Finding information about this man proved harder than I thought. I was so sure he would be one of the easiest but I was wrong, and thats where procrastination bites. You leave things late and then a deadline is approching and you can’t find the information you need. Quiet interestingly, I did find some controversy over Mr Buchan’s preaching style and his beliefs and thought that I would mention that. However, I still think he is an outstanding man and share some of his convictions. Some of the arguements leveled against him are by non-Christians or people who don’t subscribe to the ‘men are the heads’ view, which in my opinion is a compliment.

Angus Buchan is described as a Zambian farmer of Scottish decent…yay to the Scottish! My great great grandfather was Scottish and I’m Zambian so I guess I have ended up with more Zambians on the list.  Angus was born in Bulawayo in 1947 to Scottish parents, only moving to Zambia, which was then Northern Rhodesia when he was 6 years old, where he stayed with his family until he completed year 10 of highschool and then went to Scotland where he completed agricultural training.

Before returning to Zambia he travelled through Australia where he worked on farms and did “blocky” stuff like ride horses. It was after his return to Zambia, while working as a farm manager that he met and married Jill. Not long after that, they bought their own farm land that they later sold in 1974 due to the change in political climate in Zambia. They moved to Swaziland, living there for 7 months before heading to the land of the Zulu’s, KwaZulu Natal where they bought a bushveld and had to start from scratch; no electricity or running water, they had nothing!

It was in 1979 that Angus and his family gave their lives to God and ten years later that God, through his word, placed ministry on his life.

Here is a man, according to wedding magazine who wakes up each day excited about the day ahead because he can’t wait to see what God will do in his life that day.  Even when he speaks, his passion is evident and as a Christian he encourages me to speak with boldness. He believes he is called to reconcile men with the Father, and also reconcile fathers and sons as well as preach the gospel.  Regardless of what you think of Angus, he is a fearless man and of action and not only has he raised his own children well, he now runs an orphanage where the fatherless are cared for.

His views on marriage cause some controversy but I don’t understand what the fuss is about when he asks women not to chastise their husbands in front of their children or in public; doesn’t it only make sense that parents sort out their issues privately and away from the children? Does every person on the street need to know about it. Or when he asks men to pay for dates, or open doors for the ladies…them doing those things doesn’t make me a weakling and I don’t have to prove a point and maybe I’m just sick and tired of hearing men swearing at women and calling them bitches that a voice calling for men to be gentlemen just appeals to me.

This man has proven himself worthy of some respect, not only because of his beliefs and I’m sure some would say, despite them; He has worked hard all his life, building his farm from nothing and overcoming obstucles and living his life for the good of others. I love that he wants men to rise up and lead, statistics are quite clear on the effects absent fathers have on the lives of children.

And now I end with part of what he said in his interview for wedding anthem magazine when asked about what he learnt after suffering two heart attacks, and hope it will touch people as much as it touched me. I’m an offence magnet and I know that it limits me so this was a good reminder. “What I learnt from God through that devastating experience is that life is but a vapour…we must not waste time, holding offences, having unforgiveness in our lives. We must press on and live life to the full.”