‘It is now in your hands’: South Africa’s dilemma for religion and governance in the changing COVID-19 context

Buhle Mpofu

doi:10.4102/hts.v76i1.6183

Abstract

This article examines how coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impacted on religion–state relations in South Africa. By examining the models of religion–state relations the article highlights the implications of these relations in the context of the South African government’s national response to COVID-19 and critically engages a public theology of ‘immense trust and authority’ assigned to leaders. The article identifies ‘separation with interaction’ as a model, which informs the South African government’s state–religion engagement. Although this model is constitutional and promotes religious freedom, the article identifies the government’s failure to act decisively on religious leaders who exploit the poor as a major obstacle to socio-economic and religious transformation. The article contends that the dark part of South African history presents a dilemma to church–state relations in South Africa and suggests that life-affirming practices of political and religious leaders should be tested through the values of goodness, kindness, justice and obedience as a demonstration that they are essential workers who have an important transformational role to play in the context of COVID-19. Contribution: This article represents a systematic and practical reflection within a paradigm in which the intersection of philosophy, religious studies, social sciences, humanities and natural sciences generates an interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary contested discourse.

Highlights

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has fundamentally changed the world and impacted on religious and political processes in significant ways
The rapidly changing socio-political and religious contexts will impact on the economics and politics of contemporary Africa
Addressing the nation on the 13th of May 2020, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted some of the necessary changes in life and worship practices: There needs to be a fundamental shift in our thinking and our way of life ... [we] will need to re-organize workplaces, schools, universities, colleges and other public places to limit transmission

Summary

Introduction

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has fundamentally changed the world and impacted on religious and political processes in significant ways. Under the lockdown regulations on level four and five, religious gatherings were banned and communities with access to internet moved their services to cyber space In his address on Sunday the 24th of May, President Ramaphosa informed the nation that government was consulting with leaders of various faith communities and the Command council through virtual meetings where they discussed government’s preparations for a ‘differentiated approach’ across the country to manage reopening of the economy alongside the unrelenting effort to save lives. Addressing the nation on the 26th of May 2020, President Ramaphosa rightly acknowledged the role of faith communities in the fight against coronavirus and recognised religious leaders as essential workers given the role they play in providing care and counselling to distressed people. This is critical – given that ministry or mission is not just about worship – but provision of facilities for testing and temporal hospitals could be alternative and reasonable service to people in the context of COVID-19 crisis. Lastly, to protect poor communities from being exploited by unscrupulous religious leaders, government should not shy away from its responsibility to ensure that religious organisations operate in compliance with the SARS regulations, which guide public benefit organisations

Conclusion

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