“Is there anyone who does not think sharing is a good thing? We learn from a young age that we must share. All the great religions of the world espouse the benefits of sharing. But sharing is not just morally beneficial. It is the answer… to all the problems we are facing right now in South Africa.

Our Nation stands at a crossroads. Our people are very frustrated, angry and confused. South Africans put their faith in the “New South Africa”, the “Rainbow Nation” and non-racialism, but after 14 years the vast majority of us remain desperate and struggling. Many people are understandably beginning to question if they need to resort to violent revolution in order to secure a better life.

Because of our racist history, and because our economy is very much still skewed along racial lines, many of our people are being seduced into believing that nationalist, racist and xenophobic ideologies are the solution. It is time, before it is too late, for those of us who still believe in the dream of a prosperous, non-racial and democratic, free society to prove that the “Rainbow Nation” can work, and that non-racialism and goodwill is still the most effective solution to the problems faced by the majority of our people. Unfortunately, as the past 15 years have shown us, it is not enough to simply mouth-off about the wonderful African “Ubuntu”, and non- racialism, when the truth of the matter is that there has been very little of it in practice from those with power and wealth.

South Africa is the most unequal Nation in the world. It is common knowledge that though the players might have changed since 1994, the unethical and immoral rules of the game never really changed, and because of this, inequality has in fact increased. In fact, our new leaders have been using race as an excuse to continue the status quo, as if our poverty is somehow acceptable now that the new elite are from “previously disadvantaged” groups. The root of the inequality in SA is simply the increasing disparity between the wages of our business leaders and their lowest paid workers. Because of our racist history, this has skewed our inequality along racial lines, but no amount of race-focused empowerment will address this inequality, unless we address the wage disparity between bosses and workers. Obviously, to encourage and reward entrepreneurialism and risk, bosses deserve to earn more than their workers. However, our bosses now average around 300 times more than their lowest paid workers, with some earning around 2000 times more. Clearly this is immoral and destructive to our community and has to change simply because it is unsustainable. Some argue that the disparity in wages is a consequence of market forces, and the supply and demand of labor. But, in truth, it has more to do with the fact that bosses decide their own salaries, while workers don’t. There is no better example of this than the disparity between the salary of a teacher, nurse or policeman, compared to the salary of our members of parliament.

There is a shortage of teachers etc, but always a surplus of politicians. Politicians may argue that their job is more important than a teacher’s, but I doubt anybody else would agree with them. There is also no doubt as to who makes more sacrifices and works harder. Furthermore, market price is not just affected by the supply of a commodity (in this case labor). It is also affected by the demand for money. A poor and desperate person will sell a valuable product for less than a rich person would, because he/she needs the money more urgently than a rich person who can shop around for a better price or wait for a better offer. Employers take advantage of this bargaining power and consequently the wage gap keeps getting greater. Preying on the weak is not just morally wrong… There are many long-term, negative social consequences to treating people as a commodity to be exploited.

Much has been said about how the Japanese nation has handled their recent crises in such a unified and orderly manner. A few analysts have already pointed out that the cause of their unity can be traced to the fact that it is one of the most equal societies in the world. It has been pointed out that Japanese bosses would be too ashamed to accept exorbitant salaries because of a sense or duty and honor, solidarity, empathy and modesty. It would be wonderful if South African business leaders demonstrated the same character and leadership.

Surely it is time, for the sake of a non-racial, prosperous and unified nation, that our religious, political, business and labour leaders get together, and decide on an ethical maximum wage ratio between our bosses and their workers. Legislation such as tax incentives for compliance and penalties for non-compliance can be used to as incentive for investors and businesses to implement this wage compression. Once an appropriate wage ratio is decided on, it could be enforced gradually so that the adjustment to our “leader’s” incomes is not traumatic.

We could start with a moratorium on wage increases for executives until their companies wage ratio reaches the required level through inflationary increases of their workers wages. By spreading wealth into the communities that need it most, Wage Compression will benefit our economy hugely, because our people will have money to support local businesses, and invest in child-care, education, healthcare, business and the employment of others.

We will always lack jobs if there are too few employers. By distributing the money into the communities we will create more employers. With Wage Compression there would be no need for a minimum wage and striking would be a thing of the past. If the boss wasn’t earning more than the workers, there would be nothing ethically wrong with paying low wages and workers would be willing to sacrifice if they knew their bosses were sacrificing alongside them. This would make local manufacturing much more competitive and enable startup entrepreneurs the space to “slum it” until their business takes off, at which time he/she would have to raise the workers wage in order to earn more him/herself.

“Wage Compression” is also a far more efficient means of distributing wealth than our current model of taxation and welfare for the following reasons. Firstly, with taxation, the government is the “middle man” between the rich and the poor. Government is very ineffective at distributing that money to where it is really needed. Wage compression takes out the “middle man”. Secondly, without wage compression, taxation increases inequality, because employers end up compensating for high tax on their income by paying themselves more, and to afford this, they must pay their workers less. Thirdly, the tax-to-welfare model creates a culture of dependency whereas “Wage Compression” shows workers the true value of hard work by rewarding them appropriately for it. In fact, because Wage Compression distributes wealth, there will be less need for welfare and therefore less need for taxation. Less taxation will boost the economy by making business cheaper and more competitive. The best part about Wage Compression is that it is completely Non Racial. It creates a culture of respect, goodwill and prosperity, in which social ills like crime and violence decrease dramatically. It brings people together, whereas race based BEE continues to divide us into race and gender categories, as recent events have proven.

Wage Compression has been implemented in Norway for decades and they now have the highest per capita income in the world! If the most successful country in the world does it…shouldn’t we?

It really works. Lets do it.” – Buddy Wells

Image courtesy of Buddy Wells. All rights reserved.

Find Buddy on facebook

As many of you will already know, I have been hard at work planning my wedding, which takes place in June (God willing). Unfortunately my beautiful fiance had to go back to the UK in February (she is British) due to visa restrictions and will only return a few weeks before the ceremony (we’ve been apart for over 3 months which hasn’t been easy).

I’m really looking forward to getting married. I haven’t been this excited about anything for a VERY long time. It’s like I’m 6 again and my birthday is round the corner.

The ceremony is going to be quite unorthodox, which will probably be a bit of a shock for the average person but we just feel that it will more accurately reflect the heart of our faith. The reception will be informal with the focus being on having a good time with family and friends. No standing on ceremony.

Aside from the wedding plans I’ve been working on songs for my next album. I’m finding it difficult to complete the songs though. I mean, I’ve never found songwriting to be easy and I usually take ages to complete a song but this is different. It’s like I start the song and then run out of inspiration for lyrics and melodies. I’m hoping that my new band will help provide some inspiration. 

I really love the blues and along with a good friend, Paul Gibbings (double bass), we decided to start a streetpop/rootsy blues band called “Ageing Superheroes”. I got the name from a song by Newton Faulkner and it just makes us chuckle to think of ourselves in that light.

The idea was to have an outlet for the musical side that doesn’t take itself seriously and just wants to have fun. It’s about having a good time with voice and instrument without needing to put a “message” across. We play a lot of music by “The Wood Brothers” and a few tunes by John Mayer, Jack Johnson, Keb’ Mo’ and Robert Johnson with a healthy dose of Clapton. Although we are usually resistant to playing covers the hope is that the more we play the more we’ll immerse ourselves in that style and thus be able to write our own material. I do battle with the feeling that I am an imposter and have no right to be playing this music but fortunately I love it too much to let that stop me. 

We are working on concepts for a logo and website etc so if you have any ideas then feel free to send then my way.

A band I’m really digging at the moment is “The Alice Band“. They were like the UK version of Dixie Chicks. Pity they split up. Check out “The Love Junk Storm” album.

Peace,

Q.

I hadn’t gone hiking in quite some time. Not proper hiking. Not since I was 19. Sure I’d been for the occasional long walk along the beach and when I lived in England I was accustomed to walking to work and back. I considered myself to be walking fit. However, I discovered this week that walking fit and hiking fit are worlds apart. Like men and women.

A friend of mine, who is on holiday from the UK, decided that a 2 day hike would be an enjoyable way to spend part of her holiday. She invited her brother, her boyfriend and me. Foolishly I agreed. Now, in my defence I will say that I’m no greenhorn when it comes to hiking, I’ve done my fair share, but this time was different.

Firstly, I had no hiking boots. No problem, I’d just wear the rigger boots that I’d got in England. Big mistake. Rigger boots are slip-on boots and have steel toe-caps. They’re designed for protection, not for comfort and support.

Secondly, I didn’t bother to inquire about the difficulty of the hike and so underestimated my needs and equipment. The hike was only 2 days so I chose a smaller rucksack instead of taking my usual bergen with its proper kidney belt. If I had taken the time to check out the hike details for myself, instead of just “going with it” I’d have discovered that the end part of Day 1 consisted of a descent to the coast of some 250 metres at an incline of about 50 degrees. This would’ve made me reconsider my choice of shoething because the rigger boots aren’t a tight fit so my foot would just keep sliding forward inside the boot and my toes would be crushed like commuters on the London Tube.

Anyway, I made a few schoolboy errors and paid the price. My feet got really chaffed and this meant that I wasn’t equipped to handle the treacherous parts of the trail as it was too painful to step properly. This in turn meant my ankles and knees took alot more strain than they should’ve and by the time we got down to the coast my legs were a mess. By this stage we had hiked about 13 km through the indigenous forest. And just to compound matters the temperature that day was approaching 30 deg Celsius and there wasn’t a breath of wind.

After lumbering on along the jagged coastline for what seemed like an eternity, I decided I couldn’t take another step and so we stopped for a short rest and a quick swim. The water was freezing. I mean, colder than Loch Ness (I should know) which is why it was a quick swim. In a fit of euphoria I whipped my boardies off and swam free and loose for a bit. Almost got my bits pierced by a sea urchin as a result.

By this time the sun was starting to burn with a fury and fortunately for us (read: sarcasm) we had walked the shaded part of the trail during the early morning hours. We were all down to our last few mouthfuls of water (the previous water point had been a figment of someone’s imagination) and were hoping against hope that the last WP was indeed flowing with fresh water. So, after drying our clothes on the rocks and replenishing our depleted sugar levels, we set off in search of our oasis by the sea.

We finally reached the WP and it exceeded my expectations. It was a Godsend. Crystal cool spring water fed by a waterfall upstream and within a stone’s throw from the sea. I thought it was the perfect place to chill out and relax before we made our final ascent for the day but my companions felt otherwise. They just wanted to get to the hut. It was then that I realised that I had changed. 10 years ago I would’ve led the charge up the hill. You see, I was someone who just like to get where he was going. Not one for stopping to smell the roses. It was all about getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible. And yet, there I stood, 10 years later and I didn’t want to “get to the hut” in order to chill. I was perfectly happy to plant my behind squarely on some flat rocks on an island in the middle of this small fresh water stream and enjoy the coolness of the shade. The others went on ahead and I cooked my lunch.

After a gruelling ascent I finally got to the hut where I found the others relaxing on the porch. We spent the rest of the afternoon dozing and resting before I chopped some wood and made a fire. We all ate a hearty supper and then settled in for the night.

The weather was so warm that we elected to spend the night sleeping on the porch. As there was no electricity we got a fairly early night. I was really looking forward to a good sleep as I hadn’t had much the previous night and we had got up at 5am that morning. Unfortunately, this was not to be. I hadn’t counted on the snoring. First the one friend started and being the light sleeper that I am, I awoke immediately. I lay there till the noise stopped and then finally fell asleep again. Until the 2nd snoring session started. I don’t know how people who snore that loudly don’t wake up from the sound. Oh well, I used that opportunity to throw a couple of logs on the fire and then gazed at the stars for a while. Sleep the 3rd time round proved to be a success and I slept fitfully (albeit for about 3 hours) till my alarm woke us up at 5am.

Day 2

Morning came before I was ready. I was stiff and incredibly sore. Both my knees were aching like somebody had injected acid beneath the patella. Stretching proved futile and so I resigned myself to the fact that I would be hobbling the next 13km.

Breakfast consisted of leftover sweetcorn from a tin, coffee and a rusk. I was pleased to see that my fire had survived the night and so I sat at absorbing its warmth as I waited for my companions to get ready.

We left camp at 6am and straight away I knew I was in trouble. The first 100m was a gradual descent and my knees complained with every step. My feet were fine, considering I had opted to go barefoot instead of wearing my rigger boots, but it was clear to me that my knees weren’t going to handle any more climbing. So I quit. I bowed out. The hut was 5.6km from the main road and there was an escape route that could be followed through the nearby pine plantation. I decided that it would be best for all as I would just slow everyone down.

Part of me was really disappointed. I thought that I would be losing out on whatever adventure lay ahead. Little did I know that by choosing the escape route I would have an adventure of my own.

After saying farewell to my friends, I set off. I walked barefoot along the gravel road searching for cellphone signal as I needed to arrange for someone to pick me up once I got to the main road. I called a good friend of mine (at 6.30am, I’d say he’s a good friend) and asked him to come and fetch me before he went in to work. Being the excellent friend that he is he agreed.

I still had 5.6km to walk and I didn’t really know where I was going but I carried on. The road followed a series of bends through the pine plantation and for the most part it was deathly quiet, the stillness only being interrupted by the odd bird call. The sun had begun it’s traversal of the blue African sky and I was feeling quite content when I heard some rustling in the undergrowth. I stopped, looked and listened. Only the day before had we seen a couple of bush pigs on the trail and many agree that the bush pig is quite formidable opponent. After a few moments the rustling ceased and convinced that I wasn’t in any danger I continued on my way, gingerly trying to avoid the sharp gravel stones. I must’ve been concentrating very hard because I was startled by a loud bark off to my right. I peered into the trees and I saw a large adult male baboon shinning down a tall pine. He took off at a rapid pace and I figured he had gone off to warn the others. Boy was I wrong. I came around the next corner and myself in the midst of a troop of baboons. They were foraging on both sides of the road in two big groups. Adults, adolescents and babies. My heart rate doubled as I appraised the situation. I was downwind so they hadn’t heard me or smelt me and so I decided to act with speed, aggression and surprise. I started yelling at the top of my lungs and banging my two walking sticks. It had the desired affect. The trooped reacted like I’d lobbed a tear-gas cannister at them. I  must’ve given them fright of their lives. Needless to say I survived my encounter and spent the next hour walking.

There is something really amazing about walking through a forest, plantation or otherwise, in the early morning. If you identified with “Into the Wild” then you’ll know what I’m getting at. It’s so peaceful and unhurried. My mind felt instantly uncluttered by the cares of the world. Makes wonder why I don’t get out there more often.

Anyway, to end this long rambling tale off, I managed to get picked up by two forestry wardens driving a flat-bed truck who kindly gave me lift (I rode on the back and had to cling on for dear life) to the Forestry Office where my most excellent friend was waiting to collect me.

The End

15 Responses to “In memory of Bob Sweetman”

1. Cuan Says: 
   May 4th, 2006 at 10:37 pmBob made me laugh, helped me cry but more importantly he taught me about love.
   His love for our Father and the Body inspired my own.
   He led from the front, never gave up and was the first to admit when he was wrong.
   He had a big smile, a huge heart and was always quick to encourage.
   I can’t believe I had the privilege of knowing such an awesome person and
   am honoured to be counter as his friend.
2. Carol Gibbings Says: 
   May 5th, 2006 at 4:41 pmBob was my spiritual Father. He taught me a lot in the7 years I knew him. In the beginning I was quite afraid of him and in awe of him, but I can honestly say that in the last two years of his life I really got to know him and was privileged to see how the Holy Spirit was changing him and the love that came out of him. He was totally committed to God and totally obedient. I also remember him by all the jokes he played on people and the ability to make people laugh! I feel honoured to have been under his teaching – his teaching changed a lot of areas of my life. I am going to miss you Bob. Till we meet again.
3. Tim & Cathy Ellis Says: 
   May 5th, 2006 at 6:45 pmBob has been part of our family for the past 27 years and during that time he proved to be a wonderful friend, brother-in-law and uncle to our children. We have many great memories of Bob and his family. When we first moved overseas in 1992, we spent extended holidays with Bob and Christine at their home in Rexford. The two families melded well together and in due course when we bought our first house in Belvidere, Bob and Christine lived in it for three years and the tradition of combined annual holidays continued. We shared many Christmases together over the years and our children learned to water-ski and surf together and remain firm friends to this day, even though they live on various continents.

   His passing is a great loss to us all and he is sorely missed. He was a sympathetic listener and a wise advisor, but most of all, we will miss his great sense of humour and his humanity, for Bob was a man of the people and did not place himself above others. He was not a human being having a spiritual experience, but rather a spiritual person having a human experience and willing to share his struggle with all who were in need.

4. Ken Maade Says: 
   May 7th, 2006 at 5:26 amMy Friendship with Bob – Ken Maade

   It was at a gala at Knysna Primary School that I first met Christine and was impressed by her soft nature and this led me to meet up with Bob and subsequently join his church. I had the privilege of getting to know Bob and his family closely for a number of years under his ministry. Jonathan and my son Derryn became close friends and enjoyed much rivalry in sport with Jonathan invariably piping Derryn at the post each time.

   During my relationship with Bob he encouraged me in my faith and was a wonderful example of how one should selflessly serve God. It was his desire to one-day stand before Jesus and to hear the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant”. I believe that he achieve this with the exemplary way in which he followed God and his word. Jesus said that we show our love to him when we know and are obedient to his commandments. Bob always strove to know God’s word and to live according to it.

   During my relationship with Bob I found that it was the desire of his heart to always seek a deeper experience with God and to make himself available to help others find Jesus and broaden their Christian experience too. Bob stood out as an ambassador for God. When Bob prayed under the anointing heaven moved and things happened. Of the many Christian teachers and leaders I have known over the years Bob was not afraid to stretch his Christian faith, and wanted to seek, find and exercise God’s will firsthand and did so regardless of the cost. In this regard he was not afraid to put himself at risk in putting God’s word to the test. Consequently we often saw God’s hand move to get the necessary result. Because of this I was able to personally see and participate in, firsthand, the way God moved in his many miraculous ways in bringing deliverance, healing and salvation to the many people who were touched by Bob’s ministry. Whenever, my family, or I were ill, or had a serious problem, Bob was always there to encourage us and pray for us and I greatly appreciated his own and his family’s self-sacrifice in this regard.

   In lighter moments I did find the opportunity to tease him about his faith him when he exceeded the speed limit and I placed him under great conviction when I asked him why he didn’t obey the laws of the land as these are also God’s law’s, according to his word. Some people thought that because he was God’s representative he was perfect. Bob was an imperfect as the rest of us are and had as many faults as well, but despite this he always took a stand for God and relied on him to change his nature.

   Because of the stance Bob took and the conviction of his heart he caused much controversy at times. Since we are all fallible and need God’s patience, grace, mercy and love to carry us through our lives and like him we need to also have patience with others and extend these qualities to them too. Jesus said that When we stand up him, this would invite criticism and persecution; Bob was no stranger to this either and had to constantly struggle to keep his equilibrium through many painful misunderstandings, accusations and personal issues.

   I also had the privilege of being under his prophetic ministry and when he led us through the different moves of the Holy Spirit. I can remember how we rolled around on the floor in fits of laughter at some meetings as the Holy Spirit filled us with joy and the many inner and physical healings that many of us received as God’s anointing was present and then later on towards the end of Bob’s life when the second wave of the Spirit brought inner change and cleansing to our hearts. How we discovered that the closer one gets to Jesus the greater the tests and trials become to make us more like him. This is by far the most difficult part of the Christian walk and it cannot be avoided if one wants a relationship with Jesus. Bob gave us a Christian adventure experience and we seldom knew what was going to happen next.

   When I recently spoke to Bob he told me how he had reached a stage in his life when he had just about reached the end of his tether and had asked God just before going to sleep one night to change him on the inside. He told me that when he woke up the next morning it was as though he was looking at the world through new eyes. God had answered his prayer and given him an inner “dusting and spring clean” and a new heart. He told me that inwardly he was a totally changed person through this experience. He also told me of his love for his children and Christine and his concerns for them.

   Just before Bob’s life came to a conclusion he phoned me and thanked me from his hospital bed for the message I sent to him and apologised that he had not phoned me sooner. This was after his surgery, when he had barely surfaced from its effects on him. Such was the man who God called home; always appreciative of others and ready to sow into their lives. I will miss Bob as he has taught me a great deal about God’s word and I will always remember and be encouraged to follow his example in serving Jesus and in following a living and caring God. Bob was a true soldier, servant and friend of Jesus and a true Israelite. It was very fitting for him to be taken home over the Easter period, perhaps even prophetic and I will look forward to seeing him again in heaven one day and walking on golden streets with him.

   Ps 23 – The Message

   God, my shepherd!
   I don’t need a thing.
   You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
   You find me quiet pools to drink from.
   True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.

   Even when the way goes through Death Valley,
   I’m not afraid when you walk at my side.
   Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.

   Your serve me a six course dinner right in the face of my enemies.
   You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.

   Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.
   I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.

5. Richard Dinkelmann Says: 
   May 7th, 2006 at 5:47 pmAddress delivered on behalf of the home church in Pretoria/ Centurion at Bob Sweetman’s Memorial Service in Knysna on 5 May 2006:

   My wife Patty & I only knew Bob for about a year, and yet he left an indelible impression on us, and on EVERY ONE IN OUR HOME CHURCH!

   Dina van Vuuren, who hosts the church meetings in her house, is also here. Dina and her husband Danie had established contact with Bob while they were on holiday here in Knysna, and have known Bob for about 20 years. With her is her son Oloff & his wife Chrisna.
   Reflecting on Bob’s life – just the recent past – I will always remember the occasion when Bob washed the feet of our whole group.

   It happenend during a week-end retreat when he ministered to a group of us from Centurion, at a bush camp called El Shammah – which appropriately means “The Lord who is present”. Our home church had not yet been established and we were seeking direction. Bob agreed to facilitate our discussions that week-end. He faithfully guided our discussions the entire week-end, and then came the closing meeting….

   Picture this – this man with an imposing stature, this leader amongst leaders in the knowledge of God – humbling himself and becoming a servant to us all – washing each one’s feet and giving them profound prophetic direction that will remain with us forever. Not counting himself above any of us, but demonstrating Jesus’ love by truly serving us.

   One of our other members – got a scripture this morning which we believe is very appropriate. It is 1 Kings chapter 19:9&10, 13&14, & 16.

   His mantle is now on us…

   Bob finished strongly. A wise man once said – it’s not how we start, but how we finish that matters. He often rowed against the popular stream, and therefor faced many obstacles and challenges.

   We know Bob is in a better place, but we will still miss him. The Lord achieved much through Bob in our lives, and I pray that the good work that he has started in us will grow and reach full maturity – so that God’s purpose may be fulfilled in us & through us.

   Well done good & faithful servant!

   Good ‘bye Bob – till we meet again!

6. Julian and Sue Botha Says: 
   May 7th, 2006 at 10:33 pmIt is one of the most difficult things, to summarise your memories of a great and wonderful friend and teacher like Bob Sweetman, as they are so many and varied. 
   Bob said to me not so long ago ;Sue I’ve changed my format for funerals, I am no longer going to stand up front and sing peoples praises, that is for the living.”
   So Bobjo I feel qualified now that you aren’t there to do so.
   Of one thing I am extremely grateful, whenever Bob ministered to or encouraged me or members of my family, I never neglected to say to him “you know I really, really love you Bob Sweetman, thank you” Sometimes I got the impression he did not quite know how to respond to that, I doubt outside of his loved ones, many had the courage to say to the big man “I love you “.
   I’ll always recall the last meeting Antoinette, Dave and the children attended before leaving for the UK. Bob called them to the front, as was the custom, and how Antoinette wept, and through her tears said “Bob you’ll never know how many times you stood there and ministered just to me, as though I was the only person present, how she wept.
   That was Bob Sweetman, he ministered and taught as though he was having a one on one with you and only you, because see he was always pressing the right buttons.
   How devastated we were when the evening meetings were disbanded. One evening with only a handful of us present, during praise and worship, I heard a roomful of voices praise and worshipping, listening intently I realised the angels had come to join us in worshipping the Lord, Bob stood in front and worshipped with every fibre of his body, the angels had no choice but to join in.
   During a morning meeting Antoinette left the room and coming back had the distinct feeling she had to remove her shoes before re-entering the room, she was on holy ground like Moses before the burning bush
   That was Bob Sweetman. Whenever he ministered or taught the Three in One, Father-Son-and Holy Spirit were not only present, they were tangible. Thats what made Bob such an awesome teacher.
   He was completely and utterly sold out to his Lord Jesus Christ. He was spiritually so humble, always striving for much more. He had so much to give and never hesitated to do so with much love and patience. 
   He really loved his “little body of people” Die Here se mensies, as he called us. At each and every meeting he ministered and taught with such authority, wisdom and enthusiasm, I always left the meetings with the impression he was willing his sheep to be impregnated with his vast knowledge and wisdom, and for us to inherit the Kingdom with him, he knew where he was going and wanted us beside him and say Lord here WE are.
   It never ceased to amaze me, his vast knowledge and love for the Word, he not only “ate the Word,” he devoured it, He knew the Good Book inside out backwards, forwards sideways, any which way you pleased. Bob was a living walking encyclopedia of the Word.
   Lastly, about a month before he fell ill, he phoned me and said “Sue I really want to come and visit you and Julian at you plasie, as he called it, which was amazing as he did not readily travel on the gravel road to our small holding, I said well we are coming to Knysna the following Monday, we could visit him then, but he insisted, so I arranged to meet him where the dirt road began and he could leave his beloved car at the shop.
   What a memorable afternoon the family spent with our friend. Who could have guessed it would be the last.
   None of us knew it then Bob, but you actually insisted to come and say your farewells to the family in our own environment.
   What a magnificent friend, comforter, amazing teacher, and great prophet you were.
   We are all so much more richer for having known you
   Yes we really love you Bob Sweetman and will sorely miss you, but take comfort in Is57;1-2
   Suzi Q and Julian.
7. Jessica Baldwin Says: 
   May 7th, 2006 at 10:40 pmUncle Bob I never did get the opportunity to say “thank you” as you know we moved to the UK almost 4 years ago.
   My mommy tells me, when her and my ouma were still “visitors” to the Knysna Community Church, as it was then known, she was 4-5 months pregnant with me, and at one evening meeting while you uncle Bob were busy teaching, you always had the habit of walking around the room, you stopped next to her chair, looked at her and asked “Is there something there?” pointing to her tummy.
   Very embarrassed she said yes. You stopped your teaching,called aunty Jackie over and asked her to lay hands on my mommy’s tummy, uncle Bob you then started praying for me and asked God to bless me, my mommy says her and aunty Jackie was smiling so broadly, because while you were praying I put up the performance of my life.
   Well uncle Bob since that very moment I was completely sold out to my Jesus and still am, that was 7 years ago.
   Someday uncle Bob when we meet in heaven I will thank you personally for introducing me to Lord Jesus when you did, because I think it is hard to find Him here in the UK.
8. MICHEAL ADAM HART (8YRS OLD) Says: 
   May 8th, 2006 at 9:32 amUncle Bob was a good man and he did his job on earth, but he always had a good laugh now and then
   love
   Mike
9. Andre & Shanelle Pretorius Says: 
   May 8th, 2006 at 10:15 amWhat an awsome gift Bob was to our lives! We are truely blessed to have known him as a Brother, Teacher and Friend! When Shanelle and i decided to get married, we had great joy in asking Bob to lead us into our “new life” of marriage and what a fortunate and beautiful memory we have of our special day with such a special person standing by our side! Bob never failed to amaze us in his Agape Love he had for us, the Body of Christ and his fellow man. A true legend that will be truely missed!
10. Mandy P Says: 
    May 8th, 2006 at 4:36 pmI am so sorry for your loss, it I wonderful that you have decided to honour him in such a wonderful way. I have a friend who is in Hospice losing his battle to multiple types of cancer, and has fought the good fight for almost 10 years!

    Celebrate Bob’s life and take time to rememebr what he meant to all of you, each person who comes into your life brings something unique, so embrace what that was for you and celebrate it everyday.

    God Bless you all, and may he give you the strength to cope with your pain and loss.

11. Mandy P Says: 
    May 8th, 2006 at 4:39 pmSorry, I meant to say that I did not have the pleasure of knowing Bob, but I stumbled across this site and was compelled to write something, your kind words and love for this man was touching, he was obviously a spectacular human being!
12. jonno sweetman Says: 
    May 10th, 2006 at 9:09 pmIts been 2 weeks since my dad entered eternal life in full! I miss him a lot and can still hear his voice around every odd corner. I just want to say thanks to all those who have supported us as a fam: marion, the korstens’, els’,scivens’, harts’, creasys’, griesells, pretorious’, gibbings’, conradies’, andy and elaine, van vuurens’, jimbo and kerslakes, melodie s(carisma), jerome n(grcc), maades’, anton j, adin, martin w, grant l, grant b and nige, leggates’, alan and all at the fellowship…u kno who u are. There are many more. My prayer is that we can remain strong and can share the love my dad showed us. I know i have come to a new understanding of Gods love. The last thing my dad wrote in his journal was….I LOVE U JESUS! Speak to ya’ll again soon. LOVE jonno
13. Julie Els Says: 
    June 26th, 2006 at 6:43 pmIt is two months today since Bob left us for higher service. To know that we will never see him this side of eternity is a tough one as he touched all our lives at some point in time. It was a privilege and an honour to have known Bob. I am also humbled to know that God would have used me to serve Bob in his last days. Bob never complained, and never asked “why me?”. He repeatedly said that he was so blessed to have so many people in his life who really care. He did however not like to be the centre of all the attention and said so on many occasions.

    Our family got to know the Sweetman family way back in 1988 when we joined their fellowship in East London known as the Stirling Baptist Church. Bob was a true servant of Lord and he awakened a desire in everyone to want to know more about Jesus and a deep hunger to read the word. Christine was brave woman of God who despite any situation that she might have been experiencing would minister to anyone in need and had a genuine love for Gods people. My special Friend. Not too many people, who warm the seats each Sunday, know the turmoil that those in the ministry sometimes have to endure. Just shortly after becoming members at this fellowship, Bob dropped the bombshell that they were leaving the Baptist Union. I experienced a feeling of terrible loss and for many weeks mourned as though for someone who had died. To have found an oasis in the dessert only to have it plucked away was more devastating than I can even give words to. Not only did I grieve the loss of this special family in my life; but the huge void and the question of who was going to expound on the Word of God like Bob was anointed to do? Bob was truly anointed to speak and he would bring the word straight from the throne of God to our hearts. Bob was not a perfect human being, there were many shortcomings and failures (which he would openly acknowledge), but when it was time to speak the word or pray for someone, I believe that heaven paid attention. Bob I will miss you. You touched the lives of all who knew you; and especially mine. Christine, Mandy, Jonathan and Rebecca my heart is one with yours as you journey on this road of healing. All my Love; Always!

14. Rebecca Sweetman Says: 
    June 27th, 2006 at 12:38 pmGreeting from Norway,
    i am so blessed to read what an impact my father made on so many lives. as a family one often misses those things as we are so caught up in being a family, if that makes any sense. It is 2 months and one day since my dad went to be with the lord and it feels as if it were just yesterday. i miss him dearly and somedays am overwhelmed with the need to talk to him and give him one last hug. i am so blessed to have my mom close by as she is my rock!!!! im so grateful to be a legacy of strength and endurance and living proof that the lord is always by our side. i have witnessed so many amazing things in my life, so far, and the greatest to date is witnessing the help and kindness from all those back in SA. I thank you so much for your support and love through this time. 
    i give god all the praise for my family and friends!!!!!
    /rebecca
15. Benn Korsten Says: 
    September 15th, 2006 at 2:59 pmHe broke the perception of the mystism and unapproachability of the “Set Man” ; the “Pastor” or “Leader” for me..
    He was real. A real man with real issues, but the greatest thing was that he never let it keep him back from his pursuit of Jesus.
    Bob started me off in this direction of talking to God for myself and developing a one on one relationship with the ONE who will ultimately be the love of my life… JESUS.

    I thank God for the time i got to spend on this earth learning from such a great man.
    see you soon.
    love benn

It’s been a while since I spent a night under the stars and so last night I decided to give it a go. At the top of my aunt’s mountain is a large platform that is sometimes used to photograph cars on. I decided that would be the perfect place. At first it was rather pleasant and exciting. The moon was at first quarter so there was quite a bit of illumination allowing me to pick my way along the path to the platform.

I picked a spot that placed me feet first into the slight breeze as I figured my body would shelter my face and head. It worked wonderfully. I used a worn CADAC sleeping bag that had a built-in hood so the warmth of my head was well taken care of.

I climbed into the sleeping bag, shoes and all, and lay down. Only to discover that I’d not thought of an essential bit of gear – something to sleep on. The wood of the platform was very cold and after a few hours of lying there seemed to cause that cold to seep into my bones. I lay there staring up at the stars and listening to the dogs barking in the town down below.

It didn’t feel like I slept at all but I must’ve done because when I checked my watch again it was 3am and the moon had disappeared leaving only the stars. It was amazing. The stars shine so brightly outside the city lights.

I’m reminded of Psalm 19: 1 -2: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.”

Right, I must get going. Today we set off for Cape Town…

Today finds me sat on a bench outside my aunt’s house on a mountain in Mcgregor. The sun is shining bright and warm but I’m cooled by the slight breeze caressing the mountainside. The faint sound of african drums join in with the rhythm of my typing and the birds sing nearby adding melody and harmony. The sky is a gradient of blues and there isn’t a cloud in sight.

It is a glorious day, one that makes me feel blessed to be alive.

View from the Porch

Distant Mountain

I’ve just arrived home after spending a few hours at my local surf spot – Buffalo Bay / Knysna. The water temp was pleasant, which makes a change from having to endure the frigid waters of the UK for 2 years. I can’t explain how great it is to be able to surf proper waves again. I’m trying to surf as often as I can so that by the time summer hits I’ll be paddle-fit. Woop! Summertime

Let's go surfing now, everybody's learning how...