'Botsotsi' in Dog Collars: Survival or Revival!

As apartheid unfolded in 1948, the history of racism in South Africa stretched back to well beyond 1652.  The story of imperialism and colonialism is a long one and need not be rehearsed here.  Soon after the discovery of gold and in the aftermath of the Anglo-Boer War, Johannesburg attracted fortune-seekers like dead meat would green flies.  People flew in from beyond and locals abandoned agrarian ways of living to come to Johannesburg and other townships that sprung up along the Gold-Reef.  A new culture was evolving, and with it new ways of survival.

As the African townships came alive, one way of making money was to brew a concoction of African beer know as 'Skop-Donner.'  So called because it was illegal and whenever the South African Police came around in the African slums they would say, 'Kick-the-bugger.'  The consumers and makers would be bundled into police vans and their concoction thrown out in the dirty and unpaved streets.  Prison terms or fines were a way of life; but no sooner people were back in the townships they returned to their ways of life; it was all they knew how to do.  African women sold this concoction to men after a hard days labour in the mines and often dug holes in the ground in case the police would come around. When times were tough there was always a way out!

Typical in township life were fugitives called "Botsotsi."  These waited in the dark alleys to rob hard earned money from mine-workers and other people.  Often, rival gangs would spring up to protect their territories from outside invasion.  Thus you had rival gangs from different townships always at war with each other.  The townships were widespread, like Alexandra, Sophiatown, Etwatwa, Marabastad and others.  Each area had its kingpins who ruled the 'Turf.'  Township life was dangerous!

It was around such times in 1908 Johannesburg when John G. Lake and his entourage of 13 missionaries arrived in Doornfontein.  A great revival in the pattern of 312 Azusa street ensued and Pentecostalism found its rooting in South Africa.  Many of these gang-leaders were turned to religion and some became preachers of the gospel.  Later, Evangelists like NBH Bhengu and Phillip Molefe were known to deliver truck loads of dangerous weapons to many police stations around the country as 'Botsotsi' surrendered their weapons to receive Jesus as personal Saviour.  Shebeen queens were turned to fundraisers to propagate the gospel and build new lives for their children. The wave hitting the townships was marked by a new culture of  thugs turned into preachers and championing what was called 'Somlandela.'  Commitment to Christ was deep and the theme word was REPENT!

Those days are gone as Johannesburg is invaded by gold-diggers of a different sort.  Digging gold in the house of the Lord.  Prophets scattered far and wide abusing the gospel for personal enrichment.  Thousand of bored insomniacs attend church for personal entertainment and return to their old ways of life.  In many ways FAKE has replaced FAITH!  'Botsotsi'  mistake the church for the mines and have ascended the pulpit for personal gain.

LORD BRING BACK THOSE HAPPY DAYS!