World News and Trends
Beyond Today Magazine
Good News Magazine: September - October 2007
Course Content
Much of the population in South Africa is very unhappy with the present government's progress in closing the poverty gap.
Much of the population in South Africa is very unhappy with the present government's progress in closing the poverty gap. It's estimated that more than 40% of South Africa's 50 million people live on about a dollar a day, while others make a fortune. More than a third of those of working age are unemployed. Some are saying that "this is what we expected from apartheid—not from our own government" (The Guardian, June 26, 2007).
Although progress has been made in some sectors of economic life, the South African government has conceded that a huge gap between rich and poor remains. Public expectations have run high after the demise of the previous regime, which had ruled South Africa for decades.
Meanwhile crystal meth, considered one of the world's most dangerous drugs, is at the root of a great deal of crime and violence in the sprawling townships. The problem is not confined to any one ethnic group. One recovering woman described the drug's effects: "Before you know, you just can't manage without it. Girls will do anything to get it, and I mean anything. It drives you crazy. You just don't know what you are doing" (The Times, July 30, 2007).
Crystal meth is a synthetic stimulant that can lead to violent behavior, insomnia and psychotic conduct—sometimes for years after the user has quit the drug.
Although no Zimbabwe by any means, South Africa's transition from white rule has not been an easy one. (Sources: The Guardian, The Times [both London].)
Jerold Aust has served in the ministry for 52 years, as a public speaker for 58 years, a published writer for 38 years, and is employed by UCG’s Media and Communications Services. He is a Senior Writer, interviewer, and editor for Beyond Today Magazine and has taught Speech Communication for UCG’s ministerial online program and the Book of Revelation for ABC.
Jerold holds a BA in theology from Ambassador College, Pasadena (1968), an MA in Communication from California State University, Fullerton (1995), a distance-learning Ph.D (2006), and a Famous Writers School diploma in non-fiction writing (1973). Additionally, he studied post-grad communication at University of Southern California (1995), radio, TV, voice-overs, and Public Relations at Fullerton College (1995-1996), and graduate communication at Wichita State University (1978). Jerold has taught communication at the University of South Alabama (7 years) and ABC (17 years). His published works include, Ronald Reagan’s Rhetoric: Metaphor as Persuasion and EZSpeakers: Public Speaking Made Easy in 7 Steps. Jerold's overarching goal is to share with humankind its incredible destiny!
John died on March 8, 2014, in Oxford, England, four days after suffering cardiac arrest while returning home from a press event in London. John was 77 and still going strong.
Some of John's work for The Good News appeared under his byline, but much didn't. He wrote more than a thousand articles over the years, but also wrote the Questions and Answers section of the magazine, compiled our Letters From Our Readers, and wrote many of the items in the Current Events and Trends section. He also contributed greatly to a number of our study guides and Bible Study Course lessons. His writing has touched the lives of literally millions of people over the years.
John traveled widely over the years as an accredited journalist, especially in Europe. His knowledge of European and Middle East history added a great deal to his articles on history and Bible prophecy.
In his later years he also pastored congregations in Northern Ireland and East Sussex, and that experience added another dimension to his writing. He and his wife Jan were an effective team in our British Isles office near their home.
John was a humble servant who dedicated his life to sharing the gospel—the good news—of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God to all the world, and his work was known to readers in nearly every country of the world.
