BDP will cause strife in the long run

* REVEREND RICHARD MOLEOFE | Sunday May 5, 2013 00:00

Scientific laboratory tests would yield the same results time after time if they were done under the same conditions.But prophecy is a spiritual phenomenon that is a preserve for a few.  However, there are prophets and false prophets and all acclaim that what they dispense is nothing else but the truth.  Another prophet can confirm prophecy or there can be counterclaims. After reading an article on Mmegi about the prophecy made by a certain prophet in Maun that BDP would rule forever, I elected to get in contact with Prophet OJ Madikong who is based in Mafikeng to find out if he had heard anything from God about this country.

Madikong was born in Kanye and relocated to South Africa during his formative years but he still has the love for the country of his birth. Madikong says he has specific prophecies on Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe.  He says God has spoken to him about the growing mismanagement of public wealth in Botswana.

Madikong says: 'There is no equal distribution of wealth and this has contributed to the growth of poverty on one hand and accumulation of wealth on the other, concentrated within a few exclusive groups. This is breeding resentment and God is warning that if no special attention is given to wealth administration, it all points to civil strife within the next 10 years.'

Madikong says he would like to get a platform where he can share this revelation in detail with all political parties in Botswana. When questioned on whether prophetic utterances are exclusively a preserve for those within church circles he says: 'God can use none believers to deliver his message to his people if those in the church fail to deliver it.' He cites a scripture in the Bible where Jesus warned that if his prophets failed to speak, he would command the rocks to speak. However, the trend and proliferation of prophets is worrying.  Some foreigners have cut a juicy market in the field of prophecy.  A lot of Batswana have become vulnerable to these 'prophets' whose message and emphasis revolves around financial prosperity.  It is particularly true with women and some have even suffered sexual abuse from the very men that they trusted as sent from above.

Batswana have a peculiar drive for prophetic messages and whenever they hear about anyone who claims that he is a prophet of God, they all flock there for what they call dithuso (help).  This is an indication that a lot of these people regard prophets as their witchdoctors.

*Reverend Richard Moleofe is a Pastor with Assemblies of God, a retired military officer, a social and political commentator.