Applying the principles of Missio Dei: Ministering to the Mozambican migrants in the North West province of South Africa F RODRIGUES FILHO orcid.org/ 0000-0001-6945-3815 Dissertation accepted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Masters in Missiology at the North-West University Supervisor: Prof. P.J. (Flip) Buys Graduation ceremony: May 2020 Student number: 28032195 PREFACE This dissertation is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Arts degree (Missiology) at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University. It contains work done from April 2015 to October 2019. During the field research and investigation for this dissertation I was assisted by Prof. Flip Buys as supervisor. He helped me to organize and transcribe all data collected during this period. The material collected during the research resulted in the finalization of this thesis as well as the publication of an article: Eyes on the Border: The Social and Religious Analysis of the Communities of Mozambicans from the North West Region of South Africa. Both are the result of visits, interviews and cooperative work with the Mozambican community residing in the North West Province. Initially the idea was to produce an anthropological study with a cultural and missiological analysis of poor communities in Africa, Paraguay, and Brazil. However, as I am a missionary sent from Brazil to train new Portuguese-speaking Mozambican leaders, my supervisor and I agreed that researching how to apply the principles of Missio Dei in migrant communities in the North West Province could produce relevant and practical material. This research could help my avocation, as well as future missionaries and churches who want to operate in this same region. With a well-defined objective, we produced this dissertation as the result of much field research and an extensive study of available source material. It was a challenge that required an immersion in the Mozambican communities in order to learn more about the history, sufferings, needs, customs and culture of the Mozambican people. Producing this dissertation was an arduous task which demanded an unparalleled investment of my time and intellect. This was also an emotional and spiritual journey that helped me understand how hard life within a migrant community can be. I conclude this task acknowledging the privilege of having participated in such a rich and inspiring project. I had the opportunity to witness the strength of these suffering people who pursue their dreams by facing the many obstacles with determination and resilience. Francisco Rodrigues Filho Rustenburg, October 2019. 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis is not only the result of hours of study in libraries and research fields, but also of the motivation I received from people who, directly and indirectly, impelled me to start, develop, and especially complete this research. I want to thank my distinguished supporter, Dr. Marilda Oliveira, who introduced me to the academic world of the North West University when I wanted to return to the world of studies and research. To you, my gratitude and affection. I also thank my supervisor and precious companion on the journey of writing this thesis, Professor Flip Buys. I want to thank him for his faithful and patient corrections, instructions and encouragement throughout the development and completion of this work which, I confess, I wouldn’t have achieved without his support. To you, my admiration and respect. I am grateful to Dr. Monica Venter for the patient and faithful final language edition of this dissertation. Being a foreign student and with my language and financial limitations, your help has greatly blessed me. To you, gratitude and admiration. My gratitude also to all Mozambicans in the communities near Rustenburg, especially those who patiently provided me with data, told me their stories and shared their tribulations. To all of you, my gratitude and respect. I also want to thank my mother, Maria Aparecida Rodrigues, who always maintained every effort to make sure I was in a classroom studying. Thank you for sewing garments till late into the night so that I could get here where I am today. To you, my longing and love. To my beloved sons, Hadassa and Kalebe D. C. Rodrigues, thank you for your understanding and submission: For understanding the reasons for the absence of a father, and renouncing moments of family leisure so that I could continue my research and conclusion of this work. To you both, my love and affection. My special thanks go to my beloved wife, Vanuza do Carmo Rodrigues, who proved to be a sincere supporter, companion and faithful consort. The person who has always been with me on trips, library visits, field interviews and hours of home study. To you my love and gratitude. 3 I absolutely thank the One who is the source of my inspiration and life. I thank my God, my Creator and Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God from whom all wisdom and knowledge emanates entrusting me with such great and precious work. Not only that, He has given me all the tools necessary for its compilation and conclusion. To you my Lord, my love, praise and adoration. 4 ABSTRACT South Africa is a country rich in minerals, mainly gold and platinum. Workers from various countries from sub-Saharan Africa journey to the country to get a job opportunity in the mining industry. This thesis is a study of Mozambican workers who migrated to South Africa in search of a job opportunity in the underground mines of the North West Province. The large escalation of migrants from the various provinces of Mozambique to work in these mines has created a congestion of worker demand. This phenomenon has caused overcrowding in the communities around major provincial cities such as Rustenburg and Brits. As a result, Mozambican communities have begun to face very serious social problems affecting the areas of basic sanitation, health, food, education and housing. In addition to social problems, Mozambican communities also lack spiritual help. Local churches remain weak and face diverse problems such as difficulty in forming new leaders, lack of teachers for Bible schools, obstacles in reaching sinners with the gospel and structural problems in their churches. This thesis reflects on the actual quality of life of the Mozambican migrants and scientifically analyses their encumbrances. It also provides an assessment of the adaptability and resilience of the residents of these communities when facing the most diverse situations. This paper also presents ideas for solving some of the problems of communities through the contextualized application of Missio Dei and also presents a Biblical foundation for the application of integral mission in the lives of Mozambican migrants living in the North West Province of South Africa. Key terms: [Migration; Mozambican Community; Gospel; Missio Dei; Compassion; Resilience; North West Province; Local church; Discipleship]. 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE .................................................................................................................................. 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................... 3 ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION, BACKGROUND AND PROBLEM STATEMENT .............. 9 1.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 9 1.2 Background...................................................................................................................................... 9 1.3 Problem statement / rationale ..................................................................................................... 10 1.4 Preliminary literature study / Conceptual framework .............................................................. 15 1.4.1 Preliminary literature study .................................................................................................. 15 1.4.2 Status of research ................................................................................................................. 15 1.4.3 Contributions of the study .................................................................................................... 16 1.5 Research question, problem, aim and objectives .................................................................... 16 1.5.1 Research question ................................................................................................................ 16 1.5.2 Research aim ......................................................................................................................... 17 1.5.3 Research objectives ........................................................................................................ 17 1.6 Central theoretical argument ...................................................................................................... 17 1.7 Research design / Methodology ................................................................................................. 17 1.7.1 Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 18 1.7.2 Method of data collection ..................................................................................................... 20 1.7.3 Trustworthiness