title: A critical survey of the literature of Black theology in Southern Africa
Creators: name: Tshenkeng, Pule Isaac Drake
Publisher: name: University of Glasgow
Year: 1984
Subjects: subject: Theology, South African studies, black theology.

description: Introduction: Apartheid in South Africa has become a way of life. It is an ideology practiced and sanctioned by the white Dutch Reformed Churches to maintain economic and political supremacy in the hands of white people in both South Africa and Namibia. The new constitution which allows the co-option of the Coloured and Indian groups into the country's new dispensation state, "In humble submission to almighty God, who controls the destinies of peoples and nations." The destinies of peoples is understood in the sense of the divine right of nations to self-determination. In South Africa this justifies the establishment of separate 'homelands' for the African people with the hope of a future South African Commonwealth of Nations. The government has therefore from time to time employed intimidatory means to suppress those who dare to raise critical voices. There is severe censorship of books, magazines, recordings and films and a number of black theology publications have fallen foul to these laws of banning. The exercise of Black theology was started by the University Christian Movement (UCM) in 1971. In 1972 the first seminar was held at Wilgespruit Fellowship Centre, and the papers read at this conference and other meetings were later published in a book form entitled 'Essays on Black Theology' (UCM Johannesburgh 1972). This book was, however, banned in South Africa within a month of its publication but appeared later published in America entitled 'The Challenge of Black Theology in SA'. This survey on black theology deals with writings on the subject covering the first ten years, that is 1970-19 The first chapter is concerned with the historical basis of black theology, and I have in it tried to show and highlight the different factors and movements that influenced black theology. In the second chapter a justification for the quest of black theology is brought forward. The third chapter basically deals with the definition of black theology and its relationship to African theology and the African Independent churches. And the last chapter deals with that most important subject of reconciliation between oppressed and oppressor. This thesis would not have been possible without the interest of my supervisor the Rev. John Riches. He not only supervised me but also offered me his expert and invaluable advice on my construction of arguments, to him I am immensely grateful, my thanks also to the different librarians who helped me find my way in the libraries, some of whom even assisted me with the task of photocopying, the one who needs special mention is the librarian at the Sally Oaks Central Library Birmingham, I am grateful also to Mr David Forrester and others who read and criticised part of this work and a word of thanks to the typist. And last but not least a thank you to my family, my wife Cholofelo and my two daughters Lerato and Tumelo for their love and understanding during my research work. In conclusion may I point out that right at the beginning we need to set forth an important principle, that is, in our approach to black theology we must set aside all preconceived ideas and allow it to speak for itself.