Religion plays a central role in the lives of millions of people in South Africa today.
South African society and its history cannot properly be understood if one does not understand the religious forces that have shaped our history and continue to shape our lives and our futures. No longer is one religion dominant in our multi-religious society. South Africa's new constitution ensures freedom of religion for all, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, adherents of African traditional religions, and Christians, among many others. As religion is of fundamental importance in the formation of people's world-views, a study of religion enables us to understand ourselves and others in the world in which we live. Successful interaction between people in the work place and in wider society will demand of all South Africans an informed understanding of the various world religions.