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An assessment of the perception of the role of the Christian religious leader in the political process: the case of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality By Thomas Frank Terblanche Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for Magister Artium: Political Science to be awarded at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University January 2017 Supervisor: Prof Joleen Steyn-Kotze i Acknowledgments Firstly, I would like to thank my Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus. I am more aware of Apostle Paul’s assertion, “I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens Me” (Philippians 4:13), now after completing this task. Without the strength of God, I would have never accomplished it. My sincerest appreciation must be extended to my supervisor Prof Joleen Steyn-Kotze. Prof your patience and guidance through this project is unmatched. Thank you for drawing the best out of me. I am truly privileged to have you as an academic mentor. To my parents Roland and Nola Terblanche. Thank you for constantly believing in me and in my abilities. I could not have asked for better parents! To my broader circle of family, friends and mentors. I am reminded of Hebrews 12:1. Indeed, you are my ‘great cloud of witnesses.’ Your encouragement throughout the process inspired me to soldier on. Special mention must be made of my mentors Pastor Haydon Ownhouse and Dr. Randall Jonas. Your gentle nudges were exactly what I needed. The participants, who were more than eager to give me of your valuable time, thank you. The knowledge you possess about local political environment and the perceived role of clergy is immaculate. I am confident that our Metropole and our communities are in capable hands of service. Thank you to the NMMU’s Research Capacity Development for funding my studies. ii Table of Contents Acknowledgments i Table of Contents ii List of Abbreviations vii List of Tables viii Abstract xi Chapter 1: Introduction 1 1.1 Contextual Background 1 1.2 Rationale and Motivation for the Study 4 1.3 Problem Statement 8 1.4 Research Objectives 8 1.5 Methodology and Approach 9 1.6 Methods and Techniques 11 1.7 The Sample 13 1.8 Data Analysis 13 1.9 Chapter Presentation 15 1.10 Concluding Remarks 16 Chapter 2: Literature Review: An Analysis of the Various Religio-Political ideologies 17 2.1 Introduction 17 2.2 Anti-Oppressive Ideologies and Theologies 17 2.2.1 Contextual Theology 19 2.2.2 Clergy as Facilitator of liberation: Liberation Theology 22 2.2.2.1 The Role of Clergy in the Political Process 27 2.2.3 Christianity that speaks to the black persons condition Black Theology Analysing iii Steve Biko’s Letter: “The Church as seen by a Young Layman” 27 2.3 Pro-government/ Nationalist Ideologies 31 2.3.1 Volk Nationalism: Government God’s Chosen Servant 32 2.3.2 Constitutional/Liberal Nationalists 35 2.4. Reconciliation Model-Clergy: Clergy as Reconciliatory Members of Society 36 2.5 Concluding Remarks 40 Chapter 3: The Constitutional and Public Construction of the Role of the Church in Post-Apartheid South Africa 42 3.1 Introduction 42 3.2 The Constitutional Construction of the role of the Church in Apartheid South Africa: A Historical Backdrop 43 3.3 Fundamentals of a Secular Theory: Understanding the Makeup of a Secular Government 46 3.3.1 Secularisation 47 3.3.2 Secularism 49 3.3.3 Secularism in Political Praxis: Freedom, Equality and Fraternity in a Secular State 51 3.3.3.1 Freedom 51 3.3.3.2 Equality 53 3.3.3.3 Fraternity 56 3.3.3.4 Religious Discriminatory Action 58 3.3.3.5 Discriminatory Statements and Action Against the Church 61 3.4 Defining a Secular State, in relation to the South African Context 63 3.5 Moral Construction of South Africans and Moral Regeneration 66 iv 3.6 Concluding Remarks 70 Chapter 4. The Perception of the Role of Clergy in Post-Apartheid South Africa The Clergy’s View 72 4.1 Introduction 72 4.2 Profile of the Interviewees 73 4.3 In-depth Interviews Data-Analysis Methods 74 4.4 From the Pastor’s Perspective Perceived and Actual Roles 76 4.4.1 NMB Church Unity Structure 78 4.4.2 Conflict Manager, Peacekeeper and Reconciliator: Negotiator, Mediator and Facilitator 80 4.4.3 The Community Leader and Encouraging the Church to be engaged in the Community 82 4.4.4 Watchdog Role of the Clergy 85 4.4.5 The Prophetic Voice 88 4.4.6 Pastor as Intercessor 90 4.4.7 Clergy as Moral Compass 90 4.5 Other Themes 92 4.5.1 Unity 92 4.5.2 Non-Partisan Approach 94 4.5.3 Education and Health 97 4.5.4 Racism 98 4.6 Clergy’s Understanding of their Role in the Political Process in a Secular State 99 4.7 Concluding Remarks 100 v Chapter 5. The Role of the Christian Religious Leader in the Political Process: From Political Parties and the NMBM 102 5.1 Introduction 102 5.2 Profile of the Participants 103 5.3 Political Parties Relationship with the Clergy and the Church in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and South Africa 104 5.3.1 The Views of the Democratic Alliance 104 5.3.2 The Views of the ANC 105 5.3.3 The Views of the EFF 106 5.4 The Ideological backdrop of the DA, ANC and EFF in relation to religion 107 5.4.1 The Views of the DA 107 5.4.2 The Views of the ANC 109 5.4.3 The Views of the EFF 113 5.5 The Role of Clergy in Political Life: Views from Political Parties 115 5.5.1 The views of the DA 115 5.5.2 The views of the ANC 117 5.5.3 The views of the EFF 119 5.6 Christian Political Parties and Pastor Politicians in South Africa 120 5.6.1 Christian Political Parties 121 5.6.2 Pastor-Politician 125 5.7 Concluding Remarks 127 Chapter 6. Conclusion 129 6.1 Introduction 129 vi 6.2 The Perception of the Role of the Christian Religious Leader in the Political Process 129 6.2.1 Conflict Manager, Peacekeeper and Reconciliator: Negotiator, Mediator and Facilitator 129 6.2.2 The Community Leader and Encouraging the Church to be Engaged in the Community 130 6.2.3 WatchDog 130 6.2.4 Prophetic Voice 131 6.2.5 Intercessor 131 6.3 The perception of the role of the Christian religious leader in the political process: as seen by political parties and local government 131 6.3.1 Active Citizens in the Political Process 131 6.3.2 Promote Democratic and Constitutional Values 132 6.3.3 Nation Building 132 6.3.4 Watchdog 133 6.3.5 Moral Voice 133 6.3.6 Poverty Alleviation 133 6.3.7 Adviser to Government 133 6.3.8 Intercessor 133 6.4 A Mature understanding of Secularism and Secular Government from all Participating Groups 133 6.4.1 The Constitutional and Legislative Framework 134 6.4.2 Non-Interference in Church Activities by Political Parties 135 6.4.3 Non-Partisan Approach and Respect for Governing Authorities 135 6.4.4 The State: Local government and national government and the judiciary 135 6.5 Ideological and Theoretical Direction of the Clergy 137 6.6 Current Local Clerical Involvement in the Political Process 137 vii 6.7 Concluding Remarks 138 Bibliography 139 List of Appendices Appendix A. Cover Letters to Participants 157 Appendix B. Interview Schedule 159 Appendix C. Questions for the Clergypersons 160 Appendix D. Questions for the Political Leaders 162 Appendix E Questions for the Religious Unit in NMBM 163 List of Abbreviations ANC African National Congress ACDP African Christian Democratic Party AZAPO Azania Peoples Organisation CSC Civil Society Coalition CNE Christian National Education CSS Critical Social Science DA Democratic Alliance DP Democratic Party DRC Dutch Reformed Church EFF Economic Freedom Fighters FF Plus Freedom Front Plus IMF International Monetary Fund ISS Interpretivist Social Science LI Liberal International NDP National Development Plan NGO Non-Governmental Organisation NMB Nelson Mandela Bay NMBM Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality NNP New National Party NP National Party NPO Non Profit viii OGOD Organisasie Vir Godsdienste Onderrig en Demokrasie PP Progressive Party TRC Truth and Reconciliation Commission TCN Transformation Christian Network UCDP United Christian Democratic Party ZCC Zionist Christion Church List of Figures and Tables Figures Figure 1. Example of apartheid pamphlet detailing the dangers of communism from a Christian perspective 33 Figure 2. Civils Unions in South Africa: 2009 – 2013 48 Figure 3. South African perceptions on the acceptability of ‘moral issues’ 68 Figure 4. Perceptions of acceptability of homosexuality 69 Figure 5. Median scores of morality from the Pew Research Centre Survey 70 Figure 6. The Clergy and Active Citizenry 77 Figure 7. Diagrammatical Representation of the Church Structure in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality 78 Figure 8. Nelson Mandela Bay Societal Impact Areas Focus Areas 79 Figure 9. Nehemiah Vision and Government Accountability 100 Table Table 1. Election Result of Religious Political Parties contesting the 2014 South African General Election 123 ix Abstract The Church and clergy, during Apartheid played a significant role in the South African political process. It was possible to divide the church into three distinct groups, pro-government, anti- government and neutral churches and clergy. The Dutch Reformed Church because of its close association to the National Party was often dubbed the “National Party of Prayer.” They played an important role in providing moral legitimacy for the regime.

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