by Dr Yusufu Turaki
Printed by the Institute for Reformational
Studies
What with the crumbling of the apartheid
system and the commitment to a negotiated new political dispensation, the future
South Africa in the African context is viewed by many with a mixture of fear,
hope and indifference.
Turaki In his article asserts that 'any
meaningful discussion about the future of South Africa in the African context
must begin with the black experience of apartheid.' Turaki justifies this
starting point by virtue of the many forms of oppression (which he identifies)
suffered by black people as a result of the apartheid system.
He perceives that the three relevant
issues in the black reaction to apartheid are race, land and the African
conception of authority and freedom. Turaki calls the historical root that
gives rise to these issues the ‘marriage between Dutch Reformed Churches and the legacy of race consciousness.’
By looking at the social characteristics
and consequences of the apartheid system in the South African social order,
Tukari brings the Christian conscience into question. He suggests some basic
principles of Christian social thought (the personal principle and the social
principle). He substantiates these by theological concepts. From these principles he derives theological
norms for justice, equality, freedom, respect for individuality and
responsibility to God, participation and sustainability. He relates the norms
to the legacy of apartheid, revealing areas where Christians need to repent and
influence the future of the new South Africa in the spirit of a renewed
conscience.
Despite the crumbling of the apartheid
evil as a political, economic and social legal structure, it’s still very much
alive in the hearts and minds of this nation’s Christians during their
day-to-day activities and conversations of life. If we claim to live under His
cosmic Lordship and desire to bring His redemptive presence into the lives of
others, we also need to be renewed in our thinking and living concerning the
future of the new South Africa. This pamphlet is a stimulant to that end.
Colin Lamb.
Colin Lamb obtained a degree in Industrial Psychology from the University of Durban 1n 1991. His theologicak studies at George Whitfield College in Kalk Bay were interrupted by a midyear army call up.
Many to Many Issue 3 February 1993