The Role of Christianity in the Transition to Majority Rule in South Africa

Event Details

Peter Walshe, a professor from the University of Notre Dame, gives a lecture on Christianity during the end of apartheid in South Africa. Walsh first discusses the political transition in South Africa and then the role of Christian theology in South Africa during the period of transition. Walshe explains that the white South African government in the 1980?s reformed the political structure of the country given local power to black African?s and Indian?s while maintaining a great deal of central power. Additionally, the government financed several rebel movements in neighboring countries so as to support white rule in southern Africa. Finally, the use of extensive repressive force on black South African protesters brought not only a series of international sanctions but also the loss of support from certain official in the Christian churches. Many of these dissidents came to hold key leadership position in the future government of South Africa. This Christian leadership led the protests to such a level that the Afrikaner government realized repression was no longer a viable option. He concludes his lecture by explaining that the transition was extremely difficult for South Africa as the white support was primarily behind a fascist party and the African National Congress was plagued by corrupt individuals. The forum concludes with questions concerning the transition to majority rule, the goals of the extreme right, prophetic Christianity and fundamentalism in South Africa, and the Zulu population.