The intelligentsia cruising away from society

The role of "Educated Class" popularly known as the intelligentsia, is not only hard to understand but, also mercurial. Though primordial definition of this class was only confined to individuals with a high academic pedigree, a contemporary interpretation has broadened the scope of this class to include organic and indigenous intellectuals.

Throughout the evolution of man, there has always been individuals such as herbal healers, traditional and spiritual leaders who possessed indigenous knowledge. They always had pervasive influence within their immediate vicinity which included configuration of moral discourse, treatment of chronic ailments, observation of culture and oral history. Bringing on board indigenous and organic intellectuals who may not necessarily possess a PhD, is pivotal if social cohesion is anything to go buy.

For example, indigenous and organic intellectuals like Chief Albert Luthuli, Father Trevor Huddleston and Joshua Polumo "JP" Mohapeloa were fountains of wisdom in their surroundings. They would always be available to impart knowledge and inspire hope were none existed. Hugh Masekela received his first trumpet from Huddleston and went on to become a world class musical troubadour. "JP"Mohapeloa was a choral composer extraordinaire who untapped raw Acappella talent in villages. All three were prompted by an intrinsic penchant to plough back to their communities. For this ilk, ploughing back wasn't optional but, a matter of principle. They derived a sense of social responsibility from a Sesotho maxim "Motho ke motho ka batho."

The role of intelligentsia in modern society is still imperative and can never be under estimated. South Africa is plagued by unemployment, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse and embezzlement of public funds. Indigenous, organic and academic thinkers are indispensable for trajectory of development in the realm of politics, economy and other social domains. Their public persona should not be characterised by Glenfiddich whisky, stiletto heels and Harley Davidson (Iron883) motorbikes.

The sooner the educated class breaks loose from secluded cocoon of high walls and electric fencing, the better for a society whose streets are on fire due to violent service delivery protests. The intelligentsia must appreciate their role in society as ubiquitous and not just make flamboyant appearances at car-wash and chesanyama outlets on weekends. They shouldn't just be visible during ad hoc charity events in informal settlements where every moment is captured through the lens. They should be the proverbial light at the end of a tunnel ravaged by nyaope, rape, child-headed families and public violence.

Though there is no barometer to measure the extent to which "Educated Class" may plough back to society, my clarion call is for this class to spare a moment and incubate entrepreneurial skills of goal-orientated youth. They must influence government policy and ensure that democratic accountability becomes the order of the day. Their hiatus during psychometric architecture of a nation riddled with violent crime is an indictment on their social standing.

Theirs is not to flash opulence in the face of abject poverty. They must invest their intellectual capital in poor, rural areas thereby emancipating the people from State Dependency Syndrome (SDS). I dare say, the intelligentsia must descend from ivory-towers and gravitate to the humble beginnings from which their altitude was carved. They must realise that being in the media for the wrong reasons will not help their course of etching intellectual footprint in society. They need to overwhelm their central nervous system with trying to unearth prescriptive panacea for myriad of our social ills.www.dailymaverick.co.za
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Word of God goes commercial

In recent history, there has been a proliferation of deliverance churches led by charismatic pastors. Though not operationally related, deliverance churches and charismatic pastors have a lot in common all over South Africa. Churches are mainly temporary tent structures, based in townships and use TV or radio advertising to lure congregants.

They normally don't have a church council or constitution, the pastor's word is final. Charismatic pastors don't have any documented theological training from accredited institutions - they rely solely on charisma. They are relatively young in age and conspicuously black.

This breed preaches mainly in English and says incantations in foreign lingo even though their congregants are semi-literate. Charismatic pastors solicit enormous tithes and offerings from poor unsuspecting worshippers. There are lots of lose ends vis-à-vis` charismatic evangelism though it has gained unprecedented popularity. This trendy spiritual phenomenon is not regulated by any statutory or recognisable body in South Africa. Noise decibels from these temporary places of worship don't conform to municipal by-laws.

Though arguably divine institutions, their modus operandi renders these churches a nuisance to adjacent communities. In many cases, the pastor affectionately called "Man of God" is the sole prophet and the only one with direct spiritual communiqué. At most churches worshippers attending so-called deliverance services have to deposit cash into church's bank account and produce a copy of deposit slip as ticket to gain access to "Word of God."

SABC banned EFF's advertisement in the run up to 2014 general election as inciting violence. In the same period ICASA upheld the canning of DA's advertisement as misleading. Charismatic pastors use electronic media as conduit to advertise their supernatural healing powers. They promise instant wealth, job promotion, marriage and deliverance from evil spirit. These pastors are not subjected to prescripts of Advertising Authority of South Africa. Television stations that provide air-time for televangelism often use disclaimer: "Content and views expressed in this programme do not necessarily represent those of the channel. This programme has been paid for by the church concerned."

At least Federal Republic of Nigeria has banned all forms of televangelism on public media because their fallacious content. I dare say SARS must conduct life-style audits on pastors turned gospelprenuers. They must be subjected to tax collection like all other business people. They live in the lap of luxury while their congregants languish in poverty. I was hoping authorities would regulate charismatic evangelism the same way as they legislated against illegal initiation schools.

Charismatic pastors don't apply archetypal methodology of spiritual healing. They do strange things such as making their congregants eat grass, rats, snakes or drink petrol. as pastors Penuel Mnguni and Lesego Daniel have done recently. The most dehumanising of all, is when pastors jump on women's bodies, thereby humiliating a body that brings life to earth. Charismatic pastors don't preach "Word of God" in upmarket suburbs like woodlands or Helicon Heights. Most deliverance churches mushroom at the next vacant piece of land in informal settlements. They are run by charlatans who cajole poor and less informed members of society to advance their gospelprenuership. I'm astonished that so-called progressive women formations aren't vocal on charismatic evangelism that is prejudicial and thrives on dehumanising women.