The ongoing challenge of restorative justice in South Africa: How and why wealthy suburban congregations are responding to poverty and inequality.

Source: (2014) HTS Teologiese Studies/ Theological Studies 70(2), Art. #2022, 8 pages. http:// dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts. v70i2.2022.

South Africa remains one of the most unequal societies in the world and any discussion
around poverty and the church’s response cannot exclude this reality. This article attempts
to analyse the response of wealthy, ‘majority white’ suburban congregations in the southern
suburbs of Cape Town to issues of poverty and inequality. This is attempted through the lense
of restorative justice, which is broadly explored and defined through a threefold perspective
of reconciliation, reparations and restitution. The first part explores a description of the
basic features of poverty and inequality in South Africa today, followed by a discussion on
restorative justice. This is followed by the case study, which gives the views of clergy and
lay leaders with regard to their congregations’ perspectives and responses to poverty and
inequality within the context of restorative justice. Findings from the case study begin to plot
a tentative ‘way forward’ as to how our reality can more constructively be engaged from the
perspective of congregational involvement in reconstruction of our society. (excerpt)