Religion and politics: Afrikaner right-wing (mis)communication in South Africa in 1994

Abstract

SUMMARY In this article it is argued that the aim of religious nationalism is not only to establish a national order based on religious values but that religious claims are used as a means of communication to mobilise followers for political objectives and as a strategy to justify political actions. This supposition is investigated by analysing Afrikaner right-wing rhetoric before the 1994 general election in South Africa. Prior to the general election in 1994, a group of Afrikaners under the leadership of the Afrika-nervolksfront (AVF) actively resisted the changes in South Africa on the grounds of apparent religious motives. They invoked the moral authority of John Calvin (1509–1564) for their convictions and manner of protest. An analysis of their religious political rhetoric indicates that for the AVF religion took on an ideological character, and that religion became a vehicle for advancing political ideas in the process. In appraising the authenticity of the AVF's religious claims, by measuring them against John Calvin's teachings, it was found that religion and Calvin's teachings were inappropriately misused and selectively applied to mobilise followers and to serve as a vehicle for promoting ideological messages. The article concludes by suggesting that the threat of religious political militancy (and the impact of religious political communication) can be counteracted by challenging the authenticity of such a movement's religious claims.