DEISI plans big Israel celebration later this month

Suzanne Belling

“When I try to recruit young members among the black community, they often ask why more Jewish people their age don’t share our passion,” she told Jewish Report before her major event on September 25 at the Fountain of Life Family Church in Boksburg themed “South Africa Night to Honour Israel”.

“We are celebrating the contribution that the Jewish community has made to South Africa over 175 years and we are showing support for and solidarity with the State of Israel,” she said.

DEISI has invited all the Christian friends of Israel organisations, including Bridges for Peace, Africa Bless Israel, Africa for Israel, many pastors and the Leadership Summit.

“In fact everybody in the Jewish and Christian communities are invited. It is going to be an evening of singing, dancing and celebration for the whole family.”

(For directions and more information, e-mail events@deisi.org)

Olga’s love of Israel was passed on to her by her father the Rev Kenneth Meshoe, head of the African Christian Democratic Party, and her mother, Lydia, an ordained pastor.

Having a brother, Joshua, and a sister, Esther, she explains why she is the only one who does not have a biblical name: “Olga means ‘Holy’ and my second name is Mpho (Gift), so as the first born, my parents considered me a holy gift.”

Born in South Africa, Olga began her schooling in the US where her parents joined the well-known evangelist Reinhard Bonnke, travelling to various African countries on their mission.

Her high school years were spent in the township of Vosloorus (still during apartheid) and thereafter she studied at the University of Pretoria, where she graduated in law. “I was told because of being black I would not be able to reach that height. People at that time did not want to sit next to me.”

But she became a successful lawyer and a partner (before the age of 30) in the firm Webber Wentzel, which she has now left to devote more time to pursue her studies and the aims of DEISI. She intends to study towards an MBA degree.

“Our organisation was born of the desire to be part of something meaningful after apartheid and to counteract the aims of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS). We wanted to provide platforms of education and exposure to the truth with regard to the Middle East and Israel’s right to exist within secure borders.”

Olga has visited Israel four times. “The country is a beacon of democracy, of being able to do the impossible from being a desert to being able to export water.

“Its technology is a blessing to African countries, training them in security, agriculture and medicine. It is a forerunner in all these fields.”

Deeply involved in the church, Hope of Glory, she says, “We serve G-d in various ways through the church.”

She is not always popular on social media, but DEISI is growing despite this. “We seek enlightenment, not only by praying but through action. You can’t be an invisible friend – we have to show solidarity.

“Scripture tells us not to be keep quiet and to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”

Olga says the media is deceptive regarding Israel’s role in the Middle East conflict. Israel’s adversaries are not fighting for freedom “but for the destruction of Jerusalem.

“We are all G-d’s people and they should not call for any nation to be destroyed. This is not as it is reported to be – we need a response from South Africa,” she said.

“Trust is difficult to come by but it doesn’t deter us. We have a mandate, underpinned by our faith.

“We need to stand up for Israel – especially young Jewish people – and show the world that Israel is not an apartheid state. We know what apartheid is. We have been through it.”