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The capitalist world order has fallen. It has proven itself inadequate in the face of a global viral pandemic. In my country, the capitalist DA is begging for a return to work. They want to shore up the economy. They want to maintain the status quo. There was a historic compact that lead to the dawn of democracy. The black under privileged class was given the levers of political power. But the whites kept the money. Former state president, Thabo Mbeki recalls the time.

In the time of coronavirus, it’s the political levers that prove the most powerful, with the gloating businessmen left with nothing but paper. At no time before in our varied social discourse have humans been confronted with their own mortality. This is on an unprecedented scale. And despite all our advances in medicine and science, a simple virus is gutting the population. As at 12:15 pm SA time, the world recorded two million infections and over 127 000 deaths.

But regardless of one’s political worldview, the virus doesn’t stop once the lockdown restrictions are lifted. In order to survive, we need to change the way we relate with the world and each other.

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Life after lockdown We will all have to learn to live with the virus. Wearing masks, practising social distancing, frequent hand washing. We cannot simply return to our churches and mosques. Our global sporting events. Our movie theatres and malls. The virus lives. The virus lies in wait.

I’ll give you an example. Redi Thlabi reported that her cousin in law succumbed to covid-19. He had never even travelled outside the country. Instead, the capitalist system forced him to attract tourists, who were carrying the virus. He ran a coffee shop in Soweto. All he wanted to do in life was to attend funerals, possibly in the hopes that people would celebrate him in the same way when he died. He didn’t have to die. The system killed him

Everyone talks about life after lockdown as though it’s a return to the status quo. But it cannot be. We cannot simply return to a system that threatened our very survival. Capitalism means we all pile into public transport, or cars on heavily congested roads. We then congregate in office parks with air conditioning. We send our children to schools. Perfect environment for the virus to spread. No, it cannot be business as usual. Not this time. Not ever. It’s time to shift priorities.

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Social media provides fodder for my delusions. I’m supposed to be staying away from it. But alas! Anyway, I figure I’m not hurting anyone. And it makes for interesting conversation points. Consequently, I’d like to welcome you to the first instalment of CAn’t diss: Episode I. For more tantalising podcasts, visit the Spudcaster page.

Reverend Nombulelo Mbewu recorded this Easter Sunday Reflection at home. The Florida Methodist Church set up this podcast in response to the lockdown. So visit the Spudcaster page for more podcasts.

Bishop Brian Abrahams of the Moravian Church delivered this Easter Sunday sermon. The theme of the message is “Open doors”. And it is based on 1 Corinthians 15:25. The Moravian Church in Bellville, Cape Town, set up this podcast in response to the lockdown. So visit the Spudcaster page for more podcasts.

This Easter Sunday service was conducted by Ministers of the Roodepoort Circuit. “Christ is risen” is the title. Reverend Nombulelo Mbewu set up this podcast in response to the lockdown. So visit the Spudcaster page for more podcasts.

Reverend Heidi Petersen delivered this morning’s Easter Sunrise sermon. Under the theme “We are an Easter People! Hallelujah”. And it is premised on Romans 8 verses 35-39. After that the Grace United Church Choir performed the closing hymn entitled “We shall go out with hope of resurrection”. Easter is celebrated under an extended lockdown in the face of a global pandemic. The podcast is a service to the church community and friends. So visit the Spudcaster page for more podcasts.

Reverend Nombulelo Mbewu recorded this Good Friday Reflection from home. The Florida Methodist Church set up this podcast in response to the lockdown. So visit the Spudcaster page for more podcasts.

Reverend Kelvin Harris brings this Good Friday service, entitled “Covid-19: God is with us!”. It is based on the following scripture readings:

Psalm 23: 1-6

John 19: 28-30

The podcast is produced as a service to the church community and friends. During this time of lockdown, sermons will be pre-recorded and then uploaded onto the podcast. So visit the Spudcaster page for more podcasts.

Le nkonzo yamazwi asixhenxe iqhutywe ngabeFundisi be Roodepoort Circuit. UMfundisi Nombulelo Mbewu useke le podcast ukuze isociety yaseFlorida ifumane iinkonzo ngexesha leCoronavirus. Ngako oko siphe i-email address yakho ukuba ufuna ukufumana ezinye iinkonzo. Kwakhona, tyelela ikhasi Spudcaster ukuze ubone ezinye ii podcasts.

Lineup from this sermon Roodepoort Circuit 2020 – Inkonzo Yamazwi Asixhenxe kaYesu emnqamlezweni/Tsebeletso ya Mantswe a Supileng a Jesu sefapanong – 1st Word: Luke 23-32-34 Ntate, obatsoarele hobane ha ba tsebe seo ba se etsang Preacher: Rev R Mokobori – 2nd Word: Luke 23:39-43 Kannete ke re ho wena kajeno o tla ba lenna paradeising Preacher: Rev K Alexander (Interpreter: Rev Diutlwileng) – 3rd Word: Yohane 19:25-37 Mfazi, nanko unyana wakho – 4th Word: Mateyu 27:45-46 Thixo wam, Thixo wam, undishiya ngani na? Preacher: Rev S Waqu – 5th Word: Johanne 19:28-29 Ke nyorilwe. Preacher: Rev M Diutlwileng – 6th Word: Yohane 19:30 Kugqityiwe Preacher: Rev S Waqu – 7th Word: Luka 23:46 Bawo, ndiyawunikela ezandleni zakho umoya wam Benediction: Rev M Diutlwileng

This Good Friday service was conducted by various Ministers of the Roodepoort Circuit. Reverend Nombulelo Mbewu set up this podcast in response to the lockdown. So visit the Spudcaster page for more podcasts.

Lineup from this sermon Roodepoort Circuit Good Friday Service 2020 – Jesus’ 7 Words on the Cross English Introduction + Prayer by Rev R Seymour – 1st Word: Luke 23:32-24 Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. Preacher: Rev R Mokobori – 2nd Word: Luke 23:39-43 Today you will be with me in paradise. Preacher: Rev A Alexander – 3r Word: John 19:25-27 Woman behold your son Preacher: Ms N Mnisi – 4th Word: Matthew 27:45-46 My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? Preacher: Rev S Waqu – 5th Word: John 19:28-29 I thirst. Preacher: Rev M Diutlwileng – 6th Word: John 19:30 It is finished. Preacher: Rev S Waqu – 7th Word: Luke 23: 46 Father, into your hands I commend my spirit Preacher: Rev N Mbewu Closing Prayer + Benediction Rev K Alexander