MARFAM WEEKLY ENEWSLETTER 29 APRIL 2026

Freedom is a word evoking many images.  From a social or family perspective does it mean   happiness, relaxation, getting away, doing what you please? But it is a very complex concept – mostly positive but also with its negative aspects as when freedom goes beyond the common good, is too self-centred and is abused causing harm to others or can be a burden and a psychological stress.

Freedom Day was a national holiday, a commemorative day for SA, celebrated this year in the Free State.  We are remembering 1994 and the first fully democratic elections and the elation we all felt, even spending long hours in queues, but socializing as never before.  Along with President Ramaphosa we’re also remembering some of the history before the Free State became one of the nine provinces of the country.   http://www.southafrica.net tells us that the history of the Free State; is fraught with cultural clashes, wars, victories, surrenders, peace treaties and conventions.  Even before “white history” there were the San – bushman paintings attest to that, and Basotho people who are now at home in Lesotho lived there.

Two of the most significant events that unfolded there and helped shape the history of South Africa were the arrival of the Voortrekkers and the South African War.  Before that in the 1800s the notorious Zulu chief Mzilikazi rampaged through the region all by wiping out the indigenous peoples that inhabited the area.  Basotho fled into the mountains of what is now Lesotho. From 1824 the first Dutch German and French Huguenot farmers arrived from the Capem followed by the first wave of Dutch-speaking colonists known as the Voortrekkers left the British-ruled Cape in search of freedom.

These settlers clashed with Mzilikazi, who was later defeated and fled north to what is now Zimbabwe.  The settlers attempted to establish an independent republican government but struggles with indigenous people and later the invading British armies eventually put paid to this.  The Anglo-Boer war which lasted for 3 years caused havoc especially amongst the Afrikaner people and many thousands of women and children died in the British controlled concentration camps.   White nationalism and black nationalism naturally grew out of these historical events.

Gold was discovered and, after a mad rush, mines and cities grew up around the gold fields but in this area it was relatively short-lived, unlike the Witwatersrand.  Today Bloemfontein, its provincial capital has the distinction of being the national judicial capital.   Otherwise the Free State is often regarded as the long, dry trek to somewhere else, through miles and miles of mealie and sunflower fields that contribute greatly to feeding the millions of our people.

Reflecting on the topic of freedom reminded me of a meaningful article by Alistair Smurthwaite, an expert history teacher of note published some years ago in FAMILY MATTERS, MARFAM’s regular print magazine from 1995 – 2018. He explained that freedom is a political matter, a social and economic matter too but we dare not forget that freedom and free will are after all gifts of God, our creator. “So, this freedom, so dearly won, so closely kept, requires a great deal from us. It calls us to reflect on our values and to evaluate our choices. To make our freedom true freedom we need to choose people over things, simplicty over gneed, we need to uphold human dignity, to use those gifts of the Spirit that we rattled off in our catechism days to be more critical and discerning. Everyone of us needs to use our freedom to bring the full benefits of freedom to others.

Jesus as redeemer, also had the role of liberator,  “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” Isaiah 61:1     His overall mission was the building of God’s Kingdom, of love, justice, truth, peace and freedom.  As a catechist I used that litany of kingdom values so often, without very deep reflection on each of them. In our families we can use them to dialogue and share our insights with one another especially our young people who will not remember the struggles of our country for political freedom.  Love must underpin that freedom.   Love has become the “in” value. God loves with tenderness every member of the family of creation, in the words of Pope Francis and also Pope Leo, in his speeches, on his travels and in his Dilexi Te on love for the poor.

Every part of our country has its history around freedom, as does every family and let us not forget all families of creation.   A facebook post drew my attention.   Four Paws is an international animal welfare organization whose mission is  “creating a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding.”   There are many types of campaigns to protect and preserve wild life. Captive breeding of lions and other wild animals for bones and other body parts is happening under our noses in parts of our country. That is an abuse of their rights. Wild animals deserve to be free and to be protected.  

Maybe the Free State can be a model to reflect on. True freedom – freedom from and freedom for, freedom to work that we commemorate on 1 May, feast of St Joseph who worked for his family, or the freedom to be able to choose what is right are essential for life as much today as ever in the past. From the ancient Greeks to the words of Scripture and the wise and famous of our time we hear. “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” —Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom.  “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16 TR FM 29 APRIL 2026

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

April 29.  SEE.  Groups were considering the issue, , “Nowadays there are thousands of Christian churches or denominations.  Each one may claim to have their right answer and be true followers of Jesus.   Some use the bible as the ultimate literal truth,  but even in the Bible there are passages that contradict one another as the writers come from a different age or context.   Catholics base their religion on Scripture and Tradition and the teaching Church claims the right to interpret the scriptures.   This can be a contentious issue in families, especially where there are more religions. The ideal is to be tolerant and open in sharing our beliefs and reflections, However Jesus himself could be contentious too  as when speaking to the scribes and pharisees.” 

JUDGE. Reflect and share. Scripture.  The Holy Spirit said, “set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”  Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.  When they got to Salamis they preached in the Jewish synagogue. Acts 12:24-13, . Pope Francis. Develop the habit of giving real importance to the other person.  This means appreciating them and recognising their right to exist, to think as they do and to be happy.   Never downplay what they say or think, even if you need to express your own point of view as well. AL 138.   Pope Leo. We sometimes forget to really listen.  We listen to music and our ears are constantly bombarded with noise, but do we listen with our hearts, to what God is saying, and to our family members when we share. ACT AND PRAY.  As families begin to practise synodality as family dialogue, remembering the rules for listening and sharing.