SOUTHERN AFRICA: Archbishop criticizes political leaders for 'vocabulary of violence'

November 07, 2008 [Anglican Church of Southern Africa] Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa has criticized political leaders across the spectrum for calling their opponents "snakes," "dogs" and "counter-revolutionaries" and for using "militaristic metaphors" and "the vocabulary of violence."

Delivering the Harold Wolpe Memorial Lecture in Cape Town on November 7, Makgoba said that all South Africans had a responsibility to exercise their votes in the country's general elections in 2009.

"But political parties have to earn our vote," he added. "If politicians behave badly, they should expect supporters to withdraw their backing." He said critics of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who had raised doubts about voting in the current political climate, instead of attacking him, "ought...to reflect on the challenges posed by his comments."

Makgoba said South African politicians loved to commend ubuntu, a traditional African concept meaning "I am because you are." But he added: "I wish they would practice it in their conduct of political debate -- both within and between parties. Is it in accordance with the values of ubuntu to call opponents 'dogs', or to brand former President Thabo Mbeki as a 'dead snake,' and leaders of the new party as 'dangerous snakes'? Surely not! Ubuntu says politicians should criticize policies, not other politicians. Ubuntu says that personal attacks devalue and demean the attacker."

Addressing the issue of violence, Makgoba said: "Anyone who threatens, or intimidates -- or stands by while their supporters do so -- is not worthy to be a leader. Anyone who incites violence, or advocates harm to their political opponents -- or allows others to do so -- is a disgrace to democracy and deserves only our contempt."

"Given our past, there can be no excuse for militaristic metaphors or the vocabulary of violence. Given the history of our struggle, and the implications of being branded a 'counter-revolutionary' in the past, I do not believe this is an appropriate way for ANC leaders to describe their opponents today. Nor was Terror Lekota wise in recently highlighting the possibility of violence, even if against his supporters. Such warnings can too easily become self-fulfilling prophecies."

Discussing the principle of churches standing in "critical solidarity" with the government, Makgoba said he was prepared to be in solidarity with those who promoted "sanctity of life, the integrity of the created world [and] the dignity of difference."

"I am in solidarity with the needs of the poorest, the most vulnerable, the most marginalized; including the strangers, the foreigners, in our midst ... On the other hand, I am critical of a response to crime that leads to escalating deaths among both police and suspects.

"I will be critical of those who pay lip-service to the neediest in their electioneering, but who fail to deliver. And I will be critical of those who make undeliverable promises merely to gain votes."

The full text of Makgoba's address is available here