Chief Justice preaches hope for South Africa

STEVEN GRUZD

This was the message from South Africa’s Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng at the opening of the biennial conference of the SA Union of Progressive Judaism (SAUPJ) last Thursday night. The audience packed into the art-deco style Temple Israel Heritage Centre in Hillbrow, which rises majestically above the inner-city squalor surrounding it.

Veteran anti-apartheid lawyer George Bizos, a patron of the Temple Israel Heritage Centre, attended the opening. Messages of support were delivered by Israeli ambassador Lior Keinan, representatives from both the City of Johannesburg and the World Union for Progressive Judaism, and the SAUPJ’s sister organisations in Europe and Israel. This year commemorates the 85th anniversary of Progressive Judaism in South Africa.

The Chief Justice’s wide-ranging address was familiarly rabbinic in its gentle meandering. However, when he observed that 2018 marks 70 years since both the establishment of the State of Israel and the advent of apartheid, the audience could have been excused for worrying if odious comparisons would follow.

Thankfully not. Chief Justice Mogoeng said the Jews had faced desperation, but “entertained hope when everything pointed to hopelessness”. Like Daniel in the lions’ den, the Israelites being pursued by the Egyptians at the Red Sea and Joseph, who rose from being a slave and prisoner to Pharaoh’s right-hand man, Jews “flourish against all odds”.

He compared this to the hopelessness in South Africa in 1993. It was a time when right wing activists stormed the negotiations for a democratic South Africa and struggle icon Chris Hani was assassinated.

Perhaps reflecting on the past few years (but saying he could not comment on politics), the Chief Justice proudly asserted that the “justice machinery of South Africa kicked into action when utter hopelessness had descended over our nation”.

“There is no force stronger than justice and righteousness, and the downward spiral was arrested,” he said.

He also noted that Parliament is now playing a stronger role in holding the executive to account, and South Africa’s institutions are resilient.

However, he went on to say that the country is grappling with racism, despite the Constitution’s preamble that “South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity”.

He asked: “Are we contributing to deepening divisions, or playing a role in uniting South Africa? We need to be vocal against anything being done to perpetuate racism. We are too quiet.”

Chief Justice Mogoeng said he was happy that there is now a serious conversation to address the land question to find a solution acceptable to all. “Don’t mislead investors. The land issue is a problem. Don’t look for solutions based on a false foundation… They (investors) must come in with their eyes wide open.”

He touched on some of South Africa’s biggest battles, including crime, low police visibility and corruption in the SA Police Service. “We need to root out the rotten apples,” he said.

“A brighter tomorrow is just around the corner… if we only unite, focus and prioritise what matters. We should all pour our energy in, not as black or white, but as people of South Africa.

“It is only with good governance, ethical leadership, integrity that we can succeed … I, for one, am sick and tired of sophisticated theft.”

He also mentioned that both Abraham and Joseph travelled to an African country – Egypt – when their communities faced famine, emphasising the long ties between Africa and the Jewish people.

The Chief Justice also praised Israel for making the desert bloom and spoke of the possibility of South Africa using Israel’s vast know-how in technology and agriculture. “Imagine how we’d transform our economy,” he said.

“The Jewish community has been part of South Africa for ages. I am sure you’re not going anywhere. It’s your country,” he added.

He concluded by encouraging the community to contribute constructively in finding solutions to South Africa’s problems.