6: Returning to a new South Africa.
We had hardly arrived in India than Nelson Mandela was released from prison. They are completely unrelated to each other but they were significant events for me. I had welcomed the change of attitude on the part of South African president de Klerk and had followed developments with close interest. But even as I listened to the BBC World Service reporting the news, I admit to a feeling of loss - a poignancy and uncertainty.
The old is going - this is a new beginning.
At the same time I felt we should be part of the process of change but here we were in India! When we left South Africa in 1967 Salvation Army leader, Carl Richards, said to me: ‘You go with my blessing, Paul. Go and get the experience of the wider world. I hope you’ll come back to us one day.’
We watched the inauguration of Nelson Mandela while in Singapore - there on leprosy mission business. How he knew we were there I will never know but New Zealand friend and colleague, Brian Smith, phoned us immediately afterwards with the question: ‘Why weren’t you there?’
With a pile of hate mail in India growing, we felt sure the time had come for us to move on. After an uncertain few weeks of waiting we received the orders to assume leadership in Southern Africa.
One South African is locked up for 27 years and he is released - to continue his work. Another South African is sent out into the world and returns 27 years later - to continue his work.
'There are saints here.'
That was the title I gave to my inaugural address in August 1994. I spoke of my belief in the people of South Africa and outlined my willingness to listen to people. We quickly got on with the task of listening and heard stories of many - a balance of pain and regret, yet always with hope.
Can I live up to the expectations people have of me?
With months of listening behind me I drafted a Vision and Values Statement which would undergird my approach to leading The Salvation Army in Southern Africa.
The Salvation Army internationally had adjusted its membership of the World Council of Churches. My predecessor in South Africa had led the Army back into the South African Council of Churches. Shortly after our arrival, Brian Tuck accompanied me to visit the SACC general secretary, Brigalia Bam. As ecumenical representative he had done much to nurture relationships. The meeting led to a warm working relationship with the council for both Margaret and me.
'We must have left South Africa at about the same time,' I commented; 'You went to the WCC in Geneva, working in the Program to Combat Racism. We spent 27 years in the UK, Zambia and India. I suspect we were working with the same long-term goal in mind. Now I look forward to working with you and the South African Council of Churches.'