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Vlok now known as 'Umkhonto'
20/11/2006 11:10 - (SA)
Joylene van Wyk
Bloemfontein - Adriaan Vlok, former minister of law and order, will in future be known as Umkhonto (assegai) because he was used by God to penetrate the callousness of people and to change it to regret, forgiveness and reconciliation.
Pastor Graham Chapman from the World Christian Network bestowed this honour on him after Vlok delivered a speech at a meeting of the Christian Police Association, which was attended by 170 police members from across the country.
Vlok made headlines recently after washing the feet of the Rev Frank Chikane, director general of the presidency, as well as the feet of nine women from Mamelodi.
Vlok didn't have to ask their forgiveness, Chapman said.
They approached him and told him they forgave him.
An emotional Vlok said he was speechless and didn't deserve the title of Umkhonto.
He praised President Thabo Mbeki for the manner in which he handled the death of former president PW Botha.
Mbeki was a good example of someone who didn't keep record of the wrongs of the past. South Africa should be thankful for having such a leader, said Vlok.
He said it didn't matter how many times he was insulted or whether people were angry with him for washing Chikane's feet.
"I don't regret it. It was a personal and spiritual deed. I did it for myself."
He said washing someone's feet symbolised getting rid of one's own sense of importance.
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