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Who can we trust?

There is trouble in paradise as this year has shown that even our churches are not immune to the occasional elected officials whose actions lead to scandalous reports that provide the media with a fun fair. Namibian people are faced with the unnerving reality that the indecent behaviour of some of our church leaders is tarnishing the image and message of the very institutions that hope to bring faith, hope and love in a world that is slowly quenching any form of spirituality. The several cases  across our country of rape, thievery and corruption have roused discussions that our churches are deviating from their “mandates”.
Our economy, like that of many developing countries, relies on human capital of all forms. This capital has one thing in common, some form of belief system which gives them strength to carry on each day. Notably, these beliefs may not be hinged on the actions of a particular individual yet one needs to beckon the question; if our church leaders are as fallible in nature as we are, who can we trust to set a moral and ethical precedent?
It may be true, that we cannot blame a whole institution when its leader succumbs to personal faults. Yet we need to see that society tends to draw a parallel between an organisation’s leader and the subsequent actions of his followers. People feel the need to mimic a leader’s strengths and may unfortunately feel justified in imitating his/her flaws. With some of our churches, it is unfortunate   that proper structural forms are absent which could tackle the misdemeanour’s of our church leaders who are caught with their pants down (literally at times). They end-up being crucified at the hands of our people and media. This time though, in good judgement.  
As the moral fabrics of society that hold us tightly together tear at the seams, the question as to who we should trust renders no real answer. This problem cannot be addressed by policy makers, business tycoons or even our cherished teachers and lectures alike. This problem is a reflection of the chaos that surrounds our homes and therefore needs to be addressed at that level. If our homes are riddled with abusive behaviour, rape incidents and a sheer lack of obedience it can be assumed that these absent values will be extended to the community as a whole. Our parents set the centre stage for true personal formation as they have the opportunity to mould us when we are young and unblemished with the ravages of life. Let us harness and cultivate the same culture here in Namibia.

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