July 18. Population control. Mr Naicker had been in Justice and Peace groups for many years. He told his family, “If you think about it the Egyptians were forcing birth control on the Israelites way back then. Nowadays influential nations are promoting that for poorer nations, even tying aid packages to birth control or reproductive health as they call it.”  There wasn’t much discussion. The adults agreed in principle but of the younger ones only Maysie, a sociology student at university really understood how population control has been a weapon used throughout history. She suggested, “On this Mandela Day how best can our 67 minutes be spent? “Reflect, share, act. Scripture: “Throw into the river every boy that is born to the Hebrews, but you may let all the girls live.”  Read Exodus 1: 22 – 2: 9.   Pope Francis. The decline in population due to a mentality against having children and promoted by the world politics of reproductive health creates a situation in which the relationship between generations is no longer ensured but also the danger that over time this decline will lead to economic impoverishment and a loss of hope in the future. AL 42