Now that the fifth Christmas has arrived since I set foot on African soil, I want to share with you how I am, at this stage. Since I arrived in South Africa, Apartheid has been abolished, though remnants of its influence remain. Reflecting on the last historic years, what has been most significant for me has been my involvement with the Young Christian Movement of South Africa. For five years, I have struggled with establishing YCW groups in the Black Townships around Secunda – forming youth groups to reflect on the reality of their lives in the light of the Gospel. My vision is to urge these youth to try and change the realities that are not fitting human dignity.

This work has been very slow in taking root but, on Sunday, November 26th, I could see that God had granted the increase to seeds that had been sown. On that day, the opening of the World Council of the YCW took place in a squatter area near Pretoria and I had the joy of attending the opening ceremony, accompanied by a large enthusiastic group of young people from my region. International delegates from nearly forty countries assembled and were welcomed by President Mandela.

Mandela asked to greet each delegate personally There was no representative from Ireland, so I made my case at the security checkpoint that I would be included and joined the other nationalities in the queue to shake his hand. This was the fulfilment of an ambition I had had for a long time, as he was a person whom I admired a lot. Each person had a badge identifying their country, but I was without this credential. When my turn in the long line came, he asked me where I came from. When I said, Ireland, he asked with genuine interest “– [President Mary] Robinson – how is she?” Transfixed, I replied – fine. I felt excited to be greeted by the person who has such an influence on the history of his country, and indeed of the whole world. Ireland played its part in the ending of Apartheid in South Africa. Feeling his firm clasp of my hand was like a personal recognition of Irish fidelity to the cause.

I felt too that I had played a personal part, however small, in uplifting Mandela’s people and that I deserved to shake his hand. Thanks be to God for giving this privilege and I felt it a sort of message from God thanking me for my part in the struggle of God’s people to rid themselves of oppression and injustice. I felt very happy that day and want to share my joy with you in this time when we celebrate the Birth of our true leader and liberator, the Christ.

I want to thank you for your letters during the past five years, and since this letter is all about Mandela, I will quote what he wrote to Winnie while he was in prison, as his sentiments are mine too, though I have not tasted bitterness of soul to the extent of his –

“I have received only one letter since you were detained. I do not know anything about family affairs… As long as I don’t hear from you, I will remain worried and dry like a desert. I recall the Karoo (desert) I crossed on several occasions. I saw the desert again in Botswana on my way to and from Africa, endless pits of sand and not a drop of water. Letters from you and the family are like the arrival of Summer rains that liven up my life and make it enjoyable. Whenever you write I feel that inside warmth, that makes me forget all my problems. I become full of love.”

Please forgive me if I have not always been so faithful in writing and sending a little African sunshine your way. Excuse me on the grounds of trying to respond, while my time is primarily dedicated to the overwhelming needs of a people, whose sense of worth and dignity has been severely undermined, because of Apartheid.

My prayer for you is that you will know the true meaning of this feast, experiencing personally that, “the soul felt its worth” as the Christmas carol puts it.

I will end with a quote from Joseph Cardijn, the founder of the YCW, which states, “Each young Worker is worth all the gold in the World.”  From this land of abundant gold, I assure you, your friendship is more valuable to me than gold, and I pray every blessing on you and your loved ones now and always.

Áine Lohan RSM (letter written to family and friends in Ireland, from South Africa, Christmas 1995, extract)
Western Province