“Corruption Mocking At Justice”: A Theological-Ethical Perspective on Public Life in Tanzania and its Implications for the Anglican Church of Tanzania Alfred uw’Imana Sebahene Thesis Submitted In Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Systematic Theology at Stellenbosch University Promoter: Dr. L.D. Hansen Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology December 2015 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za DECLARATION AND STATEMENT OF COPYRIGHT I, the undersigned, hereby declare that this thesis, unless specifically indicated in the text, is my own original work, and I have not previously, in its entirety or in part, submitted it in any other University for a degree. The copyright of this thesis rests with the author, Alfred uw’Imana Sebahene. No quotation from it should be published in any format, including electronic and the Internet, without the author's prior written consent. All information derived from this thesis must be acknowledged appropriately. Signature: Name: Alfred uw’Imana Sebahene Submission Date: 23rd August 2015 Copyright © 2015 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved ii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za DEDICATION I dedicate this work to my beloved wife, Ruth Niyonzima Rubagora Sebahene, known as “Mama Niyo”, our children Joanna Niyonkuru, Samuel Niyitegeka and my nephew Kelvin Tumsifu. You all faced and endured endless challenges in the process of my academic advancement. I thank you for your love and incomparable support. AND To my parents, Mr. Thobias Baldwin Masumbuko and Mrs. Joanna Hakizimana Ntakabozinda Bgoya Sebahene. Since my childhood, you have worked hard to instill ethical values in me. This study has a very strong connection to your ongoing teachings. Thank you. AND To Mr. Munyaruko Sebahene, whom I honor posthumously. It is a great privilege to have inherited your name. I have always and still am challenged to live life as you lived, a life of integrity, accountability, transparency and service to humanity. I shall endeavor to do so as long as I live. iii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study was made possible by contributions of many individuals, who and organizations that believed in me and blessed me with their support, energy, love and time. I would like to extend my gratitude to them all. My academic and spiritual life has been blessed because of the sacrifices you have made on my behalf. It is impossible to all of them by name, but I wish to do so with regard to the following: The Chancellor of St. John’s University of Tanzania, Archbishop Emeritus of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, the Rt. Rev. Donald Leo Mtetemela and the first Vice- chancellor Prof. Manoris Meshack. Thank you for granting me the opportunity to study towards a PhD. The community of George Whitefield College, especially the Evangelical Research Fellowship Team under the leadership of Rev. Dr Benjamin Dean, for hosting and supporting me in a variety of ways. To all donors: St. John’s University of Tanzania, Oversees Council Australia, Langham UK, Langham USA, the Faculty of Theology at Stellenbosch University, Church Missionary Society of Australia, New Zealand Church Missionary Society, George Whitefield College Trust Fund, Culham St. Gabriel’s Trust, St. Barnabas Bible Church in Claremont and all anonymous donors. Thank you for your financial support and your prayers. The congregation of St. Barnabas Bible Church in Cape Town and especially pastor Simon and mama Gillian Clegg, thank you so much for your encouragement and prayers. My original doctoral supervisor, Dr Clint le Bruyns, who has since moved to the University of KwaZulu-Natal after guiding me through the proposal stage of my PhD journey and my second supervisor Dr Gerrit W. Brand, for his brief support and guidance before he was called home to be with the Lord. I appreciate your contribution. May your soul rest in peace! My third and final supervisor, Dr Len Hansen, who has been a colleague, friend, teacher, and advisor to me. In the iv Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za process of writing this thesis you have been all of these and more. I am immensely grateful for your generosity with time, advice and patience that enabled this project to come to conclusion. Your efforts have helped me to develop into a better student and scholar of systematic theology, public theology and Christian ethics. My beautiful wife, Ruth Niyonzima, thank you for being a constant source of support, encouragement and help over the years of study and writing of this dissertation. You managed our home while I was away for long periods in pursuit of this goal. The debt I owe to you for the opportunity to work on this project is incalculable. You are my mentor par excellence and you remain my best friend. Finally, I wish to thank the Lord for granting me the peace and strength to face the many challenges of a PhD journey. All blessings and honor, glory and power belong to you, Lord. v Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za ABSTRACT In recent years, the world has witnessed a global increased consciousness and attention to the challenges of corruption and injustice and the threats they pose to humanity. In the United Republic of Tanzania, too, such consciousness and attention have intensified as, in terms of corruption, the country currently faces a crisis as never before. This has not only prompted increased efforts by a variety of societal role players seeking solutions to this scourge, but it has also opened up new avenues of inquiry into the harsh realities of corruption and injustice. It is proposed that this also calls for urgent attention to these challenges by churches in general, and the Anglican Church of Tanzania in particular. In light of the above, this study examines the problem of corruption in Tanzania from a theological-ethical perspective. Its proceeds from the view that there exists a dynamic and “indissoluble” link (Kirkpatrick, 2010:41) between corruption and injustice in that it is proposed that curbing corruption correlates with an appropriately robust understanding of what constitutes justice in the Christian sense of the word and the ways in which corruption constitutes injustice and undermines justice. This study builds on the recognition that, while the Anglican Church of Tanzania has grown considerably in terms of its membership, its role in engaging corruption – as an element of public and personal morality – has in some senses been lagging behind. For this reason the study identifies theological-ethical guidelines to inform and add theological content to the discourse on the role of the Anglican Church of Tanzania in the public sphere in general and in the fight against corruption in particular. This study falls primarily within the field of Christian ethics, but on an intradisciplinary level also finds itself within the relatively new field called “public theology”. The study also draws insights from the biblical sciences and, on an interdisciplinary level, on input from secular anthropology, philosophy, political science, sociology, economics, and historical studies. The interdisciplinary engagement in this study already acknowledges that a theological-ethical perspective is not the only perspective on the challenges facing anti-corruption and injustice strategies. However, the study shows that the Anglican Church of Tanzania should contribute to the fight against corruption and injustice. And, being a Christian church, this can be done only in accordance with the gospel of Jesus Christ. To vi Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za come to the latter conclusion and to give content to it, the study asks and answers the following interrelated questions: What is corruption and in/justice and how does it feature in Tanzanian society? For this a secular conceptual analysis is done as well as a contextual analysis of Tanzanian society in the past and today with regard to corruption. To find an answer to the question of why, from a theological-ethical perspective, corruption is wrong, the focus falls mainly on two elements, first the Christian doctrine of God and, second, on Christian understandings of humanity, or Christian anthropology. When looking at why the church be involved in the public sphere in general and especially with regard to the fight against corruption as injustice, different understandings of the nature of the Christian church is investigated and special attention is given to the views on the nature, role and modes of engagement of the church in the public domain in the view of public theologians past and present. Finally, this study asks to what extent these views of the role of the church in the public domain represents the reality of the life and witness of the Anglican Church of Tanzania. The study ends by exploring possible reasons for the current state of the Church’s involvement in these issues and suggestions as to how this may be stimulated, increased or improved. KEY TERMS: Corruption, justice/injustice, Christian ethics, public theology, The Anglican Church of Tanzania. vii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za OPSOMMING In die onlangse verlede is daar ‘n wêreldwye toename in die bewussyn van en aandag aan die uitdagings van korrupsie en ongeregtigheid as bedreigins vir die mensdom. Hierdie bewussyn en aandag het ook toegeneem in die Verenigde Republiek the Tanzanië, ‘n land wat, in terme van korrupsie, vandag ‘n krisis in die gesig staar soos nooit tevore. Hierdie toestand van sake het nie net gelei tot ’n toename in pogings deur ‘n verskeidenheid rolspelers in die samelewing om oplossings te vind vir hierdie golf van korrusie nie, maar het ook nuwe weë van ondersoek na die harde realiteit van korrupsie en ongeregtigheid daargestel. Dit word aan die hand gedoen dat hierdie uitdagings ook dringend aandag vra van kerke oor die algemeen en ook in besonder van die Anglikaanse Kerk van Tanzanë.