You always have 7 ways – make that 7 Cs – for winning teams

One of my earliest lessons while working as an administrator and speech writer in a political office centred on the use of correct (or convenient) words at all times. They certainly had to be well-crafted. I recall times when I came close to sinking an agreed appointment between the President and a Minister. You see, once they got the President’s phone numbers, several Government Ministers dispensed with office arrangements and preferred direct communication with the Head. Sadly, the President would still refer them to me (and I would happily add another day on the job!). Consider this for example:

Me: Good morning Your Excellency. Allow me Sir to confirm the addition of Minister XYZ to today’s schedule…

President: Why?

Me: I got a call from the Minister earlier today. He / she indicated that you wish to see him / her…

President: No, I do not wish to see the Minister…..

Me: (Confused silence…did the Minister tell a lie?)

President: (sensing my confusion…) I do not wish to see Minister XYZ. It is the Minister who wishes to see me. He / she phoned me last night and I told him / her to contact you.

Me: My apologies Your Excellency; thank you for the clarification. What is your pleasure Sir with regard to the Minister’s request?

While the title of this piece refers to rising to the challenge, I would sooner have used let us confront the evil! But I had second thoughts about a sensational headline.

On Wednesday 29 August, The Namibian newspaper led with the sickening and shocking murder of a nine-year old girl, Avihe Cheryl Ujaha. The paper called it “Katutura’s most foul murder.” According to the paper, police said some body parts were missing from the recovered corpse. The disturbing report also quoted police as indicating that “whoever killed Avihe could have boiled her body before dumping it about two kilometres from her home.”

Emotions are understandably running high. Avihe had been reported missing 72 hours prior to the discovery of her mutilated body. There is no way in which one can adequately describe the sense of shock and revulsion that envelops the country. One of my Facebook friends, Erica Gebhardt, just said #MenAreTrash. I told her I find the pronouncement rather harsh. In the same way, I do not agree with my Twitter acquaintance, Gwen Lister, who calls for “a real plan (and not prayer) to tackle the growing scourge of GBV.”

In a situation that renders us hopeless and helpless, I am not sure that we can downplay prayer in this way. In my books, a re-awakening of our faith must form part of the way forward. The Scriptures have useful lessons:

Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ. Wake up from your sleep, climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light…These are desperate times! (Ephesians 5: 14 – 16 MSG).

In a TEDx Windhoek talk in March 2014, Gwen drew my attention to a word (depersonalized) which I found instructive. I equated it to a state of deadness. I believe that’s where we find ourselves today; in a broken and confused society. Dysfunctional behaviour is a growing threat. merriam-webster.com defines dysfunctional as “characterized by abnormal or unhealthy interpersonal behaviour or interaction.”

Our human capacities are clearly overwhelmed by the sense of evil that lurks in our societies. GBV cases are a weekly feature in the country’s media. While plans, educating the boy child and men, being vigilant community members, and a public register of sex offenders and women and child abusers seem plausible measures to take, I am worried by the instances of recidivism.

scientificamerican.com has this caution: recidivism research is as difficult as it is important…although average rates tell us what percentage reoffends one or more times, we also need to be aware that a subset reoffends at a frighteningly high rate. Most research necessarily omits those offenders who were not detected and arrested or whose victims did not report the crime (April 1, 2008).

I find it noteworthy that scientificamerican.com highlights instead what it calls “treatments for sex offenders.” It encourages further research on such therapies.

It is my submission, however, that the Church must be part of solutions to this debilitating incidence of GBV. I was moved by Saddleback Church’s recent series entitled #MeToo #ChurchToo. Panelists told the Church to stop blurring the lines between what is called “sexual immorality and sexual criminality.” Participants were challenged to confront and deal with the GBV evil in a decisive manner. From the tone of the conversations, it may no longer be sufficient to say “your sins are forgiven.”

It is not time to play anymore!