Hollywood celebrity Reese Witherspoon recently shared a letter written by the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The letter was written in 2016 to a then newborn Juliet from America.
Juliet’s father had wanted to compile a book of letters for her, so he wrote to various heads of state, celebrities, and leaders in faith.
The late Archbishop was one of the people asked to write a letter, and he responded with the most profound and hope-inspiring letter.
Read the full letter below:
Photo: Facebook
The State of the Nation Address (SONA) is an annual message delivered by the President of South Africa to a joint sitting of the two houses of Parliament. The SONA will chart government’s vision for building a more prosperous, united and equal South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the 2022 State of the Nation Address on Thursday, 10 February 2022, at 7 pm. Here is why SONA Matters:
President Cyril Ramaphosa will in his SONA on Thursday, outline the first actions government will take in response to the findings and recommendations of the expert panel appointed in August 2021 to review government’s response to the July 2021 unrest.
During his address, President Ramaphosa will highlight what has been achieved by the administration since his last address in 2021.He will also reflect on government’s response to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, and progress on the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will in his State of Nation Address on Thursday, outline the first actions government will take in response to the findings and recommendations of the expert panel appointed in August 2021 to review government’s response to the July 2021 unrest.
Government invites all South Africans to be part of the State of the Nation Address on Thursday, 10 February 2022 at 7pm. South Africans can tune into their favourite television or radio station to be part of this national milestone.
The Presiding Officers of Parliament will this morning address the media on Parliament’s state of readiness for #SONA2022 to be delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday.
Read more:
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Siraj who, was 75 years old, died instantly from multiple gunshot wounds, while Naeem sustained a gunshot wound and was treated in a Peshawar hospital. They belong to the Church of Pakistan, a WCC member church.
Though no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, police have described it as a terrorist act. Even though a comprehensive investigation has been launched, the assailants are yet to be apprehended.
Read here to read more.
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Britain’s crown prince has paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on her Platinum Jubilee for what he called her “remarkable achievement” of reaching 70 years on the throne. Prince Charles also thanked his mother for her wish that his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, be known as Queen Consort when he becomes King.
Read more:
Photo: The Royalty Family
South Africa conducted 16 067 COVID-19 tests in the past 24 hours, of which 1 228 were positive.
According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), this means the positivity rate now stands at 7.6%.
Gauteng accounted for 41% or 498 new cases recorded, followed by 166 in Mpumalanga, 155 in the Western Cape and 145 in KwaZulu-Natal.
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Stage 2 loadshedding will be implemented from 21:00 tonight until 05:00 on Tuesday.
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The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) announced on Monday that it has registered the MC Pharma also known as Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine.
Initially developed by the Beijing Institute of Biological Products, the local drug watchdog said the Chinese two-dose COVID-19 jab is administered at an interval of two to four weeks apart.
“This authorisation is based on acceptable safety, quality and efficacy data submitted by MC Pharma Pty (Ltd) to SAHPRA as a rolling submission over the period 23 July 2021 to 22 December 2021,” the organisation explained.
In March last year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) listed Sinopharm for emergency use, giving the green light for this vaccine to be rolled out globally.
According to the WHO, vaccine efficacy for symptomatic and hospitalised was estimated to be 79%, all age groups combined.
The watchdog has also registered the Pfizer vaccine under section 15 from section 21, meaning it is now fully registered to be given to people 12 and older.
“This authorisation is based on acceptable safety, quality and efficacy data submitted by Pfizer Laboratories (Pty) Ltd to SAHPRA as a rolling submission over the period 3 February 2021 to 17 January 2022,” the statement read.
In South Africa, 22 791 139 doses of the Pfizer vaccine have already been administered.
The authorisation is, however, subject to some conditions for both vaccines. These include that the vaccine is supplied and administered by the National COVID-19 vaccination programme, SAHPRA explained.
“Further conditions relate to the reporting of the results of ongoing studies and conformance with pharmacovigilance activities as outlined in the approved risk management plan, including the submission of periodic safety updates.”
In addition, adverse effects of the Sinopharm and Pfizer vaccines, as outlined in the clinical trial evidence submitted by the applicants, were usually mild or moderate and cleared within a few days.
They include injection on-site, headache, tiredness, muscle pain, nauseous, while Pfizer reported two additional side effects – muscle pain and chills.
So far, SAHPRA has registered the Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson (J&J), Sinopharm and also authorised Sinovac vaccines.
Read more:
Photo: Sahpra
“South Africa’s constitutional democracy guarantees citizens certain basic human rights. But the regulations that attended South Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic severely limited some of those rights. These include the right to freedom of movement and assembly, and the right to work or trade,” the Conversation reported.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a State of Disaster in March 2020, and placed the country under lockdown, in a bid to combat the pandemic. The lockdown regulations (or “levels”) changed from time to time, becoming more or less restrictive. These included the controversial “ban” on alcohol and cigarettes during the level 5 lockdown, restrictions on leisure and social activities, the closure of schools and universities, restricted attendance of funerals and other gatherings and a curfew.”
“Because the need for the state to limit freedoms for the common good is likely to recur, it is crucial to understand how supportive the public has been of the suspension of their human rights and freedoms.”
Click here to visit more on The Convesation.
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Bible Media News reached out to Chris from the The Helping Hand team.
Helping Hand SA aims to provide assistance, whether physical, emotional, or otherwise, to those in need, regardless of race, creed, or social status. Their passion is to change the world through empowering people to develop a personal relationship with God, and in turn, to change their part of the world.
Making the World a Better Place: Sharing the message of God’s love for humankind.
You can read our interview with Chris below:
Give us a glimpse into your life by describing one thing on your To Do List for this week, that is giving you energy.
This week, as part of our school supplies initiative, I am preparing a short talk on education, self-worth, and God’s personal care for the older children in my Sunday School class. (about 25 kids, ages 8-14, class held weekly in Morningstar informal settlement) I am really excited to be able to share with them this message, as well as equip them with some much needed school materials.
Is there a story you tell people when they ask: What gives you hope for South Africa?
Oh well, there’s a few! One that stands out is of dear “Mama” Rosie who founded a centre in Khayelitsha settlement completely on her own. Wanting to help destitute, abandoned, or orphaned children around her, she began taking them into her own home. Then she got some other ladies from the community involved. She created a “hole in the wall” where mothers tempted to abandon their babies could rather leave them, and Mama Rosie would then take them in. She cared for, educated, prayed with, and encouraged these little ones faithfully. In the midst of so much sadness and struggle, she persevered, and today she has expanded to over 200 children in an orphanage and creche, plus a youth centre/agricultural project, small bakery to employ local women, frail care centre, AND a feeding scheme in Khayelitsha. And though she still struggles to make ends meet, she never gives up. One person who won’t quit and holds on to Jesus can achieve anything – for a little candle like her shines all the brighter in a area of great darkness. I am so honoured that we can regularly assist her with food and other items, and find her a prime example of hope in our country.
What was the last thing that surprised you?
Going to collect a donation of “some meat” from a local butchery and ending up loading TWO vanloads of over 1600 kgs total; then delivering to soup kitchens and feeding schemes same day! I’m still mind boggled by it! Praise God.
Also, seeing a huge turtle with a dragonfly just resting on his back while out for a hike yesterday morning. Incredible.
What have you learnt about how Christians can make an impact in society?
In my life I’ve learned a lot about faithfulness in the little things – the seemingly mundane. I deeply believe in long term “sticking” to whatever God has called one to, and that through our samples of Jesus, we can change firstly OUR world; the people around us, and thus, our society at large. Also, I have learned not to be burdened with the vast physical and spiritual need, but rather focus on the things that are good, amplify them, and keep plodding on to uplift individual’s hearts and minds. To help where I can, and even if I can’t do anything materially, a smile and a “Jesus loves you!” works wonders to show what I believe.
Like the man walking on the seashore and calmly tossing stranded starfish back into the water, when asked “what’s the point, there are so many, you can’t possibly make a real difference!” he smiled and replied while placing one more into the surf “well, it made a difference to THAT one!”
That’s my goal as a Christian in society, to make a difference to whoever the Lord brings across my path. And that is how we at Helping Hand operate.
What is God up to in your life?
I’m so thrilled to be able over the last several months to help mentor two young men who have a real desire to be forces for good and for God. We’ve been having lengthy discussions on all manner of down-to-earth topics, and it is so special to see them grow in faith and strength – so much so that they are reaching out to others themselves!Also, my wife and I are expecting our third child this year!
I hope this helps and is clear enough! Please let me know if you would like a “call to action” writeup on our School project… thanks!
What was the last thing that surprised you?
Going to collect a donation of “some meat” from a local butchery and ending up loading TWO vanloads of over 1600 kgs total; then delivering to soup kitchens and feeding schemes same day! I’m still mind boggled by it! Praise God.
Also, seeing a huge turtle with a dragonfly just resting on his back while out for a hike yesterday morning. Incredible.
What have you learnt about how Christians can make an impact in society?
In my life I’ve learned a lot about faithfulness in the little things – the seemingly mundane. I deeply believe in long term “sticking” to whatever God has called one to, and that through our samples of Jesus, we can change firstly OUR world; the people around us, and thus, our society at large. Also, I have learned not to be burdened with the vast physical and spiritual need, but rather focus on the things that are good, amplify them, and keep plodding on to uplift individual’s hearts and minds. To help where I can, and even if I can’t do anything materially, a smile and a “Jesus loves you!” works wonders to show what I believe.
Like the man walking on the seashore and calmly tossing stranded starfish back into the water, when asked “what’s the point, there are so many, you can’t possibly make a real difference!” he smiled and replied while placing one more into the surf “well, it made a difference to THAT one!”
That’s my goal as a Christian in society, to make a difference to whoever the Lord brings across my path. And that is how we at Helping Hand operate.
Click here to visit more about Helping Hand SA.
Photo: Facebook / Helping Hand SA
Dean of the Anglican Cathedral of St George the Martyr, Cape Town at Anglican (Church of the Province of Southern Africa), Rev Michael Weeder, speaks to Refilwe Moloto about the suspected arson attack on the church and adjacent building.
Listen to the full podcast below:
Photo: Facebook / Rev Michael Weeder
