Tribalism: Thorny issue towards reconciliation in South Africa – A practical theological appraisal

Elijah M Baloyi

doi:10.4102/hts.v74i2.4772

Abstract

The apartheid regime used various strategies to ensure that South Africans formed a divided nation. It was through the differences between ethnic groups and tribes, among other things, that the government of the time managed to manipulate and entrench hatred and a lack of trust among most black South Africans. Tribalism, which existed even before apartheid, became instrumental in inflicting those divisions as perpetuated by the formation of homelands. The various ethnic groups had been turned against one other, and it had become a norm. Nepotism, which is part and parcel of the South African government, is just an extension of tribalism. It is the objective of this article to uncover how tribalism is still rearing its ugly head. From a practical theological perspective, it is important to deal with tribalism as a tool that plays a part in delaying tribal reconciliation, which was orchestrated by apartheid policies in South Africa.

Highlights

A newspaper article entitled ‘I am not an African, no, I am 100% Zulu’ did help to sell the paper and sketched a picture of tribalism in South Africa (Khumalo 2016)
There are many incidents that evidence that tribalism in South Africa is at work to try and keep the black people separated in accordance with their ethnic or tribal divides
When looking at Osmer’s (2008:57) view, it makes sense to say that the unity between the thoughts above gives us a discipline that engages with the real challenges and problems and affects people with its methodologies. It is for this reason that I see practical theology as a relevant discipline that involves itself in dealing with issues related to the challenges contemporary people are faced with; tribalism in this instance

Summary

Introduction

A newspaper article entitled ‘I am not an African, no, I am 100% Zulu’ did help to sell the paper and sketched a picture of tribalism in South Africa (Khumalo 2016). There are many incidents that evidence that tribalism in South Africa is at work to try and keep the black people separated in accordance with their ethnic or tribal divides. Though the slow pace can be blamed on many factors, the continued tribalism plays a special role in ensuring the delay of the reconciliation programmes towards the previously racially and tribally divided South Africa.

Results

Conclusion