Liberation or Reconstruction? Black Theology as Unfinished Business in South Africa

Abstract:As a metaphor, "liberation" was at the heart of the Black theological project in South Africa. However, after centuries of colonial and apartheid rule, Black liberation and its association with Black theology need to be examined in light of democracy in South Africa. Some have asserted that the end of apartheid together with the democratization of the country renders Black theology irrelevant. These views are taken further by suggesting that it is not Black people alone who are in need of liberation. The dawn of democracy, therefore, is a significant variable for those seeking to replace liberation with metaphors deemed more "suitable" for the current context. The most significant proposal—which has generated much debate—suggests that Black theology should shift emphasis from "liberation" to "reconstruction." Often these debates question the continued relevance of "liberation" as a root metaphor. Moreover, they highlight the need for a clearly defined framework for Black theology following the demise of apartheid.