Gwashi Manavhela

Theological Justification of Apartheid in South African Churches: Did Churches in South Africa Justify Apartheid? Gwashi Manavhela

Now that Apartheid as a political system has been abolished it is time to analyse the factors that evoked a theology of Apartheid. This theology has not been developed suddenly and independently but is part of a long lasting process, intertwined with many other factors. When viewing available literature it appears that many aspects are brought in, whereby different perspectives play a role. The aim of this study is to gain a survey of the many factors that played a role in the origin of Apartheid and especially Apartheid theology, that is intrinsically interwoven with the other factors. It aims, with the help of this divers literature, to understand the roots and the nature of Apartheid theology, especially with regard to the present position of the traditionally white churches in South Africa. The focus is especially on the Dutch Reformed Church (the Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk) as the leading volkskerk of the Afrikaners.