a way of life! It’s got nothing to do with religion. As for me, I Walsh also warned against the manipulation of would rather speak up about things that are true than become one of language for the wrong reasons in his speech the many who prefer to keep silent and not rock the boat, so to speak. about Forced Language Manipulation. By keeping silent, in fact, you are part of the problem, not the solution. 1 The Power of Language: How the Codes We Use to Think, Speak, and Live Transform Our Minds (https://g.co/kgs/zRPe7C) DEVOTED Magazine 9 2 Murray Allan: Expelled for saying there are only two genders, doesn’t regret standing his ground (https://youtu.be/UO0Cg2MniV4)

Actual WIS ITHRAIGTHPT EANODPFLAEIRBTOERLIIDEICVUELE? JOIN US AS WE CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON ETHICAL JOURNALISM, ZOOMING INTO THE PRACTICE OF MOCKING PEOPLE’S BELIEFS, SPECIFICALLY CHRISTIAN BELIEFS. Ethics refers to the moral Challenged by this question, I studied the following published articles, which principles that guide decision- provided excellent examples of the matter of an anti-Christian sentiment that I making in our personal and would like to demonstrate: professional lives. Ethical issues in the media include freedom of speech and • Is it fair to ridicule what Christians believe? (https://www.news24.com/news24/ religion, stereotyping, advertising practices is-it-fair-to-ridicule-what-christians-believe-20141118) (product placement), and legal issues such as defamation. But why is media ethics so • Should Christian beliefs be ridiculed? (https://www.news24.com/news24/ important? should-christian-beliefs-be-ridiculed-20150526) Media ethics involves promoting and defending values such as a universal DISCRIMINATION respect for life and the rule of law and The anti-Christian sentiment referred to as Christophobia includes all forms of legality. Today, news consumers are discrimination, hostility, and intolerance against Christians and Christianity, bombarded with fake news, unfounded including ridiculing the faith. The articles mentioned above argue for atheism but allegations, rumours, conspiracy theories, include blasphemy and mock Christians and Christianity in general. and clickbait with typical sensationalised The writer states: “Some of the insights I have about atheism only came about as a and misleading information. Consumers result of reading these arguments (Christians’ arguments for God). But I must admit deserve better, and news organisations many times in debating Christians I have to control myself from laughing out loud should recommit themselves to the – especially when in discourse with Christian friends or watching Joseph Prince or thoughtful application of ethical journalism. Joyce Meyers with my family.” And journalists should not be allowed to The article ends with, “Someday in the future people will treat Christianity just like ridicule the religious beliefs of individuals all of the other dead gods and religions are treated today. We mock them. In the or organisations. future, anyone who learns about Christianity in a history book will mock it like all The secular media often mocks Christianity the other dead religions.” openly. It even launches smear campaigns There are more examples of discrimination, blasphemy and ridicule in these against Christian organisations or notable articles, and I urge you to read them both. religious figures as part of an agenda. The How could these articles be published without consequences? I know for a fact question is: Can a smear campaign against that the Muslim community would not be tolerant of those who mock the prophet, a Christian or Christian organisation be Muhammed, and there are many examples where the Muslim community reacted seen as an attack on Christianity as a when the prophet was mocked in any way. religion? Could media reports from a non- Why is it that Christians are more tolerant? Why do Christians keep quiet about this believer be regarded as inaccurate and important matter? based on anti-Christian stereotypes? Christianity is regarded as the world’s largest religion, with more than two billion followers. The Bible is still the best-selling book of all time, with billions of copies sold worldwide. 10 DEVOTED Magazine

To mock Christianity in such a way is not only Read the book, unfair and uncalled for, but it is also unethical. Freedom of speech does not mean you can A JOURNEY TO disregard the individual’s rights. THE TRUTH: Freedom of religion is a fundamental human The Case of right. The South African Charter of Religious Rights and Freedoms (SACRRF) protects the freedom KwaSizabantu of religion of “an individual or community, in Mission public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance”. by Gerda Potgieter Therefore, I don’t believe journalists have the right to mock people’s chosen religions. These NOW AVAILABLE at Christian articles mock the faith of millions of Christians worldwide. Although many would argue that Liberty Books in Cape Town, mocking someone’s religion can be classified Good Reads and Amazon as free speech, such practices should not be tolerated. eBook - https://www. Another question that sprung to my mind is how amazon.com/dp/ an editor or journalist who reports on a Christian B0CC2V989F or Christian organisation can be unbiased or objective about them if they favour atheism. It is Paperback - https://www. doubtful that people with such radical views can amazon.com/dp/0639797032 objectively evaluate efforts to put Christianity to shame or falsely accuse a Christian mission of https://www. wrongdoing. I would not believe anything a media goodreads.com/book/ outlet publishes about any Christian organisation or person if they have such strong and publically show/192138791-a- declared anti-Christian beliefs. journey-to-the-truth When I looked into how fair News24’s reporting on Christians or Christian organisations was, I was not surprised to stumble on the malicious media attack on the KwaSizabantu Mission in 2020. The intensity and continuity of the attacks prompted me to write a book, which has now been published. A Journey to the Truth: The Case of KwaSizabantu Mission explains in detail how the media weaponised untested information to defame the Mission over time and highlights the perils of disinformation. You can also read Issue 38 of Devoted for a balanced view on the media campaign against KwaSizabantu by following the link: https://online. pubhtml5.com/asxvv/ddze/. Our series on ethical journalism aims to provide a resource for news consumers and students of journalism. All the articles are easily accessible on our website. The next article in the series will examine how Christians are persecuted. DEVOTED Magazine 11

Faith LIVING BY FAITH MISSIONS FOLLOW DIFFERENT MODELS FAITH ALONE WHEN IT COMES TO MISSIONARY WORK. Over forty years ago, as God laid the vision of Frontline ONE SUCH MODEL IS BASED ON THAT Fellowship upon my heart, I was determined to follow the OF ABRAHAM IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. example of Taylor in launching as a faith mission. Our IT WAS THE FIRST MISSIONARY MODEL Mission was born in prayer, and this revelation came during WHERE AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS FORM all-night prayer meetings at our military base. THE BASIS TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE We were praying our way through the book Operation MISSIONARY. AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE World, particularly praying for our neighbouring countries: OF THIS MODEL IS THE KWASIZABANTU Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Angola. These were MISSION IN KWAZULU-NATAL. ANOTHER the so-called frontline states. At that time, they were at MODEL THAT MISSIONS USE IS THE war with South Africa and supporting revolutionary groups INTERDENOMINATIONAL FAITH MODEL coming across the border into South Africa and South West OF HUDSON TAYLOR. DEVOTED ASKED Africa, laying landmines in roads, placing limpet mines in DR PETER HAMMOND OF FRONTLINE shops, restaurants and railway stations, and car bombs in FELLOWSHIP TO EXPLAIN WHAT MODEL public streets. They were coming at us with bombs and hate. THEY FOLLOW AND WHAT ‘LIVING BY FAITH’ We determined to go to them with Bibles and the love and MEANS TO HIM AND THEIR MISSION. Gospel of Jesus Christ. The pioneering missionary COUNTER-CULTURAL Hudson Taylor declared: “God’s Most Christian ministries seemed to place a major emphasis work, done in God’s way, will on money and fundraising. We determined to go in the other never lack God’s supply.” Not direction. There is nothing wrong with taking up an offering only did Taylor pioneer the first to cover ministry expenses. However, I have never taken interdenominational mission society, but also the up an offering in the more than forty years that Frontline first faith mission. Convinced that “God’s servant Fellowship has been running. Others may have taken up is God’s responsibility” and that “the will of God some offerings on our behalf, and we are grateful for that, will never lead you where the grace of God cannot but we have never required or requested it. Nor have we, as a keep you”, Taylor determined not to engage in Mission, engaged in direct fundraising. fundraising but to concentrate on the mission Despite conducting speaking tours in 38 countries on four God had entrusted him with. This is the model that we chose to follow.“But I refused this offer of help continents, I have never required speaker fees for “Freely and continued using drugs for some time. I finally you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). I have asked my mother if she could please arrange for me to travel to CYPSA to sign in and get help. not taken any royalties from any books I have written After arriving at the gate and signing in, my life and published. All proceeds go directly into the Mission. was truly changed forever. I met with my Lord and Everything that has been accomplished in and through our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and He rescued me from the Mission over the last 40 years has been entirely due to God’s deep pit I had been living in. The Lord continues grace.. to work miracles in my life, and I am now working full-time as an assistant at a supermarket. The HOSPITAL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Lord Jesus Christ saved my life!” Some have asked how any individual can live without a salary and a visible source of income. Or how any organisation can operate without fundraisers. Francis Grim, the founder of Hospital Christian Fellowship International, taught me how to live by faith. When he issued me the call to join his ministry in Kempton Park, I was in Cape Town (1,400 km away). I had already been living and ministering by faith for some months, and I no longer had so much as a Rand to my name. I had to trust the Lord for the train fare to reach Kempton Park. When Uncle Francis sent me on a country- wide tour to visit all the Christian bookshops and promote 12 DEVOTED Magazine

Heart Publishers’ materials, I needed to do so sufficient funds for an air ticket to East Africa. I investigated and found by hitchhiking. that I had sufficient frequent flyer miles to earn a free air ticket to In the early years of this Mission, I hitchhiked over Nairobi. Through missionary contacts and correspondents in the area, 140,000 km! On one occasion, I had to get from I got into Rwanda and hitchhiked with hundreds of Bibles into South Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth (PE) in less than a Sudan. There, I made contact with the persecuted church. day. Knowing that that was virtually impossible by hitchhiking, I went to Lanseria Airport. I asked the MACEDONIAN CALL control tower if they knew of any aircraft flying to PE that day. Incredibly, a new helicopter had to be That was also when Rev Kenneth Baringwa tracked me down and gave delivered to PE. When I explained my dilemma to the pilot, he cheerfully offered me a free ride! So, me the Macedonian call: “You must come to Moruland!” But how could in a matter of hours, I could travel in comfort and style to my speaking engagement in the Eastern I do so? The distances were so vast. The expenses were impossible Cape. All this hitchhiking gave me opportunities to witness to hundreds of motorists (and a few for our little Mission. We trusted the Lord for the resources to drive pilots) and distribute Gospel literature very widely. When setting off on my first mission to overland to Sudan. But then, many of the areas we needed to reach Mozambique, funds were so low that I did not have sufficient means to purchase enough fuel. At were behind enemy lines. The Lord provided for one air charter, and we a petrol station in King William’s Town, the owner of the fuel station came out and asked questions smuggled 1,200 Bibles to a remote area in Western Equatoria. about the Christian stickers on my heavily laden off-road motorbike and what I was doing. I Incredibly, through the vision of a blind friend, Brent Noebel, sufficient explained my mission to Mozambique, and after he filled my tank, he informed me that it was “on funds were raised from Summit students for us to deliver over 300,000 the house” and no payment was necessary! Bibles and Christian books in 24 languages to 14 different regions TIMES OF TESTING Things don’t always go quite that easily, of course. of Sudan. I conducted over 1,200 services and meetings, training On one mission to Mozambique via Zambia and Malawi, funds were so tight that I would not have hundreds of pastors, teachers, chaplains, and evangelists in Sudan on been able to reach Johannesburg without the books I sold at a church meeting in Bloemfontein 27 missions. All by faith. en route. The books sold in Pretoria helped me purchase fuel to go all the way through Zambia Frontline Fellowship has conducted over 80 missions to Sudan. Many to Malawi and Mozambique. On the way back, however, I needed to sell spare shoes and our ask us how that is possible. With the limited means at our disposal, spare tyre to have the fuel to get back home. The first two times I received invitations to we attempt to do our very best to respond to the challenges and minister in Europe, I received extraordinary encouragement (and essential provision). Just opportunities to fulfil the Great Commission in Africa. The books we before my departure, I went past our postbox and found an envelope sent by Reverend Erlo Stegen have published go a long way toward financing the fuel for mission from the KwaSizabantu Mission with hundreds of Deutschmark! As there was no way that he could teams in the field. But most of our support comes from prayer have known of my impending mission to Germany and Eastern Europe, the timing was incredible. supporters of our missions, cheques, electronic transfers, direct This happened twice. At no other times did I receive money in the mail, except when I was en deposits, and envelopes after a meeting. These are some of the means route there. When the wars in Mozambique and Angola ended the Lord has used to enable our Mission to go forward. in 1994, the holocaust in Rwanda erupted. I knew I had to go there, but there was no way that we had An overland mission to Sudan in 2011 was another example of how the Lord requires us to step out in faith. It was only after we had fully equipped, packed and loaded our vehicle, and the team was already on the road to Sudan that funds came in from supporters of the Mission to enable the team to reach their destination. The children of Israel learned to follow the presence of God as it was manifested by the pillar of fire by night and the pillar of cloud by Mission day. Just as the children of Israel were required to step into the volunteers River Jordan before the Lord parted the waters, we need seek to be responsive to the still, small voice of God’s Holy partnerships with Spirit. We need to stand up, step out, and launch out communities around the world and fund in faith. (support) themselves. I We are determined not to be deterred have volunteered numerous times at various organisations, by the dangers, diseases, and risks involved in ministering in conflict including missions such as areas. We trust God alone for His KwaSizabantu and once at Frontline provision, protection, guidance, Fellowship. It is an enriching experience and blessing. We are most and I can certainly recommend it. If you grateful for your prayers, are ready to serve, do not hesitate to contact encouragement, and Dr Peter Hammond or Ryan at Frontline support. Fellowship. Tel: 021-689-4480: Email: [email protected] Website: www.frontlinemissionsa.org DEVOTED Magazine 13

Celebrating STORIES UNTOLD restored lives! STORIES UNTOLD series THERE IS POWER IN SHARING INSPIRATIONAL STORIES WITH OTHERS. IT IS A WAY WE CAN CONNECT AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHER. AND ALL OF US NEED MOTIVATION TO KEEP OUR HOPES ALIVE! STORYTELLING ALSO ESTABLISHES COMMON GROUND. OVER THE YEARS, DEVOTED HAS BUILT A REPOSITORY OF STORIES FOR OUR READERS TO DRAW FROM. IT IS OUR HOPE THAT YOU WILL TELL AND RETELL THEM TO INSPIRE AND GIVE OTHERS HOPE. YOU CAN ALSO HELP US BUILD OUR COLLECTION OF INSPIRING STORIES BY SHARING YOUR UNIQUE, LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE LIKE THE PEOPLE BELOW.* SIYANDA Later, in high school, he started smoking dagga, which was popular at his school. When he finished school and joined the CIBANE learned that workforce, he also started drinking alcohol. Not long after this, he was hooked on alcohol and rapidly became a very substance abuse has devastating heavy drinker. effects on a person’s life and Siyanda would party every weekend, with devastating the lives of those close to them. Sometimes these consequences. His drinking habit eventually cost him effects even reach his job. After he lost his job, Siyanda became broader environments. very depressed and drank even more until Despite the countless he reached the point where he lost all negative consequences, hope and gave up on life. the inability to quit He needed God to help him because impacts everything nothing else he had tried could around the addict. For free him from depression and those who turn away alcohol abuse. And then, in 2016, from their old life makes everything changed when he arrived all the difference. It leads to a at KwaSizabantu and started to follow sustainable outcome, cleanses them their CYPSA programme. from all unrighteousness, and reminds them “After a while, I started to confess my daily that we stand before God in the grace of sins and reached out to others for help. Jesus Christ. This was the positive experience I asked a child of the Lord to pray with me,” Siyanda had when he gave his life to Jesus. He is no longer a slave to dagga and alcohol. Siyanda explained. After receiving prayer and “My life was very difficult when I was a slave to through the confession of his sin, he was set free from the dagga and alcohol,” Siyanda told us. “I started at a life he had been living! very young age when I began to smoke cigarettes For the very first time in his life, Siyanda is now a happy when I was only 11 years old.” person. With a huge smile, he declared, “I am now a part of the Lord’s work, and my experience is that God is helping me every day with the challenges of life.” In 1 John 1:9-10, we see that God is faithful to forgive us our sins and cleanse us when we confess our sins to Him. And if God could do it for Siyanda, He can and will do it for you! 14 DEVOTED Magazine

JOHNSON as a qualified cutter, earning quite a reasonable wage. But this did not last because I stole from my employers. Eventually, PILLAY is now delivered from there was nothing left to steal at home anymore, I had no job or income, so I began to rob people on the street. I once even drugs, alcohol and peer pressure and lives a life of stole a large quantity of Mandrax tablets from a drug dealer, restoration. and gangsters barged into my home with guns and threatened It is natural for young people to go through a period my family, leaving my mum devastated. She eventually passed of social and personal experimentation until they on due to a heart attack (and I’m sure a broken heart), and find their place in life. But unfortunately, during later, my dad also passed on. this phase, peer pressure can change them, their “A few years later, our family home was sold, and we all were appearance, and their attitude. Peer pressure can given a share of the proceeds. I squandered my share at a drug cause young people to do unhealthy, sometimes even den in a few months. When my money was finished, I became dangerous, things. a total hobo with no shelter, food, or clothes. The drug dealer Johnson experienced this firsthand when he chose acknowledged the money I had spent at his drug den and to follow his peers and what they were doing to be in offered me a job selling drugs and accommodation in the drug with the crowd. This is his story of how peer pressure den. I had no choice but to accept the offer. drove him off the rails and how God brought him back “I smoked Mandrax and cocaine day and night and slept only a on track. “I was born and raised in a well-disciplined few hours a day because it was a 24-hour drug dealing Christian home in Durban, Phoenix. operation. I sold drugs, stole, robbed, cheated, was My parents were both devoted and involved in violent fights, and lived immorally. I dedicated churchgoers, doing all was disappearing physically. The police were they could to bring us up in the my greatest enemies, and I was caught in ways of the Lord. While going to possession of drugs and arrested a few times. the shop at the age of 12, I began “My older brother often came looking for me, to see older guys ganging up but I refused to see him. I wanted no contact and hanging around flat corners, with my family because of the shame and playing music, and cards, wearing disgrace I had caused them. While in my pigsty earrings, hats backwards, torn jeans, state, with no hope left, I remembered KwaSizabantu and so on. I said to myself, ‘Wow, these guys are so free and relaxed, not like me, just going to Mission, as my dad had taken me there once. I arose school and church and staying at home.’ It wasn’t long early one morning and decided it was now or never. I knew if I before this desire in my heart became a reality. did not make a drastic decision immediately, I would die in the “In my last year of primary school, I was already life I was living. standing on corners smoking cigarettes and dagga. “I went to the Mission in 2012, and shortly after arriving, it was By the time I reached high school, I was a hardcore suggested that I take an HIV test as my physical appearance Mandrax smoker. I began to steal money from my looked so bad they suspected that I may be HIV positive. By siblings and parents to support my drug habit. Things God’s grace, the test was negative, and it was simply the result just grew worse at school, as I attended school high of the drugs I was using having consumed my body. I couldn’t and drunk, got involved in fights, and was regularly stand upright, always walked crouched and hunched over, absent until I dropped out of school in grade 10. I got a and I had to pause every few steps to catch my breath. I was job at the local supermarket but was caught stealing in desperate need, both spiritually and physically. I sincerely several times. I eventually landed up in prison. By confessed my sins one by one, and God, in His great love and then, I was addicted to smoking Mandrax tablets and mercy, saw fit to miraculously set me free from every addiction. crack cocaine. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed! (John 8:36) “I later married and had a beautiful baby girl, but even “Since 2012, I’ve reconciled with my family and by God’s this family couldn’t fill the void within me. I eventually amazing grace, I have been living and working at KwaSizabantu left my wife and child after stealing a large amount Mission for 10 years now, completely free from drugs and living of jewellery from my wife’s home, which I sold to a new life in Christ with His children. God has also seen it fit for buy drugs. I returned to live at my parents’ home. I me to be one of the proud employees at aQuellé, where I am began to steal whatever jewellery was around the employed as an Invoice Clerk. The company also allowed me to house, including my dad’s wedding ring. This insane study, and I have now completed a one-year course in Stores behaviour destroyed my family, especially my mum. and Warehousing Management. My dad and siblings couldn’t look me in the eye “I could have been dead 10 years ago, but because of one man’s because of my threatening and violent behaviour. obedience, Reverend Erlo Stegen, the founder of KwaSizabantu, “At this time, I worked in different clothing companies I have been snatched from the very flames of hell and brought into God’s glorious presence.” DEVOTED Magazine 15

News AQUELLE-KHULA AND EAST COAST RADIO JOINED FORCES TO TACKLE POLLUTION THE ICONIC KZN BRANDS AQUELLÉ-KHULA AND KZN’S NUMBER ONE HIT MUSIC STATION, EAST COAST RADIO, JOINED FORCES FOR NELSON MANDELA DAY. THEY TACKLED THE SCOURGE OF POLLUTION IN WATERWAYS, RIVERS, AND STREAMS. MORE THAN FIVE HUNDRED BAGS OF LITTER WERE COLLECTED BY VOLUNTEERS FROM DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDER ORGANISATIONS. COMMUNITY MEMBERS PARTICIPATED IN THE CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS AT THE DURBAN HARBOUR, NTUZUMA AND KLAARWATER TOWNSHIPS, AS WELL AS NEWCASTLE IN THE KZN MIDLANDS. Gladson Songelwa from We believe that our partnership with East Coast Radio will help us aQuellé highlighted the importance of working achieve greater awareness about this critical issue on this day of together to clean up the environment. He said, “Our collective significance.” responsibility is to act and ensure the long-term sustainability of our water Boni Mchunu, Managing Director of East Coast Radio said, “We are ecosystems. Clean and healthy rivers and streams proud to be part of the KZN business team and serve our communities are the lifeblood of our communities. It provides us with drinking water, for good. irrigation for crops, as well as being a habitat for countless wildlife species. ECR & aQuellé wanted to make a meaningful and sustainable Our community clean-ups form part of our bigger community outreach difference in people’s lives on the ground. We believe we have a role in programme. It has become synonymous with the sustaining the environment that we operate in. KHULA brand due to our wide-reaching footprint. Our partnership with the aQuellé-KHULA community clean-ups provided us with the perfect platform to drive awareness about the importance of water quality in KZN. In this way, we aim to encourage active participation from our communities to preserve and protect our natural resources. Both brands will FIND OUT MORE ensure that this campaign lives on TO VIEW IMAGES AND VIDEOS beyond Mandela Day to impact our FROM THE NELSON MANDELA DAY communities for good.” CLEAN-UP OPERATION VISIT EAST COAST RADIO AND AQUELLÉ-KHULA ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM. FACEBOOK: EAST COAST RADIO / AQUELLÉ-KHULA INSTAGRAM: @EASTCOASTRADIO / @AQUELLEKHULA TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE KHULA CLEAN-UPS AND HOW YOU CAN BECOME INVOLVED, VISIT WWW.AQUELLE.CO.ZA/KHULA OR WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ AQUELLEKHULA 16 DEVOTED Magazine

IT’S KHULA TO CLEAN-UP THE PICTURES CELEBRATE SOME OF THE CLEAN-UPS! No distance is too far for the KHULA Clean-Up team from aQuellé to assist with cleaning up the country. The team recently joined the Matjhabeng Municipality to clean up the Saaiplaas area in the Free State. Almost 200 volunteers from the community took to the streets on 10 June, joined by members of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and local organisations and companies including DW Attorneys, Remax, The Daily Bakery and Diepfontein Christian School. So far, aQuellé Khula has joined more than 52 community clean-ups over the past two years throughout South Africa. This coincides with the number of years in which the KwaSizabantu Mission (the team’s home) is active in the community. Local schools, municipalities and environmental agencies usually volunteer to join in, with over 6500 volunteers who have participated to date. The brand is passionate about the project and the positive impact it is making in communities. “We are excited to be part of a clean-up campaign that encourages people to look after their environment. It’s been great to see large teams of enthusiastic volunteers from the local communities joining us to clean up their areas and promote recycling. All aQuelle bottles are made from PET, which is 100% recyclable, and we can beat plastic pollution together. We have been on a wonderful journey and are thankful to everyone who has assisted,” says Gladson Songelwa of aQuellé. “It is a privilege to work with local communities in creating a happier, healthier space.” Khula means ‘grow’ in Zulu and this exciting range of sparkling soft drinks by aQuellé is growing in popularity with South Africans. Available in 4 delicious flavours in 500 ml and 1.5 L, every Khula soft drink delivers a burst of flavour! aQuellé also produces the award-winning energy drink, ViV. Visit their website: www.aquelle.co.za

NOW AVAILABLE! AT Amazon Christian Liberty Books, Cape Town and Beyond the vale Publishers, Johannesburg Beyond the Vale Publishers https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/192138791-a-journey-to-the-truth Ebook link Paperback link https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CC2V989F https://www.amazon.com/dp/0639797032