Let us not make the error in believing that the present has no history. The struggle for self-identification is essentially a struggle for democracy. Our struggle is a religio-political struggle; the reclamation of the word Witch is a project of emancipation and socio-religio-political liberation from which millions of South Africans will benefit. It is not simply “our little homegrown” penchant with the “W” word, as it was fondly named by those who opposed our struggle right from the start. Our vociferous and articulate cry for the liberation of the word Witch from its negative connotations might even need to be watered by our “blood” (in the words of Phepsile Maseko) … I ask, how many of us will stand up and fight? How many will opt for being simply “Pagans” but get accused of Witchcraft?
This ideological negotiation between the powers that be and us is disfigured by irrational reasoning of some with personal agendas and delusions of grandeur. It has turned many of the insecure into pawns, and the puppet masters have called out “check” in this racially instigating Black and White, chess-board game, they have falsely turned our aspirations into. Let us watch. Let us be alert and let us not sleep too soundly in false reassurances from the ultimately powerless. The consequences of politicians flirting with religious organizations might still have devastating consequences for all South Africans, and perhaps even Africans. I am awake. I am mindful. Will you march along with me?
Stability is a buzz word in many circles, excepting Witch Circles, where, trust and love take its place. Overthrow we will the rebels without a cause. Our goal is the Rainbow Nation, which is far cry from one-party states where curbing of individual freedoms are presented as trade-offs between the state and its subjects. We are citizens. We are taxpayers in a democratic republic. We are in a position to resist the perpetuation of social injustices and persecution, and resist we shall.
But the matter of the social change and transformation we seek is not simply one of enlightened discourse. It is also one of action. The struggle for reclamation is ultimately rooted in the life-conditions of the people and in our right to voice OUR opinion and act upon our rights in this struggle to protect the rights of every other citizen. In the debates of the Melville Mandate, in the radical post Melville religio-politcal activism, in its concepts, placed at the centre of the stage is the real struggles of the popular masses, notwithstanding the clever machinations and selfish manipulations of petulant politicians, WE are the drivers of change … not those salaried by the state. The political vision is ours. The struggle is OURS too.
I will not resign myself to living in peace as a coward … "today is a good day to die!" (Chief Crazy Horse)

BB
Morgause
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