Understanding the Role of the Exodus in the Institutionalization and Dismantling of Apartheid: Considering the Paradox of Justice and Injustice in the Exodus

Masiiwa Ragies Gunda

doi:10.3390/rel12080605

Abstract

The Exodus played an explicit and implicit role in sustaining the policy and practice of apartheid in South Africa and in various other places that went through the pains of colonization. Interestingly, the same Exodus also played a central part in the resistance to and the subsequent dismantling of the apartheid policy and practice in South Africa. That readers on both sides of the divide found solace in the Exodus was put down to the common assumption that guided both parties. The assumption of historicity caused the Exodus to be read as if it were a photographic record of what happened and the experience of oppression and discrimination by the readers assigned the Exodus a historical status for speaking to a historical situation. The assumption of historicity was central in the destructive uses of the Exodus thereby creating a cycle of oppressed–oppressors across the African continent, as groups took turns to seek out their own advantage. An assumption of justice was proposed as an alternative guiding principle through which justice for all, in line with pivotal events of the Old Testament, can be realized in the world.

Highlights

In 1948, the National Party, which had won elections to govern South Africa, promulgated Apartheid as an official government policy
It was noted above that apartheid existed in South Africa as both unofficial and official politico-religious ideology whose intention was to enforce the separation of the races
The readings that led to the dismantling of apartheid reached a conclusion that we agree with, yet we disagree because they gave rise to a class of indigenous oppressors who considered themselves the chosen ones, we argue for an assumption of justice that places a premium on justice for all at all times

Summary

Introduction

In 1948, the National Party, which had won elections to govern South Africa, promulgated Apartheid as an official government policy. Can be understood as “apartness” or “separateness” It was understood as the policy of “separate development” in which the government would enforce boundaries between the peoples of South Africa, especially based on race: White, black, colored, and Asian. While apartheid was officially made a government policy in 1948, it has been observed by various scholars that it had started earlier within missionary churches in South Africa, especially among the Reformed Churches of South Africa, from which “theologians developed an impressive biblical case for apartheid-apartness. They were totally convinced that the Bible endorsed the separation of the races. There have been explicit references to the Exodus by those who feel and are oppressed (Pacheco 2017), showing how biblical texts have been appropriated by succeeding generations (Pederson 2012)

The Rise of Official Apartheid

The Role of the Exodus in the Rise of Apartheid

The Role of the Exodus in Dismantling Apartheid

Conclusions