Abstract
Core considerations in the reflection on the role of the (NG) Church in South Africa’s land reform debateThis article deals with the question as to whether the church (the Dutch Reformed Church in particular) ought to become involved in the current (2019) debate about land reform (particularly land expropriation without compensation) in South Africa. The author defends the position that such involvement is, for the church, desirable and even unavoidable. Four key elements of such involvement are identified and analysed. The first is the issue of human dignity, which is a key aspect of the message of the gospel. The second aspect is (possible) leadership. Here it is argued that the church can facilitate, but not in a traditional leadership role. Much attention is, thirdly, paid to the moral aspects of the debate. Finally, in terms of the “how”-question relating to the church’s involvement, dialogue is proposed.
Highlights
Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe. (Frederick Douglas)
Die doel van die beraad was nie alleen om in die algemeen te besin oor die problematiek rondom grondhervorming in Suid-Afrika nie, maar veral om te besin oor die vraag of en hoe die kerk ’n rol kan speel in die fasilitering van die huidige gespanne debat oor hierdie aangeleentheid
Dit alles het meegebring dat die aandrang op grondhervorming, wat sedert 1994 op die agenda van die regering en regerende party is, in die loop van veral 2018 nuwe impetus gekry het
Summary
Hierdie artikel is ’n verwerking van ’n referaat wat ek by ’n onlangse beraad oor Suid-Afrika se omstrede grondkwessie gelewer het. Die beraad is deur die NG Gemeentes Williston en Carnavon gereël. Die doel van die beraad was nie alleen om in die algemeen te besin oor die problematiek rondom grondhervorming in Suid-Afrika nie, maar veral om te besin oor die vraag of en hoe die kerk ’n rol kan speel in die fasilitering van die huidige gespanne debat oor hierdie aangeleentheid. Grond en die (her-)verdeling daarvan is tans so ’n kontensieuse kwessie in Suid-Afrika dat dit ’n ter sake vraag is of dit verstandig is vir die kerk om ook by die saak betrokke te raak. Die wyse waarop elk van hierdie waarde-oorwegings ter sake is vir die fasiliterende rol wat die kerk in die grondkwessie kan speel, sal hopelik blyk uit die bespreking wat volg
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